Page 55 of No Good Deed

“He doesn’t get to decide that. If it’s an open relationship, it’s open for both of you.”

“It doesn’t work that way.”

Her phone rings from the other room.

“That’s probably my aunt calling. I’ll be right back.” She hurries out of bed, grabs my shirt from the floor, and races out of the room.

While she’s gone, I go use the bathroom. When I come out, I hear her talking on the phone.

“I can’t tonight,” she says. “I didn’t work today. I don’t have any leftover pizza.” She sighs. “Yeah, I know, but I have stuff I need to do.” She pauses. “I work every night this week.” She pauses again. “Yeah, okay. I’ll see you later.”

I go out to the living room and see Tara standing behind the couch. She’s wearing my t-shirt, which almost comes down to her knees.

“I’m guessing that wasn’t your aunt,” I say.

Her head was down, but she looked up when she heard my voice.

“No.” She smiles a little, her gaze moving over me. “I like you like that.”

I glance down, realizing I’m not wearing clothes. “I would’ve put something on, but this girl took my shirt.”

“You want it back?” she asks, walking up to me.

“Actually, I like it better on you.” I put my arms around her and kiss her. I already want her again, but I don’t know if that’s an option or if she wants to wait until she breaks up with Troy. Then again, if they have an open relationship, it shouldn’t matter, but I really don’t like the idea of being with her when she’s still with him.

“Jake,” she whispers between kisses. “I have to go.”

I pull back. “Go where?”

She sighs. “That was Troy on the phone. I told him I work nights the rest of the week so…”

“So he’s making you go over there?” I ask, not able to hide the anger in my tone. “And you agreed to this?”

“I didn’t want to tell him no.”

“Why the hell not?”

“You know how he gets when he doesn’t get his way. And I didn’t want him suspecting anything. Like that I’m with another guy.”

“But you are, and it doesn’t matter because you have an open relationship and can be with whoever you want.”

“I told you, it doesn’t work that way.”

“Yeah, which is bullshit. Why are you going along with this? Just tell him it’s over. Tell him tonight.”

“I need more time.”

“More time for what? What are you waiting for?”

“You don’t understand. And I can’t explain it to you.”

I’m so angry right now that I can’t be around her. I go back to her room and get dressed.

“Jake, please don’t be mad.”

I turn and see her standing in the doorway. Seeing her in my shirt, I feel like she’s my girlfriend. But she’s not. She’s Troy’s girl, which makes me feel sick to my stomach.

“I need my shirt,” I tell her.

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