Chapter 3

• I woke up early with an extreme thirst and a headache, my mouth was dry. The sun was already high in the sky, and the ocean sounds were outside the window. When I opened my eyes, I couldn't see where I was or who was with me. But the blackout lasted only a few seconds. It's impossible to forget! It's impossible to erase this night from my memory. I was lying on my side, Owen was behind me, his arm around my waist, his whole body pressed against me. Across from me was Aaron, lied on his stomach, snoring amusingly softly. I must have pulled the covers off him last night. I took a quick look at him while I had the chance. His entire back was covered with tattoos. In the center, a naked woman with ample breasts seems to be dancing while a beautiful snake winds around her body. There were flowers and designs all around. There were yellow leaves on the playa. What was this? Nostalgia for fall? Maybe it's his favorite season. My eyes fell to his buttocks - no tattoos on them. I went back to his back, the muscles hard under the mottled skin, and I wanted to touch him. I ran my fingers over his skin, and in that instant, he woke up.
• "Good morning, babe," he gave me a charming but cheeky grin.
• "Morning," I said, asking for something to drink.
• Aaron got up quickly and disappeared around the corner, returned with a glass of water. I carefully slipped out of Owen's embrace and drank it greedily, but as soon as I stood up, my head started to hurt even more. Dark beer always has that side effect.
• "You need a shower and a Tylenol pill, let's go", he went off again.
• I looked around. In the middle of the big living room was a couch, flanked by shelves and bookcases. Across from it was a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the ocean. No blinds or tulle. And last night, the three of us were rolling around on that very couch. What if someone saw us, videotaped us? That would be filth. All we could do is hope for luck. The headache got worse with every step. I heard dishes clinking, so I went to the sound. Spacious kitchen in black colors, wooden countertops, a few white elements, bright light from lamps cut my eyes. In the middle there was a big cooking table, another glass of water, and a pill on it. Without thinking, I swallowed it.
• "Upstairs, there's a bathroom with everything you need. Except that all the products will be labeled 'for real men' and nothing with a lily-of-the-valley scent", he laughed, and I smiled wryly.
• The pill hadn't kicked in yet, so I was just as cheerful. I wanted to ask him why he didn't have a hangover, where he got the strength to joke and smile, maybe he would tell me some secret that I would use for years to come. But I was too lazy to talk. What I really needed right then was a hot shower. I walked up the stairs without the handrail. Yesterday I would have fallen down in a heartbeat. Upstairs I was greeted by an open room with exercise equipment. There was a treadmill and an exercise bike on a black mat, with a bench and a barbell and some dumbbells in between. There were two doors to the right and left. If only the two of them lived here, that meant there was a bedroom here and there. I went to the left first, but inside was the office - two identical desks facing each other, a big window overlooking the ocean. It looked even nicer from the second floor. I got out, went to the opposite side, and there was the bedroom. I looked at the huge bed, another door, and through the walk-in closet, I came to the bathroom. There was a shower behind a glass wall and a large bathtub that could hold a party of three. Someone must have been suffering from gigantism, I thought cheerfully, noticing that my headache was beginning to subside. And after a shower, I finally felt better.
• There were black and white towels on the rack. I chose the black one for my hair. There were two bathrobes of the same color on the rack. I took the white one. Again, I wondered who lived here. Or maybe it was someone's house, and his wife or girlfriend was away. Or maybe it was a rented place; guys like them couldn't afford it. No, I didn't label, but still.
• I was downstairs, smelling eggs and bacon. Owen was still sleeping peacefully, and Aaron was clattering dishes. I came closer, and the smell of a hot breakfast was joined by the aroma of coffee. Oh, perfect. This is how I'd always wake up after a one-night stand, a dose of human caring without subtext, a headache pill, a shower, a clean soft robe, breakfast, fresh coffee. And absolutely no embarrassment. Even yesterday, they made it clear that it would only be one night, even if I really liked it, it would never happen again. And it was the decision of three adults that allowed this kind of freedom of communication for the morning.
• "Thank you, I really do feel better. And I'm wearing your robe".
• "It's not mine", he said, that trademark grin again. I was beginning to suspect that his appearance always hid some valuable information, but this wasn't the time to ask questions. Besides, a plate of breakfast appeared in front of me. The scrambled eggs weren’t even burnt. In my experience, only one of my three ex-boyfriends could cook. A cup of black coffee and single-serve sugar and creamer appeared on the table. Once again, I was back to the idea that they rent a house to bring the girls they rent here.
• - You eat, I'll take a shower".
• "You don't eat breakfast? "
• "I've been drinking a protein shake since this morning", he replied, disappearing behind the door to what seemed to be the upstairs bathroom. Why did he have to chase me up to the second floor? Yeah, whatever. Just one night, I reminded myself. Well, and some more of this beautiful morning with a delicious breakfast.
• I had barely finished my coffee when I heard footsteps behind me.
• "Morning", Owen greeted me in an unfriendly, hoarse and terribly tired voice, and he looked the same.
• "You don't look so good".
• He mumbled something in response, reached into his locker, pulled out a pill, and took a quick drink of water. He was in his boxers, so I could finally see his tattoos. The dark solid on his arm looked different in the daylight now, it's like the scales of a fish, looking menacing. There was a colored tattoo on his back, but I didn't have time to see it because he turned to me. But when he came around the table and stood next to me, I can see his legs, with letters scattered chaotically from his hips to his feet. What did you get when you put all those letters together? That remained a mystery to me. Owen finished his water in silence and went upstairs.
• They came back at the same time, Owen looking better, washed his face, shaved off his stubble, gelled his hair back, and changed into a homemade t-shirt and shorts. But he still didn't have the smile on his face from yesterday, as if he was unhappy about something. Aaron had shaved, but his hair was still sticking out in different directions. They're so different, but so much the same.
• "Don't mind him, he's an owl, I'm a lark. He'll be happier by noon and then he'll be up all night again", Aaron laughed and poured coffee for his friend.
• "Quiet, you still have a headache", Owen whined and sipped his coffee.
• What was their relationship like? One thing was clear; they had known each other for a long time, knowing everything about each other. Childhood friends, brothers, classmates, colleagues, lovers - so many possibilities. None of my business! - I reminded myself. It's important to just enjoy what is. And now I had delicious coffee, great company, and sweet weariness after yesterday. Just thinking about last night made the muscles in my lower abdomen ache sweetly. It was a pure high.
• "Do you need a ride?" Aaron asked, and Owen pulled a face and asked me to turn down the volume. It didn't really help his head if we were quieter, but I answered anyway in a whisper and with a big smile.
• "No need, thanks. I'll call a cab," I reached for my phone, but Aaron gently grabbed it.
• "I'd rather drive you", he said.
• Okay, I started to think about who they were and what they did. It wasn't about taking care of me; maybe they were in the witness protection program. I didn't think so because they shouldn't be out in the city without security. Or how were they doing things? I didn't even know. Or maybe one of them was a witness, and the other was a cop or a mercenary guarding him. Bullshit.