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“Wow, that’s great, Rae. When was the last time you kissed him?” he asks, eyes practically popping out of his head.
I close my eyes and inhale slowly. When I flash them open again, I look right in his eyes and say, “A few weeks before school started. We were on vacation in Charleston together. We kissed on the beach.”
“Oh, great. So a few weeks before we got together, you were making out with your best friend on the beach. A best friend you still hang out with. And you never thought to tell me that?”
“Honestly, no. Because it didn’t mean anything.”Probably. “And we weren’t making out. There was no tongue. They were friendly kisses.”
Davey’s eyes flare, and he almost laughs in disbelief. “There’s such a thing as friendly kisses?”
“I don’t know. That’s what we’ve always considered it. They were never leading anywhere. They were fun, relaxing, no-tongue kisses.”
Davey nods, but it’s not in understanding. “And have you had any of thosefriendlykisses since we’ve been together?”
“No!” My heart races, first from worry, then from anger. “I just told you the last time was in Charleston. Whether I think they’re friendly or not, I wouldn’t ever kiss someone else when I was with you or anyone else. I’m not that girl. I wouldn’t do that to you. And the only reason I never told you is because it’s never been a big deal to me. I don’t want to fight with you about this, but I need you to understand. I wouldn’t hurt you like that.” I sigh and flip my hair. “I… maybe I haven’t been clear enough with you about how close Aaron and I are. He’s the closest person to me besides, maybe Sarah.Maybe. Aaron and I understand each other in a different way. Yeah, we had, like, a puppy love thing, but we never did anything about it, and we’ve been strictly best friends for a very long time. I won’t defend my relationship with him to anyone, and I won’t apologize for our friendship. I care about you a lot, but you have to trust me.”
He stares at me hard, then slowly pulls me in against his chest. “I’m sorry. Actually caring about who I’m dating is new to me. I guess I don’t want to get hurt, either.”
I look up at him and run my hand over his face. “I’m sorry this blindsided you. You were honest with me from the start. I never meant to be dishonest with you, but I never even thought of it as something to tell. That should say something. That it didn’t even register as something worth telling you. I truly wasn’t trying to hide it. I don’t want to undermine our relationship.”
He sighs softly. “I appreciate that. But it makes it hard to feel okay about you being around him, especially alone with him.”
“Aaron respects you and our relationship. He wouldn’t hurt you either.”
Davey scoffs.
“Look,” I say, “you know the guys were tough to come around with you. They only saw who you were, not who you are with me. And I had a pretty big fight with them about it. They didn’t budge until Aaron and I talked. He understood they needed to make an effort, andhewas the one who told Miles and Joel to get their shit together. You need to trust me. And you need to trust him, too.”
He inhales sharply. “Well, add honesty to the list of things you aren’t afraid of.”
I shake my head. “I’m not perfect, but I do try to be honest and trustworthy. Sometimes honesty doesn’t feel good, but not being honest leads to misunderstandings and distrust. Those are the things that destroy relationships. I don’t want ours to be destroyed,” I say gently.
“I don’t either,” he whispers.
He leans down and gives me a long, slow kiss.
When he pulls away, he still looks upset. He rubs his hand over his face.
“Are we okay?” I ask.
He nods. “Yeah, baby, we’re fine.
“You sure?”
He nods, trying to put a smile on his face. And suddenly, I’m worried. He feels distant, like he’s not saying something.
“I promise. That was a lot to digest, and I was already pretty full from lunch,” he says, making a halfhearted attempt at a joke.
I give a soft laugh and lean in and kiss him. “You sure you don’t wanna come in?”
He looks at my back door, sighs, and shakes his head. “Spend some time with yourbest friend. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says gently, kissing my neck and then my lips.
“Okay. If you’re sure,” I say, giving him one last kiss. “Bye, Davey.”
He climbs in his car and waves as he pulls away.
I stare at the driveway until I feel a hand on my back and a familiar tingle.Seriously, what is that?
I spin around quickly.
