Perfect Tenn

“I think that’s between your brother and Regan. Don’t go making trouble where there is none,” he says in a methodical tone.

“This is so fucking hot,” Holly breathes out.

I don’t know what to do right now. Tell Tenn to get the hell out of here, Jennifer to mind her own damn business, or Holly to shut the fuck up. Tenn has a point, we aren’t doing anything wrong, we’ve been friends forever and if anyone has a problem with that, maybe they aren’t for me. However, Henry isn’t the one causing the problem here, it’s Jennifer. Christ, what do I do?

“Holly, there is nothing hot about this. My brother is really into Regan, and this would kill him,” she hisses.

That’s it, I’m done. I stand up and grasp the edge of the table then lean toward Jennifer so I can drive my point home. “First of all, Jennifer, Tenn and I have done nothing for Henry to jealous of. If he can’t handle the relationship I have with Tenn, there is no point in sticking around. But it’s not him here bitching about it, it’s you! Honestly, I don’t give a shit what you think. You’re probably just like your mom and think you should wait until you’re married to have sex. So, run and tell your brother that I had dinner with my best friend and spent some nights in bed with him when I needed my friend. I’ll deal with that shit,” I say completely calm. I turn to Holly and shake my head. “You are causing unnecessary drama, and it is not hot.” I’m lying, it is totally hot that Tenn showed up out of nowhere. I turn to Tenn and fold my arms. “Seriously, where did you come from?”

“I’m here with the guys, I was coming over to say hi when I heard. I’m not stalking you for Christ sake, I think you know me better than that,” Tenn says, standing and crossing his muscular arms.

“I need to get out of here,” Jennifer says, grabbing her purse. “When you are ready to apologize for your hurtful words, you know my number.” She pushes her way through the crowd, and I watch until I can no longer see her.

“I don’t give a fuck what you say, this shit is hot,” Holly says, sipping her drink.

**

After the way last night ended, I decide I deserve a late morning of lying in bed feeling sorry for myself. I left right after Jennifer even though Tenn told me I was making too big of a deal out of nothing. Maybe I am, maybe the reason I blew up has nothing at all to do with what Jennifer said and everything to do with how things are going with Henry. There could be the possibility that I wanted her to tell him and have him break up with me. I really don’t know for sure. The only thing I do know is that I can’t keep ignoring Henry’s phone calls as it rings once again.

Steeling my nerves, I decide I need to just get it over with. “Hello?”

“Ignoring me for any reason in particular?” he says, and I can’t make out if he’s serious or joking.

“No, I slept in today. What’s up?” I try to sound upbeat, but I have no idea if I’m pulling it off.

I hear him close the sliding glass door leading to his enormous backyard. “I’m not going to beat around the bush. I spoke with Jennifer.”

Sitting up straighter, I steel myself for what is to come. “Okay,” I say.

“Okay? That’s it? I think you said some pretty hurtful things to her last night. Not to mention I’m not sure you’ve been completely honest with me about Tenn.” He doesn’t seem to hold any emotion behind it one way or another.

“First of all, I only said hurtful things because I was being attacked for no reason, so don’t think your perfect sister was sitting there all innocent. Secondly, if you believe I’ve been lying to you, there is no reason to be together. I told you from the beginning, Tenn is my best friend and we live together. You asked if there was anything to worry about, and I told you no. If suddenly this is a problem for you, if you are so unsure with yourself that you don’t trust me around my best friend, well I’d say it’s you who’s not been honest,” I say, having pushed out of bed and pacing around my room.

He blows out a long breath not saying anything for about a minute. “You’re right. You’ve never given me a reason to not trust you, and if you say nothing is going on with Tenn, then I believe you. Maybe though it’s time for he and I to meet. That way he knows I care about you as much as he does.”

Oh yeah, no, that’s a horrible idea. It would be like some kind of pissing contest, and I have no doubt at all that Tenn would win by leaps and bounds. I don’t want to have to choose between the two of them. I’m scared to be put in that position because I know deep down I’d choose Tenn.

“Sure, we can set that up soon,” I lie.

We spend the next half hour just bullshitting about dinner tomorrow night and our plans for the rest of the day. We hang up, and I toss the phone on the bed. I should be happy, I should feel relieved, but I don’t. I feel more wound up than before. What the fuck is wrong with me?

I finally make my way to the living room, and Tenn is watching TV.

“Hey, you slept late. You alright?”

“I guess.” I walk past him to the kitchen to make myself some coffee.

After I have a big mug filled, I go and sit on the chair looking over at Tenn. “I talked to Henry.”

He mutes the TV and turns to face me. “Oh, how’d that go?” he asks, searching my face.

I shrug my shoulders and sigh. “Fine I guess. I said my peace, and he told me I’m right.” I push my hair off my face and take another sip of my coffee.

“Oookay, so why don’t you sound happy?” he asks, lifting an eyebrow.

“Ugh, I don’t know. I should be happy, but I’m not. I have no idea what is going on in my head anymore. Maybe we just aren’t meant to be together or something,” I mumble, not looking at him because I don’t want to see the expression on his face.

“Regan, why would you say that?”