Fox in the Hen House

"Hey Dave, are you gonna be all day? Hurry up and get your gear on, it'll be lunchtime soon." I can hear one of my best friends Pete telling me as I'm slow to get my shit together for our weekly day out mountain biking on a Saturday morning.

Our other best friend Steve is with us too, we all went to high school together when I was living in Langley Park, on the north side of Washington DC. I later went to the University of Maryland doing Information Science along with Steve too who was studying to become what he is now, a Network Engineer.

As for me, I'm now a Data Analyst working for a Washington Think Tank called 'America United', and still living in Maryland, Clarksburg to be precise. Pete however went a different route, becoming a Carpenter and a father, happily married to his wife Justine with one kid already, and another on the way.

Steve has a girlfriend named Marla, and I've just recently got engaged to Steffanie Wickman, or just 'Steff' as we all call her. She works in the capital too just like me, and we commute each morning from our home that we rent together in Clarksburg to the north.

I first me Steff two years ago when I was at a donor's fundraising dinner, and believe me these types of events are extremely common in our nation's capital. Fundraisers, dinners, seminars, they all achieve the same things.

The Donor's fund the think tanks which provide data and policy papers to their Political Action Committee's or PAC's, who then shape policy with the lobby groups to support the political campaigns of the political class who will align with the originating donor's wishes. And just who are the donors? That's simple, they're the richest people in the country, and getting laws passed that suit their interests is the name of the game.

Steff works for a think tank called 'The Marshall Institute', which sounds impressive, but just does the same shit that mine does, coming up with policy papers that support the point of view of whoever is providing the funding.

Anyway, I'm here in the wilderness with Pete and Steve to forget about all that bullshit, to just enjoy riding the trails in the great outdoors for a few hours. And that's exactly what we do, keeping in shape while enjoying ourselves all at the same time. As we're done, we're now packing our bikes and gear up, when Pete is the first to go, leaving me sitting here alone with Steve.

"I saw your fiancé the other day, she was out having lunch with two other people." Steve mentions.

Steve also works downtown near the capitol building in Washington like me and Steff, near where all the lobbyists and associated groups intermingle. We always joke that if a nuke landed on downtown DC, the federal government would probably run much smoother afterwards, without all those people who clog up the functions of government on purpose.

Neither of us are political or partisan, and we're not that interested in the latest gossip either, but it is the only real gig in town, so we keep our ideals to ourselves and just focus on doing our jobs. We're just IT after all, we don't have a say in the policies being written, although my data analytics are used to support specific positions. My fiancé Steff on the other hand, is a Policy Analyst, and is very much involved with how the cake is baked, when it comes to the policy papers turning into congressional bills. She studied Political Science at UMBC, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, along with her three best friends, Chrissy, Megan and Brad.

"It was probably just a work lunch, the people she deals with love to sit and chat all day." I answer.

"Nah, I think this was a couple of friends of hers, some tall guy with sandy blonde hair who looks like he's just walked out of a clothing commercial, and the chick was a little brunette with a real nice rack."

"That sounds like it was Brad and Megan, they're both college friends of Steff's. They work for one of the lobbyist PAC's downtown. 'Democracy Unleashed' I think it's called."

"What is it with those stupid fucking names anyway? They're always the complete opposite of what they actually push for. The only thing I bet they're unleashing is oligarchy, not democracy." Steve replies, sounding just as cynical as I do most of the time.

"True. But what were you doing spying on my fiancé anyway?"

"Yeah, right. I wasn't spying, I was just sitting in my usual café having lunch when they all came in together. Although, I gotta say, the three of them looked pretty cozy together, were any of them in relationships previously or something?"

"Who, Steff and Brad or Megan with Brad?"

"Either."

"I have no idea about Megan and Brad, but Steff has always said that they're all just good friends, that she never dated him."

"Well, if I didn't know Steff already, I might've assumed that she was there with Brad, and that Megan was the friend, just saying."

"Really? What makes you say that?"

"Just the way they were sitting close to each other, the way they looked at each other and joked and stuff. I'm not saying there's anything going on, I'm just saying that if I didn't know better, I would've assumed her and Brad were there together."

"Well, she wasn't, obviously. Maybe that's just them all being friends."

"Yeah, perhaps. Anyway, forget I said anything, it doesn't matter. Are you good for next Saturday as usual?"

"Yeah, for sure. By the way, we're having a cookout at our place in a few weeks' time, it'll be on a Saturday afternoon. I'd love for you and Pete to come along, with your better halves as well of course."

"For sure, just text me with the date and time. Anyway, I'm all good to go, I'll catch up with you for lunch during the week maybe, if not, here next Saturday." Steve tells me as he's ready to leave.

"I'll text you for lunch if I'm free to meet up. Bye Steve."

With that, I made my way home back to Clarksburg, where I'm hoping Steff will be home for lunch too after she's been out for the morning. On my drive home I do think about what Steve just said though, about my fiancé with Megan and Brad.

Ever since I first met Steff, Brad's always been around, like one of those guys circling their prey. I get that some guys can have friends that are girls, I do, but usually those guys struggle to get their own girlfriends, hanging around these women looking for opportunities, usually with their other friends.

But that's not Brad, not even close. He doesn't look the type who struggles to meet women, the opposite in fact. So, I've always wondered why he has three attractive women as his best friends. What's he playing at? He doesn't need them to meet other women, so I've always assumed that he's probably been banging either Megan or Chrissy and would probably love to sleep with Steff too given half a chance. But that's never going to happen.

Anyway, as I pull into our driveway, I can see Steff's car parked in our driveway already. Good, she's home for lunch.

"Hey beautiful" I say as I enter the kitchen, giving Steff's wonderful firm ass a little squeeze from behind as I kiss her on the cheek before looking over her shoulder to see what she's preparing for lunch.

"Go take a shower, this'll be ready soon." Steff answers with a slight giggle.

After my shower and getting changed, both Steff and I sit down at our dining table with the lunch she's just made for us, as I keep looking up at her, wondering how I got this lucky. Steff is good looking, she's not tall and wafer thin like a model, more of an Instagram type girl good looking. She's fit with all the right curves, with light brown hair and green eyes. Although while I'm decent too as I've been told, at 6'2 and in shape with brown hair and eyes, I'm more than happy that I've ended up with a girl as attractive as Steffanie.

"How's Steve and Pete? Did you guys enjoy your ride this morning?"

"They're good, and yes, we had a lot of fun. We were doing one of our favorite trails today, so yeah, it was good morning."

"And what are your plans for tonight? Did you arrange something with them?"

"No, why?"

"Because I'm working tonight, remember?"

"What?"

"The fundraiser I told you about last week. Me and Chrissy will be run off our feet tonight."

"Oh, shit. That's right, I forgot all about it."

"So, what are you going to do tonight while I'm out?"

"Don't know, I was looking forward to spending the night with you. Hey, maybe I can tag along too, be your plus one?"

"Dave, this isn't a social thing for me, I'm going to be working all night. So, you'll need to find something else to do, maybe see if Pete or Steve want to go out to a bar or something for a while."

"Maybe, are you sure I can't just go with you to enjoy the free food and drinks on offer? I won't bother you at all, I'll let you do your thing, whatever that is."

"No, if you're there, I'll want to be with you, making sure you're having a good time. And I can't do that and do my job; there's people there that I'll need to be spending my time with."

"Alright, have it your way. I don't want to be anyone's albatross." I reply with a chuckle, trying to get a rise out of her, as Steff finally smiles back at me too, realizing I'm just trying to annoy her a little at this point.

"Besides, you hate going to these type of nights, with everyone talking politics all night long. And not the Cable TV type either, but actual politics." Steff answers.

"Well, at least you'll have Chrissy there to keep you company if you need a break from all that lobbying."

"Yeah, thankfully. We'll be working late too, so don't wait up if you end up staying home."

"I won't, but don't worry, I'll figure out something to do. Speaking of work functions though, I also have a policy seminar coming up on Thursday night, but I don't know how long I'll need to be there for."

"That's fine, I'll just watch a movie or something that night. Well, I need to start getting ready soon, this is going to be a long day and a long night too." Steff replies as she's finishing her lunch.

Later that afternoon, I text both Pete and Steve to see what they're up to tonight, but they both have plans already with their better halves. So, it's video games or a movie for me, I'm guessing.

Steff was right about it being a long night for her, arriving home just after two in the morning. She was driving so at least I know she wasn't drinking tonight. After a quick shower, she crashed on the bed beside me, falling asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.

We enjoyed our Sunday together, first we visited my mom in the morning, before enjoying lunch with Steff's parents in Columbia, in the south-west of Baltimore where Steff grew up. Later that afternoon we stopped off at a park on the way home, just sitting on a park bench together, enjoying the wonderful spring weather in Maryland. Days like today are what I enjoy most about being with Steff, spending time with our families before having some 'us' time too, relaxing together while looking out over a lovely little pond and flowering gardens.

Tomorrow we'll be back in DC, back in the grind of deadlines and schedules, with people I wouldn't want to spend time with outside of work. So, today I'm enjoying just being with my fiancé, arm around her as we talk about nothing important, just enjoying each other's company for a while.

It's Thursday night and I'm at our think tank's sponsored policy seminar. I'm one of the speakers tonight where I'll briefly talk about the data analysis performed to support the policy agendas we're here to push. I don't really care about the policies themselves, as I can manipulate the data to show whatever my bosses want to support their policy positions.

It's all just part of the job.

I'm surprised a little when I see Brad and Megan arrive at the hotel's conference room. They're obviously here representing the lobbyist PAC they both work for. Neither of them have seen me here yet, but they will when I get on stage later to speak, of course. I'd just prefer not to chat with them if I can avoid it, we don't really have anything in common except for my fiancé.

I do keep an eye on them occasionally through the night however, as they do look like they're here as a couple, even though I know they're supposed to be just friends. Or at least that's what Steff has told me. It's just the little things, the way Brad rests his hand on her waist, or the way that Megan looks up at Brad and smiles when he's talking, that makes me think that maybe these two have more intimate connections between them.

They're just way too comfortable within each other's personal space for there to be nothing going on. Maybe this is what Steve was referring to when he told me about Steff having lunch with them both last week.

When I see them leaving for the large balcony area outside, I too head out there, via a different exit further along the balcony. I'm not sure why I'm checking in on them, maybe because I've always had my suspicions about Brad's intentions with Steff, that I've never truly felt like I can trust him.

There are a few other guests in between where I'm now standing, and further down the balcony where Megan and Brad are standing together talking. He's leaning down a little to speak with her with his arm still around her waist, she's leaning into his side, smiling. I can't help but feel that they definitely look like a couple right now, not like 'just friends' at all.

When Megan turns her head a little to the side and looks up at Brad, they kiss softly and slowly, very much like two people in love. Inside I'm feeling elated right now, because I know what this means. I don't have to worry about Brad's intentions with Steffanie anymore if he's already in a relationship with Megan. I'm not saying Brad would never step out on any girlfriend he has, but I know that there's no way that Steff would ever want to be with him while she's with me, and definitely not if he's also with her best friend too.

I step back inside with a renewed sense of purpose, I'll deliver my ten-minute analysis talk and then go home to the woman I love, secure in the knowledge that Brad is no longer an issue I have to worry about.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's a week and half later, and I'm standing behind the grill cooking up the BBQ meat while our guests mingle in our backyard. Steff is in the kitchen trying to get the other food ready to bring out, as I look out over the fifteen or so people gathered with us for a Saturday afternoon.

Both of my best friend's are here, along with several friends of Steff's as well. Pete is here with his wife Justine, their three-year-old son is with their parents for the afternoon. Justine is almost six months pregnant with their daughter, and she's handling her second pregnancy well. Steve is here too, along with his girlfriend Marla. Marla is a curious one, she's attractive yet she's very smart and a massive nerd, just like Steve. She has a knack for stating her thoughts regardless of hurting anyone's feelings, it's like she doesn't possess a filter sometimes. But she's great, and Steve seems to love her madly too.

The weather is great today as well; I was worried after it rained last night, but everyone seems to be enjoying being outside and mingling with each other just fine. I can see Marla over on the side talking with Megan and Chrissy, both of whom came here without dates, and that includes Brad for Megan. Steff has invited a few more of her work colleagues as well, apart from Chrissy who she works the closest with.

"Nice little turn out, Dave. You need a hand with those ribs and steaks?" Steve asks as he comes over to keep me company at the grill.

"Nah, I'm fine. I could use another beer though."

"Coming right up."

As Steve returns with my beer, Marla comes back over to join us after her chat with Megan and Chrissy. I notice her looking back over at them, like she's trying to figure something out. I don't say anything, taking a mouthful of beer while watching the meat cook. Eventually, Marla can't help herself.

"Those two aren't lesbians, are they?" Marla asks me with a curious look on her face.

"Are you referring to Megan and Chrissy? Steff's best friends."

"Yeah."

"Well, I have no idea if they've been intimate with each other in the past, but as far as I know, they very much prefer guys."

"Really? It's just that both of them seemed very coy when I asked them about their relationships. Neither have boyfriends nor want to be in a relationship anytime soon, saying they both prefer their current arrangement. Then they looked at each other with a slight smile, like they're both hiding something. I was assuming that their current arrangement is each other."

"Maybe they're bi-sexual or something." Steve adds in.

"Well, I did see Megan kissing Brad a week or so ago, very romantic kissing too. So, who knows." I offer.

"Who's Brad?" Marla continues with her curiosity.

"That's Steff's other best friend. The four of them went to college together, they all studied political science and now all work in DC too. Brad's not here today, not sure why."

"Maybe it's because he's their arrangement they spoke of. Maybe he's sleeping with the both of them." Marla concludes with a small laugh.

"No, I don't think so. Steff would've told me if that kind of shit was happening." I answer.

"What if Brad and Megan are secretly seeing each other but want to keep it from the other two? Although when I saw Megan with Brad having lunch with Steff the other week, I thought he looked way more interested in Steff than he did Megan." Steve adds.

"Don't go dragging Steff into this, I know she's not a part of whatever is going on between Megan and Brad." I answer with a chuckle.

After having lunch and afternoon drinks, our guests slowly start to leave, with the last to go at nearly six in the afternoon. After helping Steff to clean up the aftermath before showering together, we finally crash onto the couch together, cuddling and kissing a little.

"This was such a good day, the weather was perfect, the food was masterfully cooked, especially the ribs." Steff tells me before giving me yet another kiss.

"Yeah, I agree, about the ribs being masterfully cooked I mean." I answer with a chuckle.

"Well, you had one job, and you did it very well. Everyone enjoyed themselves today too, with both sets of our friends getting along very well I thought."

"True, although Marla thinks that maybe Megan and Chrissy are lesbians." I chuckle with my response.

"What? Why does she think that?" Steff asks with a surprised look on her face.

"Because they told Marla they don't have boyfriends, and don't want boyfriends either, that they're happier just as they are."

"Okay, but I don't get where being lesbians comes into it." Steff says, looking a little confused now.

"Well, Marla thinks that maybe they're into each other, and not guys at all. Although we both know that's not true."

"It's defiantly not true. Neither of them have ever kissed each other as far as I know, let alone anything more than that. And I also know that the both of them love having sex too, with guys that is."

"So, if they don't want boyfriends and they're not gay, who are they into?"

"Random good-looking guys, I'd say. They just don't want to be in a relationship with those guys to enjoy having sex with them."

"Really? So, neither of them wants to be in a proper relationship with anyone at all? Not even Brad?"

"Brad? Of course not, we're all just best friends. That would be way too weird." Steff answers with a chuckle, obviously thinking that idea is too absurd.

I do think about mentioning what I saw just over a week ago now, with Brad and Megan kissing out on the balcony, but I don't. If Megan and Brad want to keep their romance a secret, I'll let them. Besides, I just don't care enough about her friends love lives to keep this topic going on any further.