Chapter 6

Chapter

Six

Lily is bouncing on the balls of her feet when I get home. She pulls me through the door and pushes me toward the couch. "Tell me everything."

"I can't."

"Why?" Her face falls.

"They made us sign an NDA."

"Psh. That's just so you don't go blabbing about it publicly. Now, spill."

The terms of the NDA were really specific, but I don't have the heart to tell Lily that. Besides, I know I can trust her to keep her mouth shut and I don't have to tell her everything. I can say enough to satisfy her interest while keeping most of it private.

"Five out of the twelve were chosen. Two guys and three girls, including me."

"Are they hot?"

I laugh. "If they were, do you think they'd still be virgins?"

She considers that for a moment. "You're hot. "

"Aw. You're so full of shit."

Lily rolls her eyes. "I ooze honesty. But whatever. Get to the hot guys."

"Nick is hotter, I guess, but I prefer Brad. He can laugh at himself, which I appreciate."

"Does he have a big dick?"

"Jesus fucking Christ, Lily!" I don't bother telling her about my little sausage comment. "How the fuck should I know? It's not like he whipped it out and waggled it."

"There's a mental picture." She sniggers and says, "Okay. So you didn't see his package. That's too bad, but I'm sure you'll get an eyeful when you're on the island."

I flop back onto the cushion. "I seriously don't know if I can do this. I mean, I've never even seen one. In person."

"We should watch some porn." Lily hops up and skips to the kitchen to grab a bag of chips and two sodas. "Think of it as homework." She cracks open a can and hands it to me.

An image of Blanche leaning over Brad and telling him not to lick like a porno tongue has me doubting the benefits of watching any. Besides, I'm good with my spicy alien romance books. They describe things quite vividly. Lots of fodder for me to fantasize about while my fingers or toy take care of business.

Rustling open the bag of chips, Lily takes one out and starts crunching. "All right. So no penis action. How about all the stuff you were told you're not supposed to talk about?"

I'm happy to switch subjects from dicks and porn and spend the next ten minutes glossing over what Blanche shared. When she prods me for more information, I lie and tell her they didn't go into detail because candidates are meant to learn all that firsthand.

She makes a face. "Well, that sucks, but I guess I understand. Do you go to another session tomorrow?"

"Yeah, but it's only for a couple of hours. Then I won't go again until next week to finalize everything. They want us to have time to see a gyno and do what we need to leave the planet for a year, basically." I lean over to pick up the bag I dropped on the floor. "Oh, and I have to wax."

My roommate grabs the bag and pulls out the waxing kit. "Wow. This is the expensive stuff. I guess they've got the money for it." She digs around, investigating every item from body spray to dental care—including teeth whitening strips. "I wish I could go. I'm gonna miss you."

I pull her into a hug. "I'm going to miss you, too. But when you see me getting spanked for being snarky, just remember you're the one who convinced me I needed to do this."

"Oh, they'll be doing a lot more than spanking!" She laughs at my disgruntled expression. "Pages and Pastries, baby! It'll be worth it. Besides, I think you're going to have a blast. You should see some of the stuff they do these days. Seriously, you need to watch and get an idea of what's in store for you. Use my account."

She's right, but I honestly prefer to remain in ignorant bliss. If I see too much, it will send me spinning, and I might back out. "I think I'm just going to go in blind. Otherwise, I might get cold feet."

"At least going in blind will be good practice." She smirks at my confusion and nudges me with her elbow. "You know, for when they blindfold you. "

"You're incorrigible." I take a swig of my soda and grab a handful of chips, stuffing a couple in my mouth. It's just after five, and I've got three hours of freedom before I need to report to work. Pocketing the mouthful of salty goodness in my cheek, I ask, "Can we just forget about all this craziness and watch a movie?"

She smiles. "Devil Wears Prada?"

"Definitely." I settle in as she loads the movie. It's my go-to chick flick. Nothing like Meryl Streep as a mega bitch from hell to take my mind off things.

"I've got to get ready for work," I say a couple of hours later. I'm seriously beginning to wonder why I even bother with work. The pittance I make isn't going to pay the rent. Besides, the Pleasure Academy pays half the money upfront to enable people to even commit to a year. That's fifty grand.

Lily shakes her head as I head toward my bedroom and says loudly, "Sucks to be you."

"You have no idea." The Fuel 'n' Fare at night is a little slice of fuckedupness.

I leave Lily in front of the TV, flipping through streaming services. God, I wish I could stay with her instead of spending the next six hours behind a counter, hoping someone doesn't puke or take a dump in the beer aisle. I wish I were making up that last one. It's why I threatened to quit if I wasn't taken off the night shift.

Everything looks normal when I arrive. The calm before the storm. Hank, a middle-aged guy with thinning hair, scoots over as I join him behind the counter. "Hi, Hank."

"Hey, Eden. I didn't think you were doing the night shift anymore. "

"I wasn't, but I've got some things going on and needed to swap with Becky." I pull my name tag out of my purse and pin it on. It feels like a ten-pound weight on my boob.

Hank leaves a few minutes later. I almost want to call him back, if only to have someone with me to share the misery. Four hours later I've had one greasy guy old enough to be my grandfather ask to take me shopping at the Mr. Peeps Adult Toy Store across the street, and a Karen request to speak to the manager when her credit card is declined.

But it's the twenty-something who's so high he shit himself and doesn't realize it as he trails a line of diarrhea from the leg of his pants across the floor that clinches it. Fuck this. I'll wax my whole cooter and smile at the pain of each ripped pube if it means I never have to come back to this mini-mart hell. Pleasure Academy, here I come!