Free Loving the White Liar by Kate Stewart

bathroom floor, and my lack of shared garbage duty.
    “Well, it looks awesome,” she said, picking a shirt up out of my discard pile and tucking it at her side.
    “Sooooo,” I said with big eyes. “Are you going to make me beat it out of you?”
    She shot up on the bed and started bouncing excitedly. “I know I shouldn’t have slept with him so soon, so before you start preachin’—”
    “No way, I swear. I must have been a real bitch to you when it came to him and for that I’m sorry. No judgment and tell me everything. But before you do, I have a confession.”
    “Yeah?” she said with a sweet smile.
    “I kind of was excited about my first date with Jayden and walked in on the two of you. He’s got an amazing ass, but that’s all I saw, I swear.”
    Her eyes bulged a bit before she burst out laughing. “No wonder you were scarred!”
    “Yeah, if I hadn’t just had a full on session with Jayden, it would have been a hell of a lot worse.”
    “You like him, huh?” she said, smiling.
    “God, he’s awesome...so beautiful, smart, and funny. I could kiss him forever.” I sat down next to her on the bed. “But you go first.”
    “He’s...God, it’s so much better than I thought. It wasn’t just the sex, but let me tell you he has that covered. That man is nothing short of a sinner in the sack. I can’t even believe how beautiful his body is and he knows how to work it.” She looked down at her hands. “I haven’t heard from him since, though.”
    I looked at her and inwardly groaned.
    “Seriously, though, Hil, if he doesn’t call, I don’t think I will be as crushed as I thought I would be. I’ve been thinking about it and the truth is, I don’t think I could ever get hurt like I was with Blake again. It’s just not possible. Mike’s awesome, don’t get me wrong, and I still want him...but...” I looked up at her large blue eyes that told me she meant what she was saying, “with Mike, I think I was kind of playing with fire on purpose.”
    I sighed as I wrapped my arm around her. “Why?”
    “I don’t know,” she said, the irritation with herself evident. “Maybe to play the bad guy for once, you know, to be in the shoes of the other woman or something. I can’t say I would have turned him down if he was still with his girlfriend.”
    “Gerri—”
    “I know it’s fucked up, all right. It makes me sick just thinking about it now. Seriously, I’m glad it didn’t go down that way.”
    “You can tell me anything, you know that,” I encouraged.
    “I know. It’s pretty disgusting, though, isn’t it?” She looked at me warily as I nudged her with my shoulder. “Saturday night I rode Jayden’s lap with my clothes on until I came, then went topless after practically throwing myself at him. I’m in no position to judge.”
    She laughed as her eyes got bigger. “Wow, aren’t we a bunch of horny hoes?”
    “Right,” I agreed.
    “Well, I’m starving. Do you want some food?”
    “Take a twenty, order pizza.”
    “I’ve got this covered and I stuck a few hundred in your wallet. I had a good couple of days. I promise I’ll do better.”
    “No you won’t,” I said, perking up with my next set of news. “But I got a better job. Actually, Jayden found it for me. As of Monday, you are looking at a travel agent.”
    “You are shitting me!” I nodded. “Wow, this guy sounds amazing!”
    “He really is so far. I’m seeing him tomorrow. And if that asshole doesn’t call you, Jayden’s friends are hot.” I saw a small amount of sadness as I mentioned Mike. “He’ll call, babe.”
    “And I’ll live if he doesn’t. I think I needed to know that more.” I agreed whole-heartedly. Gerri ordered pizza as I finished my closet and we spent the rest of the night sipping cheap but delicious Ruinite Lambrusco and playing cards. As if on cue, both of our phones went off. I looked to Gerri who was already smiling. He’d called. I didn’t realize I was holding my breath for her