Page 28 of Rumor Has It

We collapse onto the bed in unison, both trying to catch our breath.

As I bask in the afterglow of the best sex of my life, I just keep thinking: why in the hell did I wait so long to do that?

NINETEEN

THEO

There’s nothing like lying naked in bed next to your best friend and silently freaking out because you’re not sure if you should say something first or wait until she speaks. And if I say something first, what’s appropriate for this moment? Do I tell her “Good job” and give her a high five?

Truthfully, I just want to know if she’s okay, and as if she’s reading my mind, she speaks first.

“I’m okay,” she says. “Are you okay?”

“Yes,” I say, still catching my breath.

“Are you sure? Because you’re doing that panic-quietly thing.”

I guess there’s no hiding myself away until I process everything that just happened. That’s what happens when you fuck your best friend who’s known you since you hit puberty.

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” I say. “And you are, so I’m fine now.”

Great, we’ve established that we’re both okay. A lot of fat good that does us if we don’t say more.

“Maybe we should talk about what happens next,” she says, rolling over toward me.

She places her head on my chest, weaving a leg between mine as she looks up at me. We both have the lightest layer of perspiration, which makes for that strangely perfect post-sex stickiness.

“Yes, we definitely should.” I reach down to cup her thigh against the palm of my hand. “You go first.”

Ellie bites her bottom lip, something she does when she’s trying not to word vomit her response. Her big brown eyes now have a hazy quality to them.

“Well,” she says. “I definitely don’t want that to be the last time we do that.”

I laugh, nodding in agreement. Because honestly, that feels like such a waste. Ellie is… otherworldly. Or maybe we’re just otherworldly together. Either way, it would be a shame to ignore that kind of chemistry.

“And we can keep it a secret if you want,” she says.

This statement throws me for a complete and total loop. “What do you mean?”

She hesitates for a moment. “I mean we don’t have to tell anyone if you don’t want to,” she says. “It can be our secret.”

Confused, I ask, “Is that what you want?”

“Well, no, but—”

“Because I don’t want that. Why would you think I want that?”

“I know I’m not your usual type, and—”

“Okay, I can already see where this is going, so let me see if I can put this to rest once and for all.” I turn toward her, meeting her gaze as I cradle her in my arms. I pull her tightly to me, the warmth of her body melting into mine.

“Ellie, you are beautiful. I’ve always thought you were beautiful. Wade thinks you’re beautiful. Garrett thinks you’re beautiful. Parker, too. On more than one occasion, Garrett has had some slightly vulgar things to say about your ass, which he will no longer be able to get away with. My point is, you’re beautiful and hot and sexy, and I’m not even the only one who thinks so.”

I end my rant only to see tears brimming her eyes, which just about breaks my heart. Ugh.

“These are happy tears,” she says. “Thank you.”

“Of course,” I say, leaning toward her. My lips hover just over hers as I stare into her eyes. I kiss her gently, no ulterior motive behind it.

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