I am pleased to inform you that my meek little classmate has finally built up enough nerve to approach her. God, Zane... my heart was pounding as I watched him walk up to her after class, repetitively wiping his hands on his pants because you and I both know how sweaty they were, right? I swear... his face was actually a shade of green when she made eye contact with him. But it went off better than expected. His stutter was to a minimum and even though he kept glancing at me for emotional reassurance, he got the words out. I think it was something like, "Wouldyoupleasegooutwithme?" He practically screamed it at her and it came out so fast, I couldn't understand what he said, and I know she didn't either.
I thought for sure he was doomed but then he took a deep breath, which is exactly what I advised him to do if he got nervous, and tried again... this time a little slower, and a little clearer. It must have been said with a great deal of charm too because before I knew it, she was smiling at him and giving him her number.
Score!!!
My work is done, and now I feel complete.
So, what are you up to? I'm thinking you are probably on the plane right now. Right? I bet you are so excited to see your family. I can't even imagine living so far from mine, especially as close as we are. And, because I do know, in fact, how close you are to your parents and your "bratty little sister," who I am quite positive is not bratty at all despite how many times you tell me that, I can guess how you must feel living so far away from them.
My advice is to relax and enjoy these last few days you have off before training camp starts. Because your ass is getting ready to get super busy.
Okay... have to run. Teagan's here and we're going out tonight. I hope she doesn't keep yammering at me to go out with her co-worker. You know, the one I told you about. I might just have to give in so she'll shut up. Have you ever been on a blind date before? The thought of it makes me nervous, but maybe I'm being silly.
Okay, I'm really out...
Have fun visiting your family! Talk soon.
Cheers,
Cady
My stomach dips and rolls, not having a damn thing to do with a turbulent flight. She had mentioned in her last email to me that Teagan was trying to set her up on a date with some dude. An architect, apparently, which I'm betting makes him an uber douche.
I sort of just ignored that little piece of information she had handed out to me. I'm not even going to mention it when I write back. I won't mention it because my heart wants me to tell her not to do it. There are a million reasons I can throw out to her to dissuade her from going out with this guy, but my fears are keeping me silent. I don't want her to think this is anything more than a friendship, and if I ever admit to her that my blood boils with jealous thoughts over the mere idea of her going out with someone, she'd think I am certifiably crazy.
Cady has never hinted at wanting anything more than the easy friendship we've slipped into. Our emails are usually light and chatty, but we've talked about some deep things as well, which has done nothing but solidify the bonds we're creating. Yet neither one of us have ever mentioned that night again after that first set of emails, and it's almost like it's become taboo to talk about the fact that she and I almost killed each other with an overdose of orgasms.
We don't talk about it, but I sure as fuck can't stop thinking about it. Every woman I meet fails to live up to Cady. I've been out clubbing a few times with my teammates, squeezing the most out of my summer vacation. I've had plenty of women come on to me, even once had a set of twin sisters wanting to come home with me.
And every fucking time, I said no.
Like a fucking loser... I said no.
I have no commitment to Cady. She would never expect me to stay monogamous to her, and I don't expect the same of her. We had a one-night experience that we both agreed would never recur because we didn't live near each other. Instead, we built a solid and close-knit friendship. In fact, I'd say it was my closest friendship at this point in my life.
But that's all it is. It's all it can ever be, because I can't fucking see her... touch her... taste her. You can't have a relationship like that outside of the bounds of friendship. It just can't work, and so, I can't be mad or jealous about her going out with someone.
I also need to stop turning my nose up at the abundance of easy pussy that's paraded in front of me and get back to doing what I do best. Fucking my way through the lovely single ladies of Phoenix.
Yes, that's for the best, and as if to solidify and reaffirm these thoughts, I fire back a quick email to her.
To: Cady Dunne
From: Zane Kavanaugh
Subject: Give The Guy A Chance
Date: September 12, 2014
Yes, I am on the plane and it should be landing soon. Wanted to send you back a quick email. I'm glad your classmate finally grew a big pair of balls. I'm proud of all your hard work. If the guy gets laid, he owes you big time.
As for the blind date, I've never been on one, but I imagine Teagan isn't going to set you up with someone that you wouldn't enjoy. Go out and have fun. It will be an adventure for you.
My fingers halt... freezing actually, and I know I can't go through with it. I can't give her support and encouragement... not when it comes to seeing another guy, no matter how selfish that is of me.
I quickly delete what I wrote, including the "subject line," and start again.
To: Cady Dunne
From: Zane Kavanaugh
Subject: Blind Dates Are Lame
Don't do it, Cady. I once read an article that said only 4% of women who go on blind dates have a good time, and another article that said 78% of women who go on blind dates end up contracting an STD if said date leads to sex. I feel it's important for me to have your back on this one, so trust me... it's not worth it. Besides, didn't you once tell me Teagan dated a guy that pierced his ass cheeks? I mean... seriously, do you want to be taking dating advice from someone who finds that attractive?
I pause a minute and chew on my bottom lip. Do I keep this tongue in cheek and hope she doesn't see through to my true intent? Or do I just come out and tell her what I really want? I ponder a moment more as I crack my knuckles, and then resume the email that might just paint me out to be a fool a million times over.
Okay, here's the thing. If you're still pining over me and that amazing night we had, or you are sexually frustrated and need relief, I believe there is only one thing to do. You shouldn't go out on a lame blind date, potentially risking heartbreak and crabs. Rather, you should come back to the States to visit me. We could work something out with my schedule and spend a few days together. I promise you amazing orgasms, and I will save you from a terrible fate if you go out with this guy. Think about it... I'm serious. I'd love to see you again. Remember that little thing I did to you with my fingers? There's more where that came from.
Zane
I read over my words, talking myself into accepting them as a quirky way of flirting with her, opening the door with sexual innuendo, and hopefully dissuading her from going out with another man. I'm not really sure what I'm hoping to accomplish but worst-case scenario, she decides the risk of a bad blind date isn't worth it, and best-case scenario, she'll come visit me and I'll get to lose myself in her once again.
I hit the send button, put my laptop away, and settle in to impatiently await her reply.
Chapter 5
Cady
To: Zane Kavanaugh
From: Cady Dunne
Subject: Sorry so late...
Date: September 16, 2014
...I'm responding to your last email, but things have been crazy the last few days. I had a group research project to finish, which was complicated by the fact that the other three members in my group didn't do their part. As a result, I was scrambling around at the last minute to pull it all together. Then I had Da's birthday party celebration to attend, which was a lot of fun, but Cillian and Renner got me piss-assed drunk, and I lost an entire day to a hangover.
But now I'm back on track and wanted to sho
ot out a quick hello and see how things are with you.
I pull my fingers away from my laptop and take a deep breath. That's the first lie I've told to Zane, and it sits heavy on my heart. It's true that I had a group research project, and it's true that I got drunk at my da's birthday party. What's not true, however, is that these things have kept me so busy I didn't have time to write back to Zane.
I've wanted to write him back... badly. But I didn't know what to say. No amount of pondering gave me clarity on how I should respond to his last email, which was chock-full of confusion for me.
At first, I took his words as witty banter, quoting me false statistics and bringing into question Teagan's soundness of mind when it came to the opposite sex. All good and funny, and yeah... I chuckled. I didn't take him seriously. This was just Zane being Zane.
But then he did it.
He mentioned "that night" and even had the audacity to suppose I was sexually frustrated since then. He could have still been goofing around, but when he extended an offer for me to come visit him, that's when I knew he was being serious. He wanted to see me again... fuck me again... and that was no joke.
That meant he didn't want me to go on that blind date.
That meant he was thinking outside the bounds of friendship.
And that completely flummoxed me.