Chapter 32

“I have something else to tell you,” Jed admits. He feels like a child about to tell a parent that he’s the one who stole the cookies.

“What? Are you okay?” Jamie asks.

“I might have agreed to a friends-with-benefits relationship with Donnie,” Jed says in a rush.

“Really? You think that’s a good idea? Friends with benefits, when you clearly care about him?” Jamie asks.

“Caring is dangerous. Sex isn’t,” Jed says simply.

“He’s not Bert. He won’t hurt you.”

“I know he’s not Bert, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways he can hurt me,” Jed points out.

“You’re being a fool,” Jamie tells him.

“Maybe I am, but this way I get to have a part of him.” Jed rubs his hand over his face.

“But for how long?” Jamie asks.

Jed doesn’t have answer for that.9

It feels different being at Jed’s house this time. So much has changed in the past few months, since the before tour party. But in some ways, it’s the same, a relaxed daytime barbeque that will probably go on into the night.