Best Friend and Lover

[ Author’s note: This work “Best Friend and Lover” is a story with 12 chapters and a surprise ending. These chapters are not episodic although most have a cliffhanger or tease for the next chapter. You need to read all the chapters for the story to make sense. Also, I love foreshadowing, and these chapters are oozing with it.]

Chapter 2: Bearing Our Souls

Nathan and I hurried to get back to his house. We had just finished the first day of our junior year in high school and wanted to get in an hour of games before looking at the schoolwork ahead of us. We studied together every day at his house. Since my mom wouldn’t get home until late, I would hang out with Nathan’s mom, Jessica, my best friend, after schoolwork and dinner.

Even though Nathan and I didn’t have any classes in common this year, Jessica still wanted me to hang out with her. At dinner, I told her all about my classes, and she recounted her work at the real estate office making copies and coffee. She didn’t make much, but neither did my mom. But that didn’t matter much to us. We had our friendship, and that is what was important to us.

After dinner, Nathan ran off to his room. Jessica and I decided to listen to some music and dance. She liked to flirt with me playfully. Now that I turned 18, it seemed that Jessica was hoping to take it up a notch.

A slow song came on, and Jessica and I move into position. I usually would put my hand on her waist and feel for the waistband of her panties as a guide to put my hands and keep them in a safe place. While dancing, I would finger the waistband unconsciously to keep my hands from wandering.

This time I put my hand on her waist but couldn’t find her panties’ waistband. I started moving my hands up and down along her hips. A thought then occurred to me, and I looked at her face.

She had a naughty grin on her face, “Are you looking for something?”

A shocked look came on my face, and Jessica giggled. Jessica took a few steps back from me. She reached under her dress from the back to cover her front and pulled down her panties.

“Is this what you were looking for?” she teased.

“See,” she said, displaying her panties. “They are the ‘no show’ panties. They have an invisible waistband.” She giggled and tossed the panties onto the couch. She moved back into position and gave me that same naughty smile. “I guess you’ll have to figure out where you want to put your hands now.”

She stepped back into position. I put my hands on the side of her hips, a little lower than usual, and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“I am glad you found the right spot,” she cooed softly.

We started swaying to the music, and I held her close.

“You’re still the gentleman and didn’t feel me up.” She trusted me, and I didn’t want to let her down.

“Do you expect me to grab my best friend’s ass?” I questioned her.

She didn’t say anything. She just pulled me close.

Finally, Jessica broke the silence. “Do you remember that evening, the first time we spent an evening alone?”

“Yes, I was so nervous.”

“Why did you feel so nervous? I was flattered you came over,” she said.

“I didn’t know how you would react. Would you scold me for coming onto an older woman, or would you call my mom and send me home? But you wanted me to be here with you.”

“And that surprised you?” she asked.

“Yes, well, I was afraid you would think I was too forward. I was only a kid, and you were my friend’s mom.”

She commented, “I knew you were harmless. You were cute that way. You are still cute that way. The only reason you were scared was because you are a caring, loving person. You didn’t want me to misunderstand your intentions.”

“That is one way of putting it. But I know you care too. We are good together. Even if you want me to grope you.”

Jessica smacked my ass and said, “You are eighteen now. I want to play around and have fun. You know I don’t mean anything serious by it.”

I reached around and grabbed a big handful of her ass and squeezed for a bit.

“Better,” she triumphantly said as if she had just gained a victory. After a short pause, she said, “Let’s watch a movie.”

I went to the TV to find something. She went to the kitchen to get some snacks.

A warm smell wafted from the kitchen, and it smelled like….

“Popcorn tonight?” I called into the kitchen so she could hear me.

“Yes, a whole bucket full,” she replied, then paused for a moment.

“I suppose you want some extra butter on it,” she added.

Knowing she would not put quite enough on, I called back, “Naw, just soak it in some butter will be fine.”

“And what will you do with your greasy fingers?” she answered back, in a mildly flirty tone.

I immediately answered back in an equally flirty tone, “Where do you want me to put them?”

“I will bring a roll of paper towels. Will that be enough?” she asked but meant it as a statement.

“I thought you wanted me to ….”

“I don’t want your greasy hands on my ass. What do you want to drink?” she asked.

I rose from the couch and crossed the short distance to the kitchen. “I’ll get the drinks. You don’t need to be juggling those and popcorn.”

I entered the kitchen and saw her preparing the popcorn with her back toward me. I paused for a moment to look at Jessica’s gorgeous curves. If she wanted me to squeeze her ass, she wouldn’t mind if I get a better look.

She was my best friend, and we kept things respectful between us. Now I realized she had been holding back because I was underage. I was older now, and she was a bit more daring in her flirting. So, I felt it was okay to do more looking.

“Well, I’m glad to know that if you don’t fondle my ass, at least you know how to flatter me by staring at it,” she said as she wiggled her ass. “Oh, and can you get me a cream soda?”

I searched through the fridge until I finally found it. I just grabbed a Coke for myself. As I went back to the couch, I noticed that her bra now accompanied her panties on her end. “You don’t give up so easily, do you?” I said, and she winked at me.

“What do you have picked out for us tonight? Hopefully, some romantic comedy.” she looked at me expectantly.

“Yes,” I said. Jessica looked at me suspiciously. “It is called Deadpool.”

Now she looked disappointed. “Is it that the one guy who goes around shooting people and making jokes. Or at least trying to make jokes.”

“It has romance in it.” I proclaimed. Then weakly added, “At least I heard there was romance somewhere.”

“I suppose, if we have to. But I better be crying sappy tears of joy by the end, or I want my money back.” she firmly said, but in a playful sort of tone.

Somewhere during the first part of the movie, we had finished the popcorn. Jessica had finished half her soda, and I had finished off two cokes. She sat close to me and leaned on my arm.

Suddenly, she slapped me on the knee, reprimanding me, “Hey, stop looking down my dress! You were trying to look at my tits!”

I feigned innocence and said, “Hey, I was watching the movie. I am not looking down your shirt.”

In my defense, I really was watching the movie. Honestly.

She eyed me skeptically. “Why not? Don’t you want to look at my tits?” Then grinned her naughty little grin.

“Why would I look down your shirt? I can see them just fine through your thin dress.”

She stormed off to her room in a huff. She came back later wearing a sports bra and yoga shorts.

“Now, you can’t look at them,” she said.

“Why do you need to keep changing your clothes? Just put something on and watch the movie with me,” I said.

With that, she threw her panties at me with playful frustration. I picked them up, and before I could hand them to her, she snatched them from my hands and put them next to her bra. It was apparent she was not interested in the movie. I put my arm around her waist to pull her closer. She leaned toward me.

With my arm wrapped around her waist, I poked her in the side to tickle her. She instinctively turned toward me to break away from my tickle attack, which is where I exactly wanted her. I launched into a frontal tickle attack, and she squealed in laughter and tried to tickle me back. Unsuccessful, she grabbed the pillow behind her and smacked me on the head. I faked getting struck and fell back onto the floor.

She jumped on top of me and pinned me down. “I win!” Jessica declared. We laughed at each other and the situation. She laid down on my chest, and we enjoyed the closeness for a while.

I was getting late, so I prepared to go home. Jessica gave me a big hug, and I headed home.

——————————————————————————–

A month later, Jessica was planning to host the office girl’s party at her house. The event was to take place on a Friday night, but several of them had other plans, so it was just Keisha and Lucy. No disrespect to Jessica, but Keisha was the most beautiful woman I had ever met. She stood about my height, 5’8″, but slimmer. Her breasts were size C, wide hips, and gorgeous black skin. She was of the dark ebony kind of skin tone. It may not be politically correct to call her dark black, but I don’t know of any politically correct way to describe beauty.

Lucy brought some wine. I wondered how much she could drink. She was thin and didn’t have many curves.

I wondered how much I could drink. My mom had let me try once, and I got a little buzzed, but I was willing to try again. Everyone was drinking and Lucy gave some to me, so I decided to try it. I did not want to overdo it.

When I went to get some snacks, Jessica talked to me quietly, “So, what do you think of Keisha? I noticed you watching her.”

“I have to confess she is the most beautiful woman I have ever met,” I said.

“Should I tell her that you want her?” Jessica asked.

“Oh no, I don’t want to seem forward. I mean, Keisha is hot and all, but I am not sure if now is a good time. I want to take her out on a date, but I don’t have any money,” I said.

“Okay,” Jessica said, “but don’t give up on her before you even try.”

I didn’t say it, though, but I had often thought of Jessica and me. She was my best friend, but I hoped she would be my first. I never told her that.

At the beginning of the evening, they were all chatting about what women talk and chat about. Soon, Keisha gave me my glass of wine from dinner and asked me to sit with her on the couch. I was not about to pass up a chance to sit with her. We chatted and talked for a while. She started getting closer to me. She was talking about me and how cute I was. How lucky Jessica was to have me around. Her praises of me and the wine started going to my head.

I started acting stupid and silly, posing like a male model and then like a muscle-bound bodybuilder. Keisha was buying into it. (I don’t want to flaunt it, but I was solidly built) She would feel my arms and would touch my thighs. She was stroking my ego and was caressing me. She would hold my hand that was not holding the glass of wine. She would put a hand on my shoulder or maybe patted and rubbed my thigh. Every time her hand was moving further up to my crotch. I couldn’t just brush her hand away, not with a glass of wine in my hand.

Jessica and Lucy were talking, laughing, and ignoring us, which was fine as we ignored them. I had the most beautiful woman in the world fawning over me, and I wanted this chance to be with her. Soon, Jessica turned some music on. I finished my drink and put my glass down. We all got up and danced and watched each other’s crazy dance moves. Jessica danced with me on a slow song. I told her about Keisha making moves on me, and Jessica said it was fine. She was just being playful and told me to relax and have fun. I trusted Jessica, so I decided not to worry about it and go with the flow.

We went back to some fast song. Keisha was a good dancer, and I told her so. She moved toward me and grabbed me around my waist and had me gyrating my hips with her hips. It was a fast tempo, but I kept up. Our bodies were very close together. I was so excited by this type of dancing. Jessica and I could never manage this on our own. Keisha was amazing. At a slow song, I pulled her in very tight to my body. In my ear, she whispered how turned on she was, and how she could feel me getting turned on. We were just having fun, right? I asked myself. Yes, we’re just playing around.

Keisha, whispering in my ear, suggested that we go into Jessica’s bedroom and make out. I liked the idea; we were just playing, nothing serious. She led me by the hand. I looked back at Jessica, and she was not watching but just was talking with Lucy.

Once in Jessica’s room, Keisha started kissing me. Jessica had kissed me before, but this was more passionate. I wanted to taste her, to feel her, and to connect with her. She knew just how to use her tongue. I had never experienced that before, but I found the whole thing very sensual.

“Hey, you two!” Jessica exclaimed.

Oh no, we were in trouble. Keisha said with a naughty smile, “I was just trying on his lips for size.”

Jessica led us out of the bedroom. “Do you think she is better at kissing?” she said as she stepped close to me.

“I am not sure.” Making out with Keisha was not something I was prepared to discuss with Jessica. I was kind of inexperienced at this sort of thing.

“Would you rather kiss her than me?” she asked, daring me to pick.

“You know I would love to kiss you. Right?” I was hoping she would not feel jealous.

She suggested having a kissing contest to see which of the women was better at kissing. Whomever I picked; I would get to make out with her in the bedroom. I reluctantly agreed. Jessica whispered to me, “Jake, just go along with it. Three women are competing for the pleasure of your company. You are popular.”

That made me feel a lot better. They had me lay on the couch as height difference might give away who was who. They blindfolded me, and the competition began.

Like I said, I was not an experienced kisser. The most intense kiss I had was just a few minutes before with Keisha. Now, the competition was on, and I was unprepared for this. Since this was just for fun, we all agreed that we did not have to hold back. We could get as intense and passionate as we wanted. The first pair of lips touched mine, and the kiss commenced. The first woman began to press her lips to mine She massaged her lips with mine; her tongue began to lick gently inside my lips. I tried to imitate her actions in return.

If I were a contestant, I would have lost for sure. I was just not as experienced. But, I was the center of this contest, so I just tried to go with it and enjoy it. Maybe I could learn more about kissing. What started as an intense kiss still lingered and did not seem like it would stop anytime soon. Then her tongue began to explore my mouth more. I tried my tongue and got some reaction from her. Wow, this is getting intense, I thought to myself as I began to melt into the couch. As she began to pull away, her tongue licked my lips in one final gesture.

I was a puddle on the couch. I was in love. At least, that was how I felt. I could feel my heart beating in my chest. My lips hungered for her lips. How could I ever go on without her lips? Then the next pair of lips pressed to mine, and the passion and sensual feelings began again. She was different than the first, maybe because of the different technique, or the texture of her lips. Then her tongue pushed past my lips, and her tongue dominated this sensual embrace, but I felt I was being drawn into her. She was more intense than the first, but that didn’t make the first any less desirable.

My heart was beating rapidly, and my head was swimming in all this passionate affection. She was massaging my lips so well; I could not imagine that I would want anything else to touch them. Hmmm, I was drinking her in, hungering for her taste. Just as my lips were getting used to all of this attention, she broke the kiss and slowly pulled away. Unbeknownst to me, they had set a timer; so they were all had the same length of time, two minutes.

The last pair of lips leaned into mine, and the passion of her lips set mine afire. She was completely different than the other two as she pressed her lips, massaged them gently at first, and parted my lips, and licked inside with her passionate tongue. But her movements with her lips and tongue, seemed to invite me more into the action. The first two seemed to be forcing their passion onto my lips. This last one was beckoning me to pour my passion into her. I was full of fire at this point. I tried to mimic the techniques of the other two. I was probably very clumsy about it. But I was the object, not the contestant. They were not judging my kisses; I was judging theirs. My lips and tongue turned back on hers, and the passion flowed back and forth between us. Then the kiss ended, and as she pulled away, it took part of me with her.

I relaxed back into the couch and basked in the intense, passionate kisses. The passion made me feel like I knew those kissers’ souls, and I yearned for them.

“Which one do you choose?” someone said. The women held the blindfold in place until I chose.

“The last one. I pick the last one.” I said, desperately wanting to make out some more.

As the blindfold came off, Keisha was leaning into my face. “Thanks for choosing me.” She kissed me again, but only for a few seconds. She grabbed my hand and helped me up, and started dragging me off to the bedroom.

As we passed by Jessica, Keisha taunted her, “I won.” and stuck her tongue out at her.

Once inside the room, Keisha kissed me some more. My arousal was showing at this point, and I was ready for anything. “We were just playing, right?” I asked myself again.

Keisha then lowered herself to her knees. “Let’s make this a little hotter,” she said as she began to open my pants. I was flustered. No woman had tried to get into my pants. In a matter of seconds, she had my pants pulled down to my knees.

Keisha opened her blouse to show me her breasts, real breasts, round, firm, dark, ebony breasts. I wanted to reach for them and feel them, but Keisha had squatted down to put her face next to my cock, which was already getting hard from the whole scene.

She took my cock into her mouth and began to suck on it. In a few seconds, I was fully erect. She then started to lick up and down my shaft. She sucked on the tip next. I was about to explode. I didn’t want to blow my load so quick.

Keisha cupped my balls and said, “It’s okay, babe. You can let it all out now. I am ready for it.” But I was not ready. I wanted this sexual bliss to go on and on forever. Before I could think about holding back, I began to cum and cum. She caught it all with her mouth and drank it all down.

She stood up and put her hands on my shoulders. “Did you like it, babe? Was it everything you were hoping for?”

My head was buzzing from the two drinks, but I had enjoyed this. I could feel her passion for me. These few minutes of making out were way more intense than I had experienced before. But I wanted more.

“Yes, I would like some more.”

“I bet you would. Just wait and enjoy the evening, but you will get more.” She kissed me passionately on the lips again.

After finishing, we readjusted our clothes and headed back out where Jessica and Lucy were waiting. I blushed for a moment to think about what we had done in Jessica’s bedroom. Hopefully, she will think we were just kissing.

Someone handed me another glass of wine. I was put at ease, as we talked, joked, and laughed for another hour. Keisha was standing next to me, very close to me, holding my hand the whole time.

Lucy entertained us with stories of her past lovers. We gasped in shock at how open she talked about them. At least, I was shocked. I never had such an open discussion about someone’s love life.

Someone suggested we play strip poker. I loved to play games with Jessica, at least the simple games. She tried to teach me to play poker a few times, but I was never really any good at it. But this time, I was determined to win and get everyone naked.

I had this craving to get everyone naked and eagerly went along with the game. I especially wanted to see Keisha naked. I wanted to see more than just her breasts.

I thought I remembered how to play poker, as Jessica and I played a couple of times. But I didn’t remember it so well. I couldn’t remember the difference between a straight and a flush, so I decided to try for three of a kind. But none of the cards matched. They were all red and black.

At one point, I had four queens in my hand, but none of them matched, they were red or black, and each had a different picture. I lost hope with that hand, threw all of them away, and drew another five cards.

I kept losing despite my best efforts. At one point, I looked up from my cards and took note of my status. I just had my boxers left, Lucy had lost her shirt, and Jessica had lost nothing up until that point, or maybe she had slipped her panties off under her dress. After the drinks and the frustration at the game, I could not remember if she had taken them off, or maybe I was merely wishing. Keisha, however, was down to just her panties. I began to have hope.

After a few more hands, Lucy was only in her bra, Jessica still in her dress, and I had lost everything. On the next hand, Keisha lost, too. They had us stand up and turn around to show them all the goods. I was standing there completely naked in front of my best friend. I was not sure if I should be embarrassed or thrilled. But watching Keisha turn around completely naked was so thrilling that I got a hard-on in front of everyone. I should have been embarrassed. Instead, with my four drinks in my head and my cock getting stiff, I wanted to show off in front of everyone.

What baffled me was the punishment for losing. Keisha had to go into the bedroom and make out with me for seven minutes. After a long look at Keisha, I was not going to argue with the rules.

Once in the bedroom, we kissed some more. Keisha felt my stiff cock brush against her, so she laid down on the bed. I was stunned by her beauty. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever met. She was there in all her naked glory on the bed, begging me to come to her.

She spread her legs and said it was her turn. I saw a pussy for the first time in real life. I remembered those diagrams for sex ed books, but this was real. Her pussy was so delicate and soft. I didn’t know where to begin, so I tried everywhere.

I started to lick her pussy with the flat of my tongue, licking her everywhere. She laughed and giggled, saying that tickled. I slowed down and gently licked each part separately. As I licked there, I tried to gauge her response and find those places she liked.

After probing with my tongue, I found she liked when I licked that nob in the front under that flap of skin. I think she called it her clit. But whatever it was, she liked it and was getting very turned on.

After successfully licking her, or maybe I was unsuccessful, I couldn’t tell; she pulled me up on the bed with her and laid me on my back. With my cock pointing straight up, she was on top of me and rubbed my cock along her pussy, getting it very wet. Then she slipped my cock inside her. I was not ready for the sensations I experienced.

I easily slipped into her, but soon she clamped down hard on my cock. I felt like I couldn’t pull it out even if I tried. She relaxed a bit as she began riding my cock. I didn’t know what to do. I was all so new to this. I grabbed her hips and felt her smooth skin. But it didn’t seem like she needed my help because she was doing all the work.

My hands wandered to her breasts. I had not played with a woman’s breasts before. I felt them, gave them a gentle squeeze, and kneaded them; I loved the feel of them in my hands. With my fingers, I played with her nipples, gently caressing and pinching lightly.

“Hard,” Keisha said through labored breaths, “they love to be pinched.” Keisha was still riding me as I pinched her nipples. Suddenly, I became aware that my cock was about to explode. I looked at Keisha’s face, where she had a look of pleasured pain. I could feel her pussy squeezing and relaxing rhythmically.

An overwhelming feeling surged in my cock as I squirted load after load of cum in her pussy. For several moments I was breathless and exhausted from the effort. Keisha laid down and cuddled next to me.

“How was that, babe? Was it everything you had hoped for?” Keisha asked.

I was speechless. I just went in for another kiss. We both were a bit breathless, but the kiss was incredible. And we laid there in each other’s arms. Keisha felt my cock, and it came to life again. She put us in a position with me on top. I thrust into her, and she squeezed my cock in her pussy.

We tried a couple more positions. It took longer, but we eventually came again. I was exhausted and laid next to Keisha and closed my eyes to rest a bit. I thought our seven minutes were up.

———————————————————————

I don’t remember when I woke up, nor did I remember where I was for a few moments. The memory of the whole evening started to come back to me. I began to panic, “What if Jessica finds out? She is going to be so mad at me.”

I had just had sex with her friend, in Jessica’s bedroom, and on her bed. I felt for sure I was going to be in trouble with her.

I left the bedroom, and Jessica was sleeping on the couch. I quietly picked up my clothes and put my pants on, and headed out the door. I pulled my shirt on along the way. I was so screwed. Then Jessica called while I was walking home. I didn’t answer and hurried faster. She called again just as I walked in the front door. I went to the bedroom and closed the door. I was so panicked that I didn’t want Jessica to find me.

After closing the door, I woke up my mom, who was asleep.

“Jake, what’s wrong?” she asked with a concerned voice.

“Jessica is going to kill me.”

“Why? What did you do?” she sounded more concerned.

“I had sex with her friend!” I explained as I was panicking.

I was freaking out, and if I had actually paid attention to my mom, I would have noticed her loving smile on her face. After she calmed me down, she sat next to me on the bed, and we talked. I told her everything that happened.

“Sounds like you were the young cub in a cougar party,” my mom said.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean, some older women invited you to their party to have sex with you. But in this case, the objective was to get you and Keisha to have sex.”

“I was being used?” I questioned.

“Don’t be so surprised. You are a sexy hunk. Lots of older women would love to hook up with you. Now that you are eighteen, you are fair game. Those women were just toying with you,” my mom explained.

I wasn’t sure what to make of that. I felt stunned, shocked, and used. But at the same time, it was a boost to my ego to know that I was an object of desire. But I shook that idea out of my head and realized that I was being objectified.

My mom said, “But that isn’t what is bothering you, is it? You were hoping it was Jessica, instead. That is why you think Jessica will be mad at you.”

I looked down and nodded my head. I just admitted to myself that I wanted sex with her. “Is it bad that I want to have sex with my best friend?” I asked.

My mom said, “We all want to have sex with someone we can’t, or shouldn’t. But, you and Jessica need to decide whether you should, or not.”

I asked, “What do you think?”

My mom said, “As your mom, I should be telling you not to do such things. But as a friend, I would say that you and Jessica are one of the greatest examples of best friends I have known. You bonded so quickly, and you complement each other so well. Whatever you decide, you should do all you can to stay best friends.”

I said, “You still sound like my mom.”

We both laughed. I continued, “But, you always give me good advice. I am just not sure about sex with Jessica.”

My mom said, “You two are bound to face that question about sex. Most friends don’t have sex. Sometimes, it can ruin friendships, or could lead to a happy married life. Or some friends have sex as part of their friendship. But no friendship is built on sex. You and Jessica need to decide how, or if, it will fit into your friendship.”

“Are you suggesting we should become lovers?” I asked. Maybe that was what I thought all along that Jessica and I could become lovers.

“You are friends, and maybe that is all you need. Do you remember when you found her naked under that bedsheet crying? She had just been humiliated when she had sex with that vile man. What she needed was a friend. If she had a lover, things would have been much worse. You acted like a friend. That was what she exactly needed.”

“We just talked,” I said.

“But you both said your friendship started then. Jake, we all do stupid things sometimes. We may even make a big mess of things. That is when we need a friend.”

I gave my mom a big hug and thanked her for being my friend.

My mom’s phone rang, and it was Jessica. I had turned mine off so she couldn’t find me. She wanted to know where I was. I started to panic again and was afraid to face her when my mom told her where I was.

My mom held my hand and said, “Maybe if you have messed things up, you need a best friend just now.”

“Or she might be mad at me.”

My mom said, “If she messed things up, would you help her?”

I was still panicked and didn’t know how to answer.

My mom continued, “What if she messed up by inviting a young stud to a cougar party, and he freaked out after he did have sex. Do you think she might need her best friend then?”

She made me stop and think about what she was feeling.

Mom lovingly put her hand on the side of my face and drew my attention to her. “Jake, you are a loving, kind, and caring person. You would not have had sex with Jessica’s friend if you didn’t care about her friend. And you love your friend very much. I know you have a kind and loving heart. Trust it, and by the end of the day, you will all be happy and laughing together.”

Mom’s confidence and love made me feel better, but I was still nervous about talking with Jessica.

Mom got dressed and was about to leave when there was a knock at the door. The door opened, and Keisha was standing at the door looking nervous and concerned. I was not sure what was going on.

Mom welcomed her in. “You must be Jessica’s friend Jake was talking about.”

Keisha smiled weakly, “Yes, I am Keisha. Jake and I were … last night. I mean, we met, and ….”

With a big smile on her face, Mom finished Keisha’s sentence, “you met and had sex. And wow! You are absolutely gorgeous. No wonder Jake fell for you.”

I think Mom was making her feel embarrassed, and I felt ashamed, too. Mom gave her a quick hug. “You two have a good time together.” then Mom left.

Keisha walked over to me and asked, “Did you tell your mom?”

“Of course, she is my mom. I don’t hide things from her.”

Keisha hung her head and shook it like she was talking to herself or something. She came and sat beside me on the bed. And started to speak, “Jake, I …” but she didn’t know what to say exactly.

I remembered my mom told me to trust my heart, so I decided to say something.

“I am sorry I ran off like that. I was scared.” She looked at me like she didn’t know what to say. I continued, “My heart had all sorts of mixed-up emotions. I didn’t know how you and Jessica would be feeling. I was afraid to face you.”

Keisha spoke finally, “I am not sure how to feel either.”

I broke in, “I wish I had stayed there with you.” I reached over and held her hand. “I do feel like my first time was wonderful. I was unsure how Jessica would feel if she found us in her bed.”

Keisha pointed out, “She did find us like that. Why do you think she was sleeping on the couch? If she was upset with us, or you, wouldn’t she have woken you up and yelled at you?”

“I had not thought of that,” I said, considered this. “Do you mean Jessica was okay with us having sex?”

“Jake, you didn’t notice her at the door peeking in a few times. She was listening to the whole thing. She planned that whole party with me. That is why I feel mixed up about this. I threw myself at you. Jessica and I planned those games, the kissing competition, and strip poker to put us together alone in her room. We cheated at those games,” Keisha tried to explain.

“Cheated how?” I was puzzled.

“The kissing competition, you were blindfolded; it did not matter which kiss you picked, I was always going to be the winner. Same with the strip poker, Jessica knew you were bad at poker, so they made you and I lose. Jake, I feel like a slut, like I was just conning you into hook up with me.”

I responded, “And I thought I was just getting lucky.”

Then I remembered what my mom told me was true. It was a cougar party. She also had said, “You would not have had hooked up with her if you didn’t care about her.” I realized the same was true about her. She would not be here if she didn’t care. She could have woken up and found me gone and left too.

I continued, “But you’re not a slut. You came here to talk about this. We both care about each other.”

She looked down and said, “I want to be with you and get to know you better. Go on a proper date. But that doesn’t look like that will happen now.”

I looked at her, confused about what was troubling her. She started to become emotional as she continued, “But I see how you are with Jessica. You two love each other. Even though she set us up, it will complicate things between you and Jessica if you and I date like that. Maybe it would be better if we go our separate ways.”

I started to protest because I was so attracted to Keisha, but I thought better of it. Maybe Jessica was okay with it now. Perhaps I wanted to have sex again. But how would Jessica and I feel after a few months from now?

“I do want to have you as a friend. I think you are awesome. You can come and hang out with Jessica and me,” I suggested.

She said, “Do you think Jessica would go for that? Maybe it is just best for us to part ways.”

“Jessica will love it if we all hang out together, especially if her best friend recommends you. I don’t want us to just part ways. I really would love to have you as a friend. No sex attached.”

She chuckled at my play on words. “Even after last night when I tricked you into bed, you still would want me around and not have sex again?”

“Tricked or not, that night will be a fond memory for me. But I am hoping our friendship will be better,” I said.

“I don’t want to forget it, either. But I am willing to give friendship with you a try. Jessica keeps singing praises about you. I am beginning to see why.”

I pulled her into a hug, and she hugged me back. I was about to step back and break the hug, but she pulled me in closer. “Can we stay like this for a while?”

We stood close together, holding each other with her head resting on my shoulder for several moments. She said softly to me, “Thanks for making me your friend.”

I am sure we stood there like that for how long, but eventually, we let go and said, “See you tonight.”

I didn’t see it then, but she had problems she would not talk about. I thought about what my mom said. Maybe Keisha was looking for comfort in sex, but what she really needed was a friend.

———————————-

I walked into Jessica’s house and searched for her, and found her sitting on her bed crying.

“Hi, friend,” I greeted her.

“Your shitty friend, you mean,” she barked out.

I wasn’t sure how to approach her. I was not sure what to say. So, I sat next to her on the bed. I put my arm around her and held her close to me. We sat there in silence while she stopped crying enough to talk. In her few words of wisdom, my mom helped me see this situation better. And having reconciled with Keisha, I thought I understood what Jessica was crying about.

She broke the silence and asked, “Did you talk with Keisha? Did she tell you what we did, or what I did?”

“She said you guys cheated.” I stated, “or rather, you cheated at the games so that I would hook up with Keisha.”

I added, “I talked to my mom about it. She said everything would work out.”

“Really?” Jessica asked. “But she didn’t know about the cheating.”

“You know my mom. She sounded like she already figured out what happened. I don’t know how, but she is smart like that.”

Jessica picked up on that and said, “She is a brilliant woman. That is the problem, she is very smart and you ….”

“And I am dumb. That is what you meant to say. You’re my friend. Just be honest with me.” I said, trying not to be offended.

“Jake, I didn’t mean it like that. You have a big heart. I love that about you. It’s just that you are too gullible. But I don’t think you are dumb. But last night, I took advantage of that to hook you up with Keisha. That is a shitty thing to do.”

“And I thought I was lucky when I won and lost those games. So, I am not that lucky?” I said, trying to sound disappointed.

“That’s not what I meant. I gambled with your virginity. I feel like I pimped you out for your first time. I thought it would be fun for you, but afterward, I regretted it. I was hoping it could have been different for you.”

“Were you wishing we would have hooked up?” I asked.

“Maybe,” she answered.

“Yes, I want to have sex with my best friend. See how shitty I am,” she said as if she was making a big announcement. Then she looked down and seemed more troubled.

I said, “I was hoping we could, too.”

She looked at me, and I looked at her. For a few long moments, we did not know what to say. Then I said, “This is awkward, but I just want to stay friends.”

Jessica then had this look in her eye, like she had an idea. “Would you do something for me?”

“Yes, anything. You know I would,” I professed.

“‘No,’ just say ‘no’ to me,” Jessica said.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because I want you to.”

“Do you really need me to say that?”

Jessica looked me straight in the eye, “I have never heard you say ‘no.'”

“Why does that matter?” I asked.

Jessica said, “If we want to consider sex, then you have to tell me ‘NO.’ If you ever have any doubts that day or any other time and then we do it anyway, we could have troubles between us. I want us to stay friends. And if I want to and you say ‘NO,’ then I will just have to flirt with you instead. And I know you would like that. So, please, will you tell me ‘no’ if you have doubts or just don’t feel like doing something?”

I always wanted to do right by her. But at the same time, I understood her point. I wanted to give to my friend and not take from her, or to be selfish. Maybe it would be better to be firm on things I feel would benefit our friendship and not just go along with someone’s whims. And I do like her flirting and teasing. That makes our friendship fun. I knew what I had to say.

“NO, I will not tell you ‘no.'” I declared.

She slapped me hard on my ass. “Smartass!”

She looked at me then and batted her eyes, and asked pleadingly, “Jake, will you have sex with me right now?”

“No,” I said defiantly.

“Why not? I was so looking forward to feeling your tight muscles and your…” Then she grabbed my balls.

She was testing me. Maybe I am a little slow. I had to think about what to say, and then I figured it out. “Because I don’t want to.”

She patted my ass. “Good. Please don’t ever have sex with me just because I want it. Do it because you want it, too.”

“Do you want to, now?” I asked.

Jessica answered, “No, because you are too eager. Try again later.”