Being a part of this community was as much a need as it was a desire these days. I still didn’t venture into things that I wasn’t sure about. Having my past sneak up at times when I should be enjoying what life offered sucked.
Taking one more deep breath and holding it in for a second, I let it release, along with all the pent-up frustrations that didn’t belong there.
The metal handle was warm to the touch as I pulled open the heavy door. The entryway was the same as it had been the first time I got my feet to move into this building. A desk with papers and pens. Tubs with numbers behind them, which when the club was opened was where personal items would be held and the members would get a number ticket to use to collect the items when they left the club.
Since this was a munchie, I got to keep my phone and keys.
I also knew that there were slim boxes under the desk with different colored wristbands that were required on open nights.
Munchies were the best part of this community. I didn’t venture to open nights, since, one, I wasn’t a member yet. A member had to be at least twenty-one, or accompanied by someone who was a member. Two, I didn’t want to dish out the member fee, even if I was close to being of age.
I understood that age requirement. But it made it slightly harder to get into some things in this town.
“Asher!” I didn’t make it farther than a few feet in the door before being attacked by a hug. With my arms pinned at my side, I couldn’t hug back. The arms squeezed me again for a brief second, tight enough I almost began to worry that my lungs were about to be squished from the inside out before they released me. “So happy to see you!”
“You saw me a week ago,” I huffed but had no heat behind the words. Leah was always a force to be reckoned with and one of the most touchy types of people I could ever possibly meet.
She was one of the first friends I made in this lifestyle, which shouldn’t have been all that surprising. Leah was friends with everyone, and then more. If you wanted information on someone, she knew the gossip. I wasn’t sure how she could know every single person, but some things were better to be kept as a mystery.
She had her ways, and it was best to leave it at that.
“How are you? You look tired? Have you been sleeping? Is Noah coming?”
“Uh...” My brain short-circuited, trying to catch up with her questions she fired. At the same time, she grabbed ahold of my hand, leading me towards one of the tables that were set up for today's gathering.
I glanced at the stage where the demo would be held today, wondering what today’s topic was going to be, before spotting the rest of the group that I always hung out with. A few of the normal people were missing, which wasn’t unusual.
“Noah is busy today,” I answered, remembering that question out of all the ones she fired at me. “He had to work extra hours this week at the shelter.”
My best friend had a soft spot for the vet service. When he had been asked to help with the free vet checks today, he had been quick to accept.
Pets were his thing. Drinks were mine.
“Too bad. But you need sleep. Don’t make me find a dom to boss you around.”
I kept my words to myself. That was a part of me that I couldn’t quite figure out. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to. While I craved certain things, I wasn’t sure if that was the right way to go. I respected Dom’s and Subs alike. I just didn’t know where I fell into the mix.
Not having any play partners hadn’t helped me there, and that wasn’t going to change anytime soon, either.
For now, I’d keep to these munchies and watch the demos while silently adding things I wanted to try to my growing list.
It was likely that by the time I’d figured out what I was, my list would be ten miles long.
“I’m fine. I worked last night, but have the next two days off. I’ll get caught up on sleep.” I promised. That seemed to make Leah happy, as her concern turned back to happiness. I had to take twice as many steps to keep up with her, and for someone who had shorter legs than me, I couldn’t help but wonder how she could move so dang fast. “But, maybe you need a dom.” I knew she had one that she played with, but as far as I knew, they were more like friends than lovers.
“Nah. I can’t be tied down.”
I lifted a brow. Leah loved being restrained, but she hadn’t meant the way my brain took it.
Before she could answer, we were at the table, where she all but shoved me into an empty seat. It took a moment for me to figure out what everyone was talking about, but even then, it was better for me to just listen in.
But, today of all days, my mind didn’t keep their words inside. They went in one ear and out the other as I looked around the place.
The fireplace off to the side was off, which made sense. It was late spring, and there was no need for a gas fire to add to the appeal of the day. Although, when it was running, that was where I tended to find myself. Always drawn to any warmth, even if it was fake heat.
I was also fascinated by the flames. Separated by a piece of glass, those lights wouldn’t ever hurt. Plus, it was just a lightbulb that made them dance when the entire built-in fireplace was turned on. It wouldn’t hurt me even if I touched it. Which in a way, a part of me was sad about. I wanted to hurt. I wanted the pain. Only to make sure that what I felt years ago was real.
“Afternoon, subbies.” At the voice, I gave a mental thanks for the interruption to my thoughts. Lately, they kept popping up when I least wanted them to.
