When I stop, shocked, my jaw open, he steals the ball and nets a three-pointer. Swallowing, I try to right my attitude and veer into a conversation I knew was coming.
“You’re serious?” I cross one foot over the other, as if to subconsciously guard the V he’s talking about.
He dribbles the ball around me in a circle, his dirty, white Converse sneakers making me dizzy. “You weren’t serious when we made a blood pact at age thirteen? We made a promise.”
My stomach falls to my feet.
Leaning over, I make an attempt to snatch the ball from him and miss. “I didn’t think about it after that, honestly.” Lie. I was just hoping he wouldn’t bring it up, because God knows I wouldn’t. “I signed it so you wouldn’t feel badly about Sophia turning you down.”
Benny spins on me. “You’re telling me you’d rather go to Harvard a virgin than have coitus with me?” He waves his arm from the top of his head down, like he’s presenting a showcase prize in thePrice is Right.
Leveling him with my gaze, I don’t let my true emotions show. I think I hide them, anyway.
Benny narrows his eyes. “You can’t lie to me. I know you better than you know yourself. It’s no big deal. It’s just an act. Like dribbling a ball or taking a test. Or getting into the best school in the world!”
“I’m glad you hold my virginity in such high regard,” I remark.
Sweat slides down the sides of his face. He takes his glasses off to dry them off and I catch my breath. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say I think about it more now that you looklike that,” he says. “I hold your virginity in the highest regard. I’m paying for it with mine. That’s sort of a big deal.”
“Looking like what?” I ask, scrunching up my nose. I’ll ignore the rest if he’s going to compliment me.
Benny sighs, turns around, and shoots another basket. “Never mind. I’ll keep working on Jenny. She’ll give in eventually. It’s only a matter of time now. She’s skilled, too. That’s a better option for a stud like me.”
Blood boils at two hundred and twelve degrees Fahrenheit. Mine is boiling right now. “No. You won’t give that wench your virginity!” I shout. “Looking like what, Benny?” I raise my voice even louder. “Don’t be shy now.”
Benny laughs and points at the front window where our parents are gawking at us, drunk smiles lighting their faces. “Keep it down unless you want them to know about the virginity clause. I had a feeling you’d say that. So, you’re game then?”
Folding my arms, I eye him suspiciously. He works me so easily. “It will be like making love to my brother, but fine. Like you said, it’s just an act. Why aren’t you answering my question?”
He’s a genius at avoiding topics he decides to shun. Unfortunately for him, I know when he’s using avoidance.
He celebrates my acceptance by palming the ball and jumping up to dunk it in the hoop with a loud whoop. His dirty Celtics tee rides up to expose his lean waist and abdominal muscles and the spry patch of hair that cropped up a few years ago. Closing my eyes, I swallow down a ball of nerves and remind myself it’s Benny. “You know you grew into your body over the last year or so. You look…pretty. Hot, even,” he goes on to explain. “That’s all I meant. Don’t go overanalyzing.”
Blushing, I turn away. Ignoring his compliment, I say, “It won’t change anything, right? Just an act?”
Dribbling the ball over to stand in front of me, he fixes me with an excited stare, his eyebrows raised in reassurance. “Always. Just you and me, Harpee. Come on. You should know that nothing can tear us apart.” He tucks a piece of wayward hair behind my ear and gives me a warm smile. “Not even fumbling first time sex and definitely not Harvard.”
Breathing out a sigh of relief, I nod. “Best friends for life,” I affirm.
“We’ve known each other our entire lives. Every single first in my life has involved you in some way, shape, or form. Why would this be any different?”
While he’s distracted by thoughts of sex, I take the ball from him, holding it at chest level. It smells like dirty, burnt rubber. I like the smell. It reminds me of Benny because this smell clings to his clothes. “I have to go to my aunt’s fancy birthday party the weekend after next. She sent an invite to me specifically. Like I’m an adult or something. You’ll be my plus one?”
Benny rolls his eyes, steals the ball back, and dribbles it by his side. “This is your counter offer. I like your style.”
Groaning, I slap his arm. “You should like it. I learned from you. You’re invoking the virginity clause, so I feel like I should get something I want out of it as well.”
He palms his chest with his free hand. “You’re getting me!” he exclaims, his sarcastic smile touching his eyes.
It’s my turn to roll my eyes.
“Is it a girl party?” he asks, wrinkling his nose.
I shake my head. “It’s an everyone thing. She’s turning thirty-five and wants the world to see how young she still looks.”
Benny shoots a three-pointer, but doesn’t make a move to get the ball. He stalks back toward me, picking up his baggy, dirty jeans as he goes. He places a hand on my shoulder and grins.
“Well?” I ask, widening my eyes in irritation.
