Omar’s forehead creased. “But we were together then.”
“I know—” She took his hand, gripping it tightly. “—and this is the worst part, because I messed up, but Idolove you.”
“Messed up how?” Omar asked with a guarded expression.
“I kissed her. Just once. I was trying to figure out how I really felt, but the thing is, the kiss only confirmed how much I love you. Because no matter how attractive I find her, or how curious I am about that side of myself, I’d rather be with you. So I made a choice and I haven’t regretted it since. You’re the one I want to be with, Omar.”
She watched his face contort as he worked through it all, resisting the urge to reassure him again, because he had a right to his reaction, no matter how angry or hurt he might be.
He searched her eyes before asking, “Is it wrong that I still think it’s hot? I mean, if it had been another guy, I’d be losing my mind right now. But another girl? I can’t compete with that, but it also means that she can’t compete with me. Right?”
“If itwasa competition,” Silvia said carefully, “you would have already won.”
“Cool,” Omar said, seeming to make peace with the idea. “Do you feel like being bisexual is something you still need to explore? Like in front of me maybe?”
Silvia’s jaw dropped. Then she reached outside the raft to splash him. “I amnotgoing to kiss a girl so you can get off on it!”
“Hey, I’m just trying to be supportive!”
“I bet.” She affectionately wiped water off his cheek. “I really am sorry. I felt terrible afterwards.”
“It’s all right,” he said, taking her hand to kiss it. “I know it’s a double standard or whatever, but it doesn’t bug me much, since it was a girl.” A funny smile came over his face. “I’ve got something similar to tell you. Remember when I let Anthony think that you gave me a blow job? I did that because it was actually Ricky.”
She waited for him to laugh, but he seemed serious despite the grin. “So you’re…”
“Straight.” Omar shrugged. “I was just horny. And it really was before we started dating. That part was true.”
Silvia shook her head playfully. “Who’s keeping secrets now, mister open-about-everything? Your first gay blowjob is a major life experience. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!”
“Ha ha! I guess I am a hypocrite. To be honest, I thought of you while it was happening. Oh, and there was also a hand job. But that’s it, I swear.”
“So you and Anthony never messed around together?”
“Nope. How come?”
“Becausethatwould be hot,” she said, understanding Omar’s reaction to Keisha a little better. Had she known he would be turned on instead of traumatized, she would have told him sooner and not bothered blackmailing a certain someone into silence. “Hey! Speaking of Ricky, I have a story to tell you about him. And this raft!” She grabbed the rounded side in her excitement, except it wasn’t firm like she was expecting. Instead the raft felt squishy, like it had lost air.
Silvia glanced around and saw that the edges had pulled away from the water and risen into the air. Omar must have noticed her shock, because he looked around too before squeezing part of the raft experimentally.
“Shit!” he said. “Where’s the paddle?”
Silvia pointed to the mud where it had gotten stuck when Omar used the paddle to push away from the shore. And it was the only one they’d had.
“Oh right. I thought the current would have brought us back by now.”
“We’re in a lake,” she said, “not an ocean or a river.”
“No problem. I’ve got this.” Omar took off his shirt. Then he began working on his jeans.
Silvia watched him strip down to his boxers. “What are you going to do, swim for help?”
“Nah.” Omar rocked onto his back, lifted his legs, and pulled off his boxers, exposing his hairy butt. “I’m going to be your motor.”
And with that, he rolled off the raft and into the water. His wet hair was clinging to his head when he resurfaced. Omar brushed it out of his eyes before he bobbed toward the raft, grabbed hold, and started kicking. The partially-deflated material gave way, bowing inward. It seemed like he would end up in the center of the raft until he got enough momentum for the raft to begin moving toward the shore.
Silvia laughed and didn’t stop until the bottom scraped against the shore. Which was close enough that she only had to get her feet wet. She dragged the raft onto dry land and turned to watch her boyfriend slowly lurch out of the water while completely naked. He made no effort to hide the fact.
“Feel free to join me,” Omar said, putting his hands on his hips while panting.