I guess I could see why they find my relationship with another girl’s boobs slightly amusing, only I don’t feel like doubling over and slapping the table silly at the moment. The only thing I feel like slapping silly is Jeanie.
“Baya.” Laney dabs the tears from her eyes with her pinkies. “I can see why you’ve lost your mind and think Alpha Chi is some kind of Godsend, but it’s like six blocks fromBryson. If you want to land Edwards, you need to keep in close proximity to him and his penis. I think you should thank the Pointer Sisters for putting you in a prime position.”
“I totally agree.” Roxy shakes her head emphatically. “I mean, think of the possibilities involved when taking up the same living space. Have you had an ‘accidental’ run-in after a shower?”
“No.” Although the thought of a dripping wet Bryson makes my mouth water. I can see his rippling chest with water beading over it, slowly running tracks to the defined V just above his forbidden forest of pleasure while he precariously holds his towel just before it drops to his feet.
I catch a breath.
Laney shakes her head. “Any late night chats by the fire?”
“They don’t have a fireplace,” I’m quick to point out. “Besides he’ll get sick of me if I stay there forever. It’ll take away the air of mystery we’ve got going.” I reflect on this for a moment. “A little too much mystery if you ask me. Personally I’d like to see his Hardy boys solve a few mysteries with my Nancy Drew.”
“Very funny but you’re getting bogged down with details.” Laney snips. “I think the problem here is he sees you as his best friend’s little sister. You need to cure him of that and fast.”
“Little sister syndrome.” Roxy nods into this as if it were a real disorder. “You’d better step up your game. That’s a hard one to break.”
“Step up my game,” I repeat.
“Less clothes, more talking,” Laney says it stern, like an order. “Sexy talking.”
“It’s calledflirting.” Roxy over annunciates as if I were from another planet and right about now it feels like it. The planet Pluto to be exact which, ironically, the solar system relegated to little sister status not too long ago. I can see myself now on the lunar-like landscape sitting in a pile of rainbow-colored vibrators. God knows there aren’t enough batteries in the universe to quench this ache Bryson has set off deep inside me.
“Flirting.” I let out a sigh. Truthfully I hadn’t really done any of that, not sure I know how. Suddenly a book boyfriend doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.
“If he doesn’t know you’re interested, he might think it’s a red light.” Laney holds a finger in the air. “I bet Cole threatened to twist his balls off if he evenlookedin your direction.”
“Cole did mention something to him when I first arrived—but Brysonkissedme. So that sort of debunks that ball-twisting theory.” Then again, Bryson did refer to us as “kissing buddies” which sounds like a significant downgrade from “fuck buddies,” both of which somehow leave a platonic aftertaste in my mouth.
Laney straightens in her seat. Her face bleaches out.
“What?” Both Roxy and I sing it out like a chorus.
“Has he mentioned anything about his past?” She presses her lips tight as if sealing up the damning evidence.
“No,” I say it so fast it sounds like a chirp. “Why? Should he?”
Laney cuts a look to Roxy. “Only when he’s ready.” She cinches her backpack over her shoulder and picks up her coffee. “I’d better run. I’m going to be late for Sociology.”
I clamp onto her wrist before she can make another move. “What happened in his past that was so terrible?” All sorts of wild scenarios fly through my brain—weapons of mass destruction, a secret divorce, whips and chains…Although that last one I sort of approve of.
“I’ve known Bryson since we were kids.” Laney shakes her head. “There are some things he’s just not ready to talk about.” She bites down on her lip, and a bloom of grief takes over her features. “Look, go easy on him. When he’s ready,ifhe’s ready, I’m sure he’ll tell you everything.” She frees her wrist from my grip. “And, if he does—that means you’re pretty special. I haven’t heard him talk about the past…well, ever.” She takes a step. “Just flirt with him. Most guys just want to have fun, and he’d be insane if he didn’t want to have fun with you.”
She takes off just as a flicker of lightning ignites outside the window.
“Storm’s coming.” Roxy takes a deep breath. “Look, don’t worry too much about his past. Whatever it is, it’s history. You can be his future, Baya. Just let him know you’re interested.” She picks up her coffee and gives a quick wave before taking off.
I could be Bryson’s future. I like the sound of that.
Baya and Bryson. It has a nice ring to it.
I hope he thinks so, too.
By the time I finish up with my classes and head to the apartment, both Cole and Bryson are watching TV, and, unfortunately, each of them has a skanky plus one on the couch with them. Just craptastic.
I give a little wave as I stand awkwardly in the doorway, suddenly feeling like a fifth wheel. Literally.
Cole is stretched out on one couch with a buxom blonde draped over him like a blanket. Bryson and a dark-haired girl that I swear is in my music appreciation class take up the other, although they’re sitting less than an arm’s length apart. She’s pretty in a tragically obvious way—tanned, toned, paper white teeth that go off and on like flashlights as she laughs at the television.
