remembering the feel of his stubble on them. Who knew a few unshaved hairs could be that much of a turn on?
I was turned on. The revelation was like a bucket of cold water being poured over my head. That couldn’t happen again. Kent could not turn me on. He was the wrong kind of guy for me, the kind I spent my life ignoring—manwhores with pretty eyes and too many muscles. It would be so easy to fall for his bullshit. It would be so simple to say yes, I did get excited watching him thrust into another woman. The thought ashamed me, as it should. I spend the rest of the afternoon ignoring it, eating leftover pizza in my room and texting Becca.
Me: Hey sis. How’s school?
Becca: Boring. How’s life without me?
Me: Invigorating. I got kicked out of my room.
Becca: Rain.
I can picture her big sister face. All dark eyebrows and glittering hazel eyes.
Me: I already found a new 1.
Becca: Y R U telling me this?
She’s got big sister radar like crazy.
Me: I’m living with 2 men.
My phone rings immediately. “It’s fine,” I insist.
“It’s fine that my baby sister is living with two strange perverts? Move out. If you need money I’ll send you the rest of my student loan money.”
“No, you need that. It’s fine. I promise. Kent’s too busy screwing every girl within a five mile radius and his roommate is sweet and shy.”
“Kent?”
“Yeah.” I get a sinking feeling.
“Kent Nicholson? Light blond hair? Crazy black eyes? And that body, oh man, I want to have his babies. That Kent?”
“There’s a lot of Kents in the world. How did you know it was this one?”
“Because there’s only one Kent Nicholson in Jacksonville. Come on. Everybody knows who he is. Well, everyone with a vagina. You do have a vagina, don’t you, Rain?”
I make a face at the phone. “I think so. It’s that thing in my head that tells me not to waste my v-card on anything with muscles, right? Did you miss that memo?”
She laughs throatily. “I missed it last night, and this morning. I mean seriously, Rain, I can barely walk. Talk about bone.”
“Eww, Becca. Did you use a condom?”
“Four.”
I sigh, ignoring her giggles. “What do you know about him?”
“He likes to spank.”
“No. Kent.” I cover my face with my hand and groan. “Dude, TMI.”
“Sorry.” She doesn’t sound sorry. “Why do you want to know about him so badly?”
“I don’t.”
“Raina O’Connor. Do you have a crush?” She sounds so accusing I have no choice but to laugh.
“A crush? What am I? Fifteen?”
“Well, I was already sneaking boys in my bedroom at fifteen. You were busy watching old reruns of Friends when Mom and Dad were out doing whatever it is they used to do instead of taking care of us. So yeah, you’re at about fifteen.”
“I don’t have a crush on him. I live with him. Aren’t I allowed to be curious about him?”
“Why haven’t you talked about the other roommate?”
“Hanging up now.”
“Wait,” she laughs. “All right. I’ll lay off. But seriously—you’re going to have to grow up eventually. You live your life in a petri dish. What are you worrying about? Remember, mold saves lives.”
“This is you laying off?”
“Just tell me this. Isn’t he the sexiest son of a bitch you’ve ever seen?”
My cheek fills with heat. “Becca.” I exhale. “I’ve never met anyone sexier.”
She screams on the other end. “I knew it!” Calming down, she takes a deep breath. “I am still your big sister and I don’t like you living with them. And especially not with Kent Nicholson. I’ve seen him at parties. He’s filthy. Attractive slutty men do not make good roommates for my innocent baby sister.”
“I’m not innocent.”
“Fine, you’re a prude. Better?”
I stick my tongue out at the phone. “I have to start getting ready for work. I’ll call you later.”
“Later. I love you, Rain. If you need anything call me.”
I try not to choke up. Becca’s all I have, and when she reminds me with her generosity it makes me emotional. “I love you too, Becca. I will. Thank you.”
“And don’t sleep with Kent. I mean it. Don’t fall for his BS.”
“You’re offending me right now.”
“You’re offending me by living with Kent Nicholson.”
“Did you two…?” I let the accusation hang there.
“You’re kidding, right?”
Uh-oh. Now she sounds mad. “Just checking. I gotta go. Love you, Becca. Bye!”
I hang up before she can bite me through the phone. I find my work clothes, a pair of black short shorts and a