With zero warning, Pearl hikes down the waist of her spangled skirt, revealing inked script letters that crawl down the front edge of her hip.
I can’t really tell in the colored lighting, but I think Kit blushes.
“Just…anything to block out that name,” she says, and adds, in a mutter, “stupid motherfucker.”
Meanwhile, Pan’s got some more Mermaids arranged on his chair now, playing their favorite guessing game.
“Pandemonium,” he says. “That’s what it stands for.”
“More like pan…cake batter.”
“Pan…ty dropper.”
“Pan…da Express.”
Me, I’m quiet.
Quiet’s good.Lifeis good. Easy. Simple.
By the time I finish my beer, Kit’s slipping Pearl his card with a time and date scribbled on it, and Pan’s gaggle of hangers-on is getting back to their posts.
“I don’t know how you do it, man,” Fox says as the Mermaids depart, and clinks his beer to Pan’s. “But congrats.”
Pan smirks. “What, you need me to draw you a diagram or something?”
“No,” Fox says hotly. “I know how to?—”
“Do you?” Pan leans back, grinning. “What’s your record?”
“Huh?”
“Like in a single night. What’s the most times you’ve, you know?—”
“—made a girl come?” Blue finishes for him.
I almost spit my beer laughing at the look on Fox’s face.
“Aw, I don’t know.” Fox scratches the back of his neck. He glances at Blue, almost like he’s expecting him to go first.
Blue just snorts. “Please. I can’t keep count.”
Pan punches him, still smiling. “You’re full of shit.”
“Full of something.” Blue sips his drink, smirking at Fox.
I lean forward a little bit. Not too much, but I can’t help it. The night is young, the beer is cold, and I’m…genuinely curious.
“Well, like, twice, for sure.” Fox drums his fingers on his bottle. “Maybe more?”
“Maybe?” Pan laughs. “Fox, if you’re not sure, that’s a no.”
“Talking a big game, over here,” Blue murmurs.
“What, you want me to kiss and tell?” Pan sighs, fake-offended, then squints, like he’s trying to recall. “Are we talking justthe same girl all night, or just the same night and the sum total of?—”
“Jesus,” Kit groans and gets up from his chair. “I’m taking a piss.”
“Fine, fine, fine.” Pan waves a hand. Clears his throat. “Four.” He pauses. Shrugs. “But onfiveseparate occasions.”
