“You need to stop eavesdropping.” I muttered. “And I told you, they’re studying.”
“Do you think all he cares about is studying?” He laughed. “If it was you, what would you be doing?”
“Huh?”
“If it was the old Rhett ‘studying’ with a hot girl, would you be just listening to music for no reason?”
“That muthafucka is trying to get into her pants.” I exclaimed loudly and Tomas nodded.
“He’s most probably got his hand on her back and asking if she wants a massage to help with the stress.”
“What stress?”
“The stress of dating a punkass like you.” Tomas pulled out a piece of gum and started chewing. “She just hung up on you, so she’s obviously frustrated. He’s going to see that and try to act all nice so he can get up in there.”
“She wouldn’t let him do anything.” My head was starting to hurt at the thought of Holden trying to make a move. “She loves me.”
“You know how many girls love me?” Tomas started gyrating again. “And you know how many girls I love? Love don’t mean shit.”
“That’s not true.” I turned to him. “When you talk about love, you’re talking about lust fueled love. What Clemmie and I have is different. Our relationship is based on trust, respect, honesty and a deep love.”
“That’s why you just lied to her?” He said softly and I looked away. We stood there in silence for a few moments and I felt confused. I didn’t really understand why I’d lied. I think it was because I didn’t want her to be disappointed in me. And I didn’t want to give her an excuse to let her guard down with Holden. I just didn’t trust him. I felt a hollow feeling inside as I wondered why trusting her wasn’t enough.
***
"Where are you going?" I asked Clementine as she walked past me in her short shorts and t-shirt early the next morning. I groaned as I stared at her through foggy eyes.
"Out." She turned and looked at me. "Is that okay warden?" She smiled quickly and my heart stopped for a second as I thought about her.
"Funny." I rolled my eyes and then rubbed my forehead. “I feel like shit.”
“You guys got drunk at the bowling alley?” She looked amused. “Tomas was snoring when I woke up.”
“We didn’t wake you up when we got in, did we?”
“No.” She walked over to the bed and sat down. “I was fast asleep. I was exhausted from all the studying. I’m glad you guys had a good time.”
“Yeah, we did. So where are you going now?”
“I’m going to pick up some breakfast and coffee for all of us.”
“Oh. Nice.” I grabbed her hand and tried to smile, though guilt filled me as I thought about all the naked breasts I’d seen the night before. All breasts and no bowling balls.
“So I better go now before the lines get too long.” She bent down, gave me a kiss on the cheek and then stood up.
"Are those shorts appropriate?" I frowned as I stared at her long legs.
"As appropriate as it was for you to go to the strip-club yesterday." She snapped at me, her eyes light as she stared down at me with disappointed eyes.
"I told him not to go." Tomas yelled out from the living room as I stared at Clementine in shock. "It's not appropriate for you to go and get lap dances when you have a girlfriend at home." He continued shouting.
"Tomas." I shouted back angrily. “How did you know?” I asked her quietly, feeling mad at myself.
"First off, you got a lap dance?" Clementine glared at me and my heart sunk.
"Honey." I gave her a quick smile and she just stared at me with her hand on her hip. Oh shit! I thought to myself. I wasn't sure how I was going to get out of this one. “I didn’t, I mean I—”
“Oh Rhett.” She started laughing loudly. “When will you learn you can’t lie to me? Bowling alley my foot.”
“I’m sorry.” I made a face. “How did you know?”
“Tomas had photos of the two of you all over Facebook last night.” She laughed. “I knew the minute you hit the club because he took a photo of the sign. One Night in Heaven? Really?”
“Tomas.” I shouted back at him. “I’m going to kill you.” This time he didn’t respond.
“And after you kill him, I’m going to kill you, Rhett Madison.”
“For going to the strip-club?”
“No, for lying to me.” She sighed. “I mean, I kind of of get why, but I don’t like it.”
“I didn’t have fun.”
“He’s lying again.” Tomas shouted out from the living room. “He had a great time.”
“Tomas, shut up.” I growled.
“It’s fine, Rhett. I know who you are.” She sat back down on the bed again. “I just don’t want you to lie to me anymore.”
“Fine, I went to a strip-club and I had a lap dance.”
“One?” She asked softly.
“Two.” I sighed.
“He’s lying. He had four.” Tomas shouted again and I knew that he was two seconds away from feeling my fist in his face.
“I didn’t really enjoy them though.”
“Now that’s true.” Tomas said. “He didn’t even grab any of their boobs. He didn’t even want to play real or fake.”