Will and Ellen make a beeline for the couch after we close the door to our apartment, stopping to grab snacks and drinks on the way. I busy myself making coffee while Garrick hovers in the background, doing a good impression of a brooding rock star. “Cream or sugar?” I ask after I’ve poured coffee into two mugs. “We have a sugar substitute too, if you prefer?”
He shakes his head. “I’ll take it black.”
“It’s not Bumble Bees, but it’s decent,” I say, handing him a mug.
“Thanks.” His appreciative smile is sincere, and I don’t think Garrick is the type of guy to stay grumpy for long. At least I hope he’s not.
After stirring some sweetener in my coffee, I dump the spoon in the sink and jerk my head for him to follow me. His footsteps are quiet as he trails me down the hallway and into my bedroom. I close the door behind us, purely for privacy. Ellen is a nosy bitch, and she loves getting all up in my business. I wouldn’t put it past her to try to eavesdrop even though she knows I’ll tell her everything later.
Gesturing for Garrick to take the seat at my desk, I plonk my butt down on the end of my bed and just go for it. No point in pussyfooting around the subject. “We need to discuss Cohen. I didn’t want to say anything at lunch, because it wasn’t the time or place, but I’d hate for things to be awkward between us.”
“It’s cool,” he says, wrapping his large hands around his mug. “You don’t need to say anything.”
“I know, but I’d prefer to clear the air all the same.”
He takes a healthy mouthful of his coffee as his eyes invite me to continue.
“I met Cohen at the first frat party I attended, about a month into freshman year. I was with a few of my classmates. Ellen wasn’t there.” I don’t want him thinking my roomie knew and was keeping it from him. It’s important to Ellen that she gets along with Will’s friends. “I overindulged, and I was fairly tipsy. Not to be disrespectful to your friend, but he’s not my usual type.”
Truthfully, I usually run a mile from jocks.
I know they aren’t all promiscuous idiots, but enough of them are for me to avoid taking one to my bed.
“Not to be rude, Stevie, but I don’t want to hear all the details.”
“I would never kiss and tell,” I calmly reply.
“Cohen wouldn’t either. I know he’s no saint, but he doesn’t dish the dirt. He hasn’t told me the specifics, and I would never ask.”
It says a lot about the kind of man Garrick is that he’ll defend his friend even when he’s clearly angry with him. “It was a onetime drunken hookup. I barely remember it, to be honest, and I’m sure it’s the same for him. It didn’t mean anything.” I square my shoulders and look him in the eye. “But he’s not the first guy I’ve hooked up with, and he most likely won’t be the last. I might not have time for a relationship, but I’ve still got needs. When I need sex, I go and get it. It’s no different than when a guy does it, but if you think differently of me now or—”
“I’m not judging you, Stevie, and I don’t think differently of you.”
“Yet, you’re upset.”
Putting his mug down, he claws a hand through his hair and leans forward with his elbows on his knees. “I am upset, and honestly, it surprises me. This isn’t my usual MO. I’d be a dick to hold something in your past against you. I know that, but I can’t shake this feeling. I’ve been mulling over that more than anything. But I’m not upset with you or Cohen for hooking up before either of you knew me. I’m not an asshole. It is what it is. It’s just…” He trails off, his eyes lowering to the hardwood floor.
“It’s just what?” I ask in a gentle tone, coaxing him to let it out.
Lifting his head, he drills me with a confident look I’m more used to seeing on his face. “I’m jealous.”
I thought it might be jealousy except this seems nuts when we’ve only known each other a few days. “Does it strike you as odd how potent our reactions are to one another?”
His lips curl at the corners, and I’m glad to see it even if I slipped up by admitting the truth. “It’s not usual for me, if that’s what you’re asking. It’s—”
“Do not say fate!”
His smile expands. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Ugh.” Tilting my head back, I stare at the ceiling wondering what the hell I’m doing.
Like, legit, what the fuck am I doing?
“It’s good to know you’re not totally in denial,” he says, reclaiming my attention. A full grin slips over his mouth, and his dimples come out to play.
Yep, just kill me now!
“You know it—”
