“I didn’t want to talk, so you were half right. But yeah—I didn’t consider what you heard. I thought we were super secretive about it.”
Felix fixes some of my golden strands that are trying to stick up as we walk.
“Nah. Did you fuck him on Friday?” I smack him in the stomach.
“Felix Archer!”
“Oof—What!? I’m your bestie—I should get to know. Don’t give details or I’ll throw up, but I want to know if you guys finally went all the way.”
God—this is so embarrassing. If it wasn’t Aaron that we’re talking about I’d subject Fe to every gory detail of Saturday. But itisAaron—and it’s fucking weird.
“Jesus. Yes, on Saturday. Happy?”
“Yes, actually.” This is definitely better than being pissed off or barring me from seeing Aaron anymore. I really do have an amazing best friend. “Damn—we’re late.” It’s 3:23.
“We’re here, so who cares?” I grin at him and he shoves me into the coffee shop—which just makes me laugh at him. “You’re so moody today, my dear.”
“You’re not putting out enough.”The fuck?A few customers look our way—confused and alarmed.
“Well, maybe if your boobs were bigger, I’d get hard.”
“What the fuck am I listening to?” Turning around and looking up, up, up—I find Josh the Barbarian who is also late. “Hi Fe, hi Cutie.” I roll my eyes.
“Hey Josh—you’relate?” He grins at us, tying his black hair up with a black band as we walk to a big table in the back already full of our friends.
“As are you.”
“It was his fault.” Fe and I say at the same time. I pinch his side.
“Damnit Bear! I’m so touching you tonight and you’renotgoing to like it.”
“I’d like to see that—personally.” Josh offers, giving us a cheeky smile.
“Down boy.” Amber tells him, turning to us. “Hey lovebirds. You’re late.” Felix and I both point at each other. I turn to talk more shit but can’t even get a word out.
“Button.” Mouth shut—my eyes snap to where Aaron is diagonal from us across the table. He makes acome-heremotion, and I walk away from Felix to round the table.
“Ohhh—you’re in trouble.” Felix laughs and unfortunately so do several members of our party.
“I’m gonna—”
“Wanna sit next to me?” Aaron interrupts me again now that I’m standing next to his chair. I look between him and his brother who I was just conversing with—mouth hanging open. Felix looks like he’s about to keel over from holding in his laughter.
“Alright guys—place bets. Will our feisty Bear go for the kill or allow himself to be domesticated and take a seat?” Angie asks the table. “Okay so that’s two for domestication. Roger that.”
“Okay—who the fuck voted for that?” Josh and Darian raise their hands. “I bet I could still kick both of your sorry asses.”
“Benjamin.” I look down at Aaron who’s still grinning up at me. “Sit.” Darian and Josh snicker.
“Fuck—you guys are the worst.” I walk around Aaron and sit in the chair. The table cheers as I lay my forehead on the ledge to hide how fucking red my face is. Aaron wraps his ankle aroundmine.
“Hey, wait—where’s Drew?” Angie asks. “Don’t you guys normally have this time together?” My head shoots up from the table to look at her.
“Yeah, where is Mr. Nobody Look at My Boyfriend?” I’ll have to tell them eventually—might as well get it done now. Get all the pain and embarrassment out of the way in a short period of time. He is a part of the group after all.
“He dumped me.” I say, calmly. Neutrally. Every head snaps to me.
“What the fuck? Is he stupid?!” Josh is laughing.
