Page 28 of Conflict
Okay, this I have to hear.
I grab two shot glasses from my cabinet and my salt shaker and set both items in front of her. “Since I hadn’t planned on being here this week, we’ll have to forgo the limes.”
The words are barely out of my mouth before Ariana grabs the bottle, twists the top off, and presses it to her lips. I’ve never seen her like this. Ever. It’s a bit unnerving, and even though tequila sounds fantastic, I think I’ll stick with the wine, just in case this turns into a shitshow.
After several gulps, she finally comes up for air without so much as a cough.
“If it’s really that bad, Ariana, you don’t have to tell me. Seriously. I love you, but I don’t want to be holding your hair when you’re puking later on.”
This is when my sister giggles. I’m pretty sure I’ve never heard her giggle before in her life, and it’s infectious. So I start giggling, and pretty soon, we’re both hunched over, laughing like squealing pigs. It’s not a pleasant description; it’s not a pleasant sound.
Ariana stands up straight, her arms holding her middle. She hiccups once, twice, then brushes her hair out of her face. “Okay, okay. I’m going to tell you this one time, and if you ever tell anyone, I will… I will… I’ll tell Mother you need her help finding a nice man to settle down with. The bluer the blood, the better.”
I hold my hands up in surrender. “My God, Ariana. How long have you been hiding that devious bitch under all that princess poise?”
“It’s the tequila. It brings out the bitch in me.” She pauses to study me. “Or perhaps it’s you.”
“Then, from this day forward, you’re getting margaritas and me every Friday night!” I declare. “Okay, stop stalling and spill.”
“Well… God, this is embarrassing,” she mutters. Then she grabs for the tequila.
But I snatch it up. “Switch to the wine, Ari. I don’t want you passing out before you’re done.”
“Ugh. Fine! I was dry. Like….so dry it hurt when he put it in, and it hurt. I tried not to cry, but when he shoved in, I felt like he was tearing me apart. And he’s not even that big!” she exclaims, shaking her head in disbelief. “I mean, I know people say it’s not always magical the first time, but I hadn’t expected it to be like that.”
I cringe, feeling almost guilty that my first time was a complete one-eighty on the experience level from hers. “Didn’t you guys do any foreplay?”
She bites her lower lip. “No. Um… I don’t even know why I said I was ready. Don’t get me wrong. He didn’t coerce me or anything. I just felt like it was time to take the next step, you know? I just didn’t know it’d be like that. I was so embarrassed. And then he got mad that I wasn’t wet.”
I can’t help the snort. “Honey, making you wet ishisjob.
“But…” She stops when I wave a hand.
“Ariana, yes, we’re dry at different times in our cycles, but every woman is different. Even if you’re drier by nature, you should get wet when you’re aroused. It’s science. Biology. He should’ve ensured you were ready before he ever even tried.”
“He blamed me for it, you know?”
“Yeah, well, he’s a dick.”
She snorts, and I wonder if this will be our breakthrough.
“Yeah, yeah,” I tell her, “it takes two to tango. You were a virgin and he should’ve taken care of you.”
“That’s what the nurse told him. I swear to God I’ve never felt such vindication.”
Just as I am about to take a sip of wine, her words stop me. “The nurse?” I ask. “What nurse?”
“This is why I was laughing. Oh, it’s probably so horrible of me, but well, after a minute or so, it started to get easier. It didn’t hurt anymore, and I could feel the liquid. Benjamin went to move positions and started screaming. I sat up and saw his penis covered in blood. At first, we thought it was from me, but no. I wasn’t bleeding.Hewas.”
“Oh my God, youwerereally, really dry!” I exclaim.
Her grin widens. “And, now, Benjamin has a jumbo-size bottle of lube next to his bed.”
Once again, we dissolve into a fit of giggles so unruly that we both nearly hyperventilate.
Ariana wipes her eyes, wraps an arm around my shoulders, and presses her temple to mine. “I’m just glad that, no matter what, I’ll always have you.”
I squeeze her hand. “Always, Ari. Always.”
