To my surprise though, he wasn’t giving her his usual charm routine. He was still smiling and entertaining her questions, but he wasn’t giving her the full experience I’d come to know.
She said a few more things to him, things that looked like they were dripping with sexual innuendos, and then she walked away.
When she left, Carter walked up the bank and sat right next to me.
“Did you two set a date?” I asked. “When will you be going out with her?”
“I won’t be,” he said. “What made you ask me that?”
“It’s your typical M.O. That, or taking her in the backseat of your car right after or—”
He pressed his finger against my lips. “I recently had sex with someone who might’ve ruined me for all others.”
My eyes widened and my cheeks heated.
“Of course, it never actually happened in her mind, but I wouldn’t be a good best friend if I lied and said the same…” He moved his finger away. “For the record, it’s going to take me a lot longer to forget.”
“So…This girl’s pussy is magical?”
“Must be.” He laughed.
“Do you think it’s possible for this guy to have sex again with this best friend of his without the two of them fucking their friendship up?”
“I think it’s very possible for them to have sex again, and I think he and this best friend can assess the damage afterwards...”
“The woman in question is used to going on dates whenever she’s sleeping with someone.”
“Then the guy in question will take her on dates.”
“But that’s the problem,” I said, feeling his hand subtly press against the side of my thigh. “Normal best friends don’t go on dates.”
“Then I’m starting to think we’ve never been normal…”
I hesitated a minute before responding. “Can we go back to your place tonight?”
Eleventh Grade
Subject: Some Advice for Your Date Tonight.
Please don’t embarrass yourself by wearing a goddamn sweater.
Sincerely,
Carter
Subject: Re: Some Advice For Your Date Tonight.
Please don’t embarrass yourself by talking for more than five seconds at a time.
So not sincerely,
Arizona
Subject: In All Seriousness…
Where is your date taking you? Do you have a curfew?
Sincerely,
Carter
Subject: Re: In All Seriousness…
Since he’s a TRUE gentleman and not just into sex like someone unfortunate I know…He’s taking me on a “whirlwind” date. (Every girl at school is talking about these btw.) First, he’s taking me to see a movie in the VIP section of Waldman’s Theater. Then, we’re going to Sandcastle to watch fireworks over ice cream…Then we’re going to walk down the pier at sunset and get tattoos before a little stargazing to end the night. (Take notes. THIS is how it’s done.)
Where are you taking Monica? No, wait. Let me guess. Since she’s already told you that she’s looking forward to having sex and just wants to do something simple…
A movie and Burger King?
Get more creative,
Arizona
Subject: Re: Re: In All Seriousness…
A movie and McDonalds.
Sincerely,
Carter
As it turned out, Ari was more than right about that “whirlwind date” thing.
The second I picked up my date—Monica, who was ironically wearing a sweater, she’d said, “I’m so grateful you’re not like other guys, Carter…I don’t have to dress like a model to impress you and I’m sure you’re not really taking me to a drive-in movie and a burger place like all the other guys I’ve been with…”
Of course not…
I googled “cheap whirlwind date,” and pretended as if I’d planned to take her on one all along. I took her to a free art gallery and to Zapas—a restaurant a step above fast food fare. Then, because I was such a “nice guy,” I took her to a private park.
When we returned to the parking lot, her true intentions began to surface. As soon as we got into my car, her arms went around my neck and her lips were against mine.
I reclined my seat and pulled her into my lap, rolling my windows all the way up.
She straddled me, kissing me harder as I ran my fingers through her hair. I slipped my hand underneath her sweater, running my fingers along the clasp of her bra. Before I could take things any further, my phone rang.
I ignored it, letting it continue to sound off in my pocket.
Monica moaned against my mouth, and my phone rang again, but I ignored it once more. Surely it was a misdial, and it couldn’t have been anyone important; the people closest to me knew I was on a date.