Laughing a hallow sound, I saunter over to my bed. “For all you know, I was pole dancing all night.”
Kelly reaches for our little fridge with her long arm, pulling out a bottle of water. “The old Jewels would’ve drunk everyone else under the table, but the new and yet-to-be-determined, improved Jewels is worried she’ll get too drunk and cheat on her steady fuck buddy.”
My face burns hot. Even though I was on the sober side, Levi was constantly on my mind while I was flirting with Adam. And now I’ve done everything I can to turn him down and push him away. My head’s a mess.
“Is that it?” Kelly asks with wide eyes. “Did you cheat on him last night? I won’t judge. Seriously. It’s not like you two are an official thing anyway.” She crosses the room to sit on the mattress beside me, taking a long pull of water while still watching me like I’m one of her stupid reality shows.
“No, god.” I steal the water from her for a swig. “It wasn’t like that.”
She pulls in a sharp breath. “Wasn’t like what? What happened? Spill.”
My lips grow tight. Kelly’s the best friend I’ve had in a long time. Yet somehow the thought of telling her about Adam makes it feel like I’m validating the fact that I actually see myself having a relationship with the guy, and that shit is forbidden as long as I’m with Levi. I made the mistake of cheating on someone once before, and I’m still dealing with the consequences.
“It was nothing.” I look down at my hands, folded in my lap. “I met someone at the party. We’re going out for pizza tonight.” I tell her all the details of my night with Adam, except for the part where we watched other couples getting it on because in hindsight it seems incredibly voyeuristic.
“Hole. E. Shit!” she squeals, jumping to her feet and doing her crazy little excited dance. “You’re totally going to end up with someone your own age who doesn’t already have a kid with someone else, and who doesn’t just use you for sex because you’re hot!”
“Feel free to tell me how you really feel about Levi.”
She reaches down to slap my leg. “Like you don’t already know?”
“I just met a guy. Doesn’t mean it’s time to start a wedding board on Pinterest.”
“Think about this, Jewels. You and Levi have been going out for months, and he’s made it crystal clear that he’s never going to get serious with you.” She grabs me by my shoulders. “Would you stop and look at yourself? You’re young, and funny, and sweet, and drop dead gorgeous. There’s no reason you need to stay with Levi. I mean, I get it.
He’s incredibly hot, and you say the sex is great, but is it really worth it?”
“Are my parents funding this conversation?”
She laughs joyously, stopping to lay a wet kiss on my cheek. “Damn it, I love you, but sometimes you’re pretty dense. If you’re attracted to another guy, give it a chance, woman! No one is saying you have to stop seeing Levi just because you’re going to meet with this guy. Besides, you’ve been all mopey and shit for way too long. And look at you now, you’re actually excited about something!”
“It’s possible I’m just really attracted to this Adam guy, and the feelings aren’t’
mutual. Maybe he’s looking for a friend.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night.” She pats my back real condescendingly-like.
“Wait, is that why you look like Lady Gaga? Did you have another nightmare?”
A knot lodges in my throat. I nod.
“Oh, hon.” Her arms wrap around me. Underneath a ton of cheap perfume, I can smell the pungent odor of vodka seeping from her pores. “Maybe you should go back on the sleeping pills.”
“No way. And do not tell my mom I’m still having them next time she stops by,” I threaten, pulling away from her. “She’ll just make me go back to that shrink.”
Smiling devilishly, she says, “If you let me do your hair for this date, I won’t say a word.”
I raise my eyebrows. “This is what our friendship has come to? Blackmail?” I throw my hands in the air and stand. “And here I considered asking you to be one of my bridesmaids.”
“See? You’re totally back to your old self. Hop in the shower and let Momma Kelly fix you up. This Adam guy is going to see you for the first time by the light of day. You don’t want him to think you’re a vampire.”
I gather my shower supplies in my arms. “You know exactly what to say to make a girl feel better.”
She slaps me on the ass, making me squawk. “Just go already. We’ve got major work to do. Your eyebrows are a mess and I think I see the start of a zit under your chin.