Rubbing my forehead, I sighed and admitted, “Yes, Belle's on the pill.”

“Should I expect any other young ladies to start paying you nocturnal visits?"

“Can we NOT be having this conversation right now?"

Taking a deep breath, Mother exhaled and then stood up from the couch.

She walked forward, closing the gap between us until she stood only a few feet away. And while raising a single index finger, she stated quite seriously, “I have only one rule in this matter: Make sure to use protection. Do you understand?"

I rolled my eyes and replied, "Yes, Mother.”

Mother's eyes sharpened.

“It's not about you, Matthew. It's about protecting those girls, or do you have no care about how an unplanned pregnancy might impact their futures?"

“Of course I care," I stated much more forcefully. "I'd never willingly jeopardize their futures.”

"Good." She smiled thinly once more, but after a few seconds, her expression actually softened.

“I'm not here to... ah... cock-block you,

Matthew. I told you I would support your needs. So long as you can promise me you will take the necessary steps to ensure I won't be having any unexpected grandchildren before I want them, I won't interfere in the activities of an 18-year-old boy who appears to have an overabundance of opportunity."

I frowned, not quite understanding. "Wait, what?"

Mother actually smirked.

“You have my permission to... ah... entertain... your lady friends, even if I'm in the house. I won't disturb you."

“Wait, are you saying...2"

“The next time Samantha comes over to visit you with sex on her mind, don't let her go home unfulfilled, hmm? Or Belle, either, for that matter." Mother patted my shoulder, gave me a knowing grin, and headed upstairs.

My life was getting WEIRD.

Alice was waiting for me and Belle at the parking Lot Monday morning and came over to us as soon as we stepped onto the curb. I braced myself for some version of, ‘Is it true that Sam took your virginity after your wedding date and then you banged Belle and took her virginity the very next day?"

But all she did was give me a fist bump and ask both of us, “How was your weekend?"

I shrugged and didn't verbally reply. Alice didn't press me. She was a good buddy that way. Belle, on the other hand, answered that she'd had a great weekend, and when Alice dutifully followed it up by asking why,

Belle answered quite truthfully by saying she'd spent Sunday afternoon holed up in my bedroom.

Alice laughed, shot us both dirty looks, and whined about why I couldn't Live next door to HER. And the three of us chatted as we headed onto campus and eventually split off to go to our respective classrooms.

Sam was in my first period, and she gave me a flirty smile when I came through the door. There was no time to talk before class, but we were able to walk together to our shared second period afterward.

“I've missed you," the beautiful blonde greeted warmly while wrapping both arms around my right elbow. She also leaned in for a kiss, just a peck, which I gladly gave her.