“She knows of the photo. You know the one, with you and Ellen and another woman? Naked? Doing the thing?”
My insides go cold. My lungs stutter. “What do you mean she knows of the photo? How?”
“Ha, so you’re not denying it.”
“Did you see it? Where?”
“That’s your concern? Well, let me tell you, Mr. I’m-too-much-for-one-girl Joel, your first concern should be that you lied to Candy about being with that woman, and that now she doesn’t want to even hear your name spoken and— Hey, give me back that phone!”
“Joel.” Candy’s voice filters down the line, and I lean against the nearest shelf, my knees weak with relief.
“Girl, thank God. Why did you—?”
“Is it true? You were with Ellen? Are you… Are you still with her? That first day I met you, you came to the bookstore to find her, and I…”
Ah fuck. “I can explain all this.” Jet is glaring daggers at me, and I take a step back. “I’ve never been with Ellen that way—”
“There is a photo proving you a liar, Joel Kingsley,” she whispers into the phone, and then the line goes dead.
Oh shit. Shit!
“What have you done?” Jet is advancing on me, fists curled at his sides.
“Nothing. Listen, buddy…”
“Don’t buddy me. You are the reason Candy left?”
“No! I mean… I don’t think so. It makes no sense. She found out about the scandal, but last night… Last night she wasn’t upset. She didn’t mention it.”
“Hell.” Jet runs a hand through his hair. “You think her very helpful roommate found out about it? Has she seen the picture?”
“I don’t think so.” But my relief that my picture with my dick hanging out is not splashed all over the internet again is not enough. Not when Candy doesn’t want to see me.
“She thinks you lied to her.” Jet points a finger at me, anger flashing in his eyes. “That you’ve had something going on with Ellen. Am I right?”
I nod, miserable.
“You have to explain to her what happened. Tell her about your…” He waves a hand. “Your problem and why you were with Ellen. That Ellen likes pussy. That you didn’t lie.”
He’s right. I have to. But the thought of telling Candy I can’t get it up for a girl alone, that watching gets me off… “Won’t she run away for good if she knows? Won’t she think that’s why I want us to have sex together?”
Something passes over Jet’s face, and it’s gone before I can analyze it. “Isn’t it?”
Fuck. I don’t know. It started out like that, but now?
Jet turns away. “I have to work.”
“Shit, me too. I’m late already.” And we still don’t have Candy’s number or address. “I’ll try reasoning with this Brylee. Beg her if I have to. She has to let us see Candy.”
“I’ll ask Donna again. Goddammit.” Jet scrubs his face with both hands, and the memory of him so terrified and pale last night has me reaching for him.
He steps out of reach.
He’s never refused my touch before. And I never thought how used I am to this closeness between us. How painful it would be if he denied me. That I’d be the one craving to touch him, to hold him.
Turning on my heel, without another word, I step out of the shop, slamming the door behind me.
***