A brief silence meets my ear. Then Pippa says, “No. I still don’t buy it.”
“You don’t?” The hope in my chest grows, joined by a rush of relief. “So, what, you think Hunter is lying?”
“Probably.”
“What’s his motivation to lie?”
“I bet he wants in your pants.”
“We’re just friends,” I say. And I can’t stop picturing the tortured expression on his face when he told me what he saw. It’s obvious he didn’t want to say anything.
Or…he could’ve been putting on an act, pretending that it pained him so much to tell me, but really it was all a plot to, as Pippa said, get in my pants. I mean, Hunter fully admitted to having a sexual fantasy about me once. And he’s a self-proclaimed former manwhore. Why should I trust anything he has to say about women and relationships?
On the flip side, I’ve known Nico since I was eight years old. He’s my best friend.
“Nico loves you,” Pippa says as if reading my mind. “I think Hunter is lying or else he misinterpreted what he saw.”
“So you think I’m being crazy?”
“I think you’re being crazy.”
“Thanks, chica.” I sigh. “Should I should say something to Nico?”
“I don’t know, babe. It might start a fight, but if you need to do it for your peace of mind, then yeah, you should. But don’t frame it like an accusation,” she advises. “Maybe treat it more as a joke? Like, omigosh hon, can you believe that?”
“That’s a good approach.”
We hang up a few minutes later, and I’m left sitting on my bed with a snack plate in my lap.
I stare down at the mountain of cheese and crackers, but I don’t have much of an appetite anymore.
NICO: Good morning, bb. Meet for breakfast?
I stare at my boyfriend’s message for a good five minutes before assembling enough courage to respond.
ME: Sure. But I just woke up, so I need time to get ready. Pick me up in 45?
HIM: Sounds good :) I’ll msg u when I get 2 campus.
I’m nervous as I get ready. I decided I’m definitely going to confront him about what Hunter told me. I have no choice, because if I don’t, it’ll eat away at me like a slow-moving cancer, until I won’t even be able to look at him without wondering if he cheated.
Hunter has to be wrong, though. Like Pippa said, he’s either straight-up lying or he misinterpreted the situation. I’m hoping for the latter, because I enjoy our friendship and I don’t like the idea that he’s secretly been running a long con to get me into bed. That would be really shitty.
Nico texts when he’s outside. I step onto the porch and am greeted by his handsome face and beautiful dimpled smile. I find myself relaxing. I adore that smile, and I adore that face. He’s…well, he’s my first love. I’m always going to see him and have this giddy, schoolgirl reaction. And just because I’ve had some doubts about our relationship, some suspicions along the way, doesn’t mean we’re not a good couple.
“Hey mami.” He pulls me toward him for a hug, followed by a deep, tongue-tangling kiss.
I want to say it’s a lot of passion this early in the morning, but Nico is always this passionate. It’s the Cuban in him. He’s all about bold claims and romantic gestures.
“You look good enough to eat.” He smacks his lips together comically and I laugh.
“So do you. But I think I want some real food first.”
“You always want real food.”
“True.”
He snickers. “How was Boston last night?” he asks as we step off the porch.
“Good. My parents were bummed you weren’t there.”
“Me too. But I had to work.” He takes my hand. “Hopefully we can get up to see them before Thanksgiving.”
“I doubt it. I’ve got midterms, and in the beginning of November the sorority is planning that fundraiser for the animal shelter.”
His fingers loosely clasp mine as we walk towards the curb.
“Nice, you have your work truck,” I say. It’s one of the white pick-ups from the moving company, with their black and red logo stenciled onto the side.
“I know it’s only a ten-minute walk, but do you mind if we drive to Carver? I only have an hour.”
“You first class isn’t until two,” I remind him.
“I know, but I need to go to work for a few hours. I told Frank I’d do a small job before class.” He opens the passenger side door for me, then hurries around