"They both want me"
Chapter 9 - they want to share me...
*****
Saturday was going to be a big day: Stephen's last high school basketball game, ever. It was Saturday, February 22, 2014. It was going to be a big day indeed. After the game, which Stephen's team won handily, Jim took us for a late dinner at the country club.
Over dinner, Stephen and Jim joked with each other and they both flirted with me. Jim made it clear that he was comfortable with Stephen making sexual innuendos directed towards me. Jim referred to me as 'their girl' and 'their date' throughout the evening.
Jim asked me over dinner, "How does it feel having two dates for the evening?"
It was clear to me that Jim was trying to advance his fantasy of actually sharing me with Stephen. I must admit, the idea was growing on me a bit too. "I feel like a very lucky girl to be escorted with two such handsome and sexy men."
"Yeah some women might think you are 'over the limit' being out with two dates," Jim quipped.
I accepted the joke and responded, "They are just jealous that I have both of you tonight." Jim was not being terribly subtle in where he was trying to steer the conversation tonight.
"Stephen, how do you feel having played your last game?" Jim asked, engaging Stephen in the conversation.
Stephen smiled, thought for a moment, and replied, "It feels a little surreal. I don't think it has completely sunk in yet. I wish my parents could have been here; but I do feel very lucky to be here with the two of you tonight. I am glad you could share this with me."
"Thank you Stephen. Cindy and I are glad you are with us as well. We enjoy sharing thing with you as well." Jim seemed to emphasize the word 'sharing'. He continued, "And I know Cindy likes having two men for her dates; she loves being the center of attention."
The sexual innuendo of Jim's comments could not have been lost on Stephen.
I could feel myself blushing as I realized that Jim was trying to live out his fantasy of 'double teaming me' with Stephen's help.
Stephen merely replied, "I think she deserves to be the center of attention. She is pretty much the perfect lady, you know."
"Thank you Stephen. That is very sweet. It is not a very accurate assessment; I am a long, long way from being perfect, I hope you realize. Nonetheless, thank you for the compliment." I placed my hand on his thigh momentarily out of reflex as I spoke, and then removed it. We were in the country club with our friends, so I really did not need anyone seeing me with my hand in my young suitor's lap.
The flirting and shameless compliments continued through dinner and desert. We returned to the house around 11:00 p.m., feeling good and enjoying each other's company. And the sexually charged banter continued.
Jim suggested we watch one of his favorite movies, Casablanca, with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. I thought it was an interesting movie choice, very interesting. Jim offered me a glass of merlot and offered Stephen his first beer in celebration of the successful conclusion of his high school basketball career.
I protested, "Jim, Stephen's parents expect us to use better judgment than getting their son drunk on his birthday."
"First of all, one beer is not 'getting Stephen drunk'; second, if he has a third, fourth or fifth beer, he is having them in the safety of our home, not on the road with his buddies someplace where a lot of bad things could happen; and finally, he is 18 years old, and I think he is now old enough to make this decision for himself." Jim responded with authority, before continuing, "Stephen, would you like that beer or not? And don't let Cindy dissuade you from having it if you want to."
It was ironic; no, actually it was silly, that I was expressing concern about Stephen having a beer in the context of the relationship I had allowed to develop with him. I knew it was silly as I was saying it.
Stephen looked at me, to make sure he was not going to get a rebuke from me, and then turned to Jim, "I think I would like a beer."
"Good man! And you don't have to stop at one. This is a big night for you, and I am pleased that Cindy and I are here to celebrate it with you." Jim returned moments later with our drinks and started the movie.
Jim sat in his recliner and Stephen and I shared the couch; however, initially, there was ample room between us. Over the next two hours, Jim kept my wine glass full and replaced Stephen's beer as frequently as Stephen finished the last one. As the movie ended I counted that I had four glasses of merlot, and Stephen was nursing his fifth beer. Though not drunk, his face sported a smile that revealed a state of euphoria brought on by the alcohol. And I was pretty relaxed and mellow myself; maybe a bit too relaxed.
Casablanca, for those who are not familiar with the film, is a love story set in northern Africa during World War II, in which Ingrid Bergman has an affair with Humphrey Bogart before returning to her husband at the end of the film.
As the credits rolled at the end of the movie, Jim asked the open question, "So do you think she made the right choice? Or should she have stayed with Bogart?"
I pondered the question for a second, and responded, "She had an impossible choice. She loved both of them. No matter what she chose, she was going to regret giving the other one up. She wanted them both."
Jim answered, "The guys both made a mistake too. They should have agreed to share her."
"Why do you say that?" I was honestly curious to hear his reasoning.
"Well, she wanted both of them; she was in love with both of them. She was never going to be happy giving up either of them. She was always going to be longing for the one she gave up. She would grow to resent the one she stayed with. If they wanted her, they would have to share her."
I thought about Jim's logic before answering. "You may be right, but do you really think two men could share a woman, one woman? Without killing each other? Or her?"
Jim did not hesitate with his answer, "If they really loved her, they would want her to be happy. That is what would be important to them. Besides, a woman is biologically and emotionally equipped to handle two guys." Jim chuckled. "Stephen, what to you think? Could two men share one woman?"