"Okay, uh...let me handle this," Trent said as they pulled into Ann's driveway.
"All right," Bea replied, grinning. She threw it into park and then spread her legs. "And then you can handle…" She ran a finger up her crotch, "this."
"Jesus, you are horny aren't you?" he asked.
"You have no fucking idea what you've done. I didn't know-ugh, we'll talk about it later. But yes, I am. Very. Supremely. And you are the only one I trust enough to let get that close."
"You don't trust Mae?" he asked.
"I'm not bisexual," she replied.
"Oh, okay. Well...I feel honored." He paused. "That sounded sarcastic, but it genuinely wasn't. I actually feel honored."
She laughed and blushed again. "Just...go on, you fucking weirdo."
"All right."
He almost leaned over and kissed her, because it felt right, something she was inviting him to do, but he knew it'd make her mad because they were in public and things were complicated enough as it was. So he got out and headed up to the front door, shivering at the severe cold. If he was this cold with his fur, Bea had to be suffering when she was outside.
Trent knocked on the door and told himself to relax.
He'd texted with Ann on the way back into town and she seemed cool with him dropping by to talk about something. He'd left it vague, thinking she'd ask for more information, but she hadn't. Just told him it was fine.
The door opened up and there she was.
"Hey, Trent," she said.
"Hey, Ann...uh, you got a minute?" he asked.
"Uh...yeah, sure. My mom's working right now, it's just me here," she said.
"Okay."
"You leave your car running...or...did you get a car already?" she asked.
"No, it's Bea, she's giving me a ride," he replied as he stepped in.
"Oh, maybe she should come in, too."
"She wanted us to talk one-on-one."
"Oh...any particular reason?" Ann asked as she shut the door.
Trent considered how to respond to that for a moment, studying her. She looked different, wearing a pair of baggy sweats and a big t-shirt, her hair uncombed. He decided to just level with her, something about her struck him as being appreciative of that.
"Are we still cool?" he asked.
The question seemed to catch her off-guard. "Uh...yeah. Should we...not be?"
"No, I just wanted to be sure. I just...haven't heard from you and-"
"I'm sorry, dude," she said. "I wasn't trying to give you the cold shoulder. I...it was a combination of things. Chores, depression, anxiety, worrying if I'd made the right decision, hoping Mae wasn't going to start hating me because I slept with her boyfriend…"
"No, she's still totally cool with it," Trent said. "And I'm still totally cool with it."
"That's a relief, honestly. Also, I've been busy trying to sort some things out mentally. Like, what do I want to do with my life? I've got a couple of options available to me and I need to figure out what makes the most sense…"
"You wanna bounce some ideas off me? It might help," he offered.
"I appreciate it, and I do, but not right now. I'm still, uh, ruminating."
"Okay. I'm sorry you're depressed, and anxious, and in a shitty situation."
She laughed. "I appreciate that, too, but I'm okay. Today is cleaning the house day and I've been putting it off."
"Ah. Um, well, I'm gonna level with you then: I came here to get weed because Bea had a...uh, she's really stressed. And could use it to unwind. And I'm sorry if it's rude, just showing up and asking like this…"
"Dude, no, it's fine. Say no more," she replied, turning and heading deeper into her house. "Be right back."
She disappeared for a bit and then returned with a small baggie of joints, six in total. "Here, two for each of you."
"How much?" he asked, accepting it and slipping it into his pocket.
"Hmm...buy me a meal next time we hang out and then go down on me and we'll call it even," she replied with a sly smirk.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"All right, I can do that."
"You gonna hook up with Bea again?" she asked.
"Yeah," he said.
"You'd better let Mae watch this time."
He laughed. "I will...thanks for this, Ann. Really. This is really nice."
"You're welcome...I like you. And I like Bea, too. That girl works too, too hard and she deserves a break. Do nice things for her, take care of her." She stopped, staring at him and putting a finger to her chin. "Hmm...if Mae's serious about it, you should date Bea."
"...seriously?" he asked.
"Yeah. You're perfect for her. I've gotten to know Bea over the past month. She's got a lot going on, both in her life, and what she can offer. She needs a guy...who will be just the right amount of intimidated by her."
"Just the right amount?"
"Yes. Not so much that he'd fight with her a lot, because he's scared she threatens his masculinity. Or because he's worried she's going to run off with someone else. And not so intimidated that he just worships the ground she walks on. Just a little intimidated by her, because she likes that, even if she doesn't fully know it. Intimidated enough that...you'll respect her, and appreciate her for what she is, and what she offers."
"You honestly think she'd go for it?" he asked. "Because, frankly, she can do way better than me. Honestly you and Mae can, too."
"You're kidding right?" she asked.
"No."
"You're attractive, with and without clothes. You're kind, in a real way, not a fake way. You care about the people you're with. You're giving. You own your own house. You're a writer. Also, dude, I don't think you get how big a deal this is: but you actually care if the woman you're fucking gets off and enjoys herself. That's, like, a gold fucking star, man. Seriously. That you eat pussy and also try to make girls orgasm is fucking awesome. Also, you listen. So yeah, I think you're a catch."
"...do you wanna date me?" he asked.
"Heh. I, uh...mmm, I'm considering a lot of things right now," she replied. "Honestly, I'm not sure I wanna weigh you down."
"I like you, Ann," he said.
She smiled awkwardly and looked away for a moment. "I can tell," she murmured. "I like you, too. We had fun together. I'd like to have fun again. And...I just need more time to sort things out."
"Take as long as you need to feel comfortable," Trent replied.
"See? Nice. Understanding. Caring. It could be a front, but...I don't think it is. You're a little too genuine for your own good sometimes," she said.
He rolled his eyes. "Thanks."
She laughed. "It's a compliment. Mostly. But I bet Bea's getting impatient. So, before you go, can I have a hug and a kiss?"
"Absolutely," he replied.
They came together in the front entryway of her house and hugged, then pressed their lips together. He felt that wonderful thrill of excitement at the intimacy of the kiss. She tilted her head, enjoying the kiss, letting out a small moan, then pulled back, smiling at him.
"And you're a great kisser," she said.
"I think that was you," he replied.
She laughed. "Get out of here. I'll text you later, okay?"
"Okay. And...you know, if you need to talk, to decompress or rant or get cheered up or just because you're feeling lonely, I am available."
"You're really sweet...if I'm feeling down and I think you can help, I'll call you. And that isn't like a shot or anything, sometimes I'm just down and there's nothing anyone can do about it. Now go on, Bea's waiting, she needs your help."
"I don't know if she needs it…"
"Dude, she needs it, she just hates asking. Go."
"Okay, thanks again."
"You're welcome."
He headed outside and glanced back when he realized Ann hadn't closed the door. He saw her leaning out and waving to Bea, who waved back tentatively.
"So, uh, we cool?" Bea asked as he climbed in.
"Very cool," he replied. "I got the weed, Ann's okay. She's...sorting some shit out."
"Oh...yeah, that makes sense." She sighed as she backed out of the driveway and started making for his place. "I want to offer her a job at the Pickaxe, but...I also don't want to condemn her to that. It would suck for her...but it'd be money…"
"Hopefully she'll figure something out," he said. "For now, it's you and me and Mae and you not worrying about anyone or anything else."
She laughed. "Oh really?"
"Really. Today and tomorrow for you is just going to be sex and weed and good food and relaxation in a warm house. You're taking it easy."
"I don't have a choice in this, do I?" she asked.
"Nope, not at all."
"Well, if I have no choice...I guess I gotta just enjoy it."
"Yep."
She laughed and shook her head. She didn't say anything until they pulled up in his driveway. She turned off the engine, then remained sitting, staring through the windshield for a long moment. He waited. "...level with me, dude. Why are you doing this for me?"
"I like you," he replied.
She looked at him finally, studying him with her blue eyes, scrutinizing him really. "I get that...and I get that you're nice...is it because I'm Mae's friend?"
"No. I mean, that's not all of it. I just...like you, Bea. And I can-" he sighed. "I don't want to sound fucking lame, but I can feel how shitty you feel. Your pain. I just...want to make you feel better. You seem like a good person, Bea, and you're suffering, and you have suffered. A lot. For no good reason." He shook his head. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to try and make it sound like I think you're a fucking damsel in distress and I'm your white knight or anything-"
"No, dude, I get it," Bea said. "I...appreciate it. I'm just suspicious by this point. I hate relying on other people, I hate owing other people. I don't...trust people."
"Who do you trust?" he asked.
She sighed. "I...don't know. I guess, I trust people in some ways. I trust my dad. I trust Mae...sort of. I mean, I trust her heart is in the right place. Her head? No. I'd never let her drive my car, for example. Even if she gets a license. I trust Ann. I trust...you. Which still freaks me out. I guess it freaks me out that I've trusted you with so much so quickly."
"Well...if it helps, I won't take advantage of that trust," he replied.
"Which is what a liar would say...but also is what you'd say if you were legit. Well...thank you. For all the nice stuff you're doing for me. And I'm sorry, for being a pain in the ass about it. It's...I've been through a lot."
"I know," he said, reaching over and laying his hand over the back of hers, which was still resting on the steering wheel. "I get it. Now, let's go inside so we can get warm and also so we can see the sheer fucking joy that Mae is going to generate from seeing you."
Bea laughed. "Yeah, okay."
They headed inside.