Every day I wanted to call and talk to you about it, but I didn’t want to break your rules. Then Tuesday finally came and I asked you several times if you were okay, and you said yes.”

“I already knew on Tuesday we were gonna end things today. But I wanted to do it in person, and didn’t want it to affect being with Jess on Wednesday.”

“Maybe you just need some space. How about we take a two-week break and see how you feel then?”

“David, look at me. It’s not about me needing a break. I’m doing this for you. You’re the one who’s going to want to stop seeing me.”

“That makes no sense. I’ve never given you any indication I want to end things, and I certainly don’t want to do it now. I’ve lived for these Fridays, Nicki. You’ve changed my whole outlook on life.”

“It’s been really good for me, too, but—”

“I’ve done everything you asked. I was patient with you, loving, and kind. I adore you, Nicki. And you keep saying you love me, too.”

“I do. I’ll always love you.”

“Then…what gives? Why break us up? I know you keep saying it’s time, but why now? Why not next week or next year?”

“I finally have everything I need.”

“What does that even mean?”

“Our anal experience was the last piece of the puzzle.”

“What puzzle?”

“Maybe this will help me explain.” She picked up her remote control, aimed it at her giant screen TV, pressed a button, and a video started playing.

It took a brief moment for my brain to fully comprehend what was taking place on the TV screen: Nicki was pegging me in the ass. I watched in stunned silence as the scene played out, and then I watched me doing the same thing to her.

She turned off the video and said, “I’ve been filming all our sessions with multiple cameras, and they’re all are quite compelling. But this one goes above and beyond, don’t you agree?”

“Don’t I…what? What’s this all about? I…have no idea what’s going on. You’ve been so careful every step of the way. So protective of me. Why the fuck would you—”

“There’s a financial component to what we’ve been doing.”

“You…need money? Jesus, Nicki, all you had to do was ask! Whatever you want or need, just say the word and it’s yours.”

“Thank you David. That’s very sweet of you. How does two million dollars sound?”

20.

“EXCUSE ME?”

“It’s a small number,” she said.

“You’re…blackmailing me?”

“Don’t be silly. I’m simply giving you a chance to do the right thing.”

“You’ve been leading me on all this time so you could shake me down for two million dollars? What’re you planning to do, show this video to Alison if I don’t pay up?”

“We said we wouldn’t mention her name again. Or Michael’s.”

“Fuck your stupid, fucking rules! You’ve been setting me up all this time? Ever since you started dating Michael?”

“I said you’d be mad, but you said you wouldn’t.”

“Are you for real? Hell yes I’m fucking mad. Wouldn’t you be?”

“I don’t know. It hasn’t happened to me yet. If it does, I’ll let you know.”

“I assume you’re filming all this. Are you purposely trying to piss me off, hoping I’ll hit you or something? Wait: if you are filming this you’re providing video evidence of blackmail.”

“I’m not filming this part.”

“So if I decide to beat the shit out of you there’s no way you could prove it.”

“That’s right. But when I recover the price will double.”

“What if you never recover? What then?”

“You’ll go to prison for murder. I’ve had a whole week to make copies and put them in safe places. Not just here, but in my safety deposit box.