Best Friends Forever

Chapter Nine

Courtney was nowhere to be found when I got back. I looked for her everywhere–on the beach, inside our cabin, all throughout the lodge–but she wasn't anywhere.

I was about to pull out my phone and call her, just to see if she was still dicking around in town with the girls, but I happened upon her before I could–or rather, I happened upon her voice coming from around the corner of the lodge, leading out to the parking lot.

I had no reason to hang back instead of running ahead to see Courtney to make sure she was alright. I'd never been an eavesdropper and I didn't really care to learn any secrets that weren't specifically trusted to me.

No matter what I did though, I couldn't get myself to move forward, despite all these facts–especially after I heard Courtney say my name.

"You mean Dalton?"

"Of course I mean Dalton. Who else would I be talking about?"

Is that...Candace she's talking to? But why the hell are they talking about me? Unless...what Josh said...

"I'm just surprised you're interested at all," Courtney muttered.

Candace clicked her tongue. "Tsk. Rude."

"No, I didn't mean anything by that! I just-"

"It's okay," she interrupted Courtney smoothly. "I know I can be self centered and bitchy. Josh tells me enough."

Courtney made an awkward noise in the back of her throat that nearly had me busting up into laughter that would have blown my cover.

"So?" Candace said, completely unfazed by how uncomfortable Courtney was. "How serious are things with you two?"

"I mean, it's still pretty fresh. We're just figuring things out right now," Courtney said, and just by her tone I could imagine she was circling a lock of her hair around one nervous finger.

"Mm-hm. How's he in bed?"

"Oh! Um..."

There was a long pause on Courtney's end that had me holding my breath and waiting for her answer right alongside Candace.

"We haven't actually," she muttered finally.

I had no idea what I was expecting, but it wasn't the truth. Between the two of us, I figured that Courtney would lie about us being together because it made sense to her. For her to admit that she hadn't, though, was an interesting turn.

And in such a thoughtful voice too...

"Shame," Candace said before she uttered a hungry hum. "He looks like he'd be a real stud in bed. The quiet ones always are."

"Yeah, I guess," Courtney muttered.

Is she feeling awkward talking about this? Or...I wonder, is she maybe curious?

"Come on, don't say you haven't thought about it at least," Candace demanded. "I've seen the way you kiss the guy, and I know firsthand that you can't stick your tongue that far down someone's throat without thinking about it a little."

Courtney cleared her throat. "I've thought about it...a few times."

"Yeah, and?"

Yeah, Court. And?

There was a pause and a thoughtful noise from Courtney before she spoke, lower than before. "And If I'm being honest I'm kind of scared."

"Why?" Candace scoffed.

Courtney hesitated again. "I'm afraid I'll like it more than I expect."

"Girl, that's the least of your worries," Candace said. "Winning the dick lottery is only half the battle. What you really gotta worry about is keeping that dick satisfied so it sticks around."