Page 40 of Just Bromantically Invested

Her question makes it even worse. “No.”

“I’m sorry, but then why were you naked? I’m not following this conversation at all, and usually, I’m the one who people can’t follow.”

I wonder why when she’s so all over the place? “I was trying to make him more comfortable about being a nudist.”

“By getting naked?”

“Yes.”

“And getting hard over him?”

I groan and drop my head into my hands. “That was the accidental part.”

She drums her short nails on the table. “And what did he do when he saw it? Did he get hard too?”

“No.”

“Woooow.” She draws the word out, then gives a smallhuh. “I guess I was wrong. Maybe he’s not into you.”

“He also said that it takes practice not to react when you’re naked and that it’s a normal part of becoming a nudist. The control over …that.”

“Okay, phew, because if he wasn’t into you, that would mean he’s an asshole, and I can’t do the mean girls thing again, you know?”

“No idea what you’re talking about.”

“Never mind. You should kiss him.”

“KissMadden?” My voice startles Mr. Bigglesworth to dart from the corner of the living room into the hall.

She shrugs. “Just an idea. Or you could get naked with him again? See if you react in the same way?”

“And if I do and he doesn’t?”

“Give it a peck and it’ll spring to life.”

“I’m not kissing my best friend’s dick without his permission,” I snap.

“Ah-huh! So you’d do it with his permission?”

The wording trips me up, and all I can do is open and close my mouth as a steady “uhhhh” comes out. “That’s not what I … I mean … I’m …”

“Straight?”

“Exactly.”

“But your male best friend made you horny.”

“Fuck.” I drop my head into my hands. This could ruin Madden’s and my friendship. Not once has he ever made mefeel like he’s hitting on me or wants more than friendship, and then because of one offhand comment by Lana, I’m questioning everything. “So I’m not straight?”

She hesitates, then reaches out to rub my shoulder. “That’s a you question.”

“That’s what it means though, isn’t it?”

“Would it be the worst thing?” There’s tension in her voice that isn’t usually there.

“Of course not.”

She eyes me. “Why does it sound like you’re panicking?”

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