EMILY
Indie: He sounds great, Em. I’m so happy for you
Me: This is almost like a dream. I can’t believe this is happening to me. I wish you were here so we could talk and you could give me some pointers over a Frappuccino since you know...you’re a relationship expert.
Indie: LOL! So what does he look like?
Me: His hair is the color of dark chocolate, and he’s got the most beautiful green eyes. And when he looks at me, I think my world stops.
Indie: Sounds like a Disney prince. But wait, you said he’s a jock, isn’t he?
Me: So?
Indie: Um...
Me: ???
Indie: Idk, Em. Most high school boys from our town are assholes so the way you talk about him, he does sound nice but you also know I can sniff bad from miles away.
Me: Seth is not like the others. I promise.
Indie: I trust your judgment. I just don’t trust guys easily especially the one that’s showing so much interest in my best friend.
Indie: Remember Dean?
Me: C’mon, Indie, that was like when we were thirteen.
Indie: Yeah, but he also seemed nice in the beginning and we both know how it turned out.
Me: What do you want me to do? Get scared because of that one experience in middle school and not take risks?
Indie: That’s not what I meant.
Me: I like Seth and I have a really good feeling about this.
Indie: I wish you came with me so we could be together. I care for you, Em. I don’t want you to get hurt again. This Seth dude seems like he’s simping on you for sex. We both know the jock mentality.
Me: Talking to you was a mistake. I thought you would be genuinely happy for me if I shared things, but it seems like you’re jealous of Seth.
Indie: Why would I be jealous?
Me: Idk...maybe because we don’t FaceTime like we used to anymore? Or maybe because you think he has stolen your best friend?
Indie: That’s seriously dumb, Emily.
Me: bye!
Indie: Don’t be like that. I’m just looking out for you.
Me: You don’t need to anymore.
Indie: Can I call you?
Indie:?
Indie: I’m sorry.
* * *
I heaved the phone across the bed. Luckily it bounced on the carpet and stayed there.
I wanted to strangle Indie.
I didn’t want to think about the disaster that was middle school. I’d been a laughing stock for the better half of my life. In Middle school, I used to like this boy called Dean and at first, he was sweet and friendly, then someone told him that I had a thing for him and one day I got a text from him telling me how much he liked me too.
I was happy to see that text. When we went on our supposed “first date” all his football friends were there and they made a joke out of me. After that, I’d sworn off all boys until I’d met Seth.
Who also turned out to be one of the Jocks.
Guess I was a glutton for punishment.
Last night after we came back from the beach, we had dinner together and then Seth told me he was going back to the studio but I insisted that he should sleep with me in my bedroom.
He told me a firm “No” and I realized once Seth made up his mind there was no changing it. He said it was too risky in case my father or someone decided to pay a surprise visit and if we got caught.
Breakfast was prepared in the morning and Seth had already left early as usual. I didn’t see him most of the day at school, not even in Spanish so I assumed he was probably busy with his practice.
My phone buzzed. I picked it up to find a text from Seth.
Seth: Baby, I have an assignment that I need to complete with my partner so I’ll be going to the local library after practice. I’ll try to come home soon to make dinner.
Emily: it’s okay, I can cook something for one night. Don’t worry about me. Try to get home early
Seth: I’m not sure how much time it’s going to take. Don’t wait for me.
I was a little disappointed that Seth was going to be busy with his assignment and that meant I would be all alone tonight.
A mischievous idea flitted into my head. I sneaked into the bathroom pulled my sweater up and took a picture of my cleavage and hit send.
Me: If you come home early, I’ll be wearing red lingerie. No underwear.
I got his reply in one second.
Seth: Fuck! You’re a tease. I hate you.
Then I got a picture of Seth’s tented underwear with a message below.
Seth: Seth Jr is happy to see you and wants to say hello
I laughed so loud, a lot of the kids in the hallways turned to look at me.
* * *
After classes were over, I waited for a little while to watch Seth practice on the ice.
He was so good. His skills were god-tier for an eighteen-year-old. I wasn’t even kidding; he was so talented. If Seth decided to keep up with his sports, I was sure that he would make it to the pros.
I knew that getting into the NHL was his dream just like it had been my brother Cale’s but Cale was a different story, one that did not have a happy ending.
I watched Seth gliding onto the ice, his moves elegant and rehearsed. He zoomed past his opponents, dodging their advances of snatching the puck. He went complete beast-mode when he was in the game. It’s like nothing mattered to him aside from winning the game.
He was between a scrimmage as he struck the puck hard and it sailed smoothly into the net. Feeling extremely proud, I stood up and clapped for him from the far corner of the bleachers. When he noticed me, he looked up and waved at me. Then he put his finger to his lips and blew a kiss. Even with the helmet and the shield on, I could see the cocky grin.
Before I could reciprocate his gesture, the coach whistled and that broke our trance. He was jostled away by the rest of his teammates. I waited a few more minutes and then decided to head home. The practice sometimes went on for hours and I didn’t want to be hanging out here for that long.
I walked to the parking lot, rummaging the bag for the keys to my car. I sat inside, blasted the heater, and started maneuvering the car out of the parking lot when I stopped. From the corner of my eye, I noticed the familiar black and red jersey with number 11 on the back.
It was Seth climbing into Alice’s SUV.
Alice Lutz, the supreme beauty, prom queen, cheerleader, perfect hour-glass figure, and she was super nice. I didn’t have one bad thing to say about her.
The car windows were fogged up. I stayed there, watching the car pull out of the parking lot and zoom off.
My throat clogged up as different scenarios played inside my head. Seth and I weren’t exactly exclusive, at least we hadn’t had any kind of conversation that would suggest it but I thought it was obvious we wouldn’t fool around with someone else while we did it with each other.
He’d also sworn off from having sex with me so maybe he was making sure he was getting it from somewhere else.
Tears began welling up in my eyes as I drove home.
* * *
SETH
It was midnight by the time I came back to the studio. I’d texted Emily letting her know that I wasn’t going to make it to dinner and found no answer. Maybe she’d gone to sleep early and that was a bummer because I’d been looking forward to spending more time with her.
With Emily it wasn’t just about sex, I liked her company. I liked how she laughed and blushed when I teased her. She was really sweet and I found myself wanting more than whatever was between us, but I wasn’t sure Emily would be up for that.
There were a dozen reasons why we couldn’t date. One being obvious that I was her housekeeper, two because she was stinking rich and I couldn’t give her that life, three, her father would probably whoop my ass, four, if we were caught, my mother could lose her job.
When I moved to this town, I promised my mother that I would keep my head down and get through school. I’d almost made a mess with that video getting viral and thank fuck for Emily who’d saved my ass.
I tried to unlock the door but it was already open.
Strange. I remembered locking it before leaving.
I entered the room, completely beat from practice and tired of the assignment. I switched on the room’s light when I noticed a figure seated at the edge of the bed.
“What the hell?! You scared me, Emily!” I laughed; my heart was racing. I was one second away from throwing something at her, thinking she was a burglar.
My smile vanished when I saw the frown on her face.
“I texted you that I would be late,” I said.
She was wearing one of those expensive silk nightgowns again. It was red like she’d promised me. Maybe she was mad I wasn’t home early to claim the price.
“You look super-hot, and I mean off the charts.” I complimented her, trying to defuse whatever was bothering her. “Thanks for watching the game.”
I walked towards her and touched her cheek before she pulled away, obviously repulsed. “What’s wrong?”
She took a few steps away from me. “Where were you, Seth?” She folded her arms, staring at me. I noticed her eyes were red and puffy.
Fuck! Was she crying?
“I told you I had a biology assignment to complete. That’s where I was.”
“Biology?” That irked her even more for some reason, “Until after midnight? Can you please be honest with me? I can handle the truth, trust me.”
“Okay we stayed at the library until eight but we weren’t able to complete the assignment there so we went to her house because the submission deadline is tomorrow.”
She took a harsh breath, “And did you fuck her?”
My eyes widened, “What?”
“Did you have sex with Alice?” Her tone went a notch up.
I stared at her incredulously. “Whoa! Why would I do that?”
“Yes or no?”
“No! God, no! Is that what this is about? You thought I was fucking some other girl while I rain checked on you?” She remained silent so I knew that’s what she’d thought. “Wow…okay.”
“You did not answer my text when I messaged you and then when I called you, your phone was switched off! What am I supposed to think?”
I pulled out my phone and noticed it had gone off. “Battery dead.” I put the phone on charging and then switched it on. There were five missed calls and two texts asking me where I was.
I opened my phone gallery and showed her a video. It was of Tommy who was Alice’s boyfriend. He was doing a crazy dance behind Alice trying to get on her nerves while we talked about the project. The background was clearly Alice’s room. I also showed Emily the text that Tommy had sent me as proof.
Tommy: Alice told me you coming over to her house for some project or some shit. Should I bring a six-pack or whiskey?
Me: Nah, bro. I’m good. I just want to complete my assignment and then I’ll jet. Not looking to get drunk tonight. Sorry man.
Tommy: Cool. I’ll bring my stuff over so we could all be nerds together.
“If you want, I can call Tom right now and put him on speakers. He’ll mention that the three of us hung out together.”
“No, that’s fine.” Emily’s expressions changed and I saw relief cross them but it was already late because now I was mad. “I’m sorry…I said a lot of things I shouldn’t have.”
A part of me was glad about how jealous she’d become over some other girl, but another major part of me was angry that she still thought I was a man-whore and capable of fucking around.
Didn’t she see how much I was into her? That no other girl was ever going to come close to what I felt for Emily?
Suddenly, I wasn’t ready to have this conversation.
“I’m tired.” I said softly, “You mind if I go to bed?”
She had the audacity to look hurt, “Sure.”
She started leaving the room when she turned and looked back at me, ready to say something, and then she stopped herself. “You were really amazing at the practice game. I liked watching you.”
Her voice was sincere when she said it.
“Thanks.”
She left the room, closing the door behind her, and just like that we were acting like we were strangers.
That was my first ever argument with Emily.
And it fucking sucked.