When we arrived at the Star Lounge that Friday night, I had no idea that it was about to change my life.
I had three buddies from college and we used to go on these guy's nights out about once a month. Jeremy and Tim were married. Scott had a serious relationship going. I had lost Cheryl two years prior because of a drunk driver. Most of the time we'd hit a local sports bar and consume a few "man sodas". But this particular night we decided to go the lounge: they had a band playing and, for reasons I can't remember, both Jeremy and Tim's wives were away. It would be a little naughty to go flirt with some women, maybe cop a feel on the dance floor, before hitting a Denny's at 1 AM for early breakfast--kind of an echo of college days.
I was designated driver, because I never want to be responsible for someone else getting that knock on the door, so we took my Jaguar sedan. Tim and Scott came over to my place and we picked up Jeremy on the way.
The place was moderately busy and we were there early. Jeremy and I grabbed a big table near the back, while Tim and Scott went to get beers. The table next to us had three women. Jeremy said hello.
"Hi, I'm Gail and these are Heather and Diane," answered the nearest gal, a perky looking bottle-blonde, probably early thirties. "We're having a girl's night out."
I introduced the two of us and pointed out Tim and Scott. "It's our guy's night out. You gals want to join us?"
"Seems like we're one short for you guys."
"It's okay. We can take turns dancing."
"Yeah, but someone will be disappointed at closing time."
"Well, these guys are married or as good as..." I put in, but Jeremy jumped to point out that "We're all on hall passes this week."
"We're married too," Heather added, flashing her ring. "But that doesn't mean we're not looking for fun. And we can help recruit a fourth," she added, nodding at me.
We scooted the tables together and started getting to know them. Gail and Heather were real firecrackers. They made it pretty plain how they wanted the evening to end. Diane was more reserved. She was happy to flirt and dance, but maybe not end up in a strange bed. The guys were eating it up, though.
Jeremy pulled me to one side and made clear his plan. "Don't be a stick in the mud, man. We can go back to your place and have some fun. No one will be the wiser. It's great that they're married, because there'll be no consequences Monday morning, eh?"
"Sure." But he could see my hangdog look. I'd have to look their spouses in the eye eventually and besides, I was now pretty much flying solo instead of hanging out with my buddies.
By now the band was in full swing. I nursed my cranberry and tonic, holding on to the table so the three couples could get more and more daring on the dance floor. Jeremy was talking to Gail, nodding his head in my direction a couple of times. She nodded back and scanned the room a bit.
Not much later, Gail came back with fourth woman. "This is Denise. She's a coworker of mine and she's here on her own. I thought she might join us?"
"Sure, come on over."
Denise wasn't very attractive. She was maybe average height, a bit overweight, and flat as a board front and rear. Her hair was brown and kind of mousy, and she was wearing these oversized rimless glasses that I thought weren't flattering. She had no chin to speak of. Her dress was of some heavy blue material and did nothing for her. But heck, it wasn't a date or something.
"You from around here?" I asked.
"Moved here a few months ago."
"Where from?"
"Kansas."
"You don't say! How do you like it here so far?"
"It's okay."
It was like an interrogation. She put no effort into it. After a while she said she was going to the ladies and headed off. Instead of returning to the table, she went to the bar and tried to chat up other guys.
Since that hadn't worked and I didn't feel like sitting alone, I went up to the bar myself. I chatted for a bit with a buxom blonde, but she was waiting for someone.
Turning to the other side, I found Denise at my elbow. We looked at each other and it was like you could see the speech bubbles over our heads: "Nah. Not really."
To my left, Heather came up with Tim. Heather was wearing a floral print blouse with a Peter Pan collar and very short sleeves. I don't know how she did it, but her rather large lungs seemed to defy gravity, even though you could look down between them practically to her navel.
Her cheeks were flushed and her one hand was fastened possessively to Tim's arm. While he dickered with the barkeep, she spared me a moment, pointed at another lady at a table, and said "Candy looks lonely. She's fun. Tell her I sent you."
Candy was indeed lonely, looked a well-put-together fifty-something, and desperate for any sort of male attention. But another guy got to her before I made a move and the last I saw they were exploring the rear exit of the club.
Denise was still there, so I bought her a new round. The band was loud, so she practically had to scream to tell me, "You don't have to be nice to me for Gail's sake."
"I don't know Gail. I'm just here with some friends."
"I'm not ready to hang out with you."
"Okay."
The very attractive redheaded gal who came up to order next to me didn't want to dance--she was refreshing drinks while her wife used the head. With most everyone seeming to be paired up, I gave up and headed back to our table.
When the band's set ended, everyone else joined me and a new round was consumed. Tim was like, "Hey, bro, these girls are hot. We should take them somewhere and play some games." Heather bobbed her head side to side like a demented Barbie to emphasize her support for this notion. I might be saving her from a terrible button failure incident if only I swept them away from here.
Scott, meanwhile, broke away from his "conversation" with Diane (if by "conversation" you mean "kissing each other's brains out") to add "Let's go to your place."
"We won't all fit in the Jag."
"We'll chase you in an uber."
Gail and Jeremy were excited by the prospect, so I gave in.
