“Reed, knock it the fuck off. You don’t know the first thing about Courtney, so you need to shut your mouth,” I said as I looked over at Kevin, who seemed to be trying to get Reed’s attention and mine.
“You know, you’re right, Layton. I don’t have a clue about her fucking sex life, but you can’t tell me she doesn’t read those fucking sex books and then goes and finds a man to get off with it. She’s a bitch with a rich city-girl attitude. ”
“Um, Reed…shut up,” Kevin said.
Reed kept running at the mouth. “Dude, if you really want to ask her out, go for it, but I wouldn’t touch her with a ten-foot pole. That’s all I’m saying. ”
Mitch looked behind Reed and closed his eyes.
“I mean, maybe you want a girl like that—”
I reached over and punched Reed in the arm. “Reed, shut the fuck up. ”
“What? I call the whores as I see them. ”
I heard a gasp, and Reed realized why we had all tried to get him to shut up. He slowly turned around and saw Courtney standing there. She looked like she was about to start crying, but she squared off her shoulders and cleared her throat.
“Um…Mitch, I was just coming to let you know I was heading back with Layton and Whitley. I’m, uh…I’m really tired and just wanted to say thank you for giving me the number to that painter. I, um…I guess I’ll see y’all around. ” Her voice cracked as she spoke.
She turned to leave, and Reed closed his eyes.
“Ah, fuck,” he whispered.
He took off after her, and I followed behind him. Courtney was walking away as fast as she could when he grabbed her arm. She spun around and had tears streaming down her face.
“Courtney, wait…I didn’t mean to say all that shit. It’s just…it’s just…” Reed was shaking his head like he was trying to clear his thoughts.
“Don’t you ever speak to me again, Reed. You made yourself pretty damn clear about what you thought of me. I wouldn’t want you to have to associate with a whore like me. ”
She turned and started to make her way toward Whitley. Whitley was standing off to the side, and the moment she saw Courtney, she walked up to her and took her in her arms. They turned and started making their way back to my truck.
I walked up to Reed and gave him a push. “What in the fuck was that all about, you asshole? I’ve never in my life heard you talk about a girl like that. ”
He started shaking his head. “I don’t know what happened. Fuck! I heard Mitch telling Kevin how much he liked Courtney and how he was going to ask her out…and I don’t know, Layton. Something fucking snapped. I got jealous, and the last thing I wanted was for her to go out with him. ”
“So, what? You thought you would bad-mouth her and turn him off of her? Did you ever think of just telling Mitch you liked her, too?”
He just stared at me. “I guess so. I mean, shit…I don’t know. ”
“You’re an asshole, Reed Moore. Do you know that? I hope you saw the hurt in her eyes. I hope it’s burned into your memory. ” I turned toward my truck and started to walk off.
Stupid motherfucker. I have no idea how he’s going to dig his way out of this hole, and I don’t want to be a part of any of it.
Whitley walked into my bedroom and let out a sigh. “Can Courtney stay here tonight? I just don’t think she should drive home. She’d had a few beers at the party, and I’m pretty sure she just drank half a bottle of wine while we listened to Christina Aguilera’s ‘I Hate Boys’ over and over again. ”
“Sure, baby. As long as I have you next to me tonight, I don’t mind at all. She can sleep in any one of the guest bedrooms. ” I got up, and I placed a kiss on her forehead before we headed out to the living room.
I watched as Whitley tried to wake up Courtney, who was passed out on my sofa. She turned to me and shrugged her shoulders. I walked over, reached down, and picked up Courtney. I carried her upstairs to one of the guest bedrooms.
By the time Whit and I got back to my room, I flopped onto my bed. “Jesus, I’m exhausted. ”
Whitley laughed and lay down next to me. “Can we just snuggle, Layton? I don’t think I even have the energy to kiss you right now!”
I rolled over and kissed her lightly on the lips before I got up and started to take off my clothes. I watched as she looked my body up and down. As exhausted as I was—and my dick was—I was still hoping she would follow me into the shower.
After walking into the bathroom, I reached in and turned on the shower. I stepped inside and closed my eyes as I let the hot water run over my body. When I felt the warmth of her touch on my arm, I couldn’t help but smile. I turned around and saw the most beautiful woman standing in front of me. I picked her up as she wrapped her legs around my body. I leaned her against the wall and kissed her as she let out a small moan.
“God, Whit. ” I moved her body over me.