Page 42 of The Rules of Dating

After Deek and he clasped hands, Holden headed over to my station.

“So what are we doing today?” I asked.

He lifted his shirt and slid down his pants a couple of inches to display the design I’d previously inked on him. “I decided I wanted to add this ribbon in the middle.”

He pulled up an image on his phone and faced it toward me. It was a little orange awareness ribbon.

“That’s easy enough.” I tapped the chair. “Take a seat.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” He settled in and leaned back.

“So…I heard you guys had a lot of fun the other night.” I cringed internally. I couldn’t even wait until I had my equipment together. I did my best to seem casual despite the fact that my heart was pounding.

“You heard this from whom?” He smiled.

“From Colby. He told me everything about what happened. You know, your wild and crazy night at some girl’s house. Sounds like a good time was had by all.”

I kept it vague, hoping Holden would spill the beans, even if I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the whole truth. I felt like I was dying. Trying to remain calm and collected when you’re really jealous and anxious as shit is an art form.

“You mean Colby admitted how fucking lame he is?”

“Threesomes are lame?” I said, opening my eyes wide.

“I don’t know who told you threesome; it was a foursome. And Colby didn’t have anything. He freaking passed out in the bathroom.”

My pulse slowed a bit. This matched Colby’s story. “Well, that’s too bad.”

“It wasn’t bad for me. I reaped the benefits. Those girls were hot and horny as all hell. Who knew teachers were so freaky? It’s like, were my teachers like that back in the day, and I just never knew? Goddamn.” He laughed.

My stomach churned as I rationalized one more question. “So Colby didn’t even kiss one of them?” I had no right to that information, but I just had to know.

He shook his head. “I don’t think so. I mean, I wasn’t watching him every second before he passed out. But I’m pretty sure he didn’t.”

I felt terrible about giving Colby shit. Still, if he hung out with Holden enough, it was only a matter of time before the old gigolo ways came out to play. I activated my needle and got to work on Holden’s ribbon. Speaking over the noise, I asked, “Why do guys like threesomes—or foursomes—anyway? Isn’t it a lot to juggle?”

“It can be, yeah. But I’m always up for a challenge.” He winked. “It reminds me of a one-man band. You have your mouth on one instrument, your hand on another, and all the while someone else is…blowing your horn, for lack of a better word.”

I rolled my eyes. “I hope you’re being safe with all of your instrumental maneuvering in the orchestra.”

“Always,” he said matter-of-factly. “If I’ve learned anything from my boy Colby, it’s that it only takes one time to change your life.”

I cleared my throat. “So, did Colby not want to participate, or did he not do it because he was too drunk to be up for the challenge?” I was a runaway train at this point.

“I don’t think he would’ve been into it, even if he were more sober. I had to force him to come with me in the first place to be my wingman. He didn’t want to go.”

“Well, he has free will. On some level, he must have wanted to. He probably just chickened out. I would imagine having a kid makes you think twice about your decisions.”

“Maybe. He is more responsible than he used to be.” He looked over at me. “Any reason you’re particularly vested in Colby’s intentions the other night, Billie?”

I hesitated. “No. I’m just curious about it all.”

“Come on. I’m not dumb. I know there’s some shit going on between you two. He hasn’t talked to me about it, though—probably because he knows I come here, and he doesn’t trust my big mouth.”

“Can you blame him?” I asked.

“Not at all.”

“Anyway… There’s nothing going on between Colby and me.”