Chapter 8
And Chelsea makes three.
Chelsea arrived in a flurry of suitcases, laughter, and shopping bags. As Grey predicted, she blew in like a hurricane as he helped unload her things from her red Mustang GT. I stayed inside organizing our room because I believed in a neat, tidy, and clutter-free zone. She didn’t.
At.
All.
We’d been roommates for three years and had learned to adapt to our differences. I didn’t mind keeping our space clean and helping her with classes. Her family's money provided any extras while we lived on campus and helped us with the deposit for this condo by the beach. She was also my confidante. Grey had my back like my brother and would never let anyone hurt me. But Chelsea knew how being a virgin had been wearing on me since I didn’t have a particular reason to be one besides not being with a guy long enough for him to deserve my gift. She knew I struggled with owning my sexuality. She’d been sexual since junior high and devirginized when she was fifteen. Chelsea had no problem telling any man how often and where she wanted it. And I envied her confidence. She’d been with her latest boyfriend, Carmello, for two years, and they’d even discussed marriage after graduation.
By the time Grey carried in her last bag, I had her side of the room ready to sleep. I’d made her oversized twin bed with her special five-hundred-count Egyptian sheets and pearly whiteduvet. It coordinated with my bright pink comforter. We didn’t mind sharing the master bedroom and bath. She always had boyfriends with their own apartments, and I never needed to have the bedroom to myself. I still wouldn’t, if things worked out with Carter. I would gladly be with him at his place. Besides, he probably wouldn’t set one foot in my bedroom because he believed I shared it with Grey.
Speaking of Grey, I couldn’t wait until Chelsea and I were in our respective beds talking about our day like we’d done most nights since our freshman year. Still trying to decipher the strange yet slightly hot moment earlier today. I couldn’t deny that I’d been attracted to the glimpse of him as a man. He’d been my friend for so long that I had forgotten that he was all man. A very virile man.
Chelsea rocked a single-braid ponytail that tapped her apple-shaped ass. An ass she’d paid good money for on her eighteenth birthday. Her ebony skin glowed from years of expensive skincare and the best dermatologist money could buy. She tossed her Chanel purse on the bed and hugged me.
“I’m so glad to be home. I have so much to tell you.”
“Me too.” I looked toward the door and lowered my voice, so Grey couldn’t hear me. “Carter admitted he was jealous of Grey, and I flashed Carter this morning while I was on the balcony.”
“Bitch, you’ve gone wild, and I love it.” She squealed. “Then what happened?”
“And then Grey and I had a moment.”
She frowned deeply. “A moment? What does that mean? You like him, too?”
“No... no... no.” I shook my head vehemently, though the thought had popped into my head a time or two when he first developed killer abs and calves from all that running and had his braces removed during our senior year in high school.
“Good, because I want him.” She smiled dreamily.
“Grey? What about Carmello?”
“That’s what I wanted to tell you. We broke up last week, and I’m ready to get back out there.”
“A week, Chelsea? You love Carmello too much. What happened?”
“Don’t want to talk about the past. Moving forward and need new dick. Figured fucking a fine ass man like Grey is a good way to start.” She twirled her braid with a mischievous grin. “It’s just sex, Darren. I don’t want to marry him. Want to see if he’s as good as he looks.”
“But it’s Grey. Like our brother.”
She quirked her right brow comically high. “He’s your best friend. Not mine. Nothing about him is brotherly.”
The front door closed.
I promised, “This conversation isn’t done.”
“Trust, I know.” Chelsea flopped down on her bed and scanned the room. “BTW, you and Grey did an amazing job with the place. I am pleased.”
After dropping her rolling bag by her bed, Grey wiped the sweat from his forehead and then collapsed on my bed. “Glad the queen is pleased. Anything else before I head out?”
“What?” I whirled around. “You can’t leave on the first night we’re all together. We’re supposed to eat bad, have Sprite floats, and binge-watch ratchet TV.”
He propped himself up on my wooden headboard, his feet dangling over the edge, almost touching the carpet. “We have months to do that. We live together now, remember? I already made the floats, so we can make a quick toast, and then I’m out.”
Chelsea squinted her eyes and accused, “You’re about to fuck somebody, aren’t you? That’s why you’re anxious to get out of here. Who is she? A random or potential?”
He glanced at me briefly before he answered, “Just because we’re roommates doesn’t mean I want you all in my business.”
