I blink at Cindy. She’s right, this is what I asked for. Then I went and got jealous of all things. Jealous—I gotjealous. How can I do just benefits if I’m already jealous?
“Just make it exclusive benefits,” says Leslie, like she can read my mind. “While you’re sleeping together, you can’t see anyone else until you stop sleeping together.”
I ponder that for a moment. That could work. That should keep any jealousy at bay, and I can keep sleeping with Dean. I nod in agreement, locking in my decision. I’m sure I’ll find time to tell him, I’m sure he’s going to have a lot to say after leaving him at the gala like that.
Cindy invites us to stay the night at her place for an old school sleepover. Cindy lends Leslie and me some comfy clothes to wear so we can all change out of our formal dresses. After makeup has been removed and every bobby pin has been removed from our hair, we break out some more booze and watch murder documentaries until the early hours of the morning.
THIRTY-FIVE
DEAN
I wason cloud nine when I left that bathroom at the gala. Having Regan come all over my hand in that sexy red dress is forever seared into my brain. I’ve been playing it on repeat every time I need relief.
Though after I saw her talking to Ian at the bar, she promptly disappeared for the night, and I haven’t been able to get a hold of her since. Do you even text your benefits-only person if you’re not asking for the benefits? I just want to be sure that everything’s okay and that she didn’t run out for an emergency or something.
Can I really just be benefits with Regan Brady? I know that my reputation is bringing a new grid girl to each track, but since being with Regan, it just seems…wrong.
The sex is amazing, and I’d love nothing more than to keep having sex with her, but I do enjoy just spending time with her, too. That’s something I’ve never experienced before with a woman. The women I see know what they are there for, I know what they are there for. And now, that’s not what I want from Regan. Maybe I could have a relationship with her, even if I’ve never been in one before. I don’t know what that would even look like. I have somuch baggage…
My head is so screwed up. I can’t be thinking about relationships with her. It’s benefits only for a reason, that’s what I need to treat this as. I can’t sit around thinking about it anymore. I text Chase about going out, and he sends out invites to everyone, setting everything up.
They choose a bar, Victory Lap, in uptown, and I take an Uber to meet them there. Once I arrive at the bar, it’s Chase, Taylor, Ian, and Greyson. A stool is open next to Chase. I take it and order a beer from the bartender, a woman in her mid-twenties, in a black crop top and dark jeans, with wavy hair. Normally, I would have instantly started flirting, but it just doesn’t seem right. Although, I did ask for this night out to forget my current predicament. So, maybe a little flirting is in order.
“Dixon, finally. Now, to what do we owe the pleasure of this gathering?” Chase asks.
Chase knows about Regan and me, but not about what happened at the gala. He was too busy being upset about Leslie dancing with Greyson and Drew to really notice anything with me. I know he was also upset that Leslie left in a hurry, most likely with Regan. I’m sure he needs this night out as much as I do right now.
“Just needed a guys night out,” I say, keeping it vague. Taylor or Chase are usually the ones dragging me out, not the other way around. And I typically avoid going out the night before race weekend, but I need to clear my head before seeing her again. The bartender places my beer on a coaster in front of me. She gives me a wink before tending to another customer.
Taylor comes up on my other side to wait for the cute bartender. “So, what’s the plan?”
I take a big gulp of beer. “Get drunk, talk to women,” I declare.
“Sounds like a plan,” Ian says, squeezing his way in at the bar. My eyes narrow. He was talking to Regan right before sheleft the night of the gala. I want to know what he said to her to make her leave. Before I get a chance, a shot glass is thrown into my hand by Chase.
I don’t like the fact that Ian is here, but I didn’t make the guest list. Next time, I’ll need to be more specific about who to invite. Chase, Taylor, Ian, Greyson, and I all clink our shot glasses together and throw back the clear liquid. It burns going down and I wince. Tequila, not my favorite.
Multiple drinks and shots in, I finally start to relax and forget why I needed this night out in the first place. As the drinks continue to flow, so does my ability to let loose and just be without worries of everything else, and just be. No race for the championship, no Regan, just me and my friends having a good time.
A group of women enter, and they all come up to the bar to order their drinks. I’m not paying too much attention, I’m talking to Greyson about…something. I don’t know what anymore, honestly. He talks way too fast, and I’ve had way too many drinks to try to keep up. Maybe it was something about a pet turtle? That doesn’t sound right, either. Taylor nudges me and gets both of our attention.
“Damn, bro!” Taylor exclaims. Greyson just lets out a low whistle. I follow where Taylor and Greyson are looking, and damn is right. All four of them are smoking hot in short dresses and high heels.
The blonde catches my attention. She’s in a halter top dress that’s barely long enough to cover her luscious ass. She turns with the straw from her drink between her lips, and our eyes lock.
It’s on.
Ian is handing out shots, and I grab one and down it for a little more courage. I have no reason to be nervous, this is who I am, one night stands and grid girls.
“Dude, you’re so dead,” Chase says, but I’m not sure if he means something else by that statement.
“Damn, that chick is eye fucking you,” Ian says, taking another shot. “You better go talk to her.” He shoves me over to her, and I almost knock her over in the process. I steady myself and then her, my hands around her waist. I peer over my shoulder and Ian just gives me a wink. Something about it causes the alcohol in my stomach to churn. He’s up to something, but the beautiful blonde in my arms catches my attention again.
“Shit, sorry about that. My friends are being dicks,” I say with a laugh. “I’m Dean, by the way.”
“Stacy. Nice to meet you, Dean,” she purrs, her voice reminding me of Regan’s.
No, you’re not thinking about her tonight.
