Page 50 of Lucky Night

You didn’t fake it? he says. You had an orgasm?

She nods.

When I…we both came?

Yes.

He is still staring at her, like an idiot no doubt, because he feels like an idiot. He has been made into an idiot, by her. Reduced to repeating, once more, idiotically:

You came?

She nods again.

You…faked fakingit?

Yes, she says.

At which point he completely loses his mind.

What thefuckis wrong with you?

Nick!

What is this, Jenny? You’re playing games withme?

Of course not!

You are! he shouts. I just laid my heart bare for you, and you respond by informing me that you’ve been mocking me all night?

No, I…that’s not why I told you, I told you because—

Who acts like this? He throws his hands in the air. I have no idea where I stand with you! You pretend not to be scared about the fire when you are. You knew a man was hitting on you but claimed you weren’t sure. And you flat-out lie to me,all the time.Apparently you even lie about lying!

Oh, so I should be honest? she says, jumping up, chucking away her empty bottle. I should be honest, but you don’t have tobe?

What? I’m honest!

Come on, Nick! You made up some BS why I shouldn’t get water from the minibar—

The minibar! he wails. Jesus Christ, can wepleasestop talking about the fucking minibar?

—you misled me about where the fire was, you insisted we spend a full night together without telling me it was some kind of test of my loyalty—

That is, oh, Jenny, that issounfair, do not manipulate what I confided in you, do not—

Manipulate? she cries. You manipulate, you—you’re the worst! You’re always making fun of me, you make fun of my books, which you don’t even bother to read—

Donotchange the subject, he says. We are talking about your orgasm right now! Nothing else!

She stares at him. Will you listen to yourself?

He is listening. And he is hearing himself be ridiculous. He laid himself bare—only in part, true, and a relatively minor part, but does she know how hard even that is for him?—he handed her a small soft piece of himself.I thought I was losing you.He trustedher. And she responded by announcing that she’d lied, a lie whose only purpose could be to make him feel failed and weak.

She took his offering and threw it against the wall.

And now? They’re fighting about a fake fake orgasm. An inane argument that only compounds his humiliation.

Afraid he was losing her? He never had her.

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