Shay pushes her straight hair out of her face while Juliana stares at me with an eager smile. I don't know when I became the entertainment for our friend group, but apparently that role now belongs to me. I always thought it was DeShaun who commanded everyone’s attention, but ever since I told my friends I’m a bit kinky and got dumped by Vance, I’ve become the sun for them to orbit around. In an effort to make sure they aren’t disappointed, I suck down the rest of my Tropical Sunrise and make myself comfortable.

“Look, Nas will be here any minute now, so I’m not going to drag this out for you psychos,” I start, to which DeShaun scoffs. “If you remember what I told you about the night before Vance dumped me, then you already know what happened with Nas. He did everything I begged Vance to do, except he did it without me having to ask, and better than I ever imagined it could be.”

“Wait,” Juliana jumps in with a raised finger and wide eyes. “So, he slapped you?”

My darkness rouses at the memory.

“Hence the bruised cheek,” I say with a smile.

“And he choked you?” Shay asks, leaning forward like she’s being told a spooky story by the campfire.

“Until I almost passed out,” I admit, motivated by the tequila in my drink.

“Bitch, what?” DeShaun blurts. “Until you almost passed out?”

“God, yes,” I answer, my voice rising in excitement as I let the darkness speak up.

“You really are a kinky bitch, aren’t you?” Juliana says, and the group laughs loud enough to annoy everyone trying to enjoy their food.

“Don’t act surprised,” I cut in. “You all can remain as vanilla as you want, but I like a massive splash of kink with my sex, and I finally found someone who can provide it. So, don't judge me.”

“Girl, I’m not judging you, I just don't understand it,” Shay says before raising a finger to bring the waiter over to us, because it’s time to reorder drinks. “Isn’t that shit painful? Being slapped so hard that it bruises your face has to hurt.”

Yes, it hurts so fucking good. I want the pain. I crave it. The more pain, the more pleasure. Why would anyone have it any other way? Fucking hurt me.