Page 109 of Talk Nerdy To Me
Ash somehow manages to fall out of her chair.
Bella and Allie exchange wide eyes.
Brin and Ruby exchange high-fives.
In short, the entire table reacts more to that than the announcement of the dissolution of my hymen issue.
Just when I think I’m starting to predict them…
“I’d say it’s always the ones you least suspect, but she’s been obsessed with sex for a while, so I’m gonna say we should have seen this coming,” Tria finally says as she apologizes to the man coming to clean up the glass.
“I’m fine,” Ash says as she sticks a hand up and starts climbing back into her seat. “Thanks for asking.”
I must have missed someone asking her how she is.
“You’ve spent the better part of three weeks having sex with Base Masters?” Bella asks, clearing her throat. “Like a lot?”
I’m not sure why I’m smiling, but I do know I can’t stop. I settle for a nod, since I’m worried about how I can talk and smile like this.
Also, I have no logical explanation as to why talking about this is really making me miss him. I just saw him before I left. He hadn’t been in bed very long because his rehearsal took longer than expected.
“And he’s still essentially living with you?” Allie asks, not sounding as enthused anymore.
“Yes, but we’re not in a relationship. I’m not ready to risk falling in love, and he doesn’t want a relationship while he’s in the middle of trying to build his career.”
“I forget how young she is,” Harley says as she sits back, looking a little deflated. “I was so excited.”
“She’s young. Let her enjoy making some of the fun mistakes. It’s not like she’s jeopardizing anything,” Ruby says, though I have no idea what conversation they’re having.
“Yes, but she’s also naïve, so she doesn’t even realize how bad this can hurt,” Rain says to Ruby, who groans.
“You know he’s going to be gone on a rock tour for a year, right?” Bella asks.
“Yes,” I say slowly, confused by the change in the atmosphere.
My omelet gets dropped off at the table, but they send the man away before he can take their orders.
“Which is why it’s safe to use this as a first boyfriend-ish experience, even though we’re not in a relationship. I can figure out the dos and don’ts without the fear of illogical attachment, because there’s a healthy expiration date.”
“Boyfriend-ish?” Harley echoes.
“Healthy expiration date?” Ash asks with that wrinkle on her forehead that makes the constipation-versus-confused battle begin.
I open and close my mouth, appreciating the fish-in-the-glass-bowl metaphor at this moment.
“You’ve all already burst everyone else’s bubbles. Let her live in hers just a little bit longer,” Brin says on a sigh.
“Musicians can be intense. Passionate. Unhealthy addictions,” Bella starts saying. “And you’re very young—”
She stops talking.
“I really do sound like an all-the-time mom,” she says as she gives a wide-eyed, panicked look to Allie.
Allie pats her shoulder like she’s comforting her.
“Be careful,” Ash says just as Rain opens her mouth. “Just be careful that you don’t both get in over your heads. Base doesn’t usually get this sidetracked by anyone, so that says something.”
I want to ask about the something it says, when Brin slices her hand through the air.
