Shoot his shot

Eric waited until Lauren had finished her microwaved ramen, slurping the noodles with a loud, exaggerated moan that made his pulse spike, before making his move.

"So," he said, leaning against the kitchen counter with what he hoped was a charming smirk. "You got plans after this?"

Lauren arched one perfectly sculpted eyebrow as she tossed her empty container in the trash. "Sleep, ideally." She stretched, her scrubs pulling tight across her chest in a way that made Eric's mouth go dry. "Why? You offering to tuck me in?"

Eric swallowed. "I mean, if you're offering…"

Lauren laughed, a bright, airy sound that was nothing like her old exhausted chuckle. "Oh my god, you're serious?" She shook her head, her long, silky hair swishing over her shoulders. "Look, if you're that ****, you're more than welcome to sub to my OnlyFans for $13.99/month." She winked. "First month's half off if you use promo code NAUGHTYNURSE."

Eric blinked. Unsure of how to respond.

Lauren just smirked, gathering her things. "Goodnight, Eric." She sauntered toward her room, her hips swaying with every step, leaving behind the faint scent of vanilla and something muskier.

The door clicked shut behind her.

Eric stared at the gun in his hand, his stomach churning.

This wasn't how he wanted things to be.

Sure, Lauren was hot now. Like, unrealistically hot, but she wasn't his. If anything, she seemed more dismissive of him than before.

The vendor's warning echoed in his head: "Not a mind control device."

Eric groaned, flopping back onto the couch. He'd been so focused on the potential of the gun, he hadn't stopped to think about the reality of it.

Lauren wasn't some porn fantasy come to life. She was still Lauren. Just... different. A version of her that had taken a very different path.

And now, thanks to him, she was a version who saw him as nothing more than a potential subscriber and roommate.

Eric turned the gun over in his hands, his mind racing.