I step past him, too wrung out and wired for conversation, my stomach growling when I see the box of pizza sitting on his bed. I pick up a paper plate and place three slices on it, then sit down on the edge of my bed and take off my jacket.
“Well?” Tanner asks again, dropping down on his bed, picking up another slice of the cold pizza and taking a huge bite.
“I’m fine.”
“Liar,” he says, muffled by the food in his mouth.
I laugh, “Seriously, dude. Can you not wait until you’ve chewed and swallowed your food to talk.”
Tanner just shrugs his shoulders.
“I’m fine. The date was great. She was amazing and I’m hoping that we’re able to have another one.”
He just tilts his head to the side rolling his eyes as he waves his hands at me to continue.
“And how did you know I took so long to get up here? Were you stalking me from the window?”
“Maybe,”he manages to say before taking another bite.
I smirk, then take my own bite of food.
Cold pizza.
There’s nothing better.
Well, maybe Cove. Nope, there’s no maybe, she is better.
Tanner continues to ask questions and I answer them the best I can without saying, “I won a chance to fuck the girl of my dreams for her porn website.”
He’d think I was crazy if I told him, but then in the same second pat me on the back like I’m his hero.
But I don’t want a pat on the back. To me it was more than just sex. With Cove I feel a connection. She’s someone I could see spending the rest of my life with. One day even having kids with. Two of them. A boy and a girl. Twins would be great. A built in best friend for the rest of their lives.
I finish eating and take off my shoes, scooting back on my bed as Tanner turns on an old season ofTraitors.
My mind drifts. To her. To the kiss I didn’t expect. The way she leaned into me. I didn’t expect the spark that hit me right behind the ribs, sharp, warm and terrifying.
And I definitely didn’t expect the way it wouldn’t leave.
I’m screwed.
The next day is pure torture.
I wake up, take a shower and head back to my room.
And he’s waiting, pouncing on me like a predator on his prey. Tanner bombards me with more questions.
“I told you everything. Now, I need to get ready for class,” I tell him, dressing quickly then begin packing my bag.
“Come on man, hook a brother up. I just want to see if she has a friend for me.”
“Aren’t you already seeing someone?” I remind him.
“Ahh, she won’t care. It's purely a friends with benefits situation.”
I shake my head at him, put on my coat and slide the strap of my bag over my shoulder.
“Sure, I’ll ask. She has a ton of guys who’d love to go out with you.”
