V-Card

by Alicia Michaels

  By the time the night was over, I was sure Luke would have whipped cream coming out of his ears for a week. As the festival wound to a close, I started breaking down our both while Luke toweled off.

  “You missed a spot,” I said.

  Luke scrubbed at his face. “Where?”

  “No, no there, behind your ear. Just let me!”

  Snatching the towel from him, I reached behind his ear and swiped at the dollop with my finger. Absently, I brought it to my lips. I watched Luke’s eyes widen and zero in on my mouth and dropped my hand, my neck and face burning. Luke frowned, stepping closer, his eyes burning into mine.

  “Jenn,” he said, softly.

  “Yeah?” I replied, breathless.

  “You’ve got something on your face.”

  I blinked. “What? I do?”

  He nodded. “Yeah. Right there.” With a grin, he shoved his hand in my face … which he’d conveniently filled with whipped cream at some point. Through a white smear of cream I glowered at him.

  “Oh, you are so dead.”

  Taking up one of the leftover canisters, I let loose with a volley of whipped cream. Luke grabbed another one and before long we were ducking behind the prize bins, squirting whipped cream at each other. Luke ran out of whipped cream first, and rushed me, grabbing me around the waist and lifting me over his shoulder as he snatched my canister away. His fingers found my side, tickling me until I was about ready to pee myself.

  “You give up?” he challenged, pausing mid-tickle.

  “Never!” I panted, reaching for a leftover pie tin filled with cream. Just as I was about to whip it over my shoulder at him, Kinsley, Christian, Chloe, and Kara appeared by our booth. An Indian Princess, Superman, Glenda, and Wonder Woman stood staring at us, open-mouthed.

  Luke set me back on my feet and grinned sheepishly. “Hey guys,” he said, wiping a smudge of whipped cream from his forehead and licking it from his fingers. “We were just … cleaning up.”

  Our eyes met and we burst into a fit of laughter as our friends looked on. “You done yet?” Christian asked, a black eyebrow arching up. “We can come back.”

  “Yeah.” Suddenly, as I flung the last pie at Luke, landing it square in his face. “We’re done.”

  ***

  Though Dain’s get-together was a costume party, I had to change out of mine before heading to his condo. Luke and I had ruined ours in our whipped cream fight and had to improvise. Luke was wearing a white button-up shirt, tighty-whities, and sunglasses a la Tom Cruise in Risky Business. I’d had to settle for making up my face like a cat and letting Chloe fix my hair into two buns on top of my head that looked like ears. A cute black jumpsuit and heels stolen from Chloe’s closet and I was a black cat.

  Luke had decided to bring Kara to the party, but even that couldn’t destroy my good mood. I’d washed the whipped cream away before showering with my favorite coconut lime verbena body wash, topping it off with the lotion and body spray. Beneath my jumpsuit I was wearing lacy black panties and a bra that matched, and my legs were shaved.

  Tonight would be the night, I could feel it.

  A little thrill ran through me as we scaled the stairs to Dain’s apartment. Once the party was over, I’d have Dain to myself. If I was lucky, he’d have me. There would be no interruptions tonight. I’d all but threatened Kinsley’s life if I got so much as one phone call. She’d promised to only call if someone was dead or dying.

  The door was answered by a tall, blonde amazon dressed as a Greek goddess. I recognized her from the party at Christian’s parents’ house. “Chris, honey!” she cried, leaping into his arms and kissing him full on the mouth. Dain appeared behind her dressed like a pirate. He looked dashing in his open, white shirt and boots, and was even sporting an eye patch.

  “There’s my girl!” he said, sweeping me into his arms. He kissed me like there was no one else in the room. He smiled as he gazed down at me. “You’re wearing it.”

  I fingered the pendant against my chest and nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Looks great on you. Catwoman?”

  I shrugged. “Just a cat. I was Betty Boop earlier, but I got into a whipped cream fight.”

  He laughed and draped an arm over my shoulders, drawing me further into the room. Kara clung to Luke as they joined Christian, Chloe, and Kinsley near the kitchen. Dain had the bar covered in food, and in the kitchen was a keg and a few bottles of liquor.

  “You want a drink?”

  “I really shouldn’t.”

  Dain smiled down at me. “Of course not. You’re such a good girl. You’ll be twenty-one soon, though, right?”

  “Just another month.”

  “Sweet. On your birthday I’ll get you good and drunk. Come on, I want you to meet some of the guys from work.”

  I followed Dain to the kitchen where a group of people were milling around the beer keg, sipping from red Solo cups.

  I met four guys named Charles, Jack, James, and Louis, but after that couldn’t remember which face went with which name. I munched on chips and drank soda while I watched Dain interact with his guests. I didn’t want to monopolize him, especially when I knew I’d have all night with him. He really came alive when there were a lot of people around. His smile was magnetic and his friends hung on his every word.

  “He’s really something,” said a voice from behind me. I turned to find Kara there, watching Dain and his friends over my shoulder. I fought not to roll my eyes, but my distaste for her must have showed because Kara sighed. “You don’t like me, do you?”

  Her question was so unexpected, that for a moment, I was speechless. “I … well, I … of course I like you,” I managed.

  Kara didn’t hold back her eye roll. “Look, you don’t have to lie to me. I get it, okay? You and Luke … you’re friends, but there’s more there, I think.”

  I frowned, spotting Luke and Christian in the living room. “What makes you think that?”

  “I’m not blind, you know,” she said. “I see the way he looks at you. I think the only person that doesn’t know Luke’s in love with you, is you.”

  I folded my arms across my chest. “If you think Luke is in love with me, why are you with him?”

  “Oh, we’re not really together,” she said, lowering her eyes. “Not that I wouldn’t like us to be, but everyone knows Luke doesn’t do commitment.”

  It was true. Everyone did know it. Which was why I couldn’t figure out why everyone kept trying to play matchmaker between us. “Are you hoping he’ll change for you?”

  Kara snorted sarcastically. “I can hope, but it’s an empty hope. I know there’s no chance, but I really like him, so I take what I can get. It’s pitiful, I know.”

  Suddenly, Kara didn’t seem so bad. Her forced smiles hid the truth—she wanted a guy who didn’t really want her back. “You’re not pitiful,” I said gently. “Girls are different than guys. They can be with a girl and not let their emotions get in the way. It’s harder for us.”

  Kara nodded. “Exactly. Anyway, I knew who Luke was from the beginning, so it’s not like he’s leading me on. I think he could change, though. For the right person.”

  She stared at me pointedly, but I shook my head. “I’m with Dain,” I insisted, which was becoming a habit. Why couldn’t everyone just understand that? “And I’m happy.”

  Kara smiled, but I could see that it was forced. “That’s great. He seems like an awesome guy.”

  I watched Dain laughing with one of his friends, his smile wide. “Yeah, he is.”

  “Good for you. Anyway, I just wanted you to know I don’t have any hard feelings.”

  She turned to walk away, but I grabbed her shoulder, stopping her. “Thanks,” I said. “And I’m sorry if I came off like a bitch. I just … well, there’s no excuse and I really am sorry.”

  This time Kara’s smile was genuine. “It’s fine. Thanks, Jenn.”

  After she’d disappeared into the crowd, I went back to my soda. It felt nice, finally coming to so
me sort of understanding with Kara, but somehow the subject of Luke kept popping up and it was making me sick to my stomach again. I could feel him watching me from across the room, even from behind his glasses. Needing a moment alone, without those eyes one me, making me feel things I didn’t want to feel, I went off in search of privacy.

  Dain’s room was empty, and I closed the door and sank down onto the bed in the dark. It was cooler in here without the press of so many bodies and I was grateful for the chance to get my head together. The room smelled like Dain’s cologne and it was soothing. After a while I began to feel like I could go back out there … but first, a trip to the little girl’s room. That soda had my bladder about ready to explode.

  Ducking into Dain’s bathroom, I did my business and washed my hands. As I was drying them, I heard the bedroom door open and masculine voices on the other side.

  “Thanks for the shirt, man,” someone was saying as the sound of footsteps sounded in the room. “I guess keg stands were a bad idea.”

  I heard Dain laugh from the other side of the door. “Especially since you’re already drunk off your ass.”

  They laughed, and I was pretty sure I detected Christian’s voice among them.

  “Aw, man,” said a third voice. “That girlfriend of yours is sexy as hell.”

  “Isn’t she?” Dain answered. I grinned and pressed my ear to the door, wanting to hear more.

  “Who, Jenn?” Christian asked, his voice incredulous.

  Dain laughed again. “Come on, man, you telling me you never looked at her that way? How can you live in an apartment with three girls that hot and not even think about getting with one of them?”

  I could almost hear Christian shrug. “They’re more like little sisters to me,” he answered. “I look at Jenn and it’s like seeing one of my girl cousins or something.”

  “No cousin of mine has tits that nice,” said the first guy.

  “Hey!” Christian protested. “Don’t talk about her like that.”

  “Relax, man,” Dain said. “He’s right, they are luscious.”

  My mouth fell open in shock, but I knew all guys talked this way when they were alone. It wasn’t as if I hadn’t discussed a guy’s anatomy with Kinsley and Chloe on a few occasions. Still, I’d have thought Dain would be the one to stick up for me, not Christian.

  “You hitting that yet?”

  I heard Christian suck in a sharp breath, and pictured the vein in his forehead pulsing and his face getting red.

  “Nah, not yet,” Dain answered. “But soon, real soon. Not like I couldn’t have before, the girl’s practically in love with me. Gave her this necklace last week and now she’s eating out of my palm.” He laughed. “Man, I’ve got like four other chicks walking around with that same necklace on.”

  “Dude, seriously,” Christian said, his voice strained. “We’re friends and all, but I will kick your ass.”

  “Come on, Chris,” Dain said. “You know how it is. With a good girl like Jenn, you never have to worry about her not knowing her place. Get her a few gifts, talk nice to her, and reap the benefits. But then on the side …”

  Some of the other guys chimed in in agreement. “You still banging that chick from the coffee house?” one of them asked.

  “Hell yeah,” Dain answered. “All I gotta do is make a phone call and she brings her sweet little ass on over. Honestly, it’s getting a little too easy.”

  “You’re cheating on Jenn?” Christian sounded outraged and I was rapidly becoming very sick. I clutched my stomach as I waited silently for Dain to answer, my throat constricting rapidly.

  “When did you become a boy scout?” Dain asked with a snort. “The Christian I know is a player.”

  “I don’t make girls empty promises and string them along,” Christian argued. “And I sure as hell don’t make them think I want a serious relationship and cheat on them behind their backs. You have to tell her.”

  “Look,” Dain said, his voice gone harsh, “I don’t know what your problem is, but what I do with Jenn is none of your business.”

  “She’s my friend, and that makes it my business. Either you break things off with her, or I’m telling her about your little friend from the coffee house.”

  I’d heard enough. Way more than enough. Reaching for the doorknob, I turned it and stumbled out into the room. Tears blinded me as I confronted Dain and his friends. The two other guys had been sitting on the bed, and jumped to their feet at my intrusion. Christian winced and Dain’s eyes grew round as saucers.

  “Jenn,” Dain said, his voice changing back to the soft, sweet tone he’d been using on me for the past month. He came toward me, removing his eye patch. “Babe, I can explain.”

  “Shut up,” I snapped, shaking my head. I speared his friends with a narrow glare. “Get out.” Shooting Dain pitying glances, they obliged. Only Christian remained. “You too.”

  Christian stared back and forth between me and Dain. “You sure?”

  I nodded. “Yes.”

  He folded his arms across his chest and tried to look intimidating, which actually worked since he was dressed as the Caped Crusader. “Fine,” he said, his jaw clenching. He turned to Dain. “I’ll be right outside this door, and if she even whimpers, I’m breaking it down.”

  Ignoring him, Dain came toward me as Christian closed the door. He reached for me and I backed away, holding my hands up to ward him off. “Don’t touch me,” I hissed, blinking back the tears starting to cloud my vision. I would not cry in front of him. “Don’t ever touch me again.”

  “Jenn, babe, come on. You know that’s just how guys talk. I didn’t mean any of it.”

  “No? Not even the part about my luscious tits? Or how about this stupid necklace you give to all your girlfriends.”

  Dain winced. “Okay, the part about your breasts was tacky, but I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just locker room talk, no one takes it seriously. As far as the necklace … I may have bought some like it in the past, but you’re the only one I care about, Jenn, I swear.”

  I shook my head. “All this time I thought you really liked me, but I was just a plaything for you, wasn’t I? Rich, spoiled Dain can have any girl he wants, but he wants a good girl. One that knows her place, right?”

  Dain ran a hand over his hair and sighed. “Look, sweetheart, life isn’t all rainbows and candy, okay? You’re a big girl, you know how it goes. I’m a man, and I have needs.”

  “Yeah, well, from what I hear your little friend down at the coffee shop has been taking care of them just fine.”

  “Look, you were the one who asked me just a few weeks ago how I felt about some other guy putting the moves on you. You’re in no position to talk.”

  “I was honest with you about that! And when he tried to kiss me, I told him I wanted you, not him. After that, nothing ever happened again. You, on the other hand, have been screwing that girl and God knows who else.”

  I reached up to the chain around my neck and found the pendant. Yanked it, the clasp snapped and the chain fell noiselessly to the floor. “This is over,” I said, going to brush past him. “I don’t ever want to see you again.”

  Dain shrugged as I brushed past him. “Fine. It’s not like I’ll have trouble replacing you. There are plenty of others who are willing, and way hotter than you.”

  “They’re welcome to you, then,” I replied, turning in the doorway. Christian stood, watching on the other side as he’d promised. “Oh … and, Dain?”

  “What?”

  “One last thing.”

  Before he could blink, my arm lashed out and my fist connected with his face. Blood spurted from his nose and stained my knuckles; pain radiated up my wrist and arm.

  “Ah, damn it! Bitch!” Dain roared, pressing a hand to his gushing nose. A slight wave of satisfaction rolled over me. I turned and walked out.

  Once I was clear of the room, I kept walking, down the hall and through the living room. “Jenn!” Christian called out behind me, but I ignored hi
m. “Jenn!”

  Faster I went, until I was jogging, past Kinsley and Chloe, toward the front door. “What’s wrong?” I heard Kinsley ask. Christian murmured a response I couldn’t hear. My blood was pounding and creating a dull roar in my ears and acidic bile had risen up in my throat. My lungs were burning with the effort it took not to cry, and all I wanted was to be left alone.

  I flung the front door open, running now as I neared the stairs.

  “Jenn!” This time, the voice was Luke’s. He was coming behind me, his sunglasses removed and his eyebrows furrowed with worry. “Jenn, wait up!”

  I shook my head and went faster, going down the stairs toward the parking garage. This was the last thing I needed, to be confronted with confusing feelings toward Luke after what Dain had just put me through. A sob tore up from my chest and there was no stopping it now. Hot tears splashed my face, and I didn’t bother trying to stop them this time.

  I careened forward on the stairs, thrown off balance once again by Chloe’s heels, catching myself on the banister just in time. My knee hit the concrete step and I cried out, pain now shooting up my leg and into my hip. When I stood, Chloe’s undoubtedly expensive jumpsuit was torn at the knee and a scrape was welling up with blood. I clung to the stair rail, and lowered myself onto the bottom step, wrapping my arms around my knees. Burying my face there, I gave in to the hurt and embarrassment tearing through me.

  Just when I’d thought things were going so well, everything I’d thought to be true had turned out to be a lie. I felt so stupid for being fooled by a pair of pretty green eyes. Most importantly, I was angry over the time I’d wasted on Dain.

  A hand rested between my shoulder blades and I felt a body on the steps beside mine. Warm, solid, and steady. Luke. I glanced up at him, sniffling as a fresh wave of tears came. He wiped them away gently, his face a mask of anger and empathy. In that moment, I didn’t care about anything else that had happened between us. The fact that he was here when I needed him was enough. I let him help me to my feet and didn’t push him away when he put an arm around my waist.