Page 155 of The First Time

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"Playing."

"All afternoon?"

"Just about."

"Aren't your hands exhausted?"

"You getting at something?" As much as I want to listen to Piper come, I'm not sure I can hold up my end of the bargain. My hands are fucking spent.

"Maybe." She tries to play coy but her voice is nervous. "I, um, well I'm sure you won't be surprised that I've never had a sexy phone call before."

"Me either."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

She lets out another nervous laugh. "We don't have to worry about anyone overhearing. Ethan and Violet are still going at it. I'll be quiet for a minute. Tell me if you can hear it."

True to her word, she's silent. I can make out something on the other end of the phone, but I haven't got a clue what it is.

"Can't hear it," I say.

"Here." There's sound on her end. "I'm going to press the phone to the wall."

"I've heard it before."

"Haven't we all?" She laughs. "I walked in on them a few times."

"Every night we were on the bus, they'd wait until they thought we were asleep, then they'd start."

"Yeah?"

"They were trying to keep quiet, but—"

"This is veering intotoo many details."

I chuckle. "I'm not into watching. Joel on the other hand..."

"Oh God." Her voices gets flustered. "Why do you tell me these things?"

"I like picturing you flushed and nervous."

"And wanting?"

"Yeah, but I like that in a different way."

"I'm not—"

"Dishonorable enough to lie."

She laughs. "I admit nothing."

"That's as good as an admission."

"If you say so." Her voice brightens. "I was getting worried you wouldn't call."

"Yeah?"

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