“It’s not?”
“No, it’s not.” Cree chuckles. “I’m pretty sure she wants more than just tying.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, she wants to fuck you, Roc.”
“She does?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“I can’t answer that one, buddy.” Cree laughs loudly. “You’d have to ask her that question yourself. She’s coming up the walk now.”
I wrap my arms around myself as my heart begins to beat faster. As Cree answers the door, I’m sure this is a mistake. He can’t be right about her motivations. No girl has ever looked at me and said, “That’s the guy I want to have sex with.” I’m not muscular like Ivan, and I’m not attractive like Cree. I’m not outgoing or even remotely social. Cree must be mistaken.
Cree jumps up and opens the door. Casey drops a heavy black bookbag next to the coatrack, and I feel the vibration in the floor beneath me. I stare at the bag, wondering what’s inside that makes it so heavy.
“Hey, Rocco.”
I glance up at her face, knowing I’m supposed to respond. Cree’s words are still mulling around in my head, and I can’t believe he’s right about her intentions. Those thoughts consume me, and I neglect to answer her at all, and she frowns thoughtfully.
I’ve certainly seen Casey around before, both on campus and at Gym, but I haven’t paid any more attention to her than I do anyone else. Now I look her over, trying to understand why in the world she wants to tie me.
She’s wearing a black tank top, which shows the multitude of tattoos on her arms, black jeans, and black, lace-up boots that reach halfway up her calf. Her hair is black. She has black makeup around her eyes and wears jewelry that is silver and black.
She likes black.
Cree leads her over to the couch, and she sits facing me. Cree leans against the wall, watching me closely. I drop my gaze to the floor and end up staring at Casey’s boots. They’re black leather with silver brackets holding the laces. The laces flow in beautiful crisscross patterns, and I follow the strands up and down with my eyes. Casey starts talking, and I hear Cree answer her a couple of times, but I’m too focused on the laces of her boots to listen.
Even with my focus on her laces, I see Casey moving her hands a lot as she talks, and each time, her bracelets clatter together. The chiming sound reminds me of something, but I can’t quite place my finger on it.
“Rocco?” Cree’s voice brings me out of my shoelace inspired trance.
“Huh?”
“Casey asked you a question, bro.”
“Oh.” I glance up to her face but keep my focus on her mouth instead of her eyes. “Sorry.”
“I was asking if you want to give it a try.”
“Give what a try?”
She frowns again, and Cree sighs heavily.
“Better start over,” he says. “Rocco, listen up.”
I feel my neck heat up as I nod.
“I’ve been practicing tying for a while now,” Casey says. “I’m nowhere near Cree’s level, but I think I’m getting to be a pretty good rigger. I’ve taken most of the classes and gone to the SIGs at Gym.”
I look up at her, still waiting for that slight increase in pitch that indicates a question.
“Cree? I’m pretty good, aren’t I?”
I glance at Cree.