The Hazards of Sleeping With a Friend

by Alyssa Rose Ivy

  “I guess it’s all in how you define serious.”

  “You guys are serious though, right?” She turned to look at me. “He wouldn’t have brought you otherwise.”

  “His invitation surprised me at first.” That much was true.

  “Surprised you, huh? Is he usually big on surprises?”

  “Sometimes.”

  “What’s he like?”

  “Uh, haven’t you known him his whole life?”

  “I mean how is he? I’ve heard some things about Dylan, and I wondered if it was a family trait.”

  “I’ve heard those too.” My sorority big sister Mallory had shared the details of Dylan’s bedroom inadequacy over Juliet’s protests. If guys only knew what got discussed in a sorority house.

  “And since you’re here I assume Kyle isn’t like that?”

  “Kyle’s amazing at everything.” The words came far too easily.

  “At everything?”

  “Everything. He’s very imaginative. I never know what to expect.” If he could hear me now.

  “Kyle?” She put a hand to her chest. “Interesting.”

  “Doesn’t this weird you out? I mean he’s your cousin.”

  “I don’t want more details… but, wait. Didn’t Kyle tell you what I do for a living?”

  “No.” I was discovering more and more that Kyle had told me nothing.

  “I’m a sex therapist.”

  “Oh…” Yeah, probably a detail Kyle could have mentioned.

  “So talking about it really doesn’t bother me.”

  “I’d guess not.” I looked longingly at the door. “Should we head back? They might all be waiting for us.”

  “Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable?”

  “No. I talk about it on the air all the time.” But that was in a studio with headsets on. Talking about it face to face with the cousin of the guy I liked was very different. Besides, normally I wasn’t talking about my own sex life—or at least a make believe version of it.

  “On the air?”

  “On my radio show. It’s called Sleeping with the Band.”

  “Clever name. Do you guys transmit online?”

  “Kyle has it set up so that shows are archived online afterward.”

  “Great, I’m going to check it out then.”

  “Oh, great.” Wonderful. That’s all I needed. But then again she was a sex therapist. I assumed listening to my banter about what kinds of guys and girls band members liked wouldn’t phase her.

  I was way more excited than I expected to be about returning to the dining room. I didn’t particularly want to deal with Dylan again, but was that much worse than describing my fake sex life to Kyle’s cousin?

  “Welcome back.” Dylan smiled as I took my seat. The seat on my other side was empty. As was Kyle’s spot.

  Dylan noticed the direction of my glance. “Dad and Kyle went out for a walk.”

  “Oh.” I wasn’t sure what to think of it. I hoped Kyle’s dad wasn’t questioning him about me.

  “We ordered dessert. Kyle and I argued about what you’d want. He thought for sure you’d want the sorbet.”

  “And what did you think I’d want instead?”

  “A chocolate torte. You strike me as a chocolate girl.”

  “Kyle was right.” I put my napkin back on my lap.

  “Really?” Dylan seemed legitimately surprised.

  “Yes. Why does my dessert preference matter?”

  “A girl’s choice of dessert says a lot about her.” He leered.

  “Oh, this I have to hear.”

  “A girl who likes rich chocolate is passionate. Wild.” He leaned in.

  “And what about a girl who likes sorbet?”

  “It means one of two things.”

  “Which are?” I leaned away, but he only moved closer.

  “Either she’s trying to resist her wild side, or she doesn’t know she has one.”

  “You’re crazy.”

  “Am I?”

  “Yes.” I looked toward the window, but all I could see was darkness.

  “Have you found your wild side, Jade, or do you need someone to help you?”

  “I already have someone to help me with that. Have you forgotten I’m Kyle’s girlfriend?”

  “I haven’t forgotten, but Kyle isn’t exactly the expert.”

  “I beg to differ.” Once I started talking about our make believe sex life it got easier.

  He raised an eyebrow. “I don’t believe it.”

  “I don’t really care whether you do or not.”

  “Of course you care.”

  “Why would I care at all about what you think?”

  “Because you’re searching for approval.”

  “Am I now?”

  “Yes. Why else would you be dating my brother? He’s older, has more money than you, and is your boss. It’s the approval and status you want.”

  “Actually it’s just him.” I glanced up as Kyle returned to the table. “Kyle, I heard you ordered me dessert.”

  “I did. Sorbet.”

  “Thanks for remembering my favorite.” I smiled at him and ignored the huff from next to me. I had a new goal for the week, stay as far away from Dylan Bradly as possible.

  Chapter Eight

  Jade

  “So, you survived the night.” Kyle closed and locked the door of the room behind us.

  I kicked off my sandals and sprawled out on the bed. “Just barely.”

  “Dylan was that bad?” He sat down next to me on the edge of the bed.

  “He was awful. Between sexual innuendos and trying to make your dad mad, it got crazy.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s fine. I should have known what I was getting into. But I am mad about one thing.” I sat up.

  “What?” he turned.

  “You didn’t warn me about how many questions Dana was going to ask. Do you realize how close I got to blowing our cover?”

  “What kind of questions?”

  “Personal ones.” Had I been talking to anyone but Kyle I probably would have been embarrassed, but I wasn’t with him. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

  “Personal how?”

  “As in what kind of lover you are.”

  “My cousin asked you what I was like in bed?” He looked horror struck.

  “It may have helped if you’d told me what her profession was.”

  He laughed. “Yeah… I forgot about that.”

  “Evidently.”

  He got a dangerous smile. “What did you tell her?”

  “I’m not telling.”

  “Come on. You have to tell me. What if she asks me the same thing?” His eyes twinkled.

  “You think your cousin is going to question you about what you do in the sack?”

  “She questioned my girlfriend.”

  “Your pretend girlfriend.”

  “She doesn’t know it’s pretend.”

  “You really want to know?” I pulled my legs under me while tugging down my dress. Flashing Kyle while we talked about sex probably wasn’t the best idea.

  “Yes, I do.”

  “I told her you were very inventive and always surprised me.”

  He chuckled. “Inventive?”

  “It sounded good at the time.”

  “Do you think I would be?”

  “What?”

  “Do you think I’d be inventive in bed?”

  “You’re inventive in everything else.” I knew my face was probably turning red.

  “And you think that translates to the bedroom?” He watched me carefully.

  “Your turn.”

  “My turn for what?” he pressed his palm into the bed.

  “If Dana asked you about me in bed, what would you say?” I forced myself not to turn away after asking the question.

  “So you don’t just ask these kind of questions when you’re drunk?”

  “Fair is fair.”

  “That’
s true.” He nodded. “I bet you’re far more adventurous than you are out of bed.”

  “I’m not adventurous? What do you call me coming here?”

  He held up his hands in defense. “I wasn’t trying to offend you. I was only answering your question.”

  “At least you didn’t use the word wild.”

  “Wild’s different. I prefer adventurous.”

  “Me too. Your brother used the word wild.”

  “My brother was talking about you being wild in bed?”

  “Yes. At least he was hinting at it.”

  “I’m going to kill him.” Kyle’s hands balled into fists.

  “Does it really bother you that much? It’s not like he’s hitting on your real girlfriend.”

  “But he’s talking inappropriately to the girl he thinks is my girlfriend, and either way you’re my friend. You deserve respect from everyone.”

  “Thanks.”

  “For?”

  “Saying I deserve respect. I don’t hear that often.”

  “You should, but back to that adventurous stuff…” He grinned. “Am I right?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t have enough experience to tell you either way.”

  “Are you a virgin?”

  “What do you think?” It really was fun to ask the questions.

  “No… I don’t think you would have agreed to this if you were.” He stretched out his legs.

  “Why not? This trip doesn’t involve sex.”

  “But it involves sleeping in the same bed with me.” He patted the bed, making our sex talk seem even crazier—and possible.

  “We didn’t know that before we came.”

  “But you’re not, right?” He studied me.

  “No. I’m not.” I wished I was.

  “I’m not either.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you told me you’d had random hook up sex the other day at the station. Besides, you dated Abby for months.” Saying her name put a bad taste in my mouth.

  “Good point. I forgot about that. But, how do you know I slept with Abby?”

  I stared at him.

  “Ok. I did.”

  “What was the point of denying it?”

  “I wasn’t denying. I was seeing if it was really assumed.”

  “It is. You date in college, you have sex.”

  “Not always, but yes. Sex is a part of most relationships.”

  “I want more experience, but I don’t want the relationship.”

  “Why?” He kicked off his shoes. “Why are you so anti-relationship?”

  “Because they’re never worth it.”

  “I don’t know if I’d say never, but sometimes.”

  “At least not now. What’s the point of a relationship at nineteen? Chances are it won’t go anywhere.”

  “Says the girl whose friends are all practically engaged.”

  “Not all.”

  “Most.”

  “But they’re not me.” I shrugged.

  “No. They’re not.” He brushed a piece of hair away from my face.

  “I’m not sure if I should take that as an insult or a compliment.”

  “Take it for what it is. You’re unique. That’s a good thing.”

  “You’re unique too.”

  “And inventive.” He laughed. “Don’t forget that.”

  “Although I still don’t know if that’s true in bed.”

  “I guess you’re going to have to wait to find out.”

  I laughed dryly. “Oh yeah? Is that a fact?”

  “I haven’t decided if you can handle it yet.”

  “Handle it? Aren’t I the one who’s supposed to be adventurous in bed?”

  “But what’s going to happen when we combine inventive and adventurous? Might be too much for us.”

  “Be careful Kyle, it almost sounds like you’re propositioning me.”

  “I already made my offer as idiotic as it sounded.”

  “How could I forget?” I got up and dug through my bag for pajamas. I wasn’t sure how much more of this sex talk I could take.

  I closed myself in the bathroom and took a deep breath. I wasn’t allowed to want Kyle. That wasn’t what this trip was about. Was it? Or was that why I’d said yes in the first place? I needed time. I couldn’t go right back out there. “I’m going to take a shower.”

  “Enjoy,” he called back.

  I heard the TV turn on right before I turned on the water. I stayed under the hot stream for a few minutes, hoping it would knock some sense into me. Sure sex with Kyle could be fun. Could be very enjoyable… but what would happen after? Could we really go back to being just friends?

  I couldn’t risk it. I turned off the water and toweled off before putting on my shorts and cami PJ set. It wasn’t overly sexy, but the cami was tight and the shorts were short. Oh well, I wore far less to the beach.

  I brushed out my hair, brushed my teeth, and walked out of the bathroom.

  Kyle turned off the TV and watched me. “Nice shower?”

  “Very. Nice and hot.”

  “You look really good with your hair wet.” His eyes weren’t focused on my hair. They were moving up and down me in a way that had my whole body heating.

  “Oh. Thanks.” I hung my dress back up in the closet and kept my back to him so he wouldn’t see me blush. “Are you going to shower?”

  “Why? You afraid I’ll get the sheets dirty?”

  “No, of course—” I turned from the closet to find Kyle standing there without his shirt on. My eyes trailed up and down his chest.

  “What were you about to say?” His lips twisted into a smile.

  I forced my eyes to stay on his face. “Nothing. Go ahead.”

  “All right.” He walked into the bathroom and closed the door.

  I grabbed my phone before sitting on the bed. I leaned back on the bed not caring that my hair was going to get the pillow wet. What was wrong with me? Was I really going to get that excited over seeing Kyle without a shirt on?

  I texted Savy. How goes it at Harrison?

  She replied right away. Miss you.

  No you don’t. She was busy enough with her part-time job and boyfriend.

  Yes I do.

  How’s Glen?

  The bigger question is how’s Kyle? I can’t believe you went along with his insane plan.

  Me either. I was crazy. Completely and utterly crazy.

  Has it been ok?

  Aside from his annoying brother, his sex-therapist cousin, and the fact that I kind of want to have sex with him. Yeah everything has been ok.

  JADE!

  What? I smiled, I knew exactly what reaction my text would get, but I had to get it out. Savy would understand, and I knew I could trust her. Besides if Kyle found out he wouldn’t be surprised.

  You just told me you want to sleep with Kyle.

  I said I kind of want to.

  Same thing.

  No. totally different. I’m going to resist. The shower shut off. I’ve got to go.

  So you can get it on with your FRIEND.

  No. It’s not happening.

  Let’s see what you’re saying at the end of the week.

  It’s not happening. It couldn’t happen.

  Promise to tell me if it does.

  It’s not happening.

  Just tell me.

  Sure. Tell Glen I said hi.

  Tell Kyle the same.

  K. I tossed my phone onto the bed stand as the door opened.

  Kyle walked out with just a towel around his waist. His hair was wet, and beads of water streamed down his chest to the top of the towel. I was going to die. Was he doing this to me on purpose?

  “Forgot to bring in a change of clothes.” He pulled out a pair of boxers and a t-shirt from his bag, and I tried to look away.

  “You okay, Jade?”

  “Yeah.” I forced myself to make eye contact with him. “You look good with wet hair too.”

  He
ran a hand through his hair. “Do I?”

  “Yup.”

  I waited for him to return to the bathroom to change, but he didn’t.

  Instead he stood right there and pulled on his t-shirt. Next he put on his boxers, blocking himself with the towel. “I get it Kyle. You can stop.”

  “Stop what?” He stepped into the bathroom and hung up his towel.

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

  “Do I?” he asked innocently.

  “Yes. You do.”

  “Let’s say I don’t.” His eyes twinkled. They twinkled way too much.

  I sat up. “I know you’re hot. Okay? I’ve known that for ages, as has everyone else. You already know I like you, so why mess with me like this after I agree to help you?”

  “Whoa. Back up there. I’ll take the hot part and put it to the side.” He smiled. “But the whole I already know you like me thing? Yeah…didn’t know that.”

  “Yes you did. Even Savy knew.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s good information to know.”

  I covered my face with my hands. “This week just got worse.”

  “It doesn’t have to.” He got into bed as though I hadn’t just aired my feelings for him.

  “And that’s it? You’re going to go to sleep?”

  “Is there something else we should be doing?”

  “Nope. Nothing at all.” I slipped under the covers on the opposite side of the bed. “Goodnight, Kyle.”

  “Goodnight, Jade.” He turned off the light.

  It was going to be a really long week.

  Chapter Nine

  Kyle

  I lay awake in the dark staring at the ceiling. I may have played it off like I was fine, but I wasn’t. My mind was running a million miles a minute, and my body wasn’t making things easier on me. Discovering Jade was as attracted to me as I was to her made it nearly impossible to stay on my side of the bed. And did she have to wear such a skimpy set of PJs? A girl with legs like those had to know what those shorts would do to a guy. Or maybe that was the point. She was wearing them to get my attention.

  “Kyle?” she spoke my name softly.

  “Yeah?”

  “I was checking to see if you were still up.”

  “I’m still up.”

  “I can tell. You’re talking.”

  I rolled over so I was facing her. The room was too dark to see anything, but somehow I needed to look in that direction. “Very perceptive.”