Page 63 of Hard to Get

“Don’t want? Or don’t need?” I hoist an eyebrow.

“Huh. Good question.” Cammy nods.

“They absolutely don’t need men anymore,” I continue. “They don’t have to rely on a man to be the breadwinner. They can get their own mortgages and credit cards now.”

“Yeah, they used to have to get married,” Cammy agrees.

“They still need us for some things,” LG says with a sly look.

“Phhht. Haven’t you heard of vibrators?”

Of course that’s just when our server returns with our drinks. I suck my bottom lip between my teeth and fall silent as she sets them in front of us. I think she’s trying not to laugh.

“Good timing,” Flynn says when she’s gone.

“Right?” I roll my eyes.

“Okay, you have a point,” Dolly says. “They have to need us for something.”

“Why?” I pick up my Coke Zero. “Why do you feel you have to be needed?”

“This is turning into a therapy session,” LG says.

“Hey, some guys have a hard time accepting that,” I say. “They’re struggling with it. Instead, it should be… freeing. Wouldn’t you rather be wanted instead of needed?”

“I guess.” Finn nods.

“We still need women, though.” Cammy’s smile is crooked.

“Do we?” I ask.

“I don’t know. I think so.”

I think of Stella’s ex. Ugh. “I don’t think we should need them either,” I say. “But wanting is a different thing.”

Sammy has been silent through all this.

“Women have their friends,” LG says. “They talk to them about anything.”

“We have friends.” Flynn makes a circle with his index finger.

“Yeah. But I don’t know if we talk to each other about everything.” LG tilts his head.

“Like what?” Cammy asks.

LG pauses. “Guys don’t like making themselves vulnerable. You wanna talk about your divorce?”

Cammy’s face tightens. “No.”

“See?” LG shrugs.

LG has a point.

“How about how shitty you played last night?” LG asks.

“Everyone played shitty.” Cammy scowls.

“We need to be honest with each other,” I say. “Things will never change if we don’t talk about that stuff.”