Page 49 of In For a Penny
“I kinda maybe slept with Oliver after the pub night thing.” I wince, and he stops mid-sip, never breaking eye contact.
He finally puts his glass down and stares down at the table after a few seconds, pressing his lips into a thin line.
“Did he do this to you while you were passed out at his house after the pub?” he asks in a cold tone I’ve never heard him use before. “Because I will fucking kill him. I knew I shouldn’t have let him take you home with him,” he snarls.
“No, no!” I shake my hands in front of him, laughing a little at the idea of a showdown between Oliver and Josh. “It was while we were both sober—the morning after. It was completely consensual.” I grimace, waiting for his reaction.
He glares at me. “Are you covering for him?” he asks accusingly. His green eyes are intense, his expression rageful.
“Jesus, no, Josh. I thought you were his friend. You know that even though he can be kind of pervy, it’s mostly an act. He would never do anything like that. God, is that really what you think of him?” I ask, a little taken aback. For all his flaws and forwardness, Oliver has never struck me as a man who acts without consent. Setting aside that he genuinely is a good guy, non-consensual sex would also go against his entire ethos. With women, I get the sense that Oliver is way too competitive not to play a fair game to score. He does things right.
It’s actually what I like most about him. No bullshit, no games.
“Swear to me you’re not covering for him, Penny, because you were really fucking out of it when you left.”
Now, I’m angry. I’m mad for Oliver, and I’m mad for myself. This whole protector thing he’s had going on lately is starting to piss me off. Does he suddenly think I’m this little girl who needs his protection or to be guarded? Or is he mad because now I’m tainted or something for deciding to have casual, protected sex with a friend?
Is it because it wasn’t him?
No matter the reason for his outburst, it is in no way justified.
“You know what, Josh? You’re an asshole. What would be so wrong with sleeping with Oliver, anyway? I thought you guys were friends.”
“Iamhis friend, Penny. But I’m alsoyourfriend, and I also know the state in which you left that night, which was really concerning.”
I snort derisively at his comment. “I was not in that bad shape, Josh.”
He ignores me, and continues. “I am also confused as to why you would sleep with him the next morning when you don’t seem to be the type.” His jaw is tight, and he glares at me.
The waiter comes by and drops Josh’s burger in front of him, but he doesn’t acknowledge it.
“Excuse me? Don’t seem to be what type?” I lean forward.
“The type of girl who would fall for his shit or do that type of stuff. Some broken woman. He’s just using you, and he’s gonna hurt you, you know.”
“Oh my God!” I throw my hands in the air and struggle to scooch out of the booth. There really is no cool way to storm out of a booth bench. “Did you ever think about the possibility that we are both using each other?” I try to keep my voice down; I really do.But it’s difficult to do when you want to commit murder.
“What do you mean?”
I glare at him for a second. “Nothing, you ass. I’m over this. I’m leaving. Enjoy your burger,” I say over my shoulder as I storm off.
“Penny!” I hear him yell and see a couple of students turn around to look at us, but I don’t care.
Ugh, what an ass.
