Harem House Chapter 30 - Part 1

Arthur drove home after saying goodbye to the girls at the hotel Sunday morning. He unloaded his car, packed several boxes, and loaded them into his car. Then he took care of Kat’s car as a surprise for her. 

He had seven small boxes of books in his backseat and trunk. Packing the old books from his apartment’s second bedroom was easier than he expected. If he didn’t need them for his current classes, they were free to go. The first box he’d loaded had been too heavy, even for him. He switched to smaller boxes, and while they remained heavy, they were much easier to lift and move. 

Then he turned his attention to Kat’s car. Katelyn had vomited over the backseat after her misadventure on the mechanical bull. They’d cleaned up what they could. It was nothing like what it should be and still stank when Arthur slid into the driver’s seat. The key he borrowed from Selene let him drive it to the carwash, and he paid extra for the finishing. Wincing, he handed over his credit card. 

Katelyn agreed to pay for the damage, but Arthur wouldn’t let her do that. Even if it made him even more fiscally irresponsible. This weekend had been terrible for his wallet. Spoiling one girlfriend was manageable, but five or six? He didn’t need to be a business major to realize his money was vanishing. 

The rate at which he burned through his cash had to stop, or he had to earn more. Sighing, he checked the phone number Diane had given him and texted her. 

Arthur: Hey, it’s Arthur, aka Tommy Sins. You mentioned you might have work for me? 

He texted with his mom while he waited and pulled out his laptop to work on homework. 

Arthur: Hey, mom! Let me know how it’s going. I love you! 

Neither his mother nor Diane responded right away, so he spent most of his time waiting. The work on Kat’s car was thorough but expensive, and they returned the car to its spot before long. Now, the interior smelled of shampoo and air freshener. A mountainous improvement compared to the alcohol-tinged bile aroma. 

His mother texted him back after he got into the car and prepared to drive away. 

Mom: Did you get into a fight at school? 

Arthur sighed and typed out the story. Then he decided against it and erased it. 

Arty: No, two guys tried to fight me, but they were misguided and we resolved it peacefully.

Mom: Proud of you.

Arthur smiled. His mother’s pride wasn’t difficult to achieve, but the love and respect of his mother still made him feel good about himself. He drove Kat’s car to their apartment, parked it in the spot where it had been, and returned to his apartment. He ate an early lunch and read for class. 

After some time, he checked his watch and realized he probably had only a few minutes before the girls finished their brunch. He got into his car and started driving. The text from Rani came through on his drive. 

Queenie: Ready when you are for our homework date. Can you come and pick me up? The others are staying here and watching football. 

He was about to respond with a voice-to-text response when his mother called, and he answered it. 

“Hello?” Arthur asked. 

“Hey!” His mom said with enthusiasm.  

“Hey, everything okay?” Arthur asked. A small part of him worried about the girls, Lynn, and his mother having lunch together. 

“Everything’s great.” His mom said. “The girls are fantastic, honey. Mindy’s cute as a button, Selene’s shy but alright. Kat and Katelyn are quiet, too, but they have good heads on their shoulders. Kelly and Lynn hate each other. You’re going to have your hands full, keeping them apart. And Rani is a hoot.” 

Arthur laughed. Rani was a hoot. 

“Great.” Arthur said. “I’m on my way to pick Rani up for our date, and I’ve got the first load of books to move in from my study.” 

“Perfect.” His mom said. He could hear the smile in her voice. 

“Was everything okay between the girls and Lynn?” Arthur asked, trying to restrain the worry in his voice. 

“They went at it a couple times.” His mother admitted. “But no drinks thrown. Apparently, Lynn didn’t understand the nature of your relationship with the girls, so I had to lay it out for her.” 

“Ah.” Arthur said, unsure how to take that. “How did she take that?” 

“Not well.” His mother said. “I think she’s upset that there’s no chance for you two, but she’s dealing with it. She tried to make up with them. It mollified them. Kelly doesn’t like her.” 

“Yeah.” Arthur said, nodding, though his mother couldn’t see it. 

“Is there anything she did you want to tell me?” His mom asked, her voice more subdued than the gregarious tone she’d had before. 

“Why, did Lynn say something?” Arthur asked. 

“No, but some things Kelly said…” His mother hesitated. “Nevermind. It’s okay. I know you don’t want to talk about it. I’m just… I’m here if you need me. Okay?” 

“I know.” Arthur said, turning onto another street. “Thanks, Mom.” 

“You got it.” His mom said. “I’m just a phone call or text away.” 

“Thanks.” Arthur said again. “I should be there soon. Tell the girls I’m on my way?” 

“Sure.” His mom said. “I’ll see you when you get here.” 

“See you soon.” Arthur agreed. 

“Love you!” His mom’s eager tone returned. 

“Love you too!” Arthur said and ended the call. 

Arthur turned onto the forested road leading to his parent’s house, soon to be his home. The rest of the drive was peaceful, and Arthur enjoyed it. He refused to contemplate any topics that might sour his mood. So, instead, he sang along to the musical version of an ancient Greek romantic tragedy. The soundtrack to Hadestown blasted through his car’s speakers.

Arthur pulled through the open gate and rolled along the narrow driveway toward the house. The autumn leaves in the branches and on the ground coated everything in orange, red, and yellow tones. They made Arthur nostalgic for jumping into large piles of leaves as a small child. Maybe he’d rake a pile together, even though, as an adult, he’d learned the danger of ticks. That was the worst part of adulthood, knowing enough about Lyme disease to ruin his fun. 

He parked behind Mindy’s car in the roundabout and stepped out. His eyes swept the exterior. He saw Kat wave to him from the family room’s bay window seat, and he waved back, smiling. That smile faded when he spotted someone coming his way from the side of the house. 

Lynn Barrera strode toward him with her head low, to his surprise. She wore leggings and a modest turtleneck sweater. The black leggings were a second skin, climbing her shapely calves, thick thighs, and wide, circular hips. The turtleneck covered her from the top of her thighs to the middle of her throat. She moved toward him as though nervous rather than sultry, as she had the day before. 

Arthur hesitated, wanting to run into the house, but he kept the hood of his car between them, and Lynn stopped far enough away to not cause him to flee. She held her arms before her, showing her hands were empty in a sign of peace. It reminded Arthur of someone approaching a horse who might bolt. 

“Hey, Arthur.” Lynn said, soft enough that he had to lean forward to hear her. “I wanted to apologize again. For high school, yesterday, last night, and for everything.” 

Arthur noticed her usually perfect and artisanally applied makeup had slight streaks around her eyes. As if she’d been crying. 

Lynn wiped her face, smearing her makeup further. “The girls told me what’s going on. They told me about your poly relationship and that they’re each dating you. It doesn’t make any sense to me but to each their own. I’m glad you’re happy. You were always a romantic, and now you have multiple romances to pursue.” 

Arthur looked around, hoping to spot anyone who might come to his rescue. He looked at the window where Kat sat, but she was looking into the house, not the driveway. 

“You are happy, right? With Kelly and the others?” Lynn asked. “You care for them, and they care about you more than each other?”

“Uh… yeah.” Arthur said, offering nothing more to the conversation. 

“Selene said you told her to return my clothes, so thank you for that.” Lynn said. “I don’t know if you helped plan Selene’s prank, but you’ll be happy to hear numerous people were in the hotel lobby when I left last night. And I was naked, not just in my underwear.” 

Arthur didn’t respond. He glanced at Kat again, hoping for a sign that rescue was coming. Otherwise, he’d have to calculate how to best enter the house without giving Lynn the chance to move into his path. Kat’s back was to him now. She was talking to someone else in the family room. 

“Arthur.” Lynn said, lifting her eyes to meet his and finding him looking anywhere but her. “I’m sorry for tackling you yesterday.” 

“Oh. It’s…” He started to tell her it was okay out of reflex, but he didn’t finish his sentence. “Why did you tackle me?” He couldn’t think of a reason she had other than to annoy him. 

“I don’t know.” Lynn said, sniffling. “I was being playful and got carried away. That’s all. I miss you, and I miss us. I miss my best friend, and I know I fucked everything up and only have myself to blame.” 

If she hesitated to give Arthur a chance to deny it or comfort her, it was an opportunity he allowed to pass. He remained silent. 

“I know you hate me and don’t forgive me.” Lynn said. “I get it. What I did to you still haunts me, and I–” She paused, wiping as the tears flowed. “I really am, so sorry.” 

Arthur wasn’t sure how to respond, so he didn’t. He wanted to hear these words years ago, though he would have preferred they be unnecessary. As it was, his instinctual desire to comfort a crying woman fled him because this woman was Lynn. He’d comforted a total stranger in an elevator last night, and every reactionary instinct in him wanted to offer Lynn the same embrace, but she was Lynn. She was crying, sure, but he’d seen that plenty. She was apologizing, sure, but he’d heard that plenty. It changed nothing. He wouldn’t fall for her tricks again. 

“Okay.” Arthur said. 

“Okay?” Lynn asked, surprised. 

“I heard what you said.” Arthur said. “That’s all I mean.” 

“Oh.” Lynn said, sagging where she stood. 

“Are you done?” Arthur asked. 

“Yeah… I guess I am. Tell your harem I’m sorry for how I acted today, too. I tried, though not as hard as I should have, but they were mean to me from the moment I joined the brunch. I couldn’t help sniping back.” Lynn said. “Especially Kelly.” 

“I’m sure.” Arthur said, taking a deep breath. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go inside.” 

“Sure.” Lynn said, gesturing toward the front door behind her. 

“I’m not coming out from behind this car until you leave.” Arthur said. 

Lynn laughed, a hollow mocking sound. “Oh my god. Are you scared of me?” She asked. “Look at you. You’re so tall, your shoulders are broad, your arms are out of a movie. Your muscles have muscles. You’re way stronger than I am. You could fucking destroy me.” 

Arthur didn’t rise to the bait. He glared at her and didn’t amend his statement. 

“Sorry.” Lynn said. “I’ll stop.” 

“Thank you.” Arthur said. 

“Selene said something that made me think.” Lynn said. 

Arthur was uncertain about this non sequitur. He didn’t appreciate that the conversation kept going. He could only tell Lynn to go fuck herself so many times. 

“She said the only way I’ll ever get your forgiveness is if I stop trying to make you forgive me. I have to show you I’m trying to be better rather than pretending I already am.” Lynn said. “And she’s right. I’m not a better person yet.” 

Arthur’s jaw clenched. 

“I want to be.” Lynn said. “But I’m not.” 

He eyed the door and the window. Kat was looking at him and Lynn before talking over her shoulder. 

“I want to try.” Lynn said. “Honestly, I do, but I don’t know how to be better, Arthur. Not without an example to follow. Someone to model that behavior for me. Deb’s right. I need people like you and your girlfriends. People who can call me on my bullshit when I fall into old habits and help me become a better person.” 

Arthur swallowed. 

“Just think about it.” Lynn said. “And please–” 

“Get the fuck away from him!” Kelly yelled from the doorway as it flew open, and she flew through it. 

“Shit!” Lynn said. Panic overtook her features as she realized Kelly wasn’t fucking around. “Just think about it!” She was moving toward her car by the garage, and Kelly was in pursuit. 

Lynn’s hasty departure surprised Arthur too much to move, but the look on Kelly’s face suggested he better move or risk being called to testify in a murder trial. He hopped over the hood and caught Kelly in a hug. He threw his arms over hers with his arms around her waist, lifting her off her feet and planting her in front of him. 

“Let me go, Mister.” Kelly said. “I warned her.” 

“No.” Arthur said, his voice harsh. “I told you, remember? No violence.” 

Kelly frowned and glared at Arthur. She tried to force his arms apart and struggled, but he had her in a solid hold. She looked up, and he held her gaze with infinite patience. The love in his expression as he gazed at Kelly doused her anger. He threw water on her fire. She took a deep breath and hugged Arthur in return. They kissed, and Arthur spun her towards the door, smacking her butt before he spotted his mother and Rani in the front doorway. 

Lynn pulled out and peeled away, and Arthur and Kelly ignored her. 

“What did you two discuss?” Kelly asked. 

“It’s not important.” Arthur said. “Just more Lynn lies.”

Deb and Rani stepped aside, allowing them to ascend the stairs and enter through the door. 

“Welcome home, my King.” Rani said, winking at him. 

Deb frowned, looking at Lynn’s tail lights. She fixed her expression and gestured toward the hallway. “The girls are in the family room.” She said as they walked through the foyer. 

“Okay.” Arthur said. “Rani, can you grab your stuff and give us a second?” He asked. “I need to talk to Kelly and my mom for a moment.” 

“Oh.” Rani said, glancing between them. The disappointment in her voice didn’t show on her face. “Sure.” 

Arthur kissed her, and Rani relaxed at the press of his lips against hers. She turned aside and headed toward the family room as Arthur, Deb, and Kelly entered the kitchen. 

“How was your morning?” Deb asked. 

“Lonely.” Arthur joked. “After yesterday.” 

Kelly hugged him from the side. 

“Did the girls behave themselves with Lynn?” Arthur asked. 

Deb laughed. “They were fine. They teased her, but Lynn instigated things. I’d think she was trying to press their buttons if I didn't know better.” 

Arthur frowned. 

“But everyone behaved, more or less.” Deb winked at Kelly. “That Rani is a straightforward young woman. Does she always say what she’s thinking?” 

“In my experience? Yes.” Arthur said, smiling. “It’s refreshing once you get used to it.”  

“That’s the word I used!” Deb said. “Didn’t I say she was refreshing?” She asked Kelly, who nodded. 

“And Kelly was an excellent chef for our brunch.” Deb said. 

“I love this kitchen.” Kelly said, squeezing Arthur. 

“Good!” Arthur said. He examined the kitchen under greater scrutiny. “I’m glad. I have a feeling you and I are the cooks of the group.” 

Kelly smiled, squeezing him. 

“Would you like some leftovers?” Deb asked. “There’s still plenty of food.” 

“I might take a plate, yeah.” Arthur said, assembling a quick variety of food and munching on it. “So, what did you think of the house?” He asked Kelly. 

“I love it.” Kelly said. “Katelyn, Selene, Kat, and I signed the leases. Mindy and Rani are taking theirs home.” 

“And the extra bedroom upstairs is going to be your playroom!” Deb said excitedly. 

Arthur choked. 

Kelly slapped his back, helping dislodge the melon he’d inhaled instead of chewing. 

Arthur’s eyes watered, and he wiped them as he swallowed. “I’m sorry?” 

“The girls discussed room arrangements.” Deb said. “And Rani suggested making the extra upstairs bedroom a playroom.” 

“Which Selene explained was like a second office, but for leisure, video games and stuff.” Kelly said, fanning Arthur’s beat red face. “Or we could make it a home gym.” 

Arthur took a breath. A home gym wasn’t a dreadful idea, but it would require significant capital, especially for Kelly and his routines. His accounts were already too low. 

“And Rani invited your father and I to a threesome, but I don’t think she was serious, and your father and I aren’t swingers.” Deb said, pouring herself another mimosa. “So don’t worry, I won’t steal any of your girlfriends.” 

Arthur raised an eyebrow, looking at Kelly, his mother, and then his mother’s mimosa. “How many of those have you had?” 

“A few!” His mother answered, knocking another one back. “It’s brunch!” 

Arthur laughed, shaking his head. His mother wasn’t drunk but was less inhibited than he typically saw her. 

“You’re going to be living it up with those women.” Deb said, shaking her head. “You better do right by them.” 

“Yes, mom.” Arthur said, hugging Kelly. 

“Oh, and two more things.” Deb said, holding up two fingers. “One, we were discussing a holiday party before anyone goes home for the break. Are you okay to host that?” 

“Sure.” Arthur said, nodding. “You know me. I love Christmas parties.” 

Deb nodded. “And second, are you okay if I show the girls some of your old photos and videos? Mindy wanted to see one.” 

Arthur groaned. “Mom.” 

“They’re adorable!” Deb protested. “And I won’t embarrass you with them if you’re not here.” 

Arthur sighed. 

“Please?” Deb asked. “It’ll be fun girl-bonding time!” 

“Please, Mister?” Kelly asked, squeezing Arthur’s arm. “I promise to make it up to you.” 

“Not fair.” Arthur said, protesting their ganging up on him and Kelly’s innuendo. 

“Please?” His mom stuck out her bottom lip, pouting, and Kelly mimicked the expression, almost making Arthur laugh. 

“One.” Arthur said, holding up a finger. “You can show them one video.” 

Kelly kissed his cheek. 

“Thank you.” Deb said, smiling. 

Arthur shook his head. “Come on. Let’s say hello to the others. Then Rani and I can head out.” He said to Kelly, then faced his mom. “I just need to unload a few boxes before I leave. Is it okay if I put them in the downstairs office?” 

“Sure.” Deb said, nodding. “Right behind you.” She said as she finished pouring herself another drink. 

Arthur and Kelly held each other with their arms around each other’s waists as they walked ahead of Deb until they came to the doorway. Arthur stepped through first.

“Hello, ladies.” Arthur said. “Don’t get up. I’m not here to interrupt. I’m here to whisk Rani away on a date if she still wants to hang out and do homework.” 

The girls scattered over the sofa, watching a pre-game football show that Arthur assumed was Kelly or Deb’s pick, but he didn’t question it. 

Rani smiled. “Yes, my King. Unless you want to stay here and take turns bending us over the sofa?” 

Arthur’s face turned purple-red as Deb stepped out from behind him. She patted him on the back, and Arthur’s soul fell out and disappeared through the floor. 

“Let’s go.” Rani said, hopping up as she picked up her purse and kissed Mindy goodbye. 

Arthur smiled to see them and waved farewell as the girls waved to him from their spots on the sofa. Rani put her arm around him as they left, and she rested her head on his bicep until they reached the door and Rani put her shoes on. 

“Did you have fun with brunch?” Arthur asked. 

“Yeah.” Rani said. “It was great fun. Your mom’s great. Lynn’s a bitch, but we put her in her place.” 

“You’ll have to tell me about it on the way home.” Arthur said. 

“I was going to practice sucking your cock in the car, but okay.” Rani said, shrugging. 

Arthur rolled his eyes and held the door open. Rani laughed and stepped through it, her purse and bookbag jostling as she descended the stairs. She raised her eyebrow at Arthur’s backseat. 

“I need to unload.” He said. “But the passenger seat is empty.” 

“I can help.” Rani said, putting her bookbag beside the wheel. 

“What kind of king makes his queen do manual labor?” Arthur asked. “Take your seat and wait.” Arthur opened the passenger-side door for her, and Rani smiled. 

“Yes, my King.” She lingered at the open car door and kissed Arthur before sliding into her seat. She put her book bag between her feet and her purse in her lap. 

Arthur closed the car door, then opened the backseat and loaded his arms with the boxes. It took him three trips, and Rani was playing on her phone by the time he hopped into the driver’s seat. 

“Ready?” Arthur asked, glancing at her unbuckled seat belt. 

Rani buckled herself into her seat. Arthur drove away from the house, watching the front door and the window for a moment in the rearview. He hoped the girls enjoyed their afternoon with his mom, but he was nervous. Leaving his girlfriends with his mother had the potential for embarrassing stories to be shared. 

~~~

“Mindy, do you mind if I put something else on the TV?” Deb asked, holding up a small disk. 

“Oh, I guess not.” Mindy said, drawing her legs under her on the overstuffed sofa. “We’ve got time before the game.” She said. 

Deb smiled. “I think you’ll want to watch this too, but it should be over before kickoff.” 

“What is it?” Mindy asked, cocking her head. The others were interested, too. Katelyn, Kat, and Selene glanced between each other, then at the disc. 

“It’s Peter Pan!” Deb squealed. 

The girls’ confused faces turned toward each other as Mindy tried to determine the cause of Deb's excitement. She enjoyed a good Disney movie occasionally, but Peter Pan didn’t age well.

“Starring one Arthur Clarke.” Kelly said, explaining Deb’s excitement in an instant and spreading it through the others. 

Mindy clapped, and the girls squealed. They sat up straight and huddled close together on the sofa. The interior square was still forward, leaving the rest in a U shape. Kelly sat on Mindy’s left, with Katelyn on Kelly’s left. Selene sat on Mindy’s right, with Kat on Selene’s right. Deb was on Katelyn’s left, nearest to the television. She put the disc into the player beneath the monstrous screen. The old camcorder video flickered to life. 

The stage was an unfamiliar living room with a sky-blue bed sheet hung between two floor lamps. Behind it, two small voices argued whether a human girl or a flashlight should play Tinkerbell. 

“We’re ready!” Deb’s voice called over the video. 

And the play began. Ten-year-old Arthur played the role of Peter Pan, while ten-year-old Lynn played Wendy, a mermaid, Mrs. Darling, and the voice of Tinkerbell. To everyone’s delight, Captain Hook was performed by Arthur’s father, George. 

“One of them would play a single role, and the other would play the other parts, with stuffed animals or parents filling in other roles when necessary.” Deb gestured to the screen, where the Lost Boys were played by stuffed toys of various woodland creatures, voiced by Arthur and Lynn in turns. 

“Oh, my god.” Mindy said, squealing into her hands. 

“This is my new favorite movie.” Kat said, watching Arthur give Lynn a kite. 

“Can I get a copy?” Selene asked. 

Deb shook her head. “I don’t think Arthur would appreciate that. We had to beg, promise, and swindle him to get him to agree to let you watch one of these.” 

The girls smiled, enthralled by the performances on the screen. 

“Did he memorize these lines?” Katelyn asked, impressed. 

“He wrote and memorized the entire thing. You can hear him feeding George his lines in a scene or two if you listen.” Deb said, her hand covering her heart. 

“Why isn’t he a theater major?” Mindy asked. 

Deb shrugged. “I think he wants to run a theater one day, but otherwise, I guess he sees it as a hobby.” 

Mindy nodded. It made sense. Her parents discouraged thinking of the arts as a valid career path. Her family, friends, and even strangers always complimented her drawings, sketches, and paintings. Yet, when deciding on her college major, she'd chosen Business. 

Business Majors made good money after college. Art majors made good art, but there was no money in it. Being an English major, Kat had to know that, too, right? Making a living as a writer or an artist was winning the lottery. Sure, it could be done, but for every success story, hundreds of artists struggled and starved. 

Mindy sighed, and Kelly and Selene cuddled into her from either side. The squish was a firm hug, and she couldn’t restrain her smile. Especially as little Arthur on the screen drew his sword and crowed like a rooster. That little actor was somewhere inside the businessman she knew. 

~~~

“Are you okay?” Rani asked as they drove. It was a few minutes before she spoke, distracted by the texting on her phone, but when she finished, she realized Arthur had said nothing since they left the house. 

“Yeah.” Arthur said. “Just nervous, I guess.” 

“Nervous?” Rani asked. 

“Well, yeah.” Arthur said, shrugging. “This is our first time alone together for an entire afternoon, right? It’s a ton of pressure.” 

“Chill out, man.” Rani said, patting his thigh. “We’ve hung out together before. Even not counting last semester. We had dinner together that once. Granted, it was brief and in a public place, but still. Plus, we fucked alone together just yesterday. So you’ve had the whole Rani solo experience. No reason to be nervous.” 

Arthur chuckled. “It’s just… I feel like I still don’t know you that well. We’re always hanging out with the others or talking about the others. You never talk about you.” 

“Nobody asks.” Rani said. “I’m an open book. No filter, remember? Ask me anything.” She smoothed out the collared shirt she wore. Sitting had ruffled the shirt. Arthur’s shirt was oversized on her, but it looked good tucked into her baggy jeans. 

Option paralysis set in as Arthur’s mind tried to turn ‘any question’ into ‘a question’ and had trouble coming up with good questions. He considered what he knew of her, and her answer to the questions the night before popped into his head. 

“You used to do gymnastics?” Arthur asked. 

Rani laughed. “Yeah, when I was a kid. I didn’t compete or anything.” 

“Oh, okay.” Arthur said. “Did you enjoy it?” 

“Yeah.” Rani said. “I tried out for the gymnastics team in high school but didn’t make the cut.” 

“Aw.” Arthur said, frowning. “I’m sorry.” 

“That’s sweet, but it’s fine. I have plenty of hobbies.” Rani said, brushing away the concern. 

“Like what?” Arthur asked. 

“Oh, um...” Rani shrugged. “Fucking. Photography. The arts. I enjoy watching movies. If this school had an equestrian program, I’d spend my time there, but they don’t. So I work in the labs building shit, studying, fucking around campus, or taking pictures of things.” 

“You enjoy fucking that much?” Arthur asked. 

Rani laughed. “Don’t you?” 

“You have a point.” Arthur said. “I meant… more like the casual nature of it. Do you enjoy sleeping with people for sport and recreation rather than relationships?” 

Rani fell quiet for a moment. “I mean, it’s not like anyone asked me, ‘Hey, do you want to be my girlfriend?’ they’re happy to get fucked. They don’t give a shit about me as a person. Not that I minded. I prefer variety. I can’t eat the same pussy every day any more than the same entrée. You’re the first person to suggest any exclusivity, and the harem provides enough variety that I’m loving our relationships.” 

Arthur’s lips twitched. “I mean, I’m glad. But you’ve never been in a monogamous relationship?” 

“Eh.” Rani shrugged. “Once. Monogamy wasn’t everything people claimed.”

“But your parents are monogamous, right? That’s the example you had to follow.” Arthur said. 

“Sure.” Rani said, shrugging. “But my parents’ generation isn’t my generation, and their culture isn’t my culture. Just because something worked for them doesn’t mean it’ll work for me. My Nani taught me that.” 

“Your nanny?” Arthur asked. 

Rani sighed. “Nani. My grandmother, not my babysitter. Well, she’d watch us sometimes when we were kids, but you know what I mean.” 

“Oh, okay.” Arthur said, nodding. “That’s a cute nickname for your grandma.” 

“It’s an Indian thing, I guess.” Rani said, fluffing her hair as she gazed out the window. “My Nani and my Nana are my mother’s mother and father. Dadi and Dada are my father’s mother and father. Didi is my eldest sister, Nandhini.” 

“What do you call your other siblings?” Arthur asked. 

Rani shrugged. “Their names. Except Little Ari.” 

“Little Ari?” Arthur asked. 

“My youngest sibling, my brother.” Rani said. “His full name is Arivarasan. It’s a mouthful, and he’s the youngest. Everyone calls him Little Ari.” 

“And how old is he?” Arthur asked, smiling as he imagined Rani wrangling a toddler. 

“He’s turning eight soon.” Rani said. She rolled her eyes. “He’s growing so fast. Soon, we’ll just be calling him Ari, I guess.” 

“Do you miss your family?” Arthur asked. 

“All the time.” Rani said. “I’m used to such a large and bustling house with my siblings, our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. School is the same, but no one knows me. It’s familiar but more lonely somehow.” 

“It’s lonelier being alone in a crowd than alone in an empty space.” Arthur said as if speaking from experience. 

“Yeah.” Rani said, pausing as she studied Arthur. 

“That was high school for me.” Arthur said, explaining. “I didn’t have any friends until college.” 

“Because of Lynn?” Rani asked, curiosity creeping into her voice as she leaned toward Arthur. “What did she do to you? Kelly won’t tell us.” 

“What does Kelly know?” Arthur asked. He glanced at Rani but returned his eyes to the road. The traffic was light, and the road was rural, but he was entering suburbia as they drew closer to campus. 

“Apparently, everything.” Rani said. “Kelly said she did some research and talked to Lori and your old schoolmates. They told her enough to make her believe Lynn is an actual monster. And whatever Lynn did, she traumatized you enough that Kelly’s being way too delicate about the situation around you.” 

“She did what?” Arthur asked. 

“Did she not tell you that?” Rani asked, alarmed at the prospect of betraying Kelly’s trust. 

“She did not.” Arthur said, shaking his head. It made sense, but pondering his conversations with Kelly, he didn’t recall her ever telling him she was already aware. She never mentioned talking to anyone he knew in high school. She’d offered to be there for him, to let him open up about it. Yet, it wasn’t impossible. She’d been Lori’s roommate, and Arthur had told Lori everything. Would Lori have told anyone? Maybe girls honestly did discuss everything.

“Oh.” Rani said, sitting back in her seat. “Well, maybe she should have.” 

Arthur sighed and let silence fall between them. 

“Don’t you want to discuss it?” Rani asked. “We have time, and I’m extremely curious.” 

Arthur remained silent.

“I can always play with your dick while you talk.” Rani said. “Would that help?” 

Arthur laughed. “No. There’s nothing sexy about my history with Lynn.” 

“That’s surprising. She’s the hottest woman I’ve ever seen in real life.” Rani said. 

Arthur didn’t answer. 

“Tell you what, I’ll give you tit for tat.” Rani said. “You share your trauma with me, and I’ll show you my tits. You can have your shirt back, and I’ll take off my bra.” 

Arthur glanced at her. If she took his shirt off and the white bra under it, she’d be topless the rest of the drive to Arthur’s apartment and likely the entire afternoon. A tempting offer. He glanced at the gold chain that looped through its ring at one end, wrapped around her throat, and disappeared with its other ring between her breasts. He imagined leading her, topless, up the stairs and into his apartment by its ring as the chain pulled tighter around her neck. 

Arthur reminded himself that today wasn’t supposed to be a hookup. It was a date. Today was about spending casual, side-by-side time with Rani to get to know each other on a deeper level. His dick protested his brain’s logic, but he restrained his impulses and tightened his grip on the steering wheel. 

“Are you turning down a hand job and my tits?” Rani asked, shocked. “Do you not like them?” She looked down at her chest, cupping her breasts. 

“I love your tits.” Arthur said, chuckling. “Your body is amazing.” 

Rani laughed. “I’m no Kelly or Mindy, but I do alright.” 

“Don’t compare. You’re a different beauty.” Arthur said. 

Rani frowned. “That’s what pretty people say to ugly people.” 

“You are not ugly.” Arthur said at once. “I mean it. You’re gorgeous.” 

Rani frowned. “But you don’t want to see my tits?” 

“I want to.” Arthur said, laughing. “But I don’t want you to leverage them. Today isn’t for sex, remember? It’s for getting to know one another.” 

“So help me get to know you.” Rani said, frustrated. “Tell me what happened with you and Lynn.” 

“I…” Arthur hesitated, sighing. “Okay.”