“You know the rules, Greg. But you can help me grab some beer and take it out to the patio.”“Oh, baby, you better hope I don’t get my hands on...you tonight. I’ll show you no mercy,” Greg said and gave me that smile of his that turns my legs to rubber.Gary and Denise showed up around 7:00, and the party started. We drank, we smoked, and we ate home-delivered pizza. We danced on the patio, and then we all got naked and went skinny dipping in our backyard pool. Everybody was grabbing everybody, a. Please leave, I thought. I heard himstop outside my bedroom door."Hey Bern. Can I meet her? Just a quick hello..." No!" I said."Aw, come on, we're old mates ? I've already said hello toher."I stood at the door. It couldn't be locked. I felt Johnpush the door open. I pushed against him but gave in.There at the door I stood, dressed to the nines, with Johnstaring at me only wrapped in his towel. "Whoa! Sorry!Where's Bernie?! Um, Bernie?" Yes John, it's me. Happy now?" Was that chick in the. Surprisingly, with all four of us, we lifted it easily. The hardest part was getting it through the door out to the truck. We managed and then began loading Rachel and Kim’s personal effects into the cars and truck. I think we got each lady’s entire wardrobe, plus shoes, all their bathroom stuff, and some cookware and food. We even straightened up; which I objected to. But, Kim and Rachel were adamant about not leaving a mess. Tasha sided with me, but in the end we just all pitched in and got. Finally the group of us gathered around the fire with the mage who Aedan called Dariel across from me and Alistair. I tried to look non-threatening; by the pale complexion on the elf's face, I didn't succeed very well. Before Aedan could start talking, I spoke up, and Dariel flinched at the sound of my voice."Look, Dariel? I want to apologise for threatening you. We needed to know what that poison was, but ... I shouldn't have. I'm sorry." He refused to make eye contact, and I sighed and tried.