Chapter 39
“What’s up, Spaz?”
“As the only male in a house of four women I was just overwhelmed. I had to escape from the estrogen palace.” Calmed by a vigorous workout on the ice, he was content just to sit on the comer of my bed.
I got up and closed my door, and threw a pillow over the heat register. He raised his eyebrows.
“What did you mean at lunch today?” I demanded.
“Exactly what you think I meant. Cory, you’re my best friend, and I know you as well as anybody, though that’s not much of a brag.” He sighed. “You’re like a can of pop rolled down cement stairs.”
I was scared and furious. “So I’m tense; so what?”
He just stared at me.
“What?!” I insisted.
“Okay, let’s air this out. We’re both in lust with the same girl.”
“Clarify or die,” I threatened.
“Jessie, stupid.”
All I could muster was “Shit.” Then I realized what I had just admitted to aloud. It was a minute or two before I could speak. I was way out on a limb here, but I had to be honest. I couldn’t believe it actually came out of my mouth. “You’re right, I love Jessie.”
“I can understand why,” he agreed. “She’s hot.”
“But I can’t have her – I can’t even tell her. The risks are way too high.”
“Yeah, I understand that. Don’t worry – your secret’s safe with me. If Liz knew I have a jones for her she’d kick the crap out of me.”
“What?” Liz was his older sister. She was slim, buxom and eighteen. “Are you crazy?”
“You know I am, dude. I’m hornier than Faunus at a wood nymph convention – I’d take my sister in a second, so I understand your frustration.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Whatever. You have something going on, though, right?”
“No, Rob,” I hissed, “Nothing’s going on.”
“Ah, I see. Everybody knows you’re crazy are about her. Just not how crazy.”
“What do you mean?”
“Why do you issue death threats to any potential suitors?”
“I’m just protecting her – from the wrong kind of guys.”
After a long pause he asked quietly, “What kind of guy am I, Cory? Am I the right kind?”
“You’re the insane kind...”
He smiled.
“Wait, Spaz, you want to date Jessie?”
“Duh. If you don’t object, of course.”
“And if I do object?”
He shrugged noncommittally. “I don’t want to stress our friendship. I thought you’d be supportive. You’re fond of both of us, and want us to be happy. For you it’s impossible, but not for me. You can trust me to treat her well.”
Just the thought of consciously giving up my dream crushed my lungs, and the pain literally brought tears to my eyes.
“Whoa, Cory, If I crossed the line here I’m sorry. But it’s like you don’t want her to date anyone, and I don’t understand. It’s not like you and she could... could... Cory?”
I hid my face in my hands.
“Shit, dude. What did I say? What…? Oh, fuck, Cory... You mean, like, you really love her?”
“Rob, it isn’t right.”
“Wow. That is... that’s... wow. Does she know?” I shook my head.
“You’re right, Rob you two should just...” But I couldn’t say it. “I can’t be any more miserable than I am, so why should you be miserable too? I’m not going to compete with you.”
Rob pulled me out of the chair and put his arms around me in a bear hug.
“Cory, you’re so totally and completely screwed, but you and me, we’re brothers. We take care of each other first, okay?”
I wiped my face. “Thanks, man. You’re a good friend – the best.”
“I’m not going to be your rival, Cory; this is too complicated already. Forget I said anything. And don’t worry,” he said, “I’ll have a plan for you by morning.” I had to smile.
“You?” I asked, “You’re going to concoct a plan? Now I’m really scared. I already have the plan. I do absolutely nothing, and you say absolutely nothing, to anyone. This is really, really serious, especially with the Yirzbiks in the news.”
“Oh, yeah. I guess so. Does anybody else know?”
“I don’t think so; I sure hope not. How did you figure it out? I don’t want anyone else to.”
“Just the way you look at her sometimes.”
“How’s that?”
“Hmm, very… affectionately, with just a hint of a rabid dog on a short chain.”