The Best Mistake - Cookie O'Gorman Page 0,9

rest of my life.”

“But what happened after you went upstairs with O’Brien?” she said.

Everything, I thought. And nothing I wanted to talk about. Good lord, how was I supposed to explain this to Charlie? She’d never had trouble with men. Guys would just roll over for her if she snapped her fingers. I was pretty sure Charlie had never tripped (twice) while trying to hook up with someone, let alone had that awkward moment at the end where his brother walked in on us. Ugh. The only saving grace was at least I’d never have to see Baylor or any of the O’Briens again. It was senior year. We’d never had any classes together, and I figured they were more into sports anyway. Southern University was a big place. The Omega Beta house was across campus from where I lived. There was a very good chance our paths wouldn’t cross again.

I frowned. Why did I feel so down about that?

“Hellooo,” Charlie said. “Honor, you still there?”

“I’m here,” I said, stopping just outside the journalism room.

“Well? You’ve got to tell me about your hot night with Baylor O’Brien. Are the legends true? Is he a master of the bedroom?”

I closed my eyes, thinking about last night, how his kisses had set every part of me on fire, the way he’d touched me like he couldn’t get enough.

“Yeah,” I sighed, “it’s all true.”

Charlie whooped so loud I had to hold the phone away from my ear.

“I knew it!” she said. “I knew he was the one. How does it feel on your first day as a non-virgin?”

“Well…technically,” I said, “I’m still a card-carrying member of the V-club.”

“What? But I thought you said it was all true. I thought the two of you hooked up. Did he at least give you the O?”

“He did,” I said, then lowered my voice. “But we didn’t have sex.”

“Huh,” she said after a moment.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s just…you sounded so dreamy; I was sure you’d gotten some.”

I sighed. It wasn’t for a lack of trying, I thought. But instead of Baylor simply taking me like I thought he would, his first priority seemed to be making me feel good—which in turn seemed to make him feel good. What kind of player does that?

“Not to be weird or anything,” Charlie said, “but this is the first I’m hearing of anyone not sleeping with Baylor O’Brien.”

“That is totally weird,” I said.

“Sorry, but a guy like him doesn’t get that kind of rep for nothing. He supposedly goes through girls like water.”

“You know that part didn’t really seem to fit.” My brow furrowed. “He didn’t seem like much of a player to me—besides his skills in the bedroom. He was thoughtful and sweet.”

“Huh,” she said again, “if he was so good, then why stop? Did something happen?”

“Not really.” I blushed, memories of the other night flashing through my mind: the moment when the door opened right after such an intimate act, how I tried my best to run away, hindered by Charlie’s dang stilettos, my last look at the first guy I’d actually felt a connection with—and that was before we’d done more than kiss.

“Was it the virgin thing?” Charlie said. “I bet it was, right? Guys can be so weird about that sometimes.”

“No, Charlie,” I hissed. “It wasn’t that, okay? It may have had something to do with his brother walking in on us. But to be honest, I’m not sure—”

“Wait, wait,” she said, and I could hear the laughter in her voice. “Did you just say his brother walked in? While you guys were…oh my gosh, Honor! Why didn’t you say so before?” She howled. “That is priceless! Seriously, I can’t…I just…”

I tapped my shoe, waiting on her.

Charlie was laughing so hard. It sounded like she was gasping for breath.

“Well golly gee,” I said, “I can’t imagine why I didn’t tell you, best friend. Especially when you’re having such a super reaction.”

“Sorry, sorry,” Charlie said between laughs. “But can’t you see how hilarious this is?”

“Hilarious,” I deadpanned, “scarred-for-life, whatever you want to call it.”

Charlie tried to pull it together.

“You finished?” I said.

“Yes,” Charlie squeaked, obviously trying to hold back. “But can I ask you just one thing?” She was silent a beat then, “What did the brother say?”

I thought back. “He said something about not knowing we were in there and putting a sock on the doorknob—which I didn’t really understand, sounds pretty gross, but whatever.”

That set my best friend off again.

I rolled my eyes as peels