Page 21 of Coping Skills

Hannah narrowed her eyes. “The kind of distraction that gives you orgasms?”

Elena opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She couldn’t deny that. Hannah already knew the answer. So she closed her mouth and said nothing.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

“So?” She bit back a groan at her juvenile response.

Hannah laughed, not even trying to keep it down. Matt came in, his eyebrows raised and a tentative smile on his face. He stepped close to Hannah’s side and wrapped an arm around her waist, kissing her temple. “What’s so funny?”

Hannah shook her head, calming down. “Elena’s telling me how she and Daniel are fuck buddies.”

Matt’s head swiveled to Elena. “Daniel? As in Carter? How long’s that been going on.”

“I wouldn’t—“

“Since Westport,” Hannah butted in before Elena could finish what she was going to say.

Gritting her teeth, she tried again. “No. It’s not—“

Hannah cut her off again. “Well, it started there. But they had to take a break over the summer for obvious reasons.”

Matt nodded. “Yeah. Makes sense.”

“Anyway, they picked up again after they both got back in town.” Hannah looked at Elena. “After the wedding, right? I saw you two leave together.”

Elena waited a beat, her arms crossed. “Oh, so I’m included in the conversation again?” She made a rolling gesture with her hand. “Carry on. You don’t really need my input. You seem to be doing fine on your own.”

Hannah rolled her eyes. “Please. Don’t be so dramatic. I don’t know why you’re being so secretive about it. He’s a good guy. I’m happy for you.”

“I’m not being secretive. It’s just not that big of a deal.”

Hannah gave her a look. “If you say so. Actually dating him wouldn’t be a bad thing, though. And didn’t you tell me he wants you to go to homecoming so he can take you to the party after?”

“Yeah.” Elena didn’t want to admit that, even though she’d already told Hannah about it. She just didn’t want to prove Hannah’s point for her. She knew she was being stubborn and childish, but at least it deflected the attention from her earlier statements and other problems.

“So it seems like he’d like for it to be more than just friends with benefits. And you told him yes, so …”

“Good,” Matt interjected. “I’ve always liked Carter.”

Hannah laughed. “Really? You didn’t seem so fond of him last spring.”

Matt pulled her tighter. “Yeah, well that was when he was trying to make a move on my woman. No one would be happy about that. But he’s never been a bad guy.” He turned his gaze on Elena. “In fact, I’m kind of surprised to hear about the whole fuck buddy situation. He doesn’t usually go for that. He never hooked up with the chicks at parties to my knowledge, and has always made known his preference to be in a relationship over just getting laid.”

Elena shifted, feeling a twinge of guilt. She hadn’t realized that. He’d asked her out a few times and hinted at wanting to turn what they had into something more, but she’d always shot him down. He’d taken it in stride, not seeming bothered by her insistence that she was too busy for a relationship beyond what they had. She’d assumed that he was a manwhore like the rest of the football team. Apparently she’d been wrong.

“Oh,” was all she could manage to say.

Matt and Hannah went back to the living room to keep watching the game. Elena sat at the table for a few minutes, mulling everything over before going to the bathroom and returning as well. No one mentioned her outburst again, though she did apologize to Megan before she left.

Megan waved her off. “It’s not a big deal. I get it. Don’t worry about it.” Then gave her a big hug before waving at Hannah and Matt and following Lance and Abby out the door.

The revelation about Daniel preferring relationships and not usually being okay with casual arrangements stuck with her, and made her want to talk to him about it. What if he wasn’t happy with the way things were? Would he end it if she kept turning him down? That thought made her stomach drop. Would she be willing to give a little in order to keep him around for longer? She just might have to.

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