this fire

chapter seventeen

"So let me get this straight," Brooke said, shifting on her bed so she was cross-legged and facing Laney. Laney was sprawled out on her bed, a goofy grin on her face, unmoving. "You saw him in the shower – in the men's locker room – and he took you back to his place for dinner and instead you had sex?"

"Twice," Laney corrected.

"Right. Twice. And–"

"That night. Really in the two days it was more like four. Maybe five. I lost count."

"After four times? I'd remember that. And also, four times?"

"You wouldn't. And yes." Lethargically, Laney pulled herself to a sitting position and stared at Brooke. "It was the best sex I have ever had."

"Ok, first of all, how many other guys have you had sex with, and second, you are going to tell me everything."

Laney looked thoughtful. "Two. Yeah."

"Where?"

"In London."

"No, I mean, where did you have it with Aaron?"

"Er...the bedroom. The couch in the living room, the kitchen, and....the shower. I think it was only four times." Laney glanced at Brooke, whose jaw had fallen open. "What?"

"Laney!"

"WHAT?!"

"So...how did it happen? I'm really confused. Because you guys acted like a brother and sister. And now..."

"I know. Believe, me Brooke, if you're confused about it, I'm about ten times more confused. It was like, one minute I was freaked out about walking in on him in the shower, and the next...oh God, Brooke, it was so amazing. And he was so sweet. Not like the other assholes I've done it with, just all about getting off."

Brooke sighed. "How would you feel if I seduced him?" The next thing she knew, she was laying on the bed with a pillow over her face. "What?" she asked indignantly, sitting up.

For the next hour, Brooke quizzed Laney on just about every detail of her weekend, and analyzed Laney's answers, both out loud and in her head.

"Laney," she said seriously after Laney'd spilled all the details she was willing to give and they'd sat in silence for a minute.

"Yeah?"

"I'm in love with your cousin."

Laney choked on the water she'd been drinking; she'd expected some advice about what she should do, not a confession of love for Ian. "You...er..."

"I'm sorry; I know you're all gushing all over Aaron, but I had to tell you. You're my best friend. And his cousin."

Laney coughed. "I'm...I don't quite know what to say."

"You're ok with it, aren't you?"

"Of course, I just didn't expect it."

"I know. But it's true. And I think he feels the same. He called e this weekend while you were off shagging Aaron and told me he wants me to come visit and that he thought he was falling in love with me."

"When? Brooke, you haven't seen him since the Olympics."

"That's not true. I saw him over Christmas. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to get mad at me, but I flew to Australia after Christmas and we spent the week together."

"Why would I get mad at you?"

"I don't know." Brooke sounded meek and nervous and Laney sat next to her on the bed, wrapping her arms around her best friend.

"Good luck," Laney said, and Brooke couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm sorry about that. I just wanted to tell you...so what are you going to do?"

"Call up my cousin and threaten him. A lot."

"I appreciate that, but I was talking about Aaron."

"Oh." Laney dropped her hands to her lap. "I don't know."

"Laney, I think you should tell him."

"Tell him what?"

"That you're in love with him."

Laney stared at Brooke in disbelief. "That I'm what?"

"You're in love with him. And don't tell me you're not, because you so clearly are. Even if you don't know it. If you could have seen yourself when you were talking about him... Don't give me that look, I know what I saw. And from the sounds of things, he's in love with you too."

"Brooke," Laney started. "I realize you have recently found yourself in love, but how do you know I am? What if I just want a fuck buddy?" Brooke raised an eyebrow. "Ok, fine, but what if I want to be friends with benefits?"

"Laney, cut it out. If you don't believe me, go see him. And see if your heart doesn't flip over and see if you can breathe. And then tell me you only want a fuck buddy." Brooke stood up and looked at the clock. "Shit, I have to go to class. I'll see you later."

"Ok," Laney said softly, trying to sort out her thoughts.

*

"Hellooooo," Aaron said with a grin, picking up his ringing cell phone.

"I'll kill you," said a male voice with an Australian accent.

"What?" Aaron asked, his voice squeakier than he wanted it to be.

"I'll kill you if you hurt her. In very creative ways. I'll castrate you."

"Ian? Thorpe?"

"Yes."

"Oh thank God."

"You won't be saying that if you hurt her."

"Hurt who, Laney?"

"Yes. She's special, Peirsol, and I swear to God I will tear your balls off if you do anything to her that she even so much as complains in passing about."

"Did she tell you?"

"Brooke did. Girls talk, mate."

"Brooke? I didn't know you knew Brooke."

"We're dating, and you're trying to change the subject."

Aaron sighed. "Listen, Ian," he said, trying to get on Ian's good side. "I am not going to hurt her. I wouldn't dream of it."

"You'd better not. I'm telling you, I'll–"

"Thanks," Aaron cringed. "I don't need details. I don't understand why you think I'd hurt her. Why would I heart the girl I lo – " He stopped.

"The girl you what? Peirsol..." Ian said in a warning tone.

"I have to go, Thorpe, I'll talk to you later," Aaron said, blindly hanging up the phone.

He loved her.