Losing to Friends, Part 2

Jennene tossed her bra over her shoulder onto the pile behind her. Her face didn't move from its persistent smirk.

“Can we call this one yet?” she asked. “We're all naked and you still have your shirt on.”

“Hey, there are still like three rounds left!” Wallace said. He studied his hand, his brow furrowed. “It ain't over 'til it's over.”

Carmine stretched her arms overhead, chest thrust out. She took a lot of pleasure in getting people to stare. In this group, she didn't care how overt it was. “Still,” she said. “It's hard to keep up the balance when we've got nothing left to wager each round.”

Billy looked up from the board, one brow arched. “We could always up the stakes.”

The group laughed. Only Jennene looked slightly put off.“Last time that happened, we all wound up falling in bed together by the end of the night,” Jennene said.

“You say that like it's a bad thing,” Carmine replied. She stood up to refill her drink from the bar, swishing her hips all the way.

“Don't get me wrong,” Jennene said. “I just have to get up early for work tomorrow. It's a big meeting and...” She gnawed at her lip.

Billy shrugged. “Your guys call,” he said. “I'll throw in a handicap as an offering.” With one smooth move, he pulled off his t-shirt and added it to the pile. “No fun being too far ahead.”