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Al chuckled. “Damn.” This was getting intense. First Desiree was injured, and then Mercedes was caught cheating. Were the women that eager for a date with him? By now, he’d had several conversations with each of the women, but he didn’t feel like any of them really knew who he was. His mom’s words rang in his ears. Maybe they didn’t care to know him.

“Imagine if we knew her back when you and Ben needed to hide those bottles of Tide.”

“Yeah, imagine,” Al whispered.

“Hey, are you okay?” Jeannie asked. She placed a hand on his cheek and forced him to look at her. “That was funny. Why didn’t you laugh?”

“It’s nothing, I’m just tired from working at the station and then working here.”

“Are you sure that’s it?” Her eyes searched his, seeing more than he wanted her to.

“I’m sure.” He eased off the table, unable to handle her touch without craving more.

“Well, tonight is karaoke night, so maybe that will cheer you up. Don’t forget, they booked Marina for the local talent since her last video hit a million views. I think y’all are singing a duet.”

***

Paige was the clear winner of the high-speed chase, followed by Iona, Jazz, and Charlene. Of course, Charlene had driven most of the course backward, so that was no surprise. He’d looked forward to one-on-one time since he needed to choose three more women to send home. Helearned that Paige didn’t eat donuts and she spent most of their date lecturing him on the evils of refined sugar.

A few hours later, the familiar smell of beer and chili fries greeted him as he entered Susie’s Bar. Tonight’s date was designed to help everyone cut loose with bottomless pitchers of beer and karaoke.

“I heard we’ve got a duet tonight. Have you picked out a song?” Marina asked as she walked up to him with a frozen daiquiri in her hand.

“I’ve got a couple in mind but haven’t settled on one yet.”

“You mean you forgot?”

Al grinned. “You know me so well. How about you surprise me?”

Marina’s eyes sparkled. “I know the perfect song.” She ran over to DJ Sharkman’s table and began flipping through his songbook.

Al noticed Diane in the corner, checking over her camera. “Hey, Diane, you also film scenes with the women at the beach house, right? Not just the dates.”

“Yes,” she answered warily.

“Got any advice for me? Some kind of inside scoop? I’m sure you’ve seen a different side of them.”

Diane snorted. “You got that right.”

“And?” he asked.

Diane looked around the room furtively, motioning him to come in closer.

“What is it?”

“I shouldn’t say this, but …” She paused, taking another sweep of the room.

“What?” Al leaned in closer.

“One of the girls …”

“Yeah?” His eyes widened.

She cupped her hands around her mouth and whispered, “Wants to suck your dick.” She leaned back from him, nodding.

“Wait, what?” Al reared his head. “That's an insider scoop? I would think they would all want to … wait, did you say one? Are you saying only one of them wants to …” He ran his hand through his hair.

Diane’s lip trembled until she finally lost it and howled with laughter. “Oh my God, Al. You should have seen your face! I totally should have recorded that.”