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Aiden
I fishthe last slice of bacon from the pan and drop it on the pile. I slide the plate across the counter. “Bacon’s up,” I call out.
The guys descend like animals. “Good shit,” Daniel says, his mouth full.
Ryan picks at it. “God damn, I’m going to have to run this shit off.”
I grin at him. “Don’t be a pussy.”
Carter jostles his shoulder. “Yeah, brother. Relax. It’s vacation.”
Ryan grumbles. “I’m the only damn athlete in this place. I have to worry about that sort of thing.”
I grin at him and go back to cooking. Ryan has a point, though. He’s a professional tennis player, ranked in the top fifty right now, but looking to break into the top twenty soon. He’s thirty years old, past what should be his peak playing years, but he’s playing the tennis of his life. I don’t blame him for wanting to stay on top.
I start on the eggs, periodically pulling out toast and putting more in. This isn’t my kitchen at home, but it’s pretty damn nice. Everything Henry has is nice, to be totally honest. He’s a good guy and deserves it all, which is why I’m cooking. I want to try and give back.
Henry reaches across the counter and grabs some toast. “Thanks again, Aiden,” he says. “I could just call the cook, though.”
“Nah,” James says. “I’d rather Aiden cooked. He looks so cute in that apron.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re just jealous.” To be fair, I am wearing an apron.
The guys bullshit some more. When I’m finally done, I sit down on a stool and eat the plate I set aside for myself. Henry gets up and walks over to the glass window, looking out at the beach.
We’ve been here for only a few days. This was supposed to be a guys-only type thing, but Henry’s sister was added at the last second. She’s not down yet, but that’s okay. We’re a bunch of early risers, and it’s not even eight in the morning yet.
I don’t mind having her here. Actually I’m fascinated by her. She looks nothing like Henry, which is to say, Henry’s short and dark and intense while she’s slim, pale, and blonde. She seems a little flighty, although that was probably just her being overwhelmed by us, and I can’t blame her. Henry didn’t tell me much about her, but I can see why. She’s absolutely fucking gorgeous, and I think he wanted to keep her away from us. Then again, he’s not that close with her, so maybe he just doesn’t know much about her to begin with.
Either way, it doesn’t matter. She’s here and I’m happy about it. I want to get to know her, maybe spend a little time away from these idiots
“Listen, gentlemen,” Henry says suddenly. “I wanted to thank you all for coming here. We don’t get together like this often enough, and I for one would like to make this a tradition.”
“Sounds good to me,” I call out. The others all agree.
He nods, looking pleased. “To that end, I want to propose something.” He has this devilish look in his eye, and I know what that means.
Henry is notorious for his wagers. He loves gambling, does it all the time, and now that he has money, he can’t help himself. He’s constantly making bets, starting games, and most of the time it’s fun. Sometimes he can go a little overboard, but that’s just Henry. At least it’s always interesting.
“Here’s the deal,” he says. “Last night, I just made a tidy sum of money on a little deal I set up, and I’m feeling generous. While I know none of you need money, I think money can make this game more fun.” He grins the whole time, and I’m almost dreading what he’s going to say.
“What’s the wager this time, Henry?” James asks him. “And speak for yourself. Some of us actually can use the money.”
The guys laugh. “Don’t kid yourself, James,” Carter says. “That starving artist shit doesn’t work with us. Starving artists don’t get $50 haircuts and wear $600 watches.”
James grins. “Okay, well, I guess I’ve been lucky lately.”
“Lately?” Daniel asks. “Didn’t you just sell a painting at Christie’s for—“
“Okay, come on,” Henry says, interrupting. James shoots him a grateful look. “Listen up.”
“Okay guys, the dear leader wants to get through this,” I say.
We all laugh and watch Henry attentively.
“Here’s the wager. Whoever here can sleep with the most women gets one million dollars.”
Everyone perks up. None of us need the money, but that’s a stupid sum. Henry is always making bets, but never this much.
