The Hustler 1

It's almost 7pm and for once, I'm actually early to meet up with my girlfriend Jessica. My name is Rick, I'm a 26yo software engineer here in Austin, Texas. I've been dating Jessica for about 8 months now, and our relationship hasn't been the best lately if I'm being honest. It's mainly to do with the extra hours I work, and I'm either constantly late or even a no-show for some of the dates we've arranged, which has placed a strain on our relationship.

Jessica pretends to take it all in her stride, that it's not a big deal, but I can tell that sometimes it is. But I'm determined to right my wrongs, to start being more consistent with at least showing up and being on time, to be the sort of boyfriend Jessica deserves.

I am meant to be meeting her at 8pm at this club in downtown Austin for drinks, I left work earlier than expected today just to make sure that I'd be early and waiting for her when she got here. I've bought myself a drink and am standing near the bar looking around.

The club itself has a weird layout, basically an L shape. At one end is the dance floor, then a few tables, toilets and some other doors including the entrance in the middle, with the bar at the point of the L wrapped partially in both directions. The other 'arm' of the club is more dimly lit with armchairs along with small drinks tables in between, for people to chat more intimately away from the noise of the dance floor.

I haven't let Jessica know that I'm here already, or that I've even left work yet for that matter. I want to surprise her when she gets here. As I'm still standing up at the bar and looking around, a well-dressed guy walks up and speaks to me.

"Hey, you must be new here, you out on the prowl tonight?"

"Not really." I answer, unsure what else to say.

"Aw, come on. Everyone's here looking for someone. I bet if the right girl showed up, you'd be on her like a flash." The guy said, smiling at me all the while.

I didn't answer him, I just looked over at this men's cologne walking advertisement. He's about 6'2 tall, with styled light brown hair, blue eyes and a big pearly white smile. He's also dressed like you'd imagine some handsome guy would in a commercial, selling you watches or cologne or something expensive. The guy looks like a real player.

"Where are my manners, I'm Steve, I'm one of the club's managers. Is this your first time in here?"

"Yeah, it is. Do I stand out that much huh?"

"Ah, you dress sort of okay I guess, you've come straight from work, haven't you?"

"Yep." I respond.

"Well, maybe you need to put a bit more effort in if you want to impress the ladies. They do notice that sort of thing, it will make them more receptive to you talking with them." Steve offered.

"And I suppose you're the expert on that, huh?"

"I am actually." Steve responds, again showing that big winning smile of his.

"Is that why you work here? To try and get with all the women that come in here?" I respond, being a little annoyed with his arrogance.

"Not all the women, only the ones I want."

"But do they want you, that's the big question." I reply with my own smile now.

"They always do, I never fail." Steve replies with an over-confident smirk.

"Yeah right. I'm betting there's plenty of women that would reject your advances. Maybe you only go after the drunk ones." I reply laughing a little, this whole conversation is a little absurd.

"Nah, I never have to aim that low. But if you want to have a friendly wager, I'll let you pick the woman for me, and I'll guarantee that I'll have my way with her within the hour." Steve replies to me defiantly.

"What? Have your way with her, you mean fucking her? Within one hour?" I say incredulously.

"Absolutely."

"Nah, how would you even prove that? You might just ask her outside for a coffee or something and then come back in and tell me you fucked her. You're just being full of shit right now." I respond while laughing at him again.

"No, I said I'm one of the Manager's here. See that room over there, that's our storeroom. Inside is a table and chairs, with another section that goes around the corner inside that's full of lighting and fixtures and shit. I'll take the woman you choose in there and fuck her on the table, you can watch from behind all the fixtures if you want proof."

"Really? You want me to watch you fuck some slut?"

"No, we're having a bet that I can fuck any woman that you choose within the hour, that's what."

"If it's a bet, what do I get when you lose?"

"Free drinks all night long."

"And if you win?"

"Then I get to fuck the woman, simple."

"Well, that makes it an easy bet for me, if I have nothing to lose."

"You can always come back here and buy drinks all night long in the future, that's what you can do for me if you want. But I was always going to be finding a woman here tonight to fuck anyway, so it's no big deal for me either."

"And the free drinks for me?"

"I can just write them off as a promotion, but I won't have to because I never fail. By the way, what's your name?"

"I'm Rick."

"Well then Rick, do we have ourselves a bet?"

"Sure, it will cost me nothing no matter what happens."

"Okay, just one rule though. That once you pick the girl out, you can't interfere, you can't try to sabotage me in any way. That includes no talking with the woman in question until it's all over. Okay?"

"Yeah, okay, that sounds fair." I reply as we shake hands.

"Alright then, just let me know when you pick out the woman. Take your time, but make sure she's attractive, no fatties, oldies or uglies."

"I thought you said it was my choice?" I smile back at Steve.

"Yeah, but at least make it competitive. Big, ugly and older women are all dying to fuck anyone, but the more attractive younger ones need some work. You do want to make me work for it, right?"

"Yeah, alright." I reply as Steve smiles once more before walking away to talk with other patrons.

As I finish my first drink, I get another as I start to look around the club, wondering which girl I should choose for our little bet. There are a few in here already but it's only early. Steve said there's no rush, so maybe I should wait until some more attractive ones show up to really test his bravado. I wouldn't mind watching some hot chick getting fucked as well, if not I get the free drinks, of course.

Jessica then texts me, telling me that she's on the way to meet me at the club, I don't want to tell her I'm here already to ruin the surprise, so I simply send her a thumbs up emoji.

As I continue to look around the club, I see a few more women enter. One of them reminds me of my own girlfriend. She's about 5'5, blonde hair in a bob cut, fit looking with nice b-cups, just like my Jessica. This girl also looks about 22 or 23, about the same age as Jessica too. Maybe I've just found the girl, she's here with two of her friends that will no doubt run interference for me as well.

But before I make my mind up, the three girls approach the bar, and I can see the cute blond give Steve a warm kiss on the cheek as he greets them. Damn it, he clearly knows them already, he may have even slept with them too if he's as good as he says he is.

The three girls do get me thinking though; my own Jessica has two friends that she goes out with as well, including when I'm with her sometimes but always on the nights I can't make it. I'm now wondering if she meets guys like Steve too when they're out. I don't think that Jessica has ever cheated on me, but it's hard to say for sure when they've gone out to clubs like this without me many times due to my work hours.

I mean, if I was my usual late self, or even a no-show tonight like I've been in the past, Jessica would be here on her own with Steve lurking around, looking for his fuck for the night. Can I honestly say that she would reject him? Yeah, I'm fairly positive she would, I want to believe that.

"Hey Rick, any luck finding me my girl for the night yet?" I hear Steve ask as I stop thinking about Jessica.

"Well, I was thinking about that cute blonde with the bob cut that just came in, but it looks like you already know her."

"Oh, that's Tiffany, and yeah, we've already fucked a few times before. I even fucked her here once while her boyfriend was busy chatting with some guy up at the bar." Steve chuckles in response.

"You fucked a girl that was here with her boyfriend?"

"Yeah, he was bragging about how Tiffany was the best girlfriend he ever had, that she would never cheat on him and shit. Meanwhile, I'd already fucked her when he wasn't here, so I decided to fuck her while he was. Clueless dumb ass. Guys should know that all women will cheat, the ones that haven't yet, just haven't had the right opportunity with the right guy, that's all."

"Oh really? That's a pretty bold statement right there."

"Yeah, but in my experience it's true, at least for the women that like to go out to clubs anyway. I haven't met a girl that won't sleep with me after I whisper the right things in her ear, after I get them in the right mood. It's quite easy if you know how to talk to them."

"And nothing to do with you being a tall, handsome club manager I'm guessing?" I reply with a smirk.

"Of course that's important. Looks and how you dress will get you ninety percent of the way there, what you say to them after that is what gets the remaining ten percent done." Steve responds.

"You sound pretty confident about that."

"Yep, pick out your girl and I'll show you exactly what I mean." Steve replies to me before he once again moves off to greet some other people he knows who have just entered the club.

I'm starting to despise his arrogance now, even more than before. Just his confidence that he can fuck any woman in here that he wants regardless of who they are. Again, I can't help but think if my own Jessica was here by herself, would she say no to him? I'm sure she would, I have to keep telling myself that otherwise she may have already been unfaithful to me on her many nights out without me.

Well, I could find out for myself, I could put her to the test. I could find out if she's loyal and is the girl for me, or if I've been completely wrong about her. But isn't that asking for trouble? Setting her up to be hit on by someone like Steve, and then what if she fails? I'll blame her for something I helped arrange to happen in the first place. Yeah, maybe. But it's up to her to be my loyal girlfriend, to reject a guy like Steve who might try his luck with her. It's what I'm expecting her to do every other time she goes out with her friends anyway. Besides, I'm sure she would say no to him, I'm just sure of it.

With that thought, my phone chimes again with another message from Jessica.

'Just getting to the club now, how far away are u?'

'Still at work, sorry. Last minute stuff. Prob an hour or so more. Will meet u there.'

There, it's done. I've got the girl picked out for Steve now. God I'm hoping he's going to be giving me free drinks all night.

I'm standing up at the bar, right across from the entrance, so I quickly grab my drink and head over near the tables near the men's toilets. It's a bit darker here just off the dance floor, so hopefully Jessica won't see me when she gets inside.

And I moved just in time, no sooner than I took my seat, I see my very pretty and dressed up girlfriend enter the club, making her way straight to the bar as she checks her phone, seeing my message response no doubt. Jessica's attention is immediately taken by the barman as he takes her order.

There's another guy standing at the next table between myself and Jessica, and I maneuver a little to ensure he's blocking Jessica's view of me. That's also when I see Steve approach and say hello to Jessica, he's smiling and being his usual charming self. Jessica has her phone out and looks like she's texting while Steve continues his charm offensive.

My phone ping with a new message from Jessica.

'Okay, see u when u get here. Don't be too late.'

I look back up and see Steve and Jessica continuing to chat for about a minute more before he moves on, making his way towards the dance floor. I check on Jessica again, she has her drink as I watch her move around the corner towards the seated armchair area of the club, she won't be able to see me now at least.

"Are you looking to find a girl to dance with? I thought we had a wager going." Steve states as he gets my attention as he's now standing in front of me again.

"Just relaxing over here, checking out the girls." I reply.

"Did you find one for me yet? Or still looking."

"Yeah, I think I found one. That attractive blonde girl up at the bar you were just talking to a moment ago, do you know her already too?"

"That gorgeous little blonde named Jessica, no, I haven't had the pleasure yet."

"Well, she's my choice then."

"Jessica, huh. Any reason you're choosing her?"

"What? Apart from the fact she's out of your league by the looks of her." I reply.

"No, I don't think so, in fact I think she's exactly the type of girl I love fucking. So, is the bet on? Is she your final choice?"

"Yeah, she is."

"Are you sure, Rick? You know what's going to happen soon, don't you? That I'm going to be fucking her within the hour. Are you really sure that she's your choice?"

"I'm sure. You sound like you want to back out." I respond.

"Not at all, I just wanted to make sure you're okay with it, that's all. There's no going back now, you remember our rule, don't you?"

"Yeah, I remember. No sabotaging." I reply.

"And do you want confirmation? Do you want to watch me fuck her in the storeroom?"

"You're getting a bit ahead of yourself, don't you think?"

"Not at all. I'll tell you what, I'll go sit with her around the corner, I'll make sure she's facing away from the bar so you can sit up there and watch us. When you see me kissing her, you need to take this key and go into the storeroom, okay?"

"Sure." I reply, as he hands me a key. I can't believe his confidence.

"Turn the first light on near where the table is, you'll need to go around the corner and go behind the fixtures. Don't turn the second light on though, I don't want her to see you in there, that would be fucking creepy. Also, no noise, no moving around. So, best to grab a chair near the table and move it around the corner for you to sit on and watch in the dark. Got it?"

"Yeah, I got it."

"Okay, but don't fuck around. The moment you see me kissing her, make the move in there because I'll be coming in with her a minute or two later. Alright?"

"Yeah." I reply.

"Okay, the timer starts now. It's just gone 8pm, so by 9pm I'll either have dropped a load inside her, or I'll be buying you the first of many drinks, okay?"

"Yep." I reply as Steve gives me a nod and then makes his way back towards the other part of the bar where Jessica is currently sitting.

I can't believe I'm doing this, putting my own girlfriend in this position. But, if it works out as I'm expecting, I'll wipe that arrogant smile off his face, I'll know I have a loyal girlfriend, and we'll be enjoying free drinks for the rest of the evening. If not, I guess I'll be leaving here alone.

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I waited for five minutes, finishing my drink before making my way back up to the bar to get another. As I stood up there, I could see around the corner to where Jessica and Steve are now sitting across from each other. It's a bit dark where they are, but I can still see Steve talking and then the both of them laughing together. He's putting on the charm already.

After getting served, I found a seat near the end of the bar, one where it would be difficult for Jessica to see me even if she was to turn around. Also, I would be able to move quickly if she got up and made her way to the other side of the bar for some reason. Now I'm just watching, waiting. I'm hoping to see Steve walking away in defeat sooner rather than later.

I check my phone once more; ten minutes have now elapsed. I can see Steve beginning to lean forward now, talking to her, with Jessica sometimes leaning in and nodding in agreement, or laughing in response. I'd like to know what he's saying to her right now, what sort of things he thinks will get him into my girlfriend's pants in the next fifty minutes.

A few minutes later, I again see Steve lean forward to say something in her ear, is that his hand on her thigh? Yes, it is. And as they laugh and then he leans back a bit, his hand remains on her thigh now without Jessica bothering to remove it. What the fuck?

Now I swear I can see his hand slowly and gently rubbing up and down her thigh while they continue to talk. Don't let him do this Jessica, remove his hand. A few minutes later, Steve gets up and makes his way towards the bar, getting the barmen to get him two drinks. I check my phone, just twenty minutes have elapsed so far, forty minutes to go.

While he's standing there, he spots me across from him, giving me a nod and thumbs up while waiting for his two drinks. Prick!

Just then my phone chimed, it's Jessica texting me.

'Are you still at work? What time are you leaving?'

I think I know exactly why she's asking me; I can't believe this. She can't really be thinking about cheating on me with this sleazy prick. Okay, he's more charming than sleazy, but still.

'Yep, still at work. Will be leaving here in 40 mins.' I texted back.

If she's going to cheat on me, I just gave her the opportunity to go through with it. Now I get to see how loyal she really is, or not.

I watched as Steve returned to Jessica with their drinks, and they continued to talk. Within a few minutes, he was again leaning forward whispering sweet nothings in her ear while his hand ventured back on to her thigh just like he did before. Why doesn't she stop him? She has to know that she's acting inappropriately right now, and that she has a boyfriend. Come on Jessica, move his hand away, get him to leave you alone.

I checked my phone again, it's almost halfway over. Just thirty more minutes Jessica, you can hold him off that long, surely. But then my heart sank, as I watched on as this time Steve leaned forward and spoke intimately with my girlfriend, he turned her face towards him, and they kissed for the first time

Their kiss was brief, but then he moved back in and kissed her again, much more deeply this time. There's no mistaking what's going on now, Jessica wants this as much as he does. Fuck!

I then watched on as Steve was looking in my direction while still kissing Jessica, and he winks at me. That brought me out of being momentarily stunned, I'm supposed to be going into the storeroom right now. Should I? Do I want to watch him fuck my own girlfriend? At least I'll know for sure that she cheated on me.

I downed the rest of my drink and got up from my stool, walking over to the storeroom, unlocking the door and slipping inside. I found the light switch and turned it on. In front of me is a large desk, where the scene of my relationship's demise will most likely take place. I walked past the desk and saw that the storeroom is basically a U-shape with fixtures and stuff going around the corner. Plenty of shit for me to hide behind in the dark while being able to watch them clearly.

I grabbed a chair and moved it into place from where I could watch, then thought about recording it. Without hesitation, I took out my phone and started the camera. I set my phone on a fixture facing the desk, making sure everything is in view.

However, I notice that the back screen is lit up facing towards me, giving away both me and my phone in the dark. I quickly go to my phone setting to turn off the back screen before again taking my seat, and just in time.