Page 118 of Taking Turns

“I live here. Why are you here, Smith?”

“I like you.”

I just blink at him.

“What will take, Chella? What will it take to make you forget about Quin and Bric and just take me a for a spin?”

“So you do want to date me? For real? And I should walk away from Quin and Bric? And the whole thing? The entire arrangement? Are you… jealous?”

“No,” he says. “And that’s the honest truth. Quin doesn’t want you.”

“Hey—”

“I don’t mean it that way. He likes you, but he wants Rochelle. You’re just a stand-in. And Bric… well, you’re definitely not Bric’s type.”

“What is Bric’s type?”

“Dirty whores, mostly.”

I laugh. Like kinda loud. “I think I fit that description, actually.”

“You do not. Bric likes desperate girls. Ones who need that dream he’s offering. You’re not her. You don’t need anything from us, and yet… here you are. Just tell me why you’re here.”

“I… don’t know what to say.”

“Try the truth.”

We stare at each other in silence.

“Why is it so hard for you?”

I take in a deep breath and let it out. “It’s a very personal thing. I like you a lot. I would date you. And you’re right about Bric and Quin, we’re not soul mates or anything. But I like them. And I’m with all three of you right now.”

“So you want it to stay that way?”

“Not forever. Not even for much longer, probably. But for now. I want this to stay the same for right now.”

“Why? Why did you go up to Rochelle’s room that night? Why did you allow Quin to sleep with you?”

I have nothing to say to that. So I stay silent.

“Rochelle came for money and a place to live. Quin thinks she was homeless before she met us. She needed her dream fulfilled. But you don’t.”

“How do you know I don’t? Maybe this is my dream? Did you ever ask yourself that?”

“Is it your dream?”

“Obviously I’m interested in what you guys are offering. I think we can agree on that just by looking at all the things I’ve agreed to in the recent weeks. But no, it’s not my dream.”

“Then what will take?”

I put my fork down and sigh. “Can you ask me this again next week?”

“You do know that they’re both at the club right now picking out the girl they’ll fuck tonight, right?”

“Why are you telling me this? To make me jealous? I’m not jealous. I don’t care what they do when they’re not with me. On Sunday night at midnight Quin will show up in my apartment and we’ll have fun. Tuesday night at midnight Bric will call me and say nice things.”

“And what will I do Thursday night at midnight?”