Page 1 of Painless
Prologue
SHADOW
SIX YEARS EARLIER
The woman flipped her skirt back down over her hips and stood from her kneeling position without a glance at me. She left my room, closing the door behind her, before I even discarded the condom.
Well, that was...fine. I guess.
I took my time cleaning myself off and re-fastened my pants. My fingers trembled slightly, either from needing a drink or nerves at what just happened, I wasn't sure.
The heat and numbness of alcohol called to me, more alluring than any woman. I didn't have any left in my room, so I'd have to go out to the dining area of this service center. Where more women walked around, serving food and drinks.
That wasn't so bad anymore, as long as they came and went quickly. But Jandro would be out there too. After how much he begged, goaded, and pleaded for me to do this, my biggest fear right then was his inability to keep his mouth shut.
I steeled myself with a breath in front of my door. With any luck, he'd be too drunk to remember, or preoccupied with his own woman for the night. I was fine with either option, as long as he didn't draw attention to me.
After a few more breaths, I left my room and squeezed down a staircase that was much too small for someone of my size. At least I remembered to duck under the beams this time.
"Yoooo, there he is!"
Fuck. No luck for me tonight.
I glowered all the way across the dining room, but it did nothing to deter Jandro's clapping and hollering. As I got closer, I noticed the six empty beer pitchers on his table, his flushed complexion, and how he was nearly sliding off the picnic bench seat.
"Are you done?" I grunted, grabbing his cut to pull him upright before he slid down to the floor.
"Bro, I'm jus' gettin' started." He leaned over the table, propped up on his forearms as he smiled woozily at me. "So how was it?"
"Can I get you anything, sir?"
The feminine voice sent my fists and jaw clenching. I stared hard at the table surface as I forced myself to breathe normally. My eyes lifted to Jandro’s in a silent plea. His mouth tightened and he gave a small shake of his head.
Fuck. He was making me do this myself today.
“...Sir?”
"Whiskey," I ground out. "Your largest bottle. The whole thing."
She gathered up the empty beer pitchers and headed off without another word. I unclenched my hands while Jandro shot me a disappointed look.
"It won't kill you to say please," he lectured. "And to look at a server when they're talking to you."
"I forgot."
"Well, start remembering. I'm gettin' a little tired of reminding a grown-ass man to have manners."
The server flew by our table with another beer pitcher for Jandro and a handle of Jack Daniels for me.
"Thanks," I forced myself to mutter, but she was already several feet away tending to other tables.
"Doesn't count if they don't hear you." Jandro brought the beer to his lips with two hands.
"You know this doesn't come naturally to me," I told him, after taking a deep swallow from the bottle.
"It won't come at all if you don't practice. I'm not even asking you to say full sentences. But as mytiaused to say, please and thank you is something every human being should know." He set the pitcher down and the giddy smile returned. "Nowpleasetell me you were more successful at losing your virginity than speaking words."
I sighed before taking another deep drink. And I almost thought he'd be distracted enough to forget it. "It happened. So I guess it was successful."
