Danny rolled off her body, Lacey gasping for the third time and snuggling into his side.
"Wow."
Danny smirked, "Feel good?" He hugged her tightly.
"Marry me?" She panted.
Danny giggled.
"So what are you, like a polygamist or something?"
"No, gross." Danny scrunched his face up.
"Polyamorous?"
"Why do I need a label? Labels prevent growth."
"I'm just trying to understand."
"I like intimacy. I like to find what is missing in someone's life that I can fulfill for them. There's that trust and respect, I love that."
"Wow."
"I'm like that with everyone, mostly about the small things. Coffee, tutoring a subject, I'm your guy."
"Okay, when does all the sex come in?"
"The sex comes in when I'm also attracted to the person I'm helping. Then I want to find out what else is missing. Everyone is missing something."
"What about feelings, like jealousy?"
"Jealousy is a perceived injustice of sorts, you know? I try not to harbor jealousy, it's selfish. If intimacy with one person is what I needed and the person I am with chooses differently, then something else was missing for them."
Lacey just laid there, trying to keep an open mind, red flags fucking everywhere.
Danny let her think for a bit before continuing, "You're jealous of Regina?"
"My mind is screaming yes right now, but you gave me a lot to think about."
"Good, I'm glad."
"What is she missing?" Lacey wondered.
"Okay, so part of this is understanding that I'm never going to share whatever you're missing with anyone else. You need to know you can trust me, with anything. You can ask me anything, tell me anything. But I can't tell you what she needs from me."
"You are having sex with other people though?"
"Sometimes."
Lacey sat up, suddenly feeling very exposed. She pulled the sheet around herself as she scavenged for her clothes.
"Hey, talk to me." Danny rolled onto his side and watched her get dressed.
"It's a lot, I'm not used to it. Are you like, an escort then?"
"No—like a prostitute? No, no. Have I made you pay me for this?"
"Not yet, but it sounds like if I'm going to be one of your 'friends' there must come a time when it's you that will need something from me, no?"
"Probably, but it's not like, a requirement or a deal breaker or something. You don't have to be a part of any of this, okay? I like you and I meant what I said about being friends. Maybe all you need is help juggling your giant canvas, I can help. If you need more, I can help."
Danny stood up, still totally naked, obviously extremely comfortable with himself and walked over to give Lacey a big hug.
"What if someone you're with wants you all to themselves?" She asked as he hugged her tight.
"Honestly? That's everyone I've been with, until they see what I'm all about. It usually either ends with hurt feelings, or, they get on board with my lifestyle so they can find the returns they need."
Lacey's mind was obviously weighing if this new partnership was worth it or not. Danny pulled back and reconnected with her, eyes all over her body as she refastened her hair.
"I'm not against monogamy. If someone wanted to explore that, I'd try it. It would have to be something we both wanted—and I just haven't found that person to try it with yet." His eyes lingered on hers, both of them thinking Lacey could be that person.
Danny bent down and pulled Lacey's canvas out from under the bed, "I told you what you were looking for was in the bedroom." Danny winked at her.
"Jesus." Lacey took the canvas.
"Are we friends now?"
Lacey quirked a smile, "If I say no, will this keep happening?" She pointed between them and his bed.
"If I say no, will you say yes?"
"Now who's talking in riddles?" Lacey giggled.
"Homecoming. Are you going?"
"Maybe." Lacey shrugged.
"Has someone asked you to go yet?"
"No."
"I'm asking. Come with me to homecoming?"
"Like, just the two of us?"
"Yes, just us."
"You can dance?"
"Not really, but I like to." Danny laughed, "Please?"
"Yes, I'd really like that." Lacey smiled back.
"I love your smile." Danny leaned in and kissed her tenderly.
Lacey pulled back first and pushed him away gently.
"I should go. There's probably a line forming." Lacey joked.
Danny smiled big.
"Oh, Danny?"
"Hmm?"
"You definitely picked the right major. Sociology is your bitch."
Danny laughed at that as Lacey headed for the door.
"Come to practice tomorrow, I'll introduce you to more of my friends."
"You mean, the rest of the cheerleaders?"
"Yes, and the guys too. Listen, I know you're going to be thinking about this. Try not to let it consume you, okay? I'm not sleeping with everyone, I do just have regular friends, regular female friends. This is about letting go of the guilt and the negativity that society has trained to feel. Just let life happen, feel good. Be happy when you're happy."
"You're fucking every goddamn one of them aren't you?" Lacey joked.
"I am." He joked back, leaning in for another kiss.
"See you around, friend." Lacey said as she walked out his front door.
"Later."
Danny watched her walk back toward her dorm, beaming at her confirming their friendship, but wondering if she would truly be down for his lifestyle. He had meant what he said about monogamy. He didn't want to give her false hope, but Lacey was someone he could absolutely see building a life with, the two of them exclusively. He preached about jealousy and wondered what it would feel like to watch her with someone else.