‘Don’t ask Ben if he’s fit,’ Melody says with a snort.So I didn’t imagine it. ‘Although I think we can assume Ben has no interest in men. Plenty in women, though.’
‘You use Tinder, too?’Sweetheart, don’t look at me with those Bambi eyes.
‘He uninstalls the app when he’s on tour or on manoeuvres and stuff, but yeah. You do, don’t you?’
‘Not this time around.’ I take a swig from my beer bottle, my fingers holding the neck so tight I’m surprised it doesn’t crack.
‘Not yet, you mean.’
‘Piss off, Mel. I’m not that bad.’
‘No judgment here,’ she retorts. ‘Didn’t I just sign my bestie up for the app? Thoughshewon’t be shagging everyone,’ she adds in an undertone.
She won’t be shagging anyone but me if I’ve got anything to do with it.Christ on a bike, that’s not right. While I have a fuck-tonne to say about Melody’s assumption, not to mention the skeevy way she’s signed Nell up for Tinder, the only things running through my head right now is shit likedon’t do itandplease let’s leave.
‘So I’m just a fucking man whore, I suppose,’ I grate out. Unsurprisingly, I find I can’t raise my eyes to meet Nell’s gaze.
‘I wouldn’t say that. You’re just... time poor.’ Somehow, that doesnotmake me feel better. ‘Oh, look! Hottie number one, Matt, sent you a message.’ Nell sort of groans as I just about resist putting my hands around my sister’s interfering throat. ‘Ready?’ she asks, not waiting for an answer. ‘Hi, cutie—’
‘Wait.’ I put my half empty beer bottle on the bar. ‘Did he type the lettersQ T,or did he actually spell it out?’
‘What does it matter?’ Mel asks, turning the phone so I can’t see. ‘Everyone abbreviates shit.’
‘Because if he can’t be arsed to take the time to write in real words and full sentences, then he’s not worth a moment of our girl’s time.’
‘Our girl?’ Mel repeats, her expression amused. ‘Let’s get this straight. You’re just the lodger. I’m the best friend.’
‘Then act like one,’ I demand.
‘Oh, for goodness’ sake.’ She huffs, waving the phone in my face. ‘C-U-T-I-E,’ she spells out. ‘Satisfied?’ Not even a little bit.
‘Wait.’ I grab her wrist, flattening her hand to make the screen face me. ‘Hi, cutie,’ I begin, reading from the screen. ‘No offence, but my girlfriend and I—’
‘Ben, stop it. Get off me!’
‘—mygirlfriendand I,’ I repeat with a shit eating grin, ‘saw your profile and wondered if you were up to joining us for a three-way. So much for you plan,’ I taunt. ‘I’m not sure that’s the beginning of a beautiful relationship.’ Turning my attention to Nell, I ask, ‘Unless you’re into girls.’ I can’t say I’m disappointed as she shakes her head. ‘Hang on, what have you used for her profile pic?’ I almost swallow my fucking tongue. ‘This isn’t a look I’ve seen before.’ Pulling the phone from Mel’s hand, I study the picture intently. ‘Are those bunny ears?’ My eyes meet Nell’s over the top of the phone.
‘It was for charity,’ she answers.
‘Does the outfit come with a tail?’ This time, she only answers with a quirk of her brow. But that’s okay because I’ll find out later. When we’re fucking tonight.
Chapter 13
PENNY
For the remainder of the night, it seems like my phone doesn’t stop collecting Mario Kart coins. Or Tinder profile likes. And with each tweety-bing, Ben seems more pissed. I’m surprised he stayed with us, especially as he and Mel have done nothing but squabble. But it’s kind of nice to be on the other side of the action for once. So he’s stayed, and I, for one, am glad of it.
‘Reverse harem is the new thing.’ A tipsy Melody bumps her shoulder against Ben’s. He’s built so solidly, though, it barely registers. We’ve moved on to a club, and I have to say, it must be student night because none of the people on the dance floor seem to be over the age of twenty. Since when was it acceptable to get into a club in ripped jeans? And that’s just the men.
‘Reverse what?’ In our booth facing the dance floor, though not so close that we can’t hear ourselves think, Ben turns his attention to Melody sitting beside him. When we first arrived and Mel had slipped into the booth after Ben, I’ll admit to feeling a pang of disappointment. The feeling has magnified since, mainly because I’m on my fourth glass of pinot, and dammit, I’m sitting across from him. Staring at him while trying not to look as though I am. It’s not that I imagined if I were sitting next to him, he’d have ravished me in full view of his sister, but I was banking on a little closeness coupled with a little under the table thigh and junk rub...
‘Reverse harem,’ Mel replies a little louder, indicating my phone as it chirps again. ‘One woman andallllthe men vying to please her.’ I’m not quite sure what the correlation is between my Tinder profile and reverse harem kink. The link must be wrapped somewhere in the tipsy part of Melody’s brain.
‘One women and multiple dicks? That sounds like some porn I’ve seen.’
‘Ew! Reverse harem isn’t like that. It’s romantic.’
‘Really?’ Ben’s expression is a mixture of repulsion and interest. ‘What says romance to you about a gang-bang?’
