I bring up my obsession with the television show, Friends, remembering that Javi mentioned her love for the show in an earlier conversation. That common ground provides us with many laughs through the end of my appointment, where I stand from the chair feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, and my hair looking fantastic.
“I gave you a few internal layers to give you more volume, taking off some of the weight. And the blonde peeks through everywhere, especially in the back.”
“It feels great and the color is perfect. Thank you, Selena.” I swing my hair around, enjoying how much lighter and healthier it feels.
I follow her over to the receptionist counter to pay. “Would you like to book your next appointment?”
“Absolutely. I usually go seven weeks between …”
Selena clicks around in the computer and we settle on a date.
“Sounds good. It was …” Selena sighs and then comes around the counter so we’re closer to each other. “It was nice to get to know you, Sydney. I’m sorry if I seemed a little harsh at first, but I’m just protective of my brother. Seeing you at his house the other night instantly made my defensive walls come up. He’s been through a lot, and you two …”
“I know. We’re very different.”
“Yeah. I just … the past few years have been tough on him and he’s finally getting back on his feet …” I can’t help but wonder if she’s alluding to his time in prison, if what that woman from earlier said is true.
“Believe me. I never anticipated anything ever happening between us. But now that it has …”
“Just be careful with each other. All I see is someone getting hurt, and it might just be both of you in some way.”
I reach out and grasp her upper arm in a soft embrace. “Javi is lucky to have someone like you in his life, someone who truly cares about him but also understands that he can make his own decisions. Whatever happens between us, I hope that doesn’t affect his relationship with you.”
“That ass could never get rid of me.” She winks, and I can’t help but laugh at her term of endearment for her brother.
“Thanks for tonight, Selena. This was nice.”
“Surprisingly … yes it was.” She pulls me in for a brief hug and then we say our goodbyes.
As I drive home that evening, I wonder what it would be like if Javi and I extended our arrangement beyond the bedroom. I would love to get closer to Selena. It’s rare that you connect with another woman so effortlessly, and that’s what it felt like with her tonight in our conversations.
But then I remember what Javi said—that he can’t offer me more than what we agreed to. I heard him loud and clear, yet part of me thinks he doesn’t even know what he’s capable of because based on the past few weeks, we’ve definitely crossed that boundary of just sex and he was the one that initiated it.
When I arrive home, I decide to text him to let him know how tonight went.
Me: I really like your sister.
Javi: Did she get you drunk so you’d agree to that?
Me: LOL NO. We talked about you mostly and seems she agrees that you can be an asshole 90% of the time.
Javi: Sounds about right. Seriously though … she didn’t give you any shit?
Me: Well, I’m pretty sure she knows about our extracurricular activities …
Javi: Yeah … she kinda put two and two together after the other night. Don’t worry, I told her it’s none of her business.
Me: She just worries about you.
Javi: I’m not a child. She doesn’t need to.
Me: It came from a good place. Listen … I was wondering …
I momentarily contemplate asking him about what I heard earlier, needing to know if it’s true. But then I think, should that be a question I ask him via text message? Wouldn’t that be more of a conversation to have face to face? Do I really need to know? Is it going to change how I feel about him, or make me want to stop seeing him?
The answer leans more toward no, even though a small part of me wants to know the truth, but I decide against pressing it further just as Javi texts me back.
Javi: Yeah …
Me: When are we gonna meet up again? ;)
Javi: You name the time, Princess. I’ll never pass up sex with you.
Something about his response has me grinning like a fool, wondering how much underlying meaning there is to his words. He seems like he cares about me beyond just using me for my body, although I gave him permission to do so. His actions are fairly contradictory for a man that’s just in this to get his dick wet. But then on the other hand, he could just be a guy that would never turn down sex. I’m pretty sure most of them are like that.
Me: I’ll be at your place tomorrow night around seven. I think I’ll just have to make some time for you this weekend ;)
Javi: Sounds like a plan. Goodnight, Sydney.
Me: Goodnight, Javi.
Chapter 21
Sydney
“Stand up straight, Sydney. We don’t want slouching spines in the pictures.” My mother speaks to me through her bleached white smile, wrapping her arm around my waist and drawing me in closer to my family. We are sandwiched between my father on her other side and my two brothers beside me.
Today is Beckett and Bentley’s college graduation at Texas A & M University, the alma mater of my father and me. The university is about a three hour drive from our home in Newberry, and any length of time in close quarters with my parents can be taxing. Surprisingly though, they weren’t as nosy or pushy as
