Flick bounces out from around the corner. "Hello, my little love."
"Frick." I exhale. "Make a noise. Don’t just jump out at a girl."
"Huh?" She tilts her head at me. "You on edge, little sister?"
"No. I'm fine. Where's Stacey?" My voice gets louder as I wander away from her. Heading into the Balinese-style outdoor kitchen, I slump down into a wicker chair.
"She's out and about," she says, following me. "Anyway, I was hoping you and I could have a little chat."
My shoulders sag. "Oh no. Let's not do this."
"About Max... and you."
"Oh my gawd."
I wish we were more like guys sometimes. She would offer me her fist. I'd bump it.
‘Did you tap that, sis?’
‘Oh, you know I did!’
"Can we just fist bump or something?" I plea.
"Would you like something to eat?" She grins at me. "I can't imagine you've slept much lately and probably need to keep your energy levels up."
I chuckle once. "Subtle."
"I'm sorry, Cassidy." Sliding into the seat opposite me, she leans back in her chair. "I'd love to just talk boys, but I'm nervous now that it's actually happening. I didn't think much of your crush before."
I blink at her. "Mycrush?"
"How long have you been fucking Max?”
"Jebus, please transition me slowly into the conversation."
"I don't think we need to fliff-flaff."
"I like a bit of fliff-flaffery."
"Cassidy. You were supposed to tell me about your first time. It's meant to be under the covers with the lights off and in a bed. It's meant to be slow and awkward, and we are meant to laugh about it after."
I bite my lip to stop the grin that's tugging at it. "Well, it definitely wasn’tthat."
"What was it like then?"
I beam for a split second. "Insanity."
"How long have you two been fucking?"
"Fine." I groan the word. "We had sex for the first time a few weeks ago."
"You still can’t say the word 'fuck'? Cassidy. If you’re doing it, then you should be able to say it."
"We don't. We have sex. And I don’t want to say that word because it becomes too... relied upon. For everything. Pain. Pleasure. Excitement. Shock."
"Whatever. I don’t know what to say. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. We used to tell each other everything."
"I’m sorry, Flick." I smile tightly at her. "It's just this is our thing, mine and Max’s.”
