Page 14 of Committed to You

“Sure. In my early twenties. But not several at a time.”

“Are you saying that people in their thirties shouldn’t have friends with benefits?”

Instead of answering his question, I go around it. “I just think at some point you have to grow up.”

“Is that right?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I missed the friends-with-benefits stage of my early twenties, so I’m embracing it now. There’s full disclosure for everyone involved. We all know what we are. There’s no cheating, and no one gets hurt. That doesn’t make me a bad person.”

“I didn’t say you’re a bad person.”

“But, you’re judging me.”

I look away. I am judging him, and I shouldn’t. I don’t have any right. It’s his life and his decisions. “Someone always gets hurt in friends with benefits.”

“I never have.”

“Then you’re the one doing the hurting.”

“How is that?”

“Someone always develops feelings.”

“No, they don’t.”

“Yes, they do.”

“That’s never happened with any of the girls I’ve been with.”

“How do you know?”

“I’ve never had any problems.”

I huff out some air.

“At least my relationships are honest. Most people in relationships lie and cheat on each other. I know exactly what I’m getting, and so do the women I’m with.”

“Most people aren’t liars and cheaters, Chase.”

He snorts. “Not my experience.”

Surprised, I ask, “A girl or several girls cheated on you?”

He scowls. “Let’s change the subject.”

“Why?”

“I’m not going to talk about this anymore. You seem to have firm ideas about me, so let’s agree to disagree and move on.”

We lock eyes in a challenging stare as the waitress brings us our food.

After she leaves, we eat in silence for a few minutes. The knowledge that some girl cheated on Chase stabs my heart, and question after question forms in my head. What happened? Was it one girl or several? Is he still hurting?

I put my hand over his. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to judge you.”

“You aren’t a number to me.”

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