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I chew the cap off my pen. "He's catching up on sleep."
"Hmmm."
Okay. I'll set the record straight for everyone involved. "Our relationship is casual." Something I'm sure Mal understands. "I don't have him on a leash. As long as he's not screwing other women, he's free to do anything he wants."
Mal opens his mouth to say something but he's interrupted by Joel stepping onto the bus. Joel has two modes in the morning—bursting with caffeinated energy and miserable with a hangover.
He's in the former mode today.
He takes a quick look around the bus. "Damn, Valentine, wasn't it bad enough you needed Ethan's hands during the sound check? Did you have to fuck him so hard he couldn't drag his ass to the bus?"
"Of course I had to. Have you ever looked at Ethan?" I tease back. Joel is a bit of a handful, but he's fun.
"More than I wanted to, yes. Thank you for orchestrating that, by the way." Joel shoots Kit an incredulous look, no doubt some reminder that Kit and Ethan had a threesome.
Kit shrugs, unmoved.
Honestly, I don't care what Ethan did or with whom. I believe that he was sleeping around to forget me. But that's confusing. If he wanted me he could have apologized. He could have called. He could have had me again.
He could still have me.
All he has to do is promise he won't let me leave again.
Mal makes a pot of coffee and another of tea. Without a word, he places a cup of green tea on the table.
I nod thank you.
He nods back don't mention it.
Joel and Kit take turns fixing coffee. Joel really doesn't need more caffeine, but I have enough tact to keep that to myself.
I shift back into work mode. This time, I finish three problems before I’m interrupted. Ethan steps onto the bus. He's in tight jeans and a snug v-neck. His hoodie is hanging around his shoulders, unzipped.
He looks sleepy. Even so, he doesn't stop for coffee. He goes straight to me.
Ethan slides into the seat across from mine. "Hey."
"Hey." I'm already melting from his smile. I force my gaze back to my textbook. Work will wash away all the confusing feelings stirring in my stomach. Somehow.
"I'll let you study." He leans in to kiss me.
I should pull back. I really should.
But I don't. I lean in to kiss him back. His lips are soft and he tastes good, like mint toothpaste and like Ethan. His lips are expert.
He doesn't kiss other women.
Only me.
That must mean something, but I don't know what it is.
I sigh as he releases the kiss.
I don't know what to think. Hell, I don't know which way is up and which way is down.
Joel interrupts my train of thought. "Damn, Strong, didn't you get enough of that shit last night? Or… don't tell me Valentine is selfish." Joel shoots me a faux accusatory look. "Think we all know Ethan spends a lot of time buried between your legs."
"Jealous?" I ask.
