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I gently take Journi’s elbow between my fingertips and whisper, “I guess that makes us bunkmates.”
Chapter 18
Journi
This year is a stark contrast from the last. For one thing, I remembered my vibrator, so no produce was used during my personal time. I did see Dr. Bryce my first night, only this time we both got off on the encounter. The biggest difference is we’re sharing a bunk bed together since the biggest obstacle of why we couldn’t be together is in my old room with her new partner.
Cruz takes my suitcase to his room and places it next to the closet. “Do you like to be on top or bottom?” He did not have to make that sound so dirty. As if reading my mind, he says, “Get your mind out of the gutter. I already know you like it when I’m on top.”
“Actually, I prefer top.” I pat the top bunk.
“I’m going to enjoy having you on top of me tonight.” He gives me a lopsided grin.
“Cruz…we still need to discuss this with Jan.”
“Knock, knock.” Jan enters the room. “Discuss what with Jan?”
Suddenly my stomach feels queasy. My best friend is standing in the doorway while I stand next to her childhood friend, whom, only moments ago, I shared mind-blowing sex with. My mouth probably resembles a fish’s opening and closing.
“You two okay sharing a room together?” she asks. We both nod in unison. Because that wasn’t suspicious. There’s a deafening silence before Jan crosses her arms. Her eyes drop to the floor and then up to us as she whispers, “Something has already happened, hasn’t it?”
Cruz shrugs and nods. I hold my hands up and step toward her. Jan holds a hand up, stopping me before I move any closer. “Just try to keep it together until after this weekend. Larissa seems to have moved on, but don’t rub anything in her face.”
No. No. No. “Jan, no. We need to discuss this.”
“You didn’t discuss anything with me. You’re both adults—”
“Jan, stop.”
“You don’t need my permission,” she continues.
Cruz steps in between us. “We don’t, but as your best friends we’d like your blessing.”
Jan releases a defeated sigh as she absently rubs the back of her neck. “I figured this would happen.”
“We—” I begin, but then Cruz stops me.
“Jan.” He waits for her to meet his eyes. “I know this might be difficult and strange for you. We’ve both been a part of your life, but from different aspects. Journi fought me like hell and was against this because she cares about you so much. However, fate kept pushing us together, and I don’t want to fight it anymore. I want to be with her and still have you as my best friend.”
Jan’s eyes get teary. The corners of her lips twitch until she finally smiles. Hope fills me as I watch them smile at one another.
“Are you okay with it?” I squeak.
“It’s weird. If Larissa wasn’t involved, then I’d love having both my closest friends together. I know Cruz doesn’t feel the same about her, but let’s allow her some time.”
“Fair enough,” Cruz agrees. I swivel my head to him. There’s a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Oh no. He’s definitely up to something.
“Great!” Jan sounds relieved. Her voice becomes more upbeat. “Let’s get outside then. Put on your swimsuits.” She leaves us alone in the room. I go to my suitcase and open it. As I’m sorting through my clothes, a shadow comes over me. Then I feel Cruz’s body heat.
“It’s going to be exciting sneaking around.”
I grab my bikini and then jerk myself upright to spin around and point my finger in his face. “No sneaking around. We’re mature adults who are going to respect Jan’s wishes.
It feels as though I can breathe again and not like I’m completely deceiving my best friend. We can keep our hands to ourselves until everyone leaves… Can’t we?
There’s a row of inner tubes, tied two and two. Jan and I decide to be tied together, much to Cruz’s clear disappointment. He’d asked if she’d rather be with her husband, to which Jan replied, “I’m with him all the time. I have to catch up with my best friend.”
Cruz crosses his arms and quips, “I thought I was your best friend.”
