Free Consent by Eric Lasseter Page B

But sometimes, it pays to be wrong and Nick couldn’t imagine a better girl. He’d enjoyed the chase and she was worth the effort.
                  As always, the couple went through their honeymoon phase, that unavoidable and love sick time where the lovers’ friends don’t see them for weeks. Puppy love nibbles at their hearts. Unfortunately, puppies grow up. Have you seen a bulldog puppy? Look it up. Cute, right? Now, search for a picture of the adult bulldog. If you’re in to short stubby legs, drooping jowls, and foreheads worthy of a trip to the cleaners for a press and steaming, then you’re mature enough to look full grown love in the eye and say, “Damn, you’re ugly, but I’ll stick it out. Life expectancy can’t be much more than eight years.”
                  It’s during this puppy love period that opinions on the couple are formed and exes lick their wounds. It’s here that we found Mary, heartbroken and lonely, her two closest friends having run off together. But one lover scorned is dangerous, far more dangerous than an oblivious young couple.
     
                  The first time Nick tried with Jenny, he was denied. This occurred so rarely that he was momentarily shocked.
                  “No? Come on Jen...we’ve been together for over a month,” he said, leaning in to kiss her neck, running his hands down her bare back.
                  “Nope, we’re not doing this, not yet. I want to wait,” she said, pushing herself up off his chest.
                  “For what?”
                  “Well, for starters, something more romantic than your truck would be good.”
                  “Alright, well my roommate is gone right now. Let’s go back,” he said, trying to move out from under her and turn the key in the ignition.
                  “No, stop it. Listen to me.” He stopped fumbling with the keys and turned his attention back on Jenny.
                  She laughed, “No, actually listen. Look at me...my eyes. Look, when we do this it’s gonna be right. Romantic. Special. Memorable. I know it’s cliche and I know it’s not a big deal to you, but it is to me.”
                  “It’s a big deal to me,” said Nick, trying to be as sincere as possible, trying to hold her gaze so as to not let his mind or hands wander. “You’re a big deal to me.”
                  “I’ll pretend that was less cheesy than it sounded. But kay good. Then we’ll wait. And we’ll do it right.”
                  He nodded down at his crotch. “Alright, but I have needs. So...?”
                  “Nope, sorry,” she said, drawing out the “y” and turning her spoken word into song. She rolled onto the passenger seat, dressed, and sat up. “Time to go,” she said, patting his knee, smiling through his misery.
                 
     
                  This game continued for weeks, turning into months, until Nick grew to respect Jenny’s wishes. Listen up: a girl with a man always had a plan. It’s funny really, how a guy thinks that if he pursues, he can capture the girl, win the prize, and have some sort of upper hand in the relationship process. But please, let’s be objective. Take a step back. Although men view themselves as romantic conquerors, the mightiest love warriors, they refuse to see that they can demand nothing. Women let men win. Men can think what they want, but the woman controls the “yes” and Jenny’s yes had been sealed off. If a man takes without asking, he’ll be rightfully punished. If a man doesn’t ask, well, he has no balls. Which is fine, since he’ll never get to use them. Therefore, men are at the mercy of women, the ones that have the de facto control of every relationship. Control sex, control the relationship.
                  So, a frustrated Nick fell into