Page 20 of Plaything

“Did she forget to hang up?” Wyatt whispered.

I nodded. Should we eavesdrop? No. Are we? Yes.

There were sounds of paper and pages being turned. “At least you didn’t lose your virginity to this dude in high school,” the woman chuckled.

There was a thick pause before Odette joined in her laughter. “Oh Anna...” she said in a sympathetic voice. “The mullet,” she emphasized.

“Exactly!” The woman, Anna, giggled. “Your Jimmy guy missed the hole by a mile, but at least you don’t have Billy Bob Mullet head on your track record,” she said.

Odette sighed, “It’s not just that. I was slut shamed for like two years. Charles wouldn’t even look in my direction for two months. Then Jimmy has the nerve to talk to me after three years,” she vented.

Aiden told us at dinner about what she shared today. I watched the video; it was horrible. I was surprised someone got away with publishing a news story about two underage high schoolers having sex.

“Yeah, that’s pretty shitty,” Anna agreed. “But hey, you can only go up from there, right? I’m sure the other guys you’ve been with weren’t as disappointing,” I heard the teasing in her tone.

It was quiet for a while, and I waited anxiously for her response. I didn’t know if I wanted to hear about other men who pleased her.

“What?” Anna voiced skeptically. “Wait, Odette, there have been other guys… right?” She asked hopefully.

Aiden shifted in his seat, leaning closer, the gears in his head turning. Was she a virgin? No... That wouldn’t make sense. She was beautiful, bright, and a perfect ten. There was no way—her friend must be wrong. I couldn’t think of a reason someone her age wouldn’t be having sex unless she was waiting until marriage.

After another pause, her friend gasped. “How?!” She asked in disbelief. “I mean, no judgment, but come on. I know you have frat boys lined up,” she deadpanned.

“I’m just not interested in that,” Odette said shyly, not wanting to discuss the topic.

I muted the phone and gave Aiden a pointed look. “You were wrong.”

“About a few things,” he mumbled to himself.

“We definitely should not be listening to this,” Wyatt said, surprise in his tone.

“What do you mean?” Anna asked.

“I don’t know? I was normal before that night. Then after... nothing,” Odette explained.

“What? So you don’t get wet?” Anna pushed.

“Hang up the phone, Niko,” Dominic warned.

“Shh,” I dismissed. Was he insane? This was getting good.

“Nope. I don’t know what happened. It’s like a switch was flipped, and I just can’t,” Odette’s voice was unsure.

“Not even solo stuff?” Anna pried.

Another long pause.

“Girl, no wonder you’re always so tense,” Anna laughed.

“Hey, can you give me a ride home?” Odette’s voice changed from shy and hushed to friendly. Her slur was still very prominent.

“Do I finally get my wife back?” A man’s voice came through the speaker. “Absolutely,” he agreed happily.

“Shotgun!” Anna called.

I quickly hung up the phone, not wanting Odette to know we were listening.

It was quiet for a few minutes as we collected our thoughts.

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