“Talk loud so I can hear you. I need to start some java,” Shane yells from the kitchen.

Fletch sits next to me on the couch. “Just stay. Even if we stop the friends with benefits thing. Stay.”

“Fletch—”

Shane returns from the kitchen. “Why don’t we agree to not fuck anyone else while we figure this out?”

Fletch and I look at each other with twin surprised expressions. Shane is not exactly the monogamous kind. Though this isn’t exactly monogamy, is it?

“Geez, you guys. You act like I’m some kind of manslut.” He bows with a flourish. “Thank you. But aside from that, I’m serious. We don’t have to have a relationship with I love yous and shit. We can just fuck and hang out, and by not bringing anyone else into the mix, neither one of you will get all pissy. I really do hate it when you fight.”

“What if...”

“We’ll keep it open-ended,” Shane says. “if one of us wants to see someone else, we talk about the best way to end it without fighting and moving.”

“You guys are used to a different kind of ...girl. What if I’m not...enough?”

“The fact that we’re sitting here trying to convince you isn’t enough?” Fletch says. “Okay, superbrain, let’s try to appeal to your logic. First, we like you. You’re funny and smart and you have no idea how appealing you are. Second, it’s hot that you’re so into experimenting. This is new to us, too, threesomes.”

“Technically, I’ve had a threesome before,” Shane admits. “And it was nowhere near as hot as what the three of us have been up to.”

“When did you—?”

“Last year. Two girls. But it was kind of awkward and not nearly as sexy as I thought it would be. I think they are still together, though, so it wasn’t all for naught. Maybe they’ll have me do a toast at their wedding someday, since I was instrumental in getting them together.”

Sometimes, Shane is so very Shane.

“Why was it awkward?” I ask, curious now.

He shrugs. “I didn’t click with them, I guess. Chemistry was off. It’s just different with you guys.”

“And you’re okay with keeping it in your pants when we’re not home?” Fletch asks.

“I won’t have sex with anyone else, but I’m not committing to the three of us not doing the nasty outside the house. I’d like to take Velma to a dark theater sometime for starters.”

Oh, public sex. That might be interesting. Wait, what am I thinking? I’m supposed to be putting an end to this.

He leaves us with that thought and returns to the kitchen to procure caffeine.

Fletch puts his arm around me. “I’m sorry I was such a dick. Forgive me?”