I don’t imagine the slight flush to his cheeks before he turns to leave. Micky follows, and Colby lingers just long enough to look me over. I get the feeling there is something resting on the tip of his tongue, but for whatever reason, he decides not to say it.
As I’m stuffing the last of my things into my bag, I hear their vehicle leave. I grab my phone, thinking about Dornan again, but I don’t have time to call him and get to class on time. When I arrive at college, I’ll send him a message to meet me for coffee around eleven when I have a free hour, if he can.
Then I start to flap about what I need to take with me later. Maybe some freshening wipes because I won’t want to turn up at the motel after a whole day of running around without cleaning up. And some deodorant and perfume, and some powder so I can touch up my makeup.
My underwear doesn’t really matter because I’ll remove my panties before I arrive, as instructed. My black lace bra is pretty enough, but they’re not going to care about what I’m wearing, and I won’t be wearing anything for long.
I dare you to meet me, Colby, and Micky at Mandy’s Motel.
Without a doubt, it’s the most thrilling and heart-pounding dare I’ve ever received.
In the car, my phone rings, making me jump. It’s Celine, who’s in my morning class. “Ellie, please tell me Professor Dorkerson isn’t expecting our assignment today,” she says in a rush before I even say hello.
Professor Derkson, as he’s actually named, is notorious for setting the most convoluted assignments known to man and hitting us with unachievable deadlines.
“It needs to be in tomorrow,” I say, and snicker at Celine’s theatrical sigh of relief.
“I’m so behind,” she moans. “Eddie’s been so horny recently. I swear, since I put on a few extra pounds, he hasn’t been able to get enough of me, and usually, I wouldn’t mind, but I can’t keep up with my work while he’s flipping me through the karma sutra.”
“TMI, sweetie,” I laugh, signaling to turn into the parking lot.
“Even a visit from the red fairy last week didn’t put him off. My god, the man’s insatiable.”
“You’re just that gorgeous,” I tell her because it’s the truth. Celine is a goddess with cascading red curls that touch her butt and freckles as pretty as the stars in the night sky. She’s been dating Eddie on and off since she met him as a freshman. Every time she breaks up with him, I believe it’s over forever. She’ll mess around with other guys, and I’ll be convinced she’s moved on, and then suddenly, they’re back together again. It’s the weirdest relationship ever.
“If he doesn’t leave me alone, I’m going to rub my armpits with onions and stuff cheddar into my socks.”
“Don’t forget sardines in your panties,” I laugh, slightly gagging at the thought.
“Men are disgusting,” she scoffs. “He’d probably like that. He’s down there like a shot, even after I’ve done a ninety-minute workout.”
“Oh god,” I gasp, remembering about the wipes I have in my purse and my concerns about freshness.
“Exactly. I don’t know what else to do.”
“Have you tried talking to him, sweetie? Wild idea, but communication seems to be the basis of every successful relationship.”
“I’ve tried talking, but as soon as I mention sex, he’s all over me again. Just word is like a flame to a tanker of gasoline.” She laughs, but there is a genuine exasperated edge to it, and I start to feel sorry for her.
Would there ever be a time when I didn’t want to have sex? Absolutely. Especially in all the circumstances she’s mentioned. Poor Celine is struggling with just one man, and here I am, considering having sex with three. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell my friend what’s going on in my life, especially after she’s filled me in on hers in such graphic detail.
If anyone is going to hear the juicy details of my sex life and egg me on, it’s Celine. She might only have a body count of one man, but she’s not prudish in any way. And, like Dornan, she’s moaned about my lack of interest in standard college pursuits. If anything, she told me she wants to live vicariously through me. If she can’t sow her wild oats in college, then I should damn well be sowing mine.
“Anyway,” she says. “I’m going to stop talking about Eddie now. He’s in my mouth enough! What’s been going on with you? I heard some wild shit on the grapevine, but I don’t believe it because if it was true, I know you would have called me to dish, wouldn’t you?”
“I’ve been busy,” I say. “And so have you.”