Free SIX by Ker Dukey

how to deal with the miscommunication, I stand here for a minute, looking like a statue.
    When her eyes narrow at me, I turn and leave her to it.
    Staring down at the rumpled covers of the bed she slept in last night, I have the urge to lay face down and inhale.
    For some reason—maybe because she’s so neat with the bar—I thought she would be one for making her bed, but the covers are tossed back like she just got up and didn’t have a care in the world.
    That thought brings a smile to my lips.
    I grab up some of my shit, stuff it into a bag, and exit the place without another word.
    I need a drink and Sundays are our quietest nights in the bar, so we all like to close early and have some time for shooting the shit.
     

     
    We’re all gathered at the bar.
    It’s been a slow night and I’m pleased because Jude brought his girl, Megan, with him and watching them bicker is funny as shit.
    How they are together is a mystery.
    They fight like an old married couple when in reality they are a relatively new couple.
    “Why can’t sex just be sex? What do you think, Parker?” Megan asks.
    I don’t remember where or how this conversation started, but it’s in full swing and quite amusing to listen to the answers.
    “I think I’d rather work out.” She winks.
    “You can burn the same amount of calories fucking as you would running five miles,” Lucky states, smirking at her.
    “Who the hell runs five miles in thirty seconds?” she snaps back, taking her glass and refilling it with a smirk of her own.
    “Sex is just math. You add the bed, subtract the clothes, divide the legs, and pray you don’t multiply,” Jude offers, knocking back his shot.
    “You’re a pig,” Megan spits.
    “When are you going to stop being a bitch?”
    “When you stop asking me if you can fuck other women.”
    “Woman,” he huffs “I asked for a pass with one woman.”
    Her hand connects with the side of his head.
    A slapping sound rings out and everyone bursts into a chorus of laughter.
    “I’ve always found this about women, it’s easier to get forgiveness than permission—just for future reference,” Lucky informs him.
    “Do you want a slap as well?”
    “All I want is a woman who will make me a sandwich afterwards.” Lucky rubs his gut.
    “If a woman can still walk after you’ve fucked her, you don’t deserve one,” Parker responds, gaining an applause from everyone else.
    “I like surprise sex,” Megan adds.
    “Surprise sex is always good,” Parker agrees.
    “Unless you’re in prison,” I join in with a serious expression and tone, causing the room to hush into silence.
    “I’m fucking with you,” I laugh, gesturing for another beer.
    “So, what do you think about sex, Six?”
    I look around the room at each of them before my eyes land on Misty, who’s watching me intently.
    “I think sex is like playing cards. If you don’t have a good group to play with, you better have a good hand.”
    My eyes clash with Misty’s, but I don’t linger on her. Instead, I smile over at Lucky, who’s grinning at me like a Cheshire cat.
    “Why are all men gross?” Megan asks, not really expecting an answer.
    “Why, what’s your take on sex? Do enlighten us.”
    “I think it’s something that should be between two people in love.”
    A chorus of groans ring out and she flicks her hand in the air.
    “Whatever.”
    “Misty, what about you?”
    “This oughtta be good,” Lucky sniggers.
    She looks around the group, her eyes coming to rest on me as she picks her jacket up and slips into it.
    Reaching for her bag, her eyes never leave mine.
    I want to look away—want her not to know how badly I want to hear what she has to say—but I can’t.
    She bites her lip and takes a step backwards before spinning on her heal and heading toward the door.
    Just when I think she’s not going to play, she turns and says,
    “If it’s kinky, dirty, messy, or just plain wrong—I want it. I want the best times of my life to be