Strike Four
by G. Lawrence
A tech specialist is humiliated by his former girlfriend
This story begins with nudity but transitions into a tale of consequences, harsh resolutions, and a love story. Readers seeking more sex (and there is nothing wrong with that) may find it dull. Please feel free to search for something more exciting. All characters are over 18 years old.
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I had been to Annie's condo hundreds of times. Though she was my ex-girlfriend now, we were still very close. Her roommates, Donna Rogers and Bill Sutter, were valued friends. The four of us had teamed together at Bratherson Specialists for several years. Donna's new boyfriend was present, helping prepare for a Friday night afterwork party.
My name is Thomas Sheppard, 28-years old, an inch under six feet tall, with strong shoulders and a trim waistline. My shaggy chestnut hair and light brown eyes give me a mildly pleasant appearance. I played basketball in college, being a good shooter from the outside, but never made the football team. I was a successful boxer during two years in the Army. A degree in computer programming, compliments of the G.I. Bill, got me a job designing advanced business protocols. My current project, Lightening Strike, was a groundbreaking database to keep Bratheson ahead of the competition.
"This won't be a big party," Annie said. "Just a few couples. Very lowkey. We'll have snacks and plenty of drinks."
Annie O'Connell was a year younger than I, 5'6, 125 pounds, with a curvy sexy figure. Her bust size was just right. Ample without being freakish. The long dark auburn hair and green eyes set off her small nose and high cheekbones. Annie, Bill, Donna, and I had been developing new programs for the last eighteen months, often with significant results.
"Anyone guests that I know?" I asked.
Since breaking up six months before, Annie had been acquiring new friends. Occasionally, new boyfriends. I had only met two of them and was not impressed.
"Probably not," she answered with an odd smile.
Donna came up with a platter of foreign cheeses. She was two years older, with short black hair and dark brown eyes. A bit heavier than Annie, she spent more time on her wardrobe. Her recent boyfriend, Frank Kellerman, was 35, tall and thin, with a hawk nose and black eyes, speaking with an English accent. He grew up in Liverpool.
"We're almost ready," Donna said. "Frank is arranging the bar. Bill is browning the buffalo wings."
They owned a fashionable three-bedroom condo on the third floor with a wide picture window overlooking the pool yard. The furniture was modern, with couches and easy chairs at one end of the living room and a long dining table at the other. The chef's kitchen stayed busy. Frank and I were visitors. He often stayed over. I had often stayed over in the past, but not after Annie said we should be seeing other people.
"This will be fun, but we need something to make the night extra memorable," Donna said. "Bill, what do you think? Should we go for it?"
"I believe we should. Did you discuss it with Frank?" Bill asked.
Bill was taller than I and somewhat husky, with thin blond hair. We'd known each other since our freshman year at Midville Valley College where he was a business major.
"Frank's onboard, though he needs to leave for the airport at ten for his business trip," Donna replied.
"That should be long enough," Bill said.
"What are you guys talking about?" I asked, feeling out of the loop.
"It's a dare. An exciting dare," Annie answered.
Bill went to the oak hutch where he took out a deck of playing cards, giving them a shuffle. The five of us gathered around the dining table. Bill spread the cards facedown.
"Here's the game," Annie said with a giggle. "The four high draws keep their clothes. The low card will be naked, serving food and drinks. Naked for the entire evening."
"Naked?" I said.
It wasn't that I hadn't been naked while skinny dipping in lakes. And at the beach. Mountain hikes. Participating in risqué drama classes in college. I had even run a 10-kilometer nude race for charity. With others who also had no clothes. I had never been the only one naked at a party. Indoors. With people who I barely knew.
"It will add spice to the evening," Donna said with an eager expression.
"Hopefully one of the girls will draw the low card," Bill suggested. "I'd love to see them bouncing around trying to keep their tits out of the shrimp."
"We have such parties in London," Frank agreed. "Very dignified."
I had trouble seeing how walking around without clothes for several hours could be dignified, but they seemed to have their hearts set on this ridiculous game. I didn't want to be a spoilsport. Bill pointed at the cards.
"You go first, Tommy. Pick a card," Bill urged.
I selected a card from the middle, turning it over. It was the ten of spades. Not a bad draw. Bill went next, picking the jack of clubs. Frank found the jack of diamonds. Donna drew the ace of spades. Only Annie was left, shaking with anticipation.
"This is so great," she said, reaching for one card, pulling back, and then probing for another. She finally chose one at the end, showing it to everybody. The queen of hearts. She jumped up and down with a big smile, clutching her hands. They all turned to me.
"Sorry, buddy, you've got the low card," Bill said, putting them back in the carton.
"Really? How about if I keep my underwear?" I requested.
"Naked," Annie insisted. "Naked for the whole night. That was the dare."
The others nodded. I had agreed and saw no choice, beginning to strip.
"Take your time, we want to enjoy this," Donna said, rubbing it in. Had she not been one of my dearest friends, I may have resented it. As it was, I was merely shy.
I took off my long sleeve shirt, undid my belt, and slid my slacks down. A kick dropped off my moccasins. Everything but my boxer shorts were soon bundled on the table. Those came off slowly, and reluctantly. I could hardly believe this was happening. Would they really keep me like this when the guests arrived? Maybe this was just a joke? My boxers were dropped on the pile, leaving me without a stitch to wear.
"You're such a good-looking guy," Donna admired. "Annie was a fool to give you up."
"She wanted different things," I replied. "If this prank is over, can I get my clothes back?"
"It's no prank," Annie said, taking a photo with her phone.
"Hey! Don't do that!" I protested, covering myself with my hands.
"We're not going to post them. Private viewing only," Annie answered, taking a few more. They weren't the only such photos of me, but none in so vulnerable a position.
"No photos during the party," I demanded. Not that I needed to be embarrassed on that score, being well-proportioned, with a modest patch of curly brown hair on my chest. Ladies considered me reasonably endowed. Finding women had never been a problem, though Annie was the only one I ever wanted to keep.
"We can always request no photos," Donna evasively suggested. "Though it will be hard to enforce."
"No photos from me," Frank declared. "I don't need airline security finding such images on my phone while traveling."
"None from me," Bill also said. "I don't want potential girlfriends thinking I'm gay."
"No one will think you're gay," Donna laughed, also taking a picture.
There was a knock on the door. The clock read 8:30. Guests were arriving. I took one last look at my friends hoping they would relent. They didn't.
The first couple, managers from the complex, were shocked to find a naked man standing in the kitchen organizing finger sandwiches. I had met them at a mixer several months earlier.
"We didn't realize the party was clothing optional," the middle-aged wife remarked, standing back for a good look.
"It came as a surprise to me, too," I responded.
"If you come to any of our events, be dressed," her husband firmly warned.
"Yes, sir, I'll make a point of it," I agreed.
The next couple, two gay women, were much closer to me. I had gone to high school with Cindy and Linda. They immediately began to tease me, like they had years before. Though I had been dressed then. Most of the time. They did have a strange habit of invading the men's shower room and seeking me out. They asked Frank to make drinks for them while whispering to Donna, looking back with mischievous glances.
More guests showed up, not the few couples Annie had promised. And they were not casual acquaintances. These were co-workers. College classmates. Members of my sports leagues. Drinking buddies from Casey's Bar. The party eventually grew to thirty. I tried not to lose my composure, which was difficult. Annie and Donna kept giggling. Bill had a big smile. Being British, Frank stayed cool and collected. No one blatantly mocked me, having good manners, but smirking was unavoidable. Some noticed I didn't look too happy.
"You've really gotten yourself into a situation," Buck Damon said, the captain of my softball team. "You know, the club needs a good fundraiser this year. How about posing for a nude calendar?"
"Which month?" I asked.
"All twelve," he replied with a grin.
A few minutes later, Hiram Dickerson came to say hello. He worked for Bratherson in the publicity department.
"You'd look good in a recruiting brochure," Hiram suggested. "Showing how open and honest we are. How about coming into the studio for a photo session?"
"Naked?"
"Of course, naked. You're nothing special with your clothes on," he replied.
"If I start a modeling career, you'll be the first to know," I answered.
Tricia Langston from accounting spent time with me in the kitchen while I was cutting up carrots and broccoli. She was very sleek, with long black hair and a flirty smile.
"You must be so embarrassed," Tricia consoled. "All naked and vulnerable. Everyone staring at you. Women having lustful thoughts. Visit me this weekend and I'll give you a very special massage. Though I want something in exchange."
