“I’ve dated several versions of this guy. There’s the hipster who worked at a head shop, the motocross adrenaline-junkie, and the wannabe small-business start-up guy. Oh, and my all-time favorite, the one who claimed he was a travel blogger but really had a girlfriend in the next town. The sad part is, they typically either live with a group of like-minded buddies or at home because they don’t seem to have a real job. They’ve figured out that if they can hook up with a girl who does work, she will take care of them,” Chloe shared.
“That sounds exactly like David. He heard my family had money, and then the next thing I knew, I was dating him,” Brook said with her tongue firmly in her cheek.
“I know. It’s hard to resist them when they look like that,” Chloe said, pointing at me. “What’s a girl to do when they have abs and a bum you can’t keep your hands off? If any of them had his tackle, I might have put up with it. I hope he’s good in bed.”
“He has his moments,” Brook grudgingly admitted.
She was on the verge of getting a spanking.
“Don’t get me wrong, the man-child is loads of fun. He’s usually funny, too. The problem is, you reach a point where you realize that it’s just never going anywhere. I have no desire to spend money on some guy who can’t get off his arse and do more than ask where I’m ordering take-away from tonight,” Chloe said.
“We should order room service,” I suggested.
Brook threw a pillow at my head.
“The clincher is that the man-child never really takes the relationship further than casual. They think that if they keep it trivial, deeper feelings will never be uncovered to spoil their fun. They are more interested in getting off than ever letting a real emotion surface. At some point, you want someone you can share your dreams, hopes, and fears with,” Chloe rambled on.
“So, did you want some food or not?” I asked with a straight face.
Brook winked at me and nodded. I left the two of them to talk about modern man’s ills while I called in our order.
I felt sorry for Chloe. It sounded like she was ready for something serious but was hanging out with the wrong kind of guys. If the right guy came around, I’m sure he would be willing to lock her down and be all she wanted.
◊◊◊
I’d grabbed my swimsuit and put it back on because I didn’t want to answer the door nude when the food came. I ordered a variety of sandwiches and salads since I didn’t know what Chloe would eat. And I ordered another pitcher of mojitos because the girls had downed about two-thirds of the one I brought earlier.
There was a soft knock on the door, and I found the cute bartender with a new pitcher. She heard the girls talking in the bedroom.
“You not invited to play?” she asked.
“No. No, I’m just here for the scenery,” I said with a smile. “I didn’t catch your name.”
“Elise,” she said and looked me up and down. “I’m here for the scenery too.”
“I bet, but I’d better stick with what I know.”
“New things can be fun, too,” she suggested.
It’s not often that I’m struck speechless. I’ve been hit on a lot, and it usually doesn’t faze me. Uncle John had warned me about wanting to try new girls. I think he’d been speaking from experience. She saw I wasn’t going to say anything, so she continued.
“Unless you’re afraid of change.”
“I’m not afraid of much and have been known to change on a dime. The thing is, it has to be worth my while,” I said to try to slow her down.
“Sometimes you have to just jump in without looking. It’s been my experience that it often is much better than you ever imagined it could be.”
“Or it blows up in your face,” I temporized.
“I admit that it can. Change isn’t easy, and most people are afraid of it. I get the sense you might enjoy a change every now and then.”
Oh, shit.
“I think I’d better stick with what I have.”
Rob was suddenly there with our food. I put the pitcher on the table, and Rob did the same with the plates. I noticed that Elise had left when he arrived.
“What’s her story?” I asked.
“Elise?” he asked, and I nodded. “As far as I know, she’s a straight arrow. If you’re looking for another girl, I might have some suggestions.”
“No, I’m set. Thanks, though.”
In some ways, I loved California, but I worried about what would happen if I was left to my own devices. I tipped Rob and sent him on his way.
◊◊◊
While we ate lunch, I received a text from my brother to jump onto video chat. I took my drink and made sure it was in the shot when I turned on the app. Greg was waiting for me.
“You totally suck. It got down to twelve degrees last night,” he complained.
“Is that David?” Phil asked, and I had to laugh when I saw the Christmas sweater he wore.
“Bite me. It was a gift from Jill,” he explained.
“If my girlfriend bought me something that ugly, I would have to break up with her,” I teased.
“That’s what I told him,” Greg said to pile on.
“You just wish you were dating someone as hot as Jill,” Phil shot back.
“I’m muting you for a second and giving you a tour of what’s possible,” I told them.
