at least one good female friend where our relationship isn’t just sex-based? Maya’s the coolest girl I know. I don’t want to go and ruin that. Ever think of that?”
“Ruin your friendship?” DJ says. “Oh, come on. Alex is my best friend and sex didn’t ruin a damn thing. Plus—and I say this in the most loving, non-slut-shaming way ever because Maya is my friend too—she’s a sexually shameless girl. You know she loves sex, and she doesn’t hide it. We basically have Maya to thank for a freshmen class of women who are first-class head-givers. She taught Alex how to deep-throat. Deep-throat. Can you honestly tell me you haven’t pictured Maya as your little play thing?”
My lips press together in a slight grimace.
“Bro, I get it. Your girlfriend and you have a very active sex-life. I’m happy for you.”
The thing I hate about having such good friends as these guys is that I sometimes think they know me better than I know myself.
Yes, I’ve pictured Maya deepthroating my cock.
Yes, I find that image incredibly hot.
No, I don’t think she could take it all.
And yes, I greatly enjoy my friendship with her. So, we won’t be doing any of that.
I swallow a knot in my throat, tongue-tied.
“Come on, bro,” Finn says to DJ, punching him in the arm. “Don’t call Alex your best friend. I’m your best friend.”
Their budding bromance has really been entertaining to watch this year.
“Where are your ladies, anyway?” I ask, happy to divert the subject away from myself and Maya. “I’m surprised they’re not here to watch.”
“Oh, they’ll be here,” Finn says. “We’re not running until the second half of the meet.”
“How long is the meet?” I ask.
“Eight hours,” DJ says.
“Christ,” I mutter. “I don’t know how you stand track and meets. Don’t you get bored?”
“Us?” Finn points at himself. “I don’t know how you sit in a dugout for like four games out of five until you get your chance to pitch. At least our meets are only once per week.”
“Baseball is at least interesting,” I counter.
“I think a lot of people would debate that,” DJ says.
“Anyway, topic change,” I say. “I’ve had a little problem lately. Would either of you happen to have any ideas on how to get, say, ten-thousand dollars in the next few weeks?”
Finn and DJ stare at each other, then look at me. “Are you in legal trouble or something, man?”
I wave a hand. “Nah, nothing like that.”
“Well, what the fuck do you need ten grand for?” Finn asks. “Sounds like some mafia-type shit.”
I consider coming clean with them, but if I say I am not trying to hook up with Maya and I am helping her in her quest to find the money not to get kicked out of school, I will literally never hear the end of it.
And I do mean literally. I can picture Finn, DJ, and me now in a retirement home giving each other shit sixty years from now.
I’ll say, “Hey, DJ, remember when your girl agreed to go on a date with me first?”
DJ will say, “Yeah, but remember when you friend-zoned yourself with the most sexual girl on campus and tried to help her find the money to stay enrolled? Such a good guy you are. Such principles…”
I shudder at the thought.
“It’s just a…thought exercise,” I say off the top of my head. “I’m reading this book and it’s all about visualization techniques. And I decided to visualize making more money this spring.”
Boom. They’ll never know the real reason.
They look at me kind of funny, but they know I’m into weird shit, so they go with it.
Finn thinks for a moment “Well, if you really needed cash, my great uncle still has mob connections. I could see if someone needs a hit or whatever.”
“A hit? Like an assassin? Are you serious?” DJ asks.
Finn takes a sip of his water bottle and nods.
“Jesus. That seems a little extreme,” DJ replies.
Finn shrugs. “Bro, it’s not easy to get ten G’s. Obviously. Shit, Coach Stone is waving us back to camp. Have a good watch. Thanks for coming.”
“Try not to get too turned on watching your girlfriend,” DJ winks, nodding toward Maya.
She’s getting ready for her race now and yep, DJ is way too on point. He’s on to me. She’s so sexy it’s impossible to ignore.
I sigh and watch her as another race goes off, and then I see her doing full warmups to get her body ready to sprint.
I do want her. It’s true.