Chapter 10
Ethan
"I already slept with your friend," Charlie blurts out the second I park in front of her dorm building. I'd noticed she got a little weird after running into Logan, but I definitely wasn't expecting that.
Then again, who on this campus hasn't been through Logan's bed at this point, right?
Well... Me. But that wasn't relevant, because I'd left my little crush on him in the past.
Charlie being part of his long list of conquests, though, is pretty surprising. I can't hold back the raise of my eyebrows when I look at her.
"Okay..." I start to say, but I stop, because I don't know what I should really say in this situation. Charlotte lets out a long sigh and runs a hand over her face, looking guilty.
"It was a good while ago. I'd broken up with Johnny and went to a party to drown my sorrows and I met him.
It was just a spur-of-the-moment distraction.
A little while later Jonathan and I got back together, so I chose to forget that episode.
That's why when you told me you lived with your friend Logan, I didn't even connect the name to the person," she explains, and I nod in understanding.
"I didn't know if I should tell you, because it's going to make things awkward and I really liked going out with you and I'd love to keep this thing between us going, but then I thought Logan might tell you and everything would be even worse...
so... I decided to rip the band-aid off," she adds hurriedly, sounding genuinely nervous.
Which is why the first thing I do is bring my hand to the middle of her forehead and run my fingers over the little wrinkles formed between her eyes until they smooth out.
"Relax, kitten. Things will only get weird if we let them. It doesn't bother me at all, if that's what's worrying you," I assure her, and Charlie finally seems a little calmer.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. We agreed we were going to have fun, right? I'm not here to hold anything over you," I assure her, and I see relief run through her blue irises.
"Okay..." She lets herself relax against the seat and looks ahead. "I think I was in a relationship for too long. I don't know the etiquette for fun," she notes, and I control the twitch of my lips.
"It's simple: we go out together when we're in the mood, we go out with other people too if we want, and we swear to always use a condom. What do you think?" I point out, and Charlie laughs quietly, turning her face to look at me.
"I think I can accept that. Just orgasms, no strings."
"Exactly! If you want to hook up with Logan again too..."
"No!" she interrupts me at once, eyes going wide. "No. That would be really weird, I have no intention," she assures me, but I shrug.
"That's fine, kitten. If that changes at some point, just let me know, okay?" I ask, and give her a little wink. Charlie lets out a sigh and hands me a small smile before leaning in and kissing my mouth with a quick peck.
"Thank you, Ethan Clarke. I think you really will be a great friend with benefits," she says with her face still really close to mine, and it's my turn to smile.
"You're welcome, Charlie McCarthy. You're the hottest friend I've got," I shoot back, and she cracks up, shoving my chest with one hand.
The pink-haired girl gives me one more peck before getting out of the car, and I follow her with my eyes until she's inside the dorm building.
Only then do I start the car and take the road back home.
I wake up feeling like an idiot.
I dreamed all night about Charlie and Logan kissing in front of me, and besides getting turned on, I also got frustrated because they never let me join. Every time I got close, they laughed at me and moved out of my reach.
What the hell was that about?
I let out a huff of air as I leave my room heading for the kitchen. The smell of fried eggs in the air told me Logan was already awake, which is why when I walk into the room with the white walls and brown cabinets, I'm not surprised to find him at the stove, stirring a pan energetically.
"Hey, morning," I greet, and my friend turns half his body to look at me.
"Morning, man. You want eggs too? Might as well, since I've already got my hands dirty," he offers, and I nod.
We stay in a calm silence for a few minutes, while Logan cooks and I pour milk into two glasses for us and set them on the table, then finally sit down.
It doesn't take long before the blond is setting scrambled eggs on the plate in front of me, followed by his own.
He doesn't sit, though, just leans his waist against one of the cabinets and eats holding his own plate.
As always, I avoid dwelling too much on the fact that my roommate is shirtless.
"So... Charlie told me about you two yesterday." I can't control my tongue after a few more moments.
My friend chokes at what I say, and I watch with raised eyebrows as he has to drop the eggs any old way onto the counter and lunge for the glass of milk, drinking the whole thing until the coughing passes. When he finally recovers, Logan gives me a sheepish smile.
"In my defense, I barely remembered the whole thing until I saw her in our kitchen," he reveals, and I roll my eyes.
"It's true! She was blonde back then, and after we had sex in the bathroom, I really got wasted at that party.
My biggest memories consist of hugging the toilet.
And then a bunch of other blondes came after her, so... "
His confession makes me stop eating and lean back in my chair so I can judge him with my look.
"You're a fool," I fire off, and he shrugs.
"Never denied it," he shoots back, and I huff. "But, seriously, it was nothing major. I hope it doesn't create a problem between you two..."
"She got really embarrassed, but I reassured her yesterday. So I don't think it's going to be a big problem," I assure him, not knowing whether I want to convince him or myself of that.
"Good, man."
"I just don't know if she's going to want to keep coming over here and running into you," I speculate, and Logan makes a face.
"Ah, damn. Want me to talk to her?" he asks, and I consider the idea for a moment, but quickly shake my head no.
"No, no need. It'll seem like I'm making the whole situation more serious than it is." Logan stares at me for a few seconds, like he's checking whether I'm serious.
"Whatever you want, Tanny," he says, going back to eating his breakfast calmly.
"Besides, we want to keep things casual, so who she kisses or has kissed isn't my problem," I add, and I watch Logan raise his eyebrows, surprised.
"You're going to manage to keep it casual with someone from the same university? When you could run into her at parties kissing other guys?" he asks, and I frown.
"Of course, it's happened with people from outside Lexington Crown too. It's not that different," I assure him, but he doesn't look convinced. I swallow the last bites of food and get up, taking all the utensils I used to the sink, right next to Logan.
"If you say so... Just remember the odds are higher now," he shoots back, and I swallow hard.
"I'm not the jealous type. And it's just a friends-with-benefits thing, don't worry," I reinforce, and the other player just shrugs. Logan sets the rest of the things we used for breakfast in the sink, and I start washing the dishes.
"Alright, Mr. No-Strings, I believe you," he retorts sarcastically, and I just roll my eyes again.
"It's going to work out. Just try to avoid pestering her, okay?" I ask, and he frowns in indignation.
"So unfair! I don't pester anyone." I can't control a light laugh at his shameless lie.
He reaches for an apple in the fruit bowl and bites into it quickly.
"But I promise I'll try to behave. Judging by your happy face yesterday, the girl gave you quite a ride.
It really is a shame I don't remember clearly... "
I cut off the idiot's sentence by unhooking the faucet from its holder in the sink and aiming a jet of water at his face. Logan curses at me and cracks up at the same time, but has the good sense to run out of the kitchen.
I really was surrounded by idiots.