Page 45 of Clueless Romeo

I realized I purposely hadn't used she or he and hoped my best friend wouldn't pick up on the slight omission.

Arch:Okay, well, any other reasons I can think of why you shouldn't have hooked up with someone will probably have similar answers. So why don't you just tell me who it was? Or why you shouldn't have done it.

I mulled over how to explain without spilling the whole truth and finally settled on something that came close enough.

Me:I think they regretted it afterward.

Nothing happened for almost a full minute, but knowing Archer, he was processing the response.

Arch:Why do you think they regretted it?

That one was easy.

Me:Because I asked them if they were going to freak out, and they said probably.

Arch:Why do you keep saying they and them? Did you mess around with two girls?

Shit. I should have known my observant, detail-oriented friend would pick up on my choice of words.

Me:No.

If Archer realized I only answered one of his questions, he didn't mention it.

Arch:So, you messed around with someone who said they might freak out about it afterward? That's it? Why does that matter?

Before I could answer, another text popped up.

Arch:Unless you know you'll have to see them again.

And another.

Arch:Or you LIKE them!

He was typing faster than I could think.

Arch:Or you're a cocky jock who just isn't used to someone not fawning all over you then expecting a ring after sleeping with you.

That brought a slight grin to my lips. I figured a little honesty wouldn't hurt because I had messaged him, hoping he could give me some kind of helpful advice.

Me:Slow down, Speed Racer.

Me:I'll definitely see them again. I'm not sure if I like them. And they definitely aren't fawning all over me, obviously, so maybe you're right. I'm a cocky jock, and my ego is bruised.

Archer was smart and perceptive. Maybe he was right, and that's all this was, wanting something I couldn't have. But I wasn't sold on the idea. Far from it.

Arch:You'd tell me if there was more going on, right?

He had no idea how much I wished that were true, but I just couldn't yet.

Me:Of course.

Arch:Good. I have to go. Phoenix is meeting with the band's manager in the morning. Text me when the sun is actually up if you still need to talk (in the vaguest way possible *eyeroll*) about this girl.

Girl.I chuckled to myself, but there was absolutely nothing funny about the situation.

Me:Night, Arch. Thanks for listening.

Arch:Any time. Night.

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