Page 16 of Smoke the Enemy

“Wet? You had a wet dream! Did you flick your bean?”

“I did! The problem is I can’t stop thinking about it.”

“It was about Satan’s twins, wasn’t it?”

“Yes,” I groan.

“Knew it.”

“But it wasn’t just them. It included Lee.”With that admission, Kali goes silent. “But I don’t like Lee in that way.”

“Doesn’t matter if you do. So, three guys? Wow.”

“Kali. Do you like Lee? Because I don’t. I don’t know why he was in the dream. But he wasn’t the only one.”

“Were you swimming in dicks? How many were in your little kinky harem?”

“Alex was there.”

Kali is silent again. I can imagine her mouth falling open and closing several times. “Psycho Alex? Your ex whom you’ve spent over a year hiding from? Now you had a dream where you slept with himplusThing One and Two, and for whatever reason, that cute, adorable sex on a stick Lee?”

I nod even though she can’t see me. Shame fills me because it sounds so much worse saying it out loud. The dream was incredible. I’d never gotten so wet in my life. But why? I’m telling Kali the truth that I’ve never looked at Lee that way. Yes, he’s gorgeous, but I’ve only ever wanted the twins. That’s bad enough, isn’t it? AndAlex!I used to think he was the most gorgeous and wonderful guy in the world until I learned how unhinged he is. He terrifies me. Nothing about any of that dream makes sense.

My internal freak out must be loud enough for Kali to hear. “Hey, I’m joking. It was only a dream. Don’t be ashamed. You can’t control what you dream about. Besides, you can dream and masturbate to whatever gets your rocks off.”

I release a sound that’s somewhere between a cry and a laugh. “You’re the weirdest person.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say too much about anybody else being weird. You’ve got some serious kinks there, roomie. I think you have some issues you need to get worked out.”

I laugh, and at the same time want to cry because I miss my friend. “Are you kink-shaming me?”

“Honestly, I’m a little proud. You’re not nearly as boring a roommate as I thought you’d be. Try not to worry about it so much, Tay. Dreams happen for many different reasons. Think about it, ever since you arrived at Thorn University, all you’ve been surrounded by is Steffan, Soren, and the Brotherhood, so Lee makes sense. Then Alex shows up again after you purposefully fled home to get away from him. Maybe you have some unresolved attachment issues. Oh! Maybe it’s your southern hospitality? The more the merrier, and everyone,come on in.”

“That was a horrendous southern accent. But I guess you’re right.” I shake my head and laugh. “Not about the hospitality thing, but about the attachment and unresolved issues. I’m so happy we’re friends. I miss you. I can’t wait until the break is over and I get to see you.”

“Same…but until then, your Christmas present promises that I’ll be thinking about you a lot over winter break.” And my twisted roommate ends the call laughing in the background. God blessed me with that one, He sure did.

Later that day, I’m wandering through the grocery store when my phone buzzes and I look down to read the messages popping up.

Steffan: Thinking about you. I’m always thinking about you.

Soren: I’m thinking about you more.

Steffan: Fuck Soren. He only texted you because he read mine over my shoulder.

I burst out laughing. I have to bite my fist because I’m completely giddy. These two badass guys texting and fighting — well, like brothers. Before I can respond, I jump at the sound of the voice next to me.

“I love your laugh.”

I spin around. “Alex. You scared me.”

“Why? Why do I scare you so much?” He takes another step into my personal space.

“Ummm, let me see, you used to cut yourself in front of me when I was only a teenager. It freaked me out,” I whisper.

The hurt in his eyes is unmistakable as he glances around before saying, “You knew what I was going through. My father — or who I thought was my father — told me my blood was tainted. I wanted to rid myself of it. Make myself clean. Especially while in the presence of such a precious angel.”

I tilt my head and plead with him to understand me. “You realize that have put me on a pedestal. What happens when you realize I’m not so pure.”