Free Complicated by You by Kenya Wright Page A

up?”
    “It’s a long story.”
    “Wait. You said was . You’re not with him anymore?”
    “It’s no big deal. Let’s talk about it later.”
    I twisted my lips to the side. “You’re hiding something.”
    “Now who’s looking too deep into things?” he asked. “So this town, Coventon, sucks. No wonder you’re hanging out at the library on a Saturday night. There’s nothing to do. The club scene is nonexistent and it has only one bar, and a sports bar at that.”
    We arrived at the doors and pushed through them.
    “It’s a college town, baby.” I hooked my arm around his. “In order to party you have to stay on campus. All the bars around here can smell a fake ID a mile away.”
    “No way. These sweaty jocks and beer head-crushing fraternity brothers are creeping me out. Where are all the weirdoes? That’s where I feel at home.”
    I pointed behind us. “They’re at the library, or hiding in their rooms from the smelly jocks and frat boys.”
    A lemon-yellow convertible drove our way and parked in the street in front of us. The top was down. Jay drove. Cynthia lounged in the passenger seat. Oh great. I’ve got to be around him and her tonight. I didn’t have a problem with her. I just wasn’t too excited about hanging with them all night. Pipe studied my reaction as I spotted Jay’s arm resting on her shoulder. I rolled my eyes and sucked my teeth.
    “You’re still in love with him, huh?” Pipe flung the cigarette on the ground and stomped it out.
    “I’m in lust not love.”
    “Sure you are, honey, and I’m a heterosexual man who loves football and farting in public.”
    “You’re so crazy, Pipe.” I slowed my pace, but the inevitable came as we approached the car.
    Jay turned off the vehicle, stepped out, and rushed over to open the door on the other side. His body appeared more pumped up, probably due to working it out on the field all day. His shoulders and arms swelled, pushing up against the green and yellow Coventon Wildcats shirt. On the front, a cat’s claws ripped through the letter C. His jeans hung low. I imagined if his shirt was off, how delicious the curves of his lower abdominal muscles would be.
    So yummy.
    “Hey, Evie.” He embraced me, blanketing my space in vanilla and mint.
    I inhaled him. “Hey, Jay and Cynthia .”
    He tensed under me when I said the last two words. “Pipe will be here for a few days. You like the car he just bought?
    “It’s nice.” I noticed we’d been locked in that embrace longer than we should have. Clearing my throat, I backed away. He tightened his grip on my waist and targeted me with a needy gaze, one that sped up my heart. I shoved him a little, hoping no one would notice. “You’re driving?”
    “Yeah.” He released me. “I’m driving.”
    “Of course. He’s driving. It’s nine o’clock.” Pipe flashed his watch my way. “By this time, I’m high as a kite. You have three more hours before I pass out. Whose dorm room am I sleeping in this trip?”
    “Mine,” Jay and I both said.
    I flipped my middle finger at Jay. “Last time Pipe came to visit he stayed with you. It’s my turn.”
    Jay wagged his finger. “Remember our agreement? Pipe sleeping in your bed violates the agreement.”
    “You’ve got to be kidding me?” I almost yelled out, “Pipe’s gay, dickhead. We won’t be having sex.”
     “What agreement?” Pipe asked.
    Jay jumped in before I could blurt out a stupid excuse. “We made a sort of bet that she couldn’t keep a guy out of her bed for three months.”
    Pipe turned to Jay. “Is this due to what you were telling me about earlier, that fraternity douchebag from last night?”
     “I can’t believe you told him that.”
     “I heard he had gold teeth.” Pipe held his hands out.  “Really, Evie? Gold teeth?”
    “Oh be quiet.” I pushed at his hands.
    “Why don’t we all just do a big slumber party in our room?” Cynthia clapped her hands and glanced over her shoulder. “Jay