“Prepared me for what?” Khai asked.
Quan scrubbed a hand over his buzzed head. “Shit.”
“I was all sweaty, and I was afraid the condom would leak and get her pregnant. I took a shower. That seemed appropriate.” Wasn’t it?
Quan continued scrubbing his head. “Well, shit.”
“Why do you keep saying that?” Khai asked.
Quan dropped his hands from his head and focused a steady gaze on Khai. “Imagine you’re a girl, and—I’m serious, don’t laugh—you let a guy touch you, but when things start to feel really good, he stops. And then you’re telling yourself it’s okay, you’re glad he had a good time, but he leaves you right away and washes you off, leaving you alone in his bed. How would you feel?”
“Sexually frustrated?”
Quan looked up at the ceiling. “Yeah, and used and sad and shitty. They get extra sensitive after sex, and you gotta make sure they feel cared for.”
“I second that,” Michael said.
Khai released a heavy, defeated breath. When it came to women, what Michael said was as good as gold. Khai had fucked this up royally. Because of deficiencies in his fifth-grade health curriculum and his stone heart.
“What do I do now?” he asked, completely at a loss.
Michael and Quan spoke up at the same time.
“Apologize.”
“Say sorry.”
“Can you give an example of what I should say?” he asked. A script would be best. He could memorize it and repeat it to her.
“Don’t tell him, Michael.” To Khai, Quan said, “It’s best if you come up with something on your own. It’ll be genuine that way. But first, I have some books for you.”
“What books?” Michael asked.
“Sex ed books. What? Yeah, I read. Surprising, I know.” Quan shook his head at the phone. “I think you can go back to sleeping or banging your woman now. I got some stuff to talk to Khai about.”
“Which books? I have—” There was a barely audible female whisper, followed by something that was distinctly a kiss. “I’ll catch you guys later. Call me if you need anything.”
The screen of Khai’s phone went black, and Quan got up. “I’ll be right back. They’re in my bedroom.”
Khai watched as his brother strode down the hall. It wasn’t long before Quan returned with a stack of books under his arm.
“Really? Sex for Dummies?” Khai asked. “You read this?”
“It gives a good overview. I like this one best, though.” Quan set the books on the table and moved She Comes First to the top. “Don’t take everything in there as hard rules. They’re just suggestions. I don’t agree with all of it, but it’s a good place to start.”
Khai reached for the book but hesitated with his hand inches away. “Are these books safe for touching?”
“Yes, you dork, they’re safe for touching. I prefer jerking off to porn, not how-to books. Keep them. I’m done with them.”
“Okay, thanks.” Khai picked up She Comes First and leafed through it, lifting his eyebrows at the diagrams. He hadn’t done that.
But he wanted to.
“There are videos where they demonstrate stuff with fruit on YouTube. You should check them out. But I’d save those for later. You need to speed-read that book and then apologize ASAP.”
Khai gathered up all the books. “Right, got it. Thanks again.”
The corner of Quan’s mouth kicked up. “Anytime, Khai. I shoulda prepped you earlier, but—”