Page 4 of Show and Tell
I shrug and toss my hair over one shoulder with a smile.
“I guess it’s because you and I aren’t the bowling-type.But yeah, we have our own lanes and Lionel sometimes has friends over to bowl.I haven’t met them yet but I doubt they’re your stereotypical bowler.I mean, I can’t imagine that Lionel hangs out with seventy-year-old geezers sporting big paunches.My guess is that his friends are fit and masculine, and every bit as gorgeous as my stepdad.”
“Lionelisgorgeous,” Rose hums in agreement.“I looked him up on-line and he looks like a movie star.It’s hard to believe he works in an office all day.”
“Well, my stepfather works out a lot,” I say in a smug tone.“He tries not to wake me up in the mornings, but generally he meets with a personal trainer at 5 a.m.every day.That is, if I don’t get in the way and ‘distract’ him,” I say with air quotes.
“Distract?”Rose squeals while giggling.“Oh my god, I know what you’re insinuating.You’re such a naughty girl, Lily.Holy cow.”
“I know,” I say with a satisfied grin.“He takes me so thoroughly each and every time too,” I add.“Even at 5 a.m.because the man has the energy and stamina of a bull.”
“Oh my god,” Rose chokes with laughter as a faint flush appears on her cheeks.“I can’t believe you’re telling me this.”
I merely shrug while tossing a brown lock over one shoulder.
“Maybe you’ll find your own older man someday, Rosie.Wouldn’t that be amazing?I highly recommend it.”
My pink-haired friend blushes and nods, although she doesn’t say anything.She picks at the coverlet while averting her eyes, and my spidey sense goes off.Is something going on?My mind begins considering various possibilities, but then Rosie speaks again, turning my attention elsewhere.
“So what’s going to happen during this sordid get-together?”
I shrug and smile.
“I don’t know exactly.We’re playing it by ear.But Lionel told me that he’ll have three buddies over because they usually play two to a team when they bowl.So that’s four men total, and I’m expected to service them all.”
Of course, my stepfather wasn’t clear about whether his league is a league of double-cocked men, or whether each guy will be brandishing only the standard equipment.But I’m actually fine either way.This is going to be an experience for the ages, and I can’t wait.
Still, I’m nervous too.I’ve never been with multiple men at once, and although my senses are clamoring for the event to happen sooner rather than later, I wonder if I’ve done enough to prepare myself.A lot of things could go wrong, and I exhale slowly, trying to slow my shuddering pulse.
Rose notices and nods knowingly.
“So are you prepared?I mean, have you taken an Epsom salt bath and done all the good stuff?”
I sputter.
“Epsom salt bath?Why?”
She cocks her head at me.
“Because it loosens your muscles!You’ll need it.”
“But wouldn’t that be forafterthe encounter, and not before?”
Rose merely smiles.
“Maybe,” she demurs.“But before could help too.But tell me: what else have you done to get ready?”
I frown a bit, mentally reviewing my preparations.
“Come to think of it, not much.I mean, the men are coming over tomorrow night, so I’ve gotten waxed down there, and I had a facial last week.I never like to get facials too close to D-Day because sometimes I come out puffy and splotchy afterwards.The redness diminishes with time, but I’ve learned to get my skin taken care of a week in advance, just in case.”
“Of course, that makes total sense,” Rose hums while nodding.“And what else?”
I shrug.
“Well, I got a mani-pedi,” I say, holding out my gleaming pink nails.“And I’ll get my hair blown-out the morning of, and probably shave myself all over a few hours before, just to be extra soft and ready.But why?”I ask curiously.“Am I missing something?”
Rose bites her lip.
