Ain't No Sunshine

Groaning, I cover my face with my hands. “You two are no longer allowed to be friends.”

Cory giggles, and the sound instantly relaxes me. I guess we’re good again. Pity I can’t remember exactly how that came to be.

Shane shakes his head as he pushes my shoulder, which in my hungover state has more impact than normal, sending me back down to the bed. He laughs and rolls his eyes. “Despite how fun this has been, I didn’t come in to give you shit, Nate. I came to tell you I’m heading out.”

“Oh, I was looking forward to getting to know you better. You know, without loud music and boyfriends giving me the evil eye,” Cory says as she sits up. The sheet falls away to expose her fully clothed body, and I’m relieved to see that we didn’t have sex again without me remembering it.

“Ah! I’m sorry…” Shane says, scratching his head. “Can we rain check?”

Cory smiles. “Of course we can. I just have one question.” Shane raises his eyebrows as he waits for her to proceed. “Who were you trying to make jealous last night? I had assumed all the ladies were jumping at the chance to be with you. Who’s resisting? Which one was she?”

“You mean he?” I add without thinking.

Cory and Shane both stare at me in shock. Cory because she’s confused and Shane because he’s… Well, he’s confused, too, but for a different reason.

“You… You know?” he asks in a hoarse whisper.

I smile while shaking my head. “Of course, I know. I’m your best friend.”

He continues to stare at me like he’s unable to process my words, making me feel the need to clarify.

“You’ve been checking out guys for years. I’ve just been waiting for you to confide in me. At one point, I wasn’t even sure you knew, but I’ve seen you subtly flirting with them, so that’s not the case.”

“Ahh… okay. Great. Great! It’s not like I’m hiding it. I just haven’t…”

“Whoa! I am not calling you out here. You are free to go at your own pace. I mentioned it by accident. I’m sorry.”

I glance at Cory and find her gaze bouncing between Shane and I. A warm smile graces her lips. “Who was he?” she asks, jumping up onto her knees. “Tell me it was the tall blonde guy you were talking to at the bar. He was smoking hot. Or, omigosh, yes! Was it that guy with the tatts? Now, he’s—”

“Easy there, Little Bit. Was it Shane trying to make these guys jealous, or are you trying to do it to me right now?”

Cory and Shane laugh before talking about the hot guy at the bar. Shane relaxes, making me wish I’d asked him about it sooner. He’s always been a ladies’ man, taking home different girls every time we went out, yet I often noticed his eyes lock on good looking men in his presence. Hopefully, no matter who it is, he finds someone worthy.

I tune back into the conversation just as Cory asks Shane if he’s ever had a threesome. If I had water in my mouth, I would have spit it out all over the bed. Who is this woman? And where is my innocent girlfriend?

“Sorry, ladies and gentleman, question time is over,” Shane says with a smile and a wink. “I really do have to go. Turns out, last night worked because the tatt guy asked me if I was free for lunch today.”

“I knew it! Yes! Go, go! And call me with the details,” Cory gushes.

I shake my head, knowing full well that Shane’s not going to call her. He rolls his eyes playfully and walks out the door without giving Cory a response. I laugh at her cute little pout while squeezing her leg. “He’s not really a kiss and tell guy, Little Bit. But we can call him tonight and press for details if you’re that determined.”

She smacks me with a pillow and squeals with laughter when I dive on top of her.

We make out until we’re both breathless, making sure to stop before things turn serious. “God, was I that obnoxious last night?” I ask Cory with a sheepish grin.

“Yep,” Cory says, popping the p. “Although you calmed down after I explained to you that Emily had actually called me wonderful, not Liv, and that you had it all wrong.”

“Ugh! I should probably call Emily.” I cringe at the memory of her walking away.

Cory nods. “And maybe Liv. She said she needed to talk,” she adds, though she doesn’t look overly thrilled about it.

“You’re right. She’s a friend, and I was pretty mean to her.” I was pretty shit to everyone last night.

“But you weren’t wrong. She didn’t really think through her actions. And—”

“Ha! That’s Liv for you. Let’s forget about last night for a while. We have more important things to discuss,” I say, wrapping my arms around Cory. I pull her into a hug, determined to salvage this day.

“Oh, yeah?” She smiles up at me but there’s something off about it. “Like what?”