Kinky Confessions

“Ah, of course!” Terri grinned and asked me, “Do you do everything together?”

“Some things. We live together too, so…,” I finished with a shrug and left the rest up to her imagination. “We’re taking the class together for the fun of it,” I continued. “And for moral support. Wren needs it to graduate this quarter.”

Terri’s brow creased. “You need this specific class?” she asked her. “Are you a Phys Ed major? I haven’t seen you…”

“No, Public Relations,” Wren said. “I just need another elective. This fit my schedule and seemed like the least stress, so here I am.” She glanced at the rest of us. “Well, here we are.”

“Oh, okay,” Terri said, although she seemed disappointed.

“We’re going to sign up for the ballroom dance team too,” Christy said out of the blue.

“For real? Awesome! We always need more people.”

“So you teach it?” I said.

“I’m one of the coaches. There are several of us. Have you done it before?”

“No, I have two left feet. But Christy’s been dancing since she was four.”

“Mostly ballet,” she said.

Terri brightened immediately. “Ballet? Me too!”

Christy swallowed hard, and I had to bite my lip to keep from smiling.

“What about you?” Terri asked Trip and Wren. “Are you going to join the team?”

“Not us,” he said. “Sorry. We’re both slammed with work and other classes.”

“Aw, too bad. Are you sure you won’t give it a try?”

“No, sorry. Paul and Christy can represent us.”

Other students had started filtering into the room, so Terri gave us another warm smile. “Take a seat wherever and we’ll get started in a few minutes. I’ll talk to you after class about the ballroom team.”

“Sounds good,” I said. “We can’t wait.”

The “classroom,” such as it was, occupied one end of the court. A movie projector sat on a small table, with a portable screen behind it. The desks were arranged in a semicircle around the table. We chose a block of four and slid into them. Wren looked resigned and Trip slightly annoyed, but Christy’s eyes never left Terri.

I leaned close and whispered, “Relax.”

Christy glanced at me in surprise but then nodded and inhaled slowly.

“She’s cute,” I added with a grin. “And very… exotic.”

“Oh my gosh, is it that obvious?”

“Probably not to anyone else. But still… chill out.”

She nodded and smoothed imaginary wrinkles from her jeans. “I knew I should’ve worn a skirt,” she said in a low voice. “Or a dress! And heels.

Remind me next time.”

“No problem. Your legs look awesome in a skirt and heels. Your cute little butt too.”

The start of class returned to familiar territory as Terri handed out the syllabus, schedule, and a list of viewing assignments. She mentioned the ballroom dance team and invited everyone to an informal practice after class.

She also added a plug for a modern dance group. Christy looked hopeful, but I shook my head. Our schedule was already full.

Please, she begged with her eyes.

We’ll see.

I’ll make it worth your while. Please, please, please!

We’ll. See.

Her expression fell. Yes, sir.

The rest of the class was a fairly straightforward introduction to dance and a review of our assignments and exam schedule. Wren slowly lost the will to go on as the work piled up.

Trip put a hand on her arm. “We’ll get through this, okay? We’ll do whatever it takes.”

She gave him a grateful smile and nodded. Terri wrapped up a few minutes later, and Trip shouldered Wren’s backpack in addition to his own.

“I don’t know how long we’ll be,” I told them, “so go ahead and eat dinner without us.”

Wren nodded. “I’ll keep something warm for you. It probably won’t be anything special, though.”

“I kinda figured. You’re going to be super-busy this quarter, so gourmet

meals aren’t a priority.”

“Thanks. I knew you’d understand.”

“We do,” Christy said. She impulsively kissed her cheek. “We love you,”

she said quietly. “We’ll help as much as we can.”

“Thanks. I love you too.” She included me with a tired smile. Then she added, “I had great plans for us. Now I think I’ll be lucky to survive.”

“You will,” I assured her. “We’ll make sure of it.”

“We will, babe. Now c’mon,” Trip said. “Let’s get home. I have the perfect mix tape to help you relax.”

“Don’t forget the wine,” Christy added.

“Thanks, y’all,” Wren said.

“I hope she’ll be okay,” Christy said as she watched them leave the gym.

“And I know this sounds horrible, but I’m sorta glad she’s going to be so busy for the next few months.”

“I know what you mean,” I said. “It’ll give us time to figure out if you’re ready for you-know-what.”

“I am in my head. Although… not really. Ugh! Why am I like this? It’s all so easy when I think about it, but then I get scared. What is it you say?

‘Life isn’t how we imagine it’?”

“No,” I chuckled.

She slid into my arms. “Thanks for doing this. Dance class, I mean. And the ballroom dance team and modern dance and everything else.”

“Who said I’d agreed to modern dance?”

“You will. You just don’t know it yet.” She propped her chin on my sternum as she gazed up at me. “I’ll make it worth your while.”