Chapter 12

Amber

“So, I took your advice,” I said.

“What advice? I give good shit all the time,” Kelly said.

“The advice you gave me about Tyler.”

The straw of her coffee paused in mid-air, and I could tell a squeal was coming. She dropped her cup and clapped her hands as I winced at her sounds, then she wrapped her hands around me before scooting closer to the table.

“Oh. Holy. Shit. Tell me everything. Was he the same way he was in college? Was it different? Was he huge? How many times did you cum?”

“Kelly,” I said. “I want more of him.”

Her eyes searched mine, and she quickly backed off her questions. Admitting that to myself was like admitting that my mother was right. I had myself so convinced that if I fucked him once and got him out of my system, then I’d be free. I’d be free of him and the hold he’d apparently had on me all these years, and I could get on with my life.

With my family.

With my business plans.

“Oh, shit,” Kelly said.

“You know this was going to happen, didn’t you?” I asked.

“What?”

“You knew if I fucked him I’d get attached. That I’d want more. You knew this was going to happen,” I said.

“Amber, why is this such a bad thing? You got laid well it sounds like, and now you want more. What’s wrong with that?” she asked.

“What’s wrong is everything. I can’t have that man, Kelly. He left me in college for New York City. And he didn’t tell me he was leaving until after he fucked me the night before!”

“Oh, shit,” Kelly said.

“Is that all you’ve got to say? ‘Oh, shit’?” I asked.

“You loved him in college,” she said.

“I didn’t love that sorry excuse for a man in college,” I said.

“No woman has this reaction unless she finds out she’s still addicted to the ex she once loved. Amber, why the hell didn’t you tell me? I never would’ve told you to screw him if I knew you had been in love,” she said.

“Oh, so that’s the fucking defining factor? My heart had to burn for him or some shit?”

“Amber, look at how angry you are. You thought that by fucking him, you’d be able to write him off once and for all. You thought you’d finally be able to get over the guy you fell hard and fast for in college. But, all you found out was that you still wanted him. After everything he did. What did he do, by the way?” she asked.

“You mean besides take my virginity, give me the best orgasms of my life, and then tell me he was leaving the night before he left?” I asked.

“Yeah,” she said. “Besides all that bullshit.”

I studied her face before I drew in a deep breath. I was about to share with her something I had never told anyone. I knew Tyler would never tell anyone, if he even remembered, but what I was about to tell her was the defining moment of my college career.

It’s what spawned the passion in me to one day open my own dance studio.

“What did he do?” she asked.

“There was a conversation we had one night,” I said. “It was after one of our fun nights out. He’d taken me to this stupid sub place up the road, and we’d split a sandwich before coming back and tearing up my dorm room.”

“Alright,” she said.

“And we got to talking. Ass naked and squeezed into that tiny little twin bed.”

“Pillow talk got it,” she said.

“He told me he’d caught me dancing outside of the dance building. I had been rehearsing a little number for some bullshit pop quiz I found out my ballet teacher was having, so I was putting together something quick before class. He’d apparently come around the corner to try and find me, and instead, he found me dancing.”

“What’s wrong with that?” she asked.

“Nothing. He told me he’d never seen something so beautiful move with such grace,” I said.

“That’s very sweet of him. But, what does that have to do with the dance studio?” she asked.

“He told me he’d be my first private student if I ever got around to opening my dream dance studio,” I said.

Kelly searched my eyes before she pulled her hands back away from me. She sighed and leaned back into her chair as she slowly pieced together why I had been so adamant on the dance studio in college.

I had to get myself out of the situation.

“Anyway, it was a stupid little thing that grew into a bigger passion. Now, I want to teach and help the community. But, his comment got the fire roaring, I guess. Bullshit, right?” I asked.

“If you say so,” Kelly said.

I had to divert the subject before we followed this train of thought any longer.

“So, I told you if you got my brother drunk he’d suck your face off,” I said, smirking.

“Oh, that was nothing,” she said, blushing. “Just some kissing or whatever. I’m sorry, by the way, for ditching you.”

“Don’t be. Tyler and I made our way to the bathrooms,” I said.

“No, you didn’t!” she said. “What did you guys do?”

At that moment, Kelly’s phone rang. She dug it out from her purse and opened it up, and a goofy smile appeared across her face. Her fingers flew over the screen of the phone as her smile grew wider, and by the time she sent it she was practically giggling to herself.

“Let me venture a guess as to who that was,” I said.

“I’m serious, it’s not who you think it is. And that thing in the club? Just a one-time deal. Alright?”

I held my hands up in mock surrender, but I knew my best friend better than that. I knew she was texting my brother, and I was happy for her. I hadn’t seen her smile like that over someone in a very long time, and I figured when the time was right she would tell me.

But then, just as Kelly’s phone rang out again, mine vibrated in my pocket.

What are you up to?

It was Tyler, and I couldn’t help but smirk.

Hanging out with Kelly while she lies to me about texting my brother. You?

I rose my gaze to Kelly’s eyes, and I could see the hint of a smile on her cheeks.

“Anyone interesting?” she asked.

“Nope,” I said.

Boring shit with your brother. So, that’s who he’s texting. Got it. Want to get together later?

It was becoming harder and harder to bury the smirk threatening to peel across my cheeks. But, I looked up at Kelly and saw her face-deep in her phone, so I figured I was safe for now.

And how do you propose we do that?

It was an honest question. The parade thing had been nothing but luck and incredible timing. However, intentionally sneaking around was going to be a bit more difficult.

Even if I did have my own place.

I have an appointment to tour some office spaces Tuesday morning while Luke does some other things around the city for the business. Figured I could squeeze you in.

An involuntary giggle rose from my throat, and Kelly snapped her head up to look at me. I bit down on my lip, trying to stifle it further, but the only thing it did was confirm for Kelly what she was thinking.

“Have fun,” she said, winking.

“Oh, shut up. You’re stuck with me all day. Girl’s afternoon, remember?” I asked.

“Just sayin’. You want to scoot off, go right on ahead,” she said.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” I asked.

“Just means I get more sordid details later,” she said, winking.

Sure. I think I’d enjoy you squeezing me in. Keep in touch.

“You guys just make plans?” Kelly asked.

“Maybe,” I said.

“What are you guys going to do?” she asked.

“He’s got some office buildings he’s touring Tuesday morning. Says he wants to squeeze me in.”

“Fuck, I’m sure he does,” she said. “Sounds like he’s just as hooked as you are.”

“Don’t say shit like that,” I said. “This is a fling. Nothing more. A nice little holiday relaxation while I deal with the bullshit that is my parents.”

“They still riding you on their own dreams versus yours?” she asked.

“My mother actually asked me when I’d get over my dance studio phase,” I said.

“Phase? She called it a phase?” she asked.

“Yep. And then, in the same breath, she encouraged Luke and Tyler to open another side business or some bullshit.”

“Your mom’s a piece of work,” she said.

“You’re telling me.”

Kelly’s phone rang again, and I lost her to the conversation she was having with my brother. The smile on her face told me she was happy, and I figured the only thing I could do was support her. She was an incredible woman who deserved a good man, and that’s exactly what my brother was. I knew he would treat her right and support Kelly in whatever the hell it was they were trying to do. For now, it was probably just innocent conversation. But, it was innocent conversation that made my best friend smile.

And I was all for it.

Now, if only he would be alright with me fucking his best friend.