“So, this woman…” he starts.
“Don’t say it like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I’m whipped.”
There’s a full second of silence before he cracks up laughing. “You aresowhipped.”
“Am not.” I take a big drink so he can’t hear me lie.
He groans like he’s settling deeper into his chair. “Okay, tell me what’s actually going on.”
I lean against the counter, staring at the empty space by the stove where she leaned last night, hair falling over her shoulder while she teased me.
“She’s seeing someone else,” I say. “Another guy.”
“Ahh. A triangle.” He sounds way too entertained.
“It’s not a triangle.”
“You’re right. It’s a competition, and you don’t like to lose.”
He’s not wrong.
I don’t like losing.
Sharing isn’t the problem. I just need to know who has their hands in the game with me.
“She has a right to see whoever she wants,” he continues. “You’re the one who told her she could.”
“I know.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I just want to know who he is. If he treats her right or if he thinks she’s just access to free kinky shit outside of Velvet.”
“Did you tell her that?” he asks.
“I did, and she still asked me to be patient. So I’m trying.”
“She made the right choice with you outside the club, so trust her instincts. But let's change the topic to me now. I decided to ask the woman I told you about on a date.”
“No shit? You finally manned up?”
“I did. And she said yes.”
“Look at you. My best asshole is all grown up and actually dating.”
“Fuck off.” He laughs. “So how serious are you about this girl?”
I stare at the window, at the reflection of my own stupid grin when she smiles at me.
“Serious enough,” I say quietly.
“Shit,” he says. “You’re done for.”
“Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
I end the call before he can keep poking the bear and I end up giving him shit about the woman he finally got the balls to ask out.
