One for All

It's important to remember the important things that Maths has brought the world, truly, numeracy is a gift for the world... Just not a gift I possess. I've always struggled with numbers, I actually got tested for dyscalculia as a kid. I don't have it, turns out I'm just bad at learning things I don't care much about. This does beg the question of why, oh why, I would bet my dignity on a game based around maths.

The answer, of course, is alcohol and peer pressure. We'd taken some time to grab the others and sort out some rules. None of us could track down Kara and her Beau, but we agreed that if they're this hard to find it's probably not a good time to walk in on them. Because there's so many of us, we joined into teams of two, which works for me, I can rely on Elise's brainpower. Rob opts not to take part, instead taking a nap in the living room, I guess he's as tired as ever, with Jasper focusing on Sienna the others a the office seem to be picking up the slack.

This leaves the teams of Me and Elise, Trish and Rouge, Henry and Gabriel, Anya and Jessie, and Skye and Jenny. Then Henry suggests the rule that makes me instantly regret agreeing.

"How's this, we're all dressed differently, so to make it fair, why don't we just start in our underwear?" He posits, making my heart jump into my throat. It's not like I'm especially ashamed of my body... Fuck, I guess underwear's not too bad, right? It's like in a changing room, or a swimsuit. "Since we're teams of two, if you lose one person has to take off one thing, means we each basically start with 4 'chips' to start with." Henry continues. Suddenly nudity is involved and he becomes fucking Rain Man. I never did figure out if Henry was gay or bi, but I've never seen a gay man in such a hurry to get girls to strip...

"So, if both people are naked, they lose?" Skye asks nonchalantly. Of course she'd be perfectly comfortable with it.

"That's the idea... Though, four's a bit of a weird number, so let's make it that if you lose again while you're both naked you're out" Henry responds a little too quickly for my liking. This rule means that we all spend a little longer without our clothes...

*

I'd love to describe the complex mind games that unfold as the game begins and progresses... But I've no clue. I can say that this wine is delicious... And that sitting round a table in your underwear is much more bearable with eye candy. I'd never cheat on Elise, obviously, but damn... We have some good looking friends.

Gabriel and Henry are still in their shirts and boxers, and Elise and I are still covered, but the rest? Well, if I had a camera I could make a killing with this calendar. Jessie and Anya were the first to end up topless, though they sure don't act like it, I wish I had the confidence to just let my tits hang out like that... And boy do they have the tits to back it up.

Trish, at this point, is completely naked. I suppose she's less wary since so many of us have seen her nude at this point, Hell, I think she enjoys that fact. Rouge is topless too, but has at least bothered to cover her chest with her hands. Honestly, it's weird seeing her undressed, we're comfortable around each other nowadays, but it's kinda like seeing my own body from someone else's perspective. Really strange.

Skye and Jenny are doing just as badly. Skye, chivalrously, offered to go completely naked to let Jenny keep her bra on... Not that it lasted very long, as she lost it in the next couple of rounds. I have about as much interest in Jenny's body as I do in a plank of wood, but I'm glad she's this comfortable given everything. Skye is a different story, she's definitely confident being naked and she has good reason, she looks like a Greek goddess.

"Ahem." Gabriel coughs, causing both me and my partner to realise we were perving on the others so much we'd almost forgotten about the game. "You gonna make a move or just strip now?" He chuckles. I suppose Gabriel has the most advantage in terms of the game here, he doesn't appear distracted by any of the girls... Obviously.

Elise looks at our cards and confidently responds. "Check." I don't know if that's good or bad for us, but after a few more cards being flipped I get my answer.

"Finally got one on you, go on, take it off!" My girlfriend cackles. Henry resigns to taking his shirt off, revealing his torso. It's not exactly an erotic sight for me, but I can appreciate the effort he's gone to, the guy's built like a boxer, no wonder Gabriel always looks so pleased.

The rounds continue to fly by, with more clothing being tossed to the now covered floor. Anya's knickers, followed by Rouge's. Gabriel's shirt. Finally Jenny loses the last of her clothing, meaning they're now one loss away from being out. That eventuality is soon driven from all of our minds as Henry loses his boxers.

"Fucking Hell, Himbo, what do you feed that thing?" Trish laughs. Pretty sure it's bad form to laugh at a guy's dick, but given the sight in front of us, a bit of nervous laughter feels appropriate. I own dildos that I would never consider actually using that are smaller than that monster. Okay, maybe that's why Gabriel always looks so happy.

"I'm right here." Rouge snarls, flicking her wife on the nipple. She looks annoyed but she doesn't seem to be looking away from Henry's junk either.

Eventually the connoisseurs get their act together and the game continues... And not to our favour.

"Shit." Elise groans as the final cards are laid down. "Knew my luck had been too good." She concedes, reaching back to undo her bra... For some reason... I don't like that. by drunken brain forbids it. Those tits are for me... They don't get to see them. I'll take this one. I'll protect Elise.

"No." I blurt out, briefly grabbing her hand before it reaches the clasp. Elise turns to me in surprise as I reach back and undo my own, allowing by bra to fall to the ground. I'll take this one for us.

Skye seems to find this development hilarious. "You know if you lose again she'll just take it off anyway, right? Not that I'm complaining!" She laughs, not even pretending not to stare at my boobs. I won't lie, I kind of forgot this wasn't the end of the game. It felt so much more climactic a minute ago.

I. Am. A. Fucking. Idiot.

These are the words on a loop in my head as I catch various eyes glancing at my now exposed chest. People talk about sobering experiences, but I genuinely feel like I haven't had a drop now... I just feel embarrassed...

And then everyone moves on.

"Wait, so you did nude modelling?" Trish asks Jessie in a jovial tone after Rouge whispers in her ear, changing the subject entirely. Hey... I thought I was the centre of attention... Though I'm curious as well.

"Nude modelling is one way of putting it... I prefer to just call it porn, but yeah. whichever you like." The Australian shrugs in response, as casually as saying she'd tried skateboarding, or wine-tasting. "Did it for a few months, mainly solo stuff, then I moved here. Didn't need the money anymore and it'd gotten boring so I packed it in."

I'm so distracted by the thought of Jessie's porn career I don't notice the next round of poker has ended.

"Fuck!" Skye exclaims suddenly. I take it they lost again.

"And you're out, one team down!" Henry celebrates, hugging Gabriel victoriously.

"I demand another try! If I lose this time we'll do a dare or something!" Skye argues, the honest irritation obvious on her face.

Jenny laughs at the thought. "Yeah, I'm gonna say we're done, I know how dirty their minds are and Skye's already slept with one of Rob's girlfriends, I think I'll avoid the compromising situation!" She decides, causing Rouge to mutter something about not technically being his girlfriend.

The game continues as Jenny gets dressed, Skye doesn't bother though, not that I'm complaining. My gallant sacrifice proves pointless as soon Elise loses her bra... Then her knickers... Then mine... I did not wager the first guys to see me naked to be Henry and Gabriel, but here we are I guess.

"You sneaky fucker, you lured me into getting overconfident!" Elise realises. Okay, maybe Rouge isn't the only one playing mind games. Gabriel simply shrugs with a victorious smile on his face. "Fuck it, I'm done, come on Lapin."

Wait, what?