Page 156 of Loved

I’d missed it too. We’d been inseparable growing up.

“Yeah,” Matt said. “We’re good.”

Mason nodded. “And unlike what I said last night…I’m glad you’re both back in New York. We’ve missed you too.”

“I knew it!” Rob ran over to the couch and belly flopped on top of us.

Mason groaned.

I laughed.

Matt pushed him off onto the floor.

Rob got up off the ground and sat down on the couch too. “Just like old times. And I’m glad you don’t actually want to fuck Penny, because then James never would have been able to invite you over.”

Mason shrugged. “I mean, she is hot. And…kind.” He frowned and looked down at his bandaged knuckles.

“So she’s from Delaware?” Matt asked.

I nodded.

“And she’s your student?”

“She was.”

He scratched the side of his jaw. “Does she know about Brooklyn?”

“No. I’ve done my best to keep my word to you. The only person I’ve ever talked about her to is my therapist. And I didn’t use her real name. I know I’ve been a shit friend. But I’d never betray you, Matt. Never.”

He nodded.

“And whenever you do want to talk about her…I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere this time.”

“There isn’t really anything to say, James.”

I thought there was a lot to say. But I wasn’t going to push it. Matt would talk to me when he was ready. And now that I was back in the city, I really would be here whenever that time came.

“I really am sorry about the past few years. I was in a dark place.”

“Understandable,” Mason said. “You married Isabella.”

“Which we probably should have done more to prevent,” Matt added. “But we were all fucked up.”

“Except me,” Rob said. “I’ve always been great.”

“I wouldn’t describe anything about you as great,” Mason said.

“Well your parents would.” Rob immediately lifted his hands to show his innocence. “Just kidding, man.”

Mason shook his head.

“But seriously, guys,” I said. I just needed to get this off my chest. “Penny probably said a bunch of embarrassing stuff about you guys being my best friends or whatever. Because I’ve told her a lot about you guys. So whatever she said to get you to come over today…it’s all true.”

“She told us that to make up for you being terrible the past few years, you want us to gangbang her in front of you,” Rob said.

“Rob, I just promised Penny I wouldn’t hit anyone today. So…stop.”

“I mean…” Mason said. “We are here to make new memories and start fresh, right?”

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