Blood Games

    What the hell’s happening here?

    ‘You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to,’ she heard herself say.

    A real voice of protest, she thought.

    ‘Whatever you want,’ Vivian told him.

    ‘It’s no big deal,’ Cora said. ‘I’m sure you would be more comfortable.’

    Rick’s comfort, Abilene knew, was the farthest thing from any of their minds. They just want to get him naked. What’s wrong with everybody? Why are they doing this?

    We. Why are we doing this?

    ‘I’ll give you a hand,’ Finley said. She knelt on the floor in front of Rick, reached up and slipped the towel off his shoulders. She spread it across his lap. ‘There you go,’ she said. Her hands disappeared beneath the towel.

    Helen, seated on the bench to Rick’s right, took the drink from his hand. He mumbled, ‘Thanks,’ and held the towel to his waist. Though he muttered, ‘I’m not so sure about this,’ he cooperated by raising his rump off the seat cushion.

    Finley peeled the rubbery pants down his legs.

    Abilene took a sip of her drink. Her hands were trembling. She looked at her friends. They were all gazing at Rick and Finley. Their faces were flushed and moist. Helen’s mouth hung open. Vivian had her lower lip clamped between her teeth. Cora held her glass close to her chest, her wrist pressing against her breast.

    Finley tossed the pants aside. ‘Now that’s better, isn’t it?’ she asked, returning to her seat beside Abilene.

    ‘I guess,’ Rick said. His legs were red and shiny with moisture. The blond hair on his shins glistened like gold filaments.

    Bending forward over the towel, he rubbed his hands up and down his shins and calves. ‘Feels a lot better,’ he admitted.

    Helen and Vivian, on either side of him, were staring at his back. The way he was hunched over, their view had to include some of his rear end, as well.

    ‘Feels a lot better,’ he admitted. He straightened up and sighed. Helen returned his drink. He polished it off. ‘A little embarrassing, though, I guess.’

    ‘Don’t worry about it,’ Cora said. ‘Nothing shows.’

    ‘Still,’ Finley said, ‘he’s the only one here without his clothes on. That would be embarrassing. I bet Rick would feel a whole lot less embarrassed if he weren’t the only one. ’ She set aside her drink and began to unbutton her red flannel shirt.

    Rick gaped at her.

    ‘Finley,’ Abilene murmured. ‘Jeez.’

    Finley gave her a quick smile. She pulled off her shirt. ‘You don’t mind, do you, Rick?’

    His head shook slightly from side to side. The towel across his lap was suddenly rising like a tent, and he crossed his legs in an effort to conceal the growing bulge.

    ‘Am I the only one doing this?’ Finley asked as she pulled off one of her sneakers. ‘Come on, gang. Get with the program.’

    ‘It is awfully hot in here,’ Helen said. Her crimson face disappeared inside her sweatshirt. A moment later, the sweatshirt was off.

    Abilene couldn’t believe it. Timid Helen, always so self-conscious because of her weight.

    At least she’s wearing a bra, Abilene thought. It’ll probably stay on, too.

    Rick glanced at Helen. She gave him a sheepish smile. His return smile looked a bit forced. He turned to Abilene as if to see what she might be taking off.

    Abilene just shook her head.

    Finley was working on her shoes and socks. He checked Cora. She sat on the swivel chair, arms folded across her chest. ‘Not me,’ she said. ‘I’m married.’

    He looked ashamed. Accused. ‘I didn’t mean you should,’ he said, a note of pleading in his voice. ‘This is all… strange.’

    Vivian, not saying a word, got up and stepped past the others and walked away toward the rear of the camper.

    That’s what I should do, Abilene thought. Walk away. All this is just too weird.

    But she couldn’t move. She sat there, a little breathless, heart pounding hard, ashamed but fascinated and excited.

    God, I hope Harris never finds out about this.

    I’m not doing anything, she told herself. And I won’t. I won’t.

    Finley slipped her jeans down her legs. She kicked her feet free, then leaned back, naked, and patted her thighs. ‘Don’t you feel a lot better?’ she asked Rick, ‘now that you’re not the only one?’

    His head bobbed. He squirmed on his seat. He darted his eyes this way and that, either hoping for others to join the party or trying not to stare at her.

    ‘You look nervous,’ Finley said. ‘Why don’t you have another drink?’

    Before he could respond, Helen took his glass. He watched while she went to the table and made his drink and brought it back to him. ‘Thanks,’ he murmured. His hand shook badly. He took a sip as Helen sat down beside him. ‘I… I really should get going.’

    ‘Don’t you like it here?’ Finley asked.

    ‘I don’t know. Nothing like this… it’s like I’m dreaming, or something.’