EMMA
I can't muster up the energy to leave my room, but I'm also not ready to fall asleep yet, so I stretch, reach for my phone in the heap of clothes on the floor, and call Nicole.
She picks up immediately. "Listen, my so-called friend. You have kept me waiting for like 36 hours to hear about your weekend with the Reindeer. This better be good." I can tell Nicole is still at work. If she's at home, her voice echoes off her nearly empty apartment walls.
"You know it's Stag. And anyway, you can't yell so loud your co-workers hear, Nicole." I hear her chair creak as she adjusts her seat.
"Yeah, yeah. Spill it, Ems." I sigh. "A sigh like that? Shit, I should get some ice water."
"Funny you should mention ice," I tell her, and proceed to fill her in on the wild, mind-blowing sex I had with Thatcher.
"So he gave you an orgasm before your first orgasm was done…orgasming?"
"Pretty much."
"Jesus, Emma. Can I have a ride when you're done with him?" I know Nicole is kidding, but it doesn't sit right with me. I don't like the thought of Thatcher with someone else. I frown. "Your silence is very telling, friend. Want to tell me more about that?"
I look over to Thatcher's sleeping form. He's rolled onto his stomach and one long arm dangles off the edge of my bed. He's so tall that his toes peep out from the bottom of my blankets, suspended in the air, making me giggle. "He's here right now, Nick. I, like, texted him for sex and he brought sandwiches, and I thought he'd leave after, but now he's asleep." I blurt it all out so fast that I don't have time to hold anything back.
"Hmm," she says. "I'm going to have to meet him. I need to see how he acts around you."
Usually, I don't move ahead with a guy until Nicole gives him at least a thumbs sideways, but I feel sheepish at the idea of asking Thatcher to meet my best friend. "I don't know…"
"Let me know the next time you're going to see him and I'll at least give you a ride. Before he gives you a ride." She bursts out laughing so loudly I look at Thatcher, making sure he doesn't stir. "Seriously, though, Emma, I'm really glad you found someone who gives you hot sex. You deserve some hot sex. Never settle for mediocre sex."
I sigh. "I see that now. I really had no idea. Did I tell you Dr. Khalsa has me doing a trial of medical marijuana?"
"Jesus! I'm coming over. Wait. You have a naked man in your bed. Shit. When am I supposed to hear all about this??"
Once I get Nicole to calm down I am able to tell her how Thatcher stole a hit from my "science weed" as she calls it. "I still can't believe some dude got to see you for your first high. I've known you for years! Can I watch you get high tomorrow?"
"Of course, Nick." We share a laugh and plan for her to come to my apartment tomorrow evening. Once we hang up, I realize there's nothing left to do but crawl under the covers with naked Thatcher, and try to sleep. I try to ignore my sense of longing for him to drape that inked-up arm over my shoulders.