Bachelor Number Five (The Bachelor Series, Volume 1) by Kenneth Rosenberg Page A

on top to reveal a steaming hot pepperoni pizza.  “That’s what I’m talking about!” he said, reaching for a slice.  The guys from the couch came over and dove right in behind.
    “Come on, let’s be civilized and actually use some plates!”  Lauren opened a kitchen cabinet.
    “If that’s the price I gotta pay…” said Darren.
    “It is.”  Lauren pulled down a stack of plates and handed them around.  When the boys had their slices she arranged the boxes, two on the counter and one on the table so that all of the lids were open.
    Amanda took a slice of veggie supreme and then sat on a lounge chair in the living room.  Across from her was a television with a cable box underneath.  A time display on the box read 7:58.  Two minutes until the start of The Bride .  “Do you mind if we turn on the TV?” she asked.
    “Yeah, turn it on, I think the Lakers are playing,” said Aaron.
    “Oh.”  Amanda was hit with a wave of panic.
    “I don’t think the farm girl from Iowa is all that interested in watching the Lakers,” said Lauren.
    “Come on, she lives in LA now, doesn’t she?!” said Darren.
    “This is our apartment, not yours!  If you want to watch basketball you can go next door!”
    “No, that’s ok,” said Amanda.
    “Don’t worry, Amanda,” said Lauren.  “I don’t want to watch the Lakers either.  I hate basketball.”
    Aaron reached for the remote and turned the TV on.  “So what’s it gonna be then?”
    “Do you guys ever watch that show, The Bride ?” Amanda asked.
    “Ohhhh!!” Aaron groaned.  “Not reality TV!”
    “Aaron, you are being rude.  This is Amanda’s apartment.  If she wants to watch The Bride , we’ll watch The Bride !” said Lauren.
    “We don’t have to…” Amanda tried to protest, though her heart wasn’t in it.
    “I love that show!” said Markus with a smile and a wink.  He took the remote from Aaron’s hand and switched the channel just as The Bride was coming on.
    “You would,” said Aaron.
    “Hey, we’ll have none of that!” Markus snapped.  He turned back to Amanda.  “Who’s your favorite?”
    “My favorite?”
    “Yeah.  I like number nine.”
    “Oh.  I like number five.”
    Markus nodded.  “The Texas beach boy, huh?  You’ll be happy in LA.  There are plenty of wannabe beach boys around here, that’s for sure.”
    Amanda smiled lightly as the realization dawned on her.  Markus was gay.  Not much of a prospect after all, but maybe a good ally nonetheless.  He turned up the volume as the opening credits came to an end.  “Last week on The Bride …” said the narrator’s voice.  The scene shifted to a shot of number nine walking on the beach at sunset, hand-in-hand with the bride.
    “My best friend back home likes number nine, too,” said Amanda.
    “Your friend has good taste,” said Markus.
    “You do like those bad boys, don’t you Markus?” said Lauren.
    “What can I say?” he answered with a sly grin.  “It’s my weakness.”
    When the scene shifted to a shot of the bride and number five sitting together at dinner, Amanda gripped the armrests of her chair with both hands, her plate of pizza on her lap.
    “How many guys are left?” Lauren asked.
    “See, I knew you watched this show!” said Markus.
    “I’ve seen it!  That doesn’t mean I watch it!  Not like I go out of my way.”
    “There are five bachelors left,” said Amanda.
    “Thank you,” said Lauren.
    Amanda could tell it was going to be next to impossible to actually watch the show with this peanut gallery making comments the whole time.  “You know, if you have a DVR I can watch this later,” she said.  “I don’t mind switching to the basketball.”
    “No, we’ll watch what you want to watch,” said Lauren.
    “Really, I can tell when I’m outnumbered.”
    “That’s good enough for me,” said Aaron.  He reached for the remote and hit record before switching the channel to the Lakers game.
    “Besides,” said