Chapter 9
Accept it’s just a hookup.
When Grey left the condo, I flopped on the sofa and patted the space beside me. “Talk.”
Chelsea sauntered to me, holding another glass of the Sprite Floatie. “I added some pineapple Ciroq. Delish. You want some?”
“No. I’ll add some when I get ready for bed. I want to know what happened with Carmello, and since when do you want anything to do with Grey?”
“The son of a bitch cheated. End of story,” she snarled before smiling. “And Grey has always been sexy as fuck. Before, I couldn’t touch because I actually believed in being faithful.”
I leaned my head back. “I really want to ask you more about Carmello, but the vibe you’re giving off right now is mad scary.”
“There's nothing to tell. We're done, and I'm ready to move on. Too many fine ass men in the world to let some trifling ass bastard get the best of me." She downed the rest of her drink. "Truth time. Have you ever made out with Grey? Like in high school or this summer, while I've been gone."
I wrinkled my nose. "No, Grey's my dude. Always down for each other. We're fam."
"Then why did you say you had a moment?"
I started to tell her he got hard around me, but her eagerness for anything about Grey kept me from being entirely truthful. "I meant that Carter saw me kiss Grey on the cheek while we were playing around, and now he's jealous."
She rolled her eyes. "Men are so basic. I bet he wants you more now."
"Apparently." I pulled my legs underneath me on the sofa.
"But we need to finish talking about you.
Two years of love don't go away because he messed up.
Really don't think you're in the headspace to deal with another man, especially Grey.
We're all roommates now. It could get crazy messy if we don't keep boundaries. "
"Says the woman who lied to her neighbor that you and Grey are together.
You're already stepping into the danger zone with Carter.
You couldn't sleep when you heard him fucking.
How do you think you'll feel after you get with him and then hear him with the next one? Because he's not a one-woman dude."
"All men fall in love at one point, even Carter St. Patrick," I asserted, still hopeful I could be the one to change him.
Chelsea flopped her head back on the sofa.
"There you go with these fantasies. This is real life, Darren.
Even the good ones cheat. No way in hell Carter will be any more than a fuck buddy.
If you can get with that, I'm all for the hook-up.
But I wouldn't be a friend if I didn't warn you that you shouldn't expect more. "
"Maybe you're wrong. All is possible in love." I hugged my pillow against my chest, hating that she and Grey believed that Carter would only toy with my affection. "You're jaded – and I get that – the man you thought you would marry betrayed you. But I still believe in love."
She studied my face before she spoke again. "Alright. If you want Carter, I'll help you get him."
I grinned. "Help me?"
She pointed to my unicorn pajamas. "Carter is the hottest man on campus. He's a shoo-in for the draft, comes from new money, and is already spokesmodel-ready with his looks and charm. Women are throwing their pussies at him now."
"Ugh, gross." The visual interfered with the truth of her words.
"Well, it's the truth, and you have to step up your game.
" Chelsea tugged on my French Braids. "Yep, we have serious work to do.
And under no circumstances can you tell that man you're a virgin.
He'll kick you to the curb fast. No man wants that responsibility unless he's in love with you.
" She held her hand up. "Even if he falls for you, don't tell him.
Make sure that he takes it slow whenever you do it. "
I crossed my hands in front of my crotch. "Does it really hurt that bad?"
"It can, and from what I hear, he's well-endowed. If you wince or groan at the pain, pretend it's from sex with Grey."
"Okay..." I held my hand up. "I’m not having sex with two guys on the same day, even if it’s pretend.”
“Um, Carter fully expects you and Grey to be sexing. Again, this is why you have to be okay with only hooking up. No dude okay with his woman fucking another man.”
I grinned. “So, you think there’s a chance we’ll have sex?”
“Oh, he’s already plotting how to fuck you, and he won’t stop until he gets it.
” She squeezed my chin with her hand. “As long as you don’t tell him you’re a virgin, Carter will be your first. And something tells me that your first time will be amazing.
” Chelsea’s eyes suddenly welled with tears, and she hopped up and hurried to our bathroom.
I rushed behind her as she went into the bathroom. “Chelsea...are you okay?”
She sniffed. “I’ll be fine. Give me a few days, okay?”
Uncertain what to do next because Chelsea didn’t cry. Like at all. I stood at the door. “I’ll be on the balcony if you need me.”
Chelsea turned the shower on and didn’t say another word.
Pride was also a difference between us. I didn’t hide my emotions, good or bad.
She was fiercely proud and hated showing any emotion she deemed weak, like crying.
Her father retired from the Air Force, and the appearance of strength and courage was always expected.
I inhaled the air and loved that a breeze cooled the end of the summer night.
Carter’s balcony was empty, and the lights were out in his place.
Probably with a woman like Grey. I chuckled out loud.
My fake boyfriend and potential one were out with other women while I stood alone on a balcony.
Still, it was a beautiful, clear night full of stars, and the moon lifted the waves enough to crash against the shoreline.
Peaceful and worth every damn dime, even if Carter didn’t live next door.
Staring out at the beach, I noticed a man lying on the sand, his face covered by a cap.
I squinted, hoping to get better vision.
My heart jumped when I recognized Carter.
He was all alone on the beach at night. Not hugged up with some woman.
I walked back into our condo. Chelsea hadn’t left the bathroom yet, and the shower was still running.
I hurried to her side of the closet and grabbed a simple but sexy yellow strapless sundress that stopped mid-thigh.
I also grabbed a white bikini from her drawer, since I had never owned one before, in case we decided to swim.
Grateful, I’d braided my hair the night before.
My comb out would be perfect with my flavorful lip gloss.
I took off my glasses and blinked until my eyes adjusted.
Within ten minutes, I strolled along the beach.
Feeling and looking sexy. Hook-up or something more. Carter would be mine.