It was a cold winter and a wet spring. You are so happy that you are getting closer to summer. During the off season, you had the pool drained, checked, and now refilled.
The pool guy has finished checking the levels and told you it is ready. During the off season, your neighbors Jack and Kendra spent more time with you.
One night you were over at their place drinking spiced cider and the topic of a pool party came up. “I can’t wait to put on my bikini and get into the pool, again.” She told you.
“Should I have a big reopening party, or something more intimate?” you asked.
“I think intimate, with close good friends would be a great idea.” Jack chimed in. “By the way, how are Jay and Charlie?”
“Oh, they are good. You might see them over at my place, soon. I will be out of town on business for a few weeks and they said they would watch the place.” You explain.
“Really?” Both Kendra and Jack ask with a strange smile.
“But getting back to the pool party idea, I think that just having a few friends in the early season to have fun would be good. If you want a larger party, you can always invite more people during one of the summer holidays.” Jack said.
And that was the start of the Reopening Party plan.
Because of your job you would be gone for almost the entire month of February, you asked both Charlie and Jay to watch the house. They alternated who lived in the house. You didn’t ask who picked which weeks so long as there was someone to make sure that there weren’t any problems during the winter.
“My love, I would never let anything happen to this lovely house of yours. It is so much better than my apartment. And you have the friendliest neighbors.” Jay said playfully.
“Yea, buddy, go off and save the world, one corporate trade at time, or whatever you are doing nowadays.” Charlie said with a smile.
“Why do I feel like you guys are “Gypsies in the Palace”?” You said putting your bags into the cab.
“Of course boss, because I’m “Snake”, he’s “Johnny D”, and “you don’t need to worry ‘bout your stuff, we’ll treat it like our own.” they finished in unison.
“Just don’t shoot the lock off the liquor cabinet.” You laugh, giving them both a quick hug and then left.
Everything was as it should be when you returned. But you discovered that your neighbors had gotten to know your friends better, in your absence. Both Kendra and Jack used Jay as their personal trainer. Sometimes when they were over and talking with you, they would ask you to tell stories about “the Three Amigos”. Most times you were tight lipped but a few times, when you were drinking, you shared stories about the three of you. You don’t think of yourself as bisexual, because you prefer women, but back in those days, you were less specific and more sexually omnivorous. That included times with both Charlie and Jay, and whoever they were dating at the time. Everything had been consensual, and to a certain point experimental, but as the three of you would say. “And a good time was had by all.”
Both Kendra and Jack seemed excited by your tales and agreed to keep them to themselves. “You never know which neighbors just wouldn’t understand trying new things sexually.” They said with a smile and a nod.
As the weather warmed up, you noticed both Jack and Kendra showing off their bodies more. Tighter, more revealing clothing when exercising or doing yard work.
You would just smile and wave.
The week before the reopening party, you called Charlie to make sure he would be there. “That’s the things that dreams are made of.” He responded in his bad Bogie accent. It seemed like an odd response.
“Oh, by the way, are you bringing anyone? I heard a rumor that you had been seen out going out. But the rumor seemed unclear about who it was with.” You ask out of genuine curiosity.
“No. I won’t bring anyone who won’t already be there. I’ll tell you about it later.” He said.
“Ok, Charlie. It must be a good story if you want me to wait.”
“All good things come to those who wait.” He responded sing-song.
“Yea, yea, yea. See you then.”
You followed it up by calling Jay. “Hey, buddy will you be at the pool party, and are you bringing anyone?”
“Of course I’ll be there, sweetie. You know I want to show off my Speedos. Over the colder months, I had some good clients, which helped me keep in better shape too. As for bringing anyone, nope. You will just have to satisfy yourself with lil’ ol’ me.” He says in a playful tone. “Oh, you might want to change the party from a Saturday party to a Friday night get together. I bet you Charlie, and your neighbors will agree.”
“Okay, but won’t the temperature drop a bit once the sun is down? That doesn’t sound as much fun as you think.” You comment.
“Awww are you afraid of shrinkage? If you get too cold, we can all go next door to Jack’s hot tub. Ask them about it..”
“Wait..What?” but he hung up.
You walk next door. Jack answers the door. “How are things going?” he asks relaxedly.
“This might sound strange, but did you guys install a hot tub?” You respond.
“Oh, yea. Back in February, there was a great deal and we spend our tax return money on it. We had a small get together to christen it.”
“And I was away. Ok, that makes sense. Who was the we?”
He smiled broadly, “We had Jay and Charlie over. They were watching your house, and it only seemed right at the time.”
“Ok. Jay wants my pool party to be a Friday night thing. He said if we get cold, we could all move to your hot tub.”
“Of course. Here, take a look at it.” He leads you through the house and downstairs to the back patio. You see that he enclosed in the area beneath his back deck. He opens the door and you see a hot tub that takes up almost the entire space. “We got a really good deal on it and they installed it so the pumps and filters are in my utility room.” He says with a sense of pride.
“Easier to maintain year round.” You say nodding your head. “So instead of Saturday, would you and Kendra be able to come over Friday night?”
“Of course. And if we get cold, we can all warmup over here. How many did you invite?”
“I wanted to keep it small so just you two, Jay, and Charlie. I thought they were going to bring dates, but both said they didn’t need to.”
Jack coughed for a second. “Yea. If we’re there, I doubt they need much else.” He said in an almost cryptic tone. “I need to do a few things, especially if everyone will be back over here Friday. Let me walk you back up.” He said almost hurrying you back up and out.
“Ok. I need to get back over to my place anyway. See you Friday night.” You say as the door closes behind you.
On Friday, you take the whole day off from work. You have enough leave time and comp time built up that it wasn’t a problem. At the grocery store, you pick up some snacks, chips, cheese, fruit, and other finger foods. You then go by the liqueur store and get a bottle of wine, some rum, vodka, gin, and mixers. Drinking and swimming doesn’t mix, but if you get too cold, you want something to warm you up.
When you get back to the house, you see Charlie’s pick-up truck in front of your house.
He comes over as you open the back of your car. “Let me help you with that.” He says grabbing a couple of bags.
Once you both carry everything inside, and start laying it out, you look at him.
“Thanks for the help. By the way, you said that you weren’t bringing a date, and that you would tell me later. So what was all of that about?” you ask as you open a pack of paper plates.
He takes the cheese platter from the grocery bag. “Do you want this in the fridge for now?” as if you hadn’t asked anything.
Looking at the clock on the wall. “We still have a couple of hours until it gets dark, so yeah, put it and the fruit in the fridge. But you aren’t slick. Are you going to answer my question?” you ask as you grab a couple of large bowls for chips.
He hands you one of the bags of chips, and then opens another one, pouring it into the bowl. He sighs as he throws the empty bag into the trash. “Where should I start? Okay. First, while Jay and I were house sitting for you, I sold my company.”
You stop dead and just stare. “You, did what? For how much? What have been doing these past few months? And why didn’t you tell me?”
The empty chip bag still in your hands.
“It all happened too fast. We were spending time with Jack and Kendra, and I told him about my software company and mentioned that I might be looking for buyers. The next thing you know, he helped me put together a package and knew of some firms that might be interested. I shopped it around, and found a couple of buyers. I made enough that I paid off my townhouse, invested the rest, and am living a simple life, spending only the interest off of what my investments earn.”
He reaches over and takes the empty bag from you and puts it in the trash. Then he opens a couple of bottles and makes you a rum and coke. “Here you go buddy. I think you need this more than me.” You take a quick sip and lean against the counter.
You exhale for a second and take another sip. The sweet acid of the coke and the spicy rum tastes good. “Okay. So you are independently wealthy now. What does this have to do with you dating?”
He pours himself a drink. “I am getting to that. Did you know that Jack works for an investment firm? He and Kendra live pretty comfortably.”
You nod. “Of course. Most of the neighborhood are corporate traders, investors, or bankers of one sort or another.”
“While he was helping me with his deal, he and Kendra were working out with Jay as their personal trainer. He helped them with exercise plans, and diet changes.”
“I noticed that they both look more toned and happier.” You chime in.
“Happier.” Charlie says and sighs. “That isn’t from just the workouts. Jay and I have both been ‘dating’ them.”
You try not to spit out your drink and painfully swallow it down. “What! You’ve got to explain that to me.”
Just then there is a knock at the door, and you hear it open “Hey neighbor, do you mind if we’re a little early?”
“Jack, we’re in the kitchen, come on in.” Charlie yells.
You still feel a bit stunned and refill your cup. Jack comes in and hugs Charlie a big friendly hug, and Kendra kisses him on the mouth. They all look at you. “Are you okay? You look like you’re in shock.”
Over the next hour, as all of you drink and snack, the three of them explain how Charlie and Jack go out and spend time enjoying “manly things”, sporting events, historical sites, fine cigars and pipe tobacco, and shooting at the range. Jack and Jay spend time going shopping, seeing live bands, and other things they both enjoy. Kendra goes out on dates with all three. Most of the time it is one at a time. Going to different restaurants, clubs or going to places that the other’s hadn’t such as poetry readings, plays, or other local events.
It isn’t that she is in love with Charlie or Jay, any more than Jack is in love with them. It is an expanded friendship, without jealousy or competition.
“So, what about the sex?” you ask.
“The sex is always great.” You hear Jay say from behind you. You are so focused you hadn’t noticed him come in through the patio and into the kitchen. He quickly kisses you on the cheek and then hugs Jack, then Charlie, and finally Kendra.
“Why aren’t we in the water?” He asks. He pulls off his shirt. He has definitely been working out since you last saw him bare-chested. He, true to his word, is wearing a pair of brightly colored Speedos, and nothing else.
Kendra and Jack are wearing matching cotton robes which they slide off.
The bikini Kendra wears was different than last year’s but it still doesn’t cover much. Her body is still curvy but there is more definition. Jack wears a pair of swim trunks that comes mid-thigh. Charlie and you both are wearing board shorts that come almost to your knees.
You go to the linen closet and pull out a few towels, even though you think everyone already had their own.
Jay turns on the patio lights and Charlie turns on the pool lights. The water glows an aquamarine color under the darkening sky. Everyone is standing at the edge waiting for you.
“Just hop in.” you say.
“You first. It’s yours, and we will be in right after.” Says Jack.
With that you, dive in. The cold chlorinated water is a little shocking to the skin, but good and familiar. With your eyes closed and your hands before you, you touch the bottom and feel the rough gunite on your fingertips, then push yourself upwards.
Breaking the surface, you wipe the water from your eyes and look back to your friends. “Come on in, the water is fine.”
Almost in unison they get into the water. Charlie, Jack, and Kendra each dive in, and Jay does a cannonball, which splashes loudly.
Everyone playfully swims around for a bit. The water feels good. Hearing laughter and splashing makes it all feel right.
As the sky darkens you swim to the far side, then look for a clear lane to swim back to the other.
Pushing off from the side you glide and then break into freestyle, making sure you aren’t too close to anyone else. Then you close your eyes again. Stroke, stroke, stroke, breathe, stroke, stroke, stroke, breathe. Feeling the muscles in your arms stretch with the familiar movements. You touch the end, do a flip turn and head back to the far side.
Blowing air out of your nose as you go, then breaking the surface into a freestyle stroke again. Pulling harder and kicking faster, you hold your breath and make it to the end.
You touch the side, take a deep breath of air and then go under the water for a second. The cold water prevents you from sweating, but you are a little tired and breathing harder when you come up.
Wiping the water from your eyes, you see and hear everyone applauding you. “Hey, buddy, did that properly christen the pool for the season?” Charlie asks.
“Oh, yeah. I had forgotten how much I missed swimming.” You say. “It has only been a season, but I really need it.”
Jay swims up. “You are looking a little flabby compared to the rest of us?” he says with a wink and a smile.
“Oh yea? Is that a challenge?” you ask in a playful tone.
“Maybe. Would you like individually or do as a relay?” He responds with a slightly serious edge.
“Relay, with Kendra as the judge.” You respond. “I will let you choose the strokes and the teams.”
Jay smiles broadly at that, pulling Charlie, Jack, and Kendra into a huddle. You aren’t really sure what is going on, but you go with it.
Kendra asks, “Is it a reward for the winner or a punishment for the loser?”
“You guys decide.” You respond. After a minute of discussion. Kendra nods. “Reward for the winner.” “And what is the reward?” you ask. She smiles wickedly, “You will have to win to find out.”
Jay then follows “Do you want Butterfly or Freestyle?”
You look at the guys for a second. “Breaststroke, and done with official rules, where once the head breaks the water, it has to stay above the water.”
Charlie smiles. “Agreed”
“Breaststroke. That seems appropriate.” Mutters Kendra under her breath. You pick the teams. You and Charlie against Jack and Jay.
(Come back for Part 2 of the story. If you enjoyed this, give me a comment. If you want more stories about “The Three Amigos” and the Neighbors, tell me. If you really enjoy my writings, follow and subscribe.)
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