chapter 2

I worked for a local company that developed and sold test equipment for cellular networks. Since I was on the business management side, I had regular hours and didn't have to travel. Matt worked for an oilfield equipment servicing company, so he occasionally had to travel to a job site, but usually only for a few days. Kelly worked as an office assistant in a large advertising company, so her hours were pretty regular. Like I said, Matt didn't worry at all about Kelly and me alone at home together. In fact, it worked out great for me, because Kelly was happy to hook me up with a chubby friend or co-worker. I never got serious with any of them, but Kelly was good about making herself scarce when I got one to spend the night.

The three of us got pretty casual with each other around the townhouse. Matt and I didn't worry if Kelly saw me in my briefs, and Kelly would often times walk around in her panties and a tank top. I liked Kelly, and I admired her good looks the way you admire a work of art. Nice to look at, but nothing you'd want to take to bed.

On a Monday evening in the spring, our lives changed. Kelly and I were already home, working on a dinner of pork chops, rice and a salad. Matt walked in a said, "We better all have a beer, cause I've got news." That sounded a little ominous so we all opened an amber bock and sat at the table. "You know my company has equipment in the Middle East, right?" We nodded yes. "Well, they want to send me to Saudi Arabia. For a year." His statement hung in the air, while we processed it.

"A year?!" shouted Kelly. "You'll be gone for a whole year?!"

"Well, not really. I get one trip home at the mid-point, six months. See, they'll double my salary, and as long as I only have the one visit, it'll be tax free. Hell, I'll pay off my student loans in one shot." We talked about it for a while. Kelly didn't like it, but she's a practical girl and she could see how it made good financial sense. Besides, taking a tough assignment would help Matt's standing with the company.

We had some more beers while we had dinner, and since it was a big night, we had a few more after dinner. We were a little buzzed, sitting around the table, when Matt spoke up again. "Jeff, I want you to take care of Kelly while I'm gone." I told him that of course I'd look after her. "No, I mean you have to make sure I come home to the same girl I left." I wasn't getting his meaning, so he continued. "Kelly," looking at her, "isn't real good about getting to the gym unless I push her."

Kelly looked a little sheepish and said, "You like it a lot more than I do, babe."

Matt went on. "So Jeff, you got to make sure Kelly doesn't put on weight while I'm gone. I know you're a chubby chaser, but help your bro out and make sure Kelly sticks to her diet and exercise."

I could see he was serious, even if the beer was helping him talk. "Okay, Matt. I'll try. I mean, it's a stretch for me. I'm the one usually trying to fatten a girl up."

"One more thing," and Matt looked even more serious this time. "Kelly, babe, you've got a sex drive like nothing I've ever seen before. I don't know if it'd be fair for me to expect you to stay celibate for six months." Kelly started to protest, but Matt held up his hand. "I know you'll try your best, but if it gets too much, I'd rather that you get laid by Jeff," nodding towards me. "At least I'll know that I won't have to worry about him taking you away from me."

"Matt, you've had too much to drink..." Kelly was protesting.

"No, no, I'm serious. I'll feel better about it if Jeff is, uh, taking care of you."

"Don't I get a say in this, Matt? I mean, Kelly is a beautiful woman, but you know that she's not my type."

"Bro, I know that you'll step up for me. Keep her from getting fat and keep her from having to go look for it. Okay?"

Kelly and I looked at each other and sighed. It seemed ridiculous, but Matt seemed to need to hear that we'd do what he asked.

"Okay babe. Jeff will stay on my ass about my diet and exercise, and if I need to get laid, I use Jeff."

I wasn't really happy with how Kelly had put it, but just to get the conversation over with, I agreed to it.