This is a story about how I lost a bet with someone I didn't have the money to pay. In the end, my girlfriend ended up covering me and I had to pay her back twice. Let me explain.
We finally booked a quick trip together after months of "reconnecting" and it was going great. We picked Miami again as we never really got to explore while we were there. We had put some money away and we decided to splurge on this long weekend. We rented a beachfront condo in a popular area of Miami and enjoyed two full days in the sun and sand. We had met a few couples and somehow got invited up to watch some fights at a guy's house on Saturday. We decided to go, and it certainly turned out to be a weekend we would never forget.
We pulled up to the address and immediately wondered if we had the wrong place. A man met us as we parked and asked us how we got invited. We told him the names of those who invited us, and he took the keys and parked the car as we were led inside. This was not a house. This was a mansion on the water and it was gorgeous. There were maybe 20 people there and nobody looked to be hurting for money. The host met us and he was amazingly kind. He apparently had started some online business and this was the result of his ideas. He was probably 30 years old, tanned, maybe 6'2" and clearly stayed in shape. He asked us to call him Jared and introduced us to others in attendance. The place was beautiful and Jared was a great guy. You hung near the pool as you didn't show much interest in the early fights and I was inside with a small group of guys watching.
Some of the guys were betting on guys simply by who they walked out with and I could tell that none of them knew anything about fighting. I wanted to jump in, but they were not betting a hundred here or there. The smallest amount I heard was a grand. I picked several winners and they all started asking me who I thought before the fights would begin. Jared smiled on one and said I would be wrong eventually. I agreed but told him who I thought would win. He asked me why I didn't bet, and I told him I didn't have a grand to spend. Then he pulled me aside and asked if I would make a bet for anything other than money? I asked what he had in mind. He told me that he would bet me $1000 against a blowjob from you. I laughed but I admit that the idea made me hot. I joked back, only if he would let me pick the fight. He quickly grabbed my hand and said "Agreed". I didn't even get to object. Besides, he was just kidding right?
So, the next fight, I pick who I suspect would win and it should be an easy one. 2:38 of the second round he put $1000 in my hand.
"A bet is a bet", he demands.
He clearly had the money so hey, I took it.
"Go again? $2000 this time."
$3000 would be a pleasant surprise to take back home. It would more than pay for our 4-day trip and we would both have a little left over to spend on whatever we would like. I thought about this one a little more and I just didn't see my guy losing.
"It's a bet!" I declare.
As I shook his hand, you walked in and grabbed my arm.
"Ahh. Perfect timing." Says Jared.
The fight started out looking like I thought it would. My guy won the first round handily and I felt a bit relieved. Jared said something to me about maybe he shouldn't make bets with me and you really started getting worried as you know me and gambling. You asked me how much I bet and I just said it wasn't money. You had a look of relief on your face. Then, as I was looking at you, the guys exploded in screams. I turned to see my guy struggling to get back to his feet. What the hell? He had got caught and was rocked but holding on. Jared came up next to you and was excited.
"Looks like your man might owe me after all."
I was ecstatic when the bell sounded to end the round and my guy made it back to the corner. Okay, he had dominated early and now he just had to pull it together and win the third round. 1 to 1 and he looked a little gassed in the corner. I got nervous. My mind started negotiating. I could give him the $1000 back and he will probably take that. He couldn't really expect you to do that, could he?
Back and forth 3rd round and I was worried. It was a close fight and I just needed two judges to give him the third. As they call the fighters to the center of the ring, Jared and I are on either side of you. He is looking hopeful and I am looking extremely nervous. 29-28 my guy, 29-28 his guy and the third judge...29-28 for a majority decision, his guy! Jared goes crazy! I get a sick feeling is the pit of my stomach.
People filter out and he asks us to hold up a minute. We are two of the last 3 there. He motions for another attractive woman to go upstairs and I quickly realize she is likely on the payroll.
"So Joe sure knows his fighters."
My hand squeezed yours.
"Picked them all but one fight."
He grabbed the bottle of wine you had been pouring from and refilled your glass.