Randy snorts.
“Have they asked you to come back for any conventions or anything? You know, where they try to sell that calendar shit?”
I shrug.
“No, but I wouldn’t go anyways. That part of my life is over.”
But then my friend shoots me a curious look.
“Yeah, but your family couldn’t have been thrilled when you quit the FD. I mean, wasn’t your dad a firefighter too? And your grandfather?”
I shrug and nod.
“Yeah, it was hard on my dad, but he’ll deal. Besides, I already put in twenty years, so it was time to do something different.”
Randy snorts.
“Yeah, but how did he feel about you becoming a nude dancer? I mean, your family knows right?”
I smile tongue in cheek.
“Yeah, they know and no, they weren’t thrilled. Thank God my grandfather’s dead because Papi would probably shit himself. He was all about “honor and glory” and it’s not that I’m not about that shit, but it’s just time to move on, you know? Vegas awaits,” I say, gesturing expansively with my hand.
Samantha smiles while reaching for the baby.
“Maybe your dad should come see your show.”
I grunt humorously.
“Oh, hell no. I don’t mind dancing in front of sexy ladies, but if my parents were in the audience I’d lose it.”
Sam giggles while bouncing Henry up and down.
“Seriously, though, it is nice to have you here. We’re glad to have a familiar face in the area because we’ve made a lot of new friends, but old friends are good too.”
I nod.
“I’m grateful you guys are here as well because otherwise, I’d just have our co-workers.” But then I lean forward, my expression curious. “You know, I have been meaning to ask you two something though.”
Sam nods, bouncing the baby again as he giggles.
“Sure. Is it about the best BBQ place in town? Or where all the hottest girls hang out?”
I snort.
“No, I’ll find those places soon enough. It’s just … well, are you guys still into that free use thing you were telling me about? Like are you doing it now?”
Randy and Sam share a knowing look.
“Why?” Sam asks casually.
I shrug.
“It just sounded like an interesting lifestyle, and I wanted to get into myself actually.”
Randy grins then.
“Yeah, it’s working for us,” he growls. “It’s fucking awesome too because I get to fuck my wife whenever I want, whether she feels like it or not.”
Another woman would shy back with horror, but instead Samantha just giggles and smiles.
“Oh, yeah, and I love it too,” she says, stroking her husband’s strong forearm. “It suits both of our needs because you know I need it just as much as Randy.”
I nod with approval because to be honest, ever since I found out about the free use lifestyle, I’ve been intrigued. Basically, all free use means is that one partner has no-holds-barred access to his partner’s body at any time of the day or night, no matter their mood. It’s a totally consensual agreement, and more often than not, leads to a lot of sex.
“So it’s working out even though you have a baby?” I ask, one black brow quirked.
Randy nods.
“We’ve never had a problem,” he says. “The baby sleeps, you know, and besides Henry has no idea what’s going on anyways.”
Sam giggles. “Which is good because Randy is always horny. He takes me morning, noon, and night,” she sighs blissfully before covering her mouth immediately. “OMG, was that TMI?”
I grin.
“Nope, trust me. It’s good to know that it’s working out for you.”
Sam nods.
“Yeah, it’s worked out better than we expected because when I was pregnant, the hormones do crazy things to your sex drive and I was horny all the time. I mean, all the time, to the point where it was hard to tell who was free using whom, I needed it so much.”
I nod, impressed.
“Fuck, that sounds perfect. A horny woman who needs to free use me? I’m on it, baby. Just let me know where to find her.”
But then Randy nods and leans forward.
“So are you going to try out the lifestyle for yourself?” he asks lazily. “Could be fun.”
I snort.
“Yeah, definitely, but with whom? I’m not seeing anyone right now, and I can’t exactly be like, let me fuck you whenever I want, whether or not you’re in the mood.”
Randy shrugs.
“Yeah, but you’re dating right? I mean, I’ve seen the way girls fawn over you at Thunder Strike. One of those ladies would be happy to provide what you’re looking for.”
I shrug.
“Maybe, but she has to be right, you know what I mean? I don’t want to get stuck in something with a girl who’s just so-so because bad shit could happen. Hell, we might break up and then she goes on TikTok accusing me of being a “user” and “manwhore.” Naw, it’s got to be someone different. Someone better than that.”
Sam nods solemnly.
“Yeah, these days there’s just so much cancel culture out there. You’re right – it’s better to be careful.” With that, the conversation turns to more casual topics, and we laugh as the baby stuffs his face with cake before falling into a deep, dreamless sleep.