Suzanne went to her parents with Cindy in tow. Tom headed me off. He looked relieved.
“They’re both going to be okay. Tracy is getting some stitches in her hairline and Jim is responsive. It looks like he has some broken ribs. They’re going to keep him overnight for observation. Tracy should be out shortly.”
“Tom, I’m sorry I wasn’t there for her. If I’d known Bill was around, I would’ve tried to protect her.”
I heard my name called and as I turned around Tracy wrapped me in a bear hug. She had her face buried in my chest and she was crying. She said something, but I couldn’t understand her. I just wrapped her in my arms and hung on. I looked over and saw Cindy and Suzanne smile. I was so confused.
Tracy looked up at me.
“I, I, I messed everything up. Please forgive me.”
I felt my heart go out to her. Less than 24 hours ago, I had been in love with this girl. I didn’t think I could jump back into that Pandora’s Box of a relationship that had us ‘not together,’ but our lives were so intertwined with her helping with my recruiting and media obligations. I needed to sort this relationship out, but it couldn’t happen in a hospital emergency room.
I kissed her forehead.
“I love you. Go home with your Mom and Dad and get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow I’ll come over and we can talk about things.”
“David please, can you forgive me?”
“Tracy, you don’t even have to ask. I forgive you.”
Mary had to pry her off me. Tracy’s parents guided her out of the emergency room with her looking back every few steps to make sure I wasn’t mad at her. When they got through the door, I felt arms snake around my waist and someone kissed me on the back of the neck. I turn around and found Suzanne smiling at me. I shifted in her embrace so that I could face her, and give her a quick kiss.
“How’s Jim?”
“He’s going to be fine.
“David, how did you know? How did you know that Tracy and Jim were hurt?”
“I just had a feeling. And when I saw Bill and his goons leaving in a hurry, I knew there was trouble.”
She looked me in the eyes as she tried to find something. Today had been one of the worst days of my life. Tracy dumped me and then she and her date had been beaten by one of the vilest guys I knew. If it wasn’t for my friends, I don’t know if I would’ve made it through the day.
My mind went in several different directions. Cindy and Suzanne were a lot of fun, but we were just friends and would never be anything more. We might become even closer friends, but we all knew that this would end when they went off to college.
Beth was a wild card. I wasn’t sure what to make of what she did with me at the party. I knew she’d been drinking. Could it have been a momentary lapse? Or did she really have feelings for me that went beyond friendship? I prayed that this wouldn’t mess up our friendship. I didn’t have many close friends, and I would hate to lose one.
The big one was Tracy. Could I ever take her back after the way she publicly humiliated me? The short answer was no. The problem was I’d come to rely on her and her parents. I’d become friends with Tom and Mary and could talk to them about football. My family had never supported me in anything beyond academics, as far as school went. I think Greg had been to one game. I wasn’t sure I could have Tracy help me with my recruiting. Maybe Tom would have some ideas when I got to their house tomorrow.
Suzanne kissed me under the chin to bring me back.
“David, what are you thinking that has you so serious?”
“Sorry, I’m tired. I should probably find a ride home.”
“Actually, Cindy’s ready to go. I came over to thank you for tonight. I was having a great time until Jim got hurt. Thank you.”
“I’m glad he’s okay.”
“I know you are. Be nice to Tracy. She’s a bitch, but you’re not that guy.”
“I will. She and I are done, but I think she needs me as a friend right now. I can do that.”
She gave me look that I couldn’t read.
“David, you’re a better person than I am. I know you two have some history, but it’s only really been a few months. Before that, she wouldn’t give you the time of day. All your other friends at least liked you. When I dated Greg, I remember thinking that when you grew up you’d be something special. I knew that you’d grow out of your awkward stage, and the girls would be chasing you. What counts is that you’re as gorgeous inside as you are outside.”
She had no idea of how insecure I used to be. I’d gradually started to get used to the idea that girls found me attractive, but there were days I still felt like the pudgy little geek I used to be. I still wondered why beautiful girls like Beth, Cindy and Suzanne would even notice me.
“Honey, what you have with Cindy and I is not a long-term relationship. At the end of the year we’ll be off to college. We’ve seen enough long-distance relationships to know that very few ever work, especially if one of them is still in high school. College is so much different,” Suzanne said.
“Then why? I don’t want to hurt either one of you, and I don’t need to be hurt.”
“Cindy and I talked about this. First, you don’t need to be in a serious relationship right now. There’re two reasons for that: you’ve just had your first breakup. Predictably, the relationship that follows the breakup turns into a rebound. You use this kind of a relationship to blunt the hurt you feel. We’re willing to help you through this because we both have been hurt, and know what you’ll be going through.
“The other reason you don’t need to jump into a serious relationship right now is that you’re fifteen. You need to live and allow yourself to grow up. No one ever seems to marry his or her first love anymore. You’ll have many relationships with many different and wonderful women before you find ‘the one.’ You may not believe me right now, but no matter however perfect she is, you and Tracy were never going to live happily ever after,” Suzanne told me.
“Second is that Cindy and I aren’t looking for anything more than fun. You know that we could have our pick of boys. Older guys are going to want more.” I smirked at her. “Okay, some just want to get into our panties.”
“Hmm, I would never have thought of that.”
“Why do you think junior and senior guys go out with freshman girls?”
“Because freshman girls are clueless?”
“That may be true, but the real reason is that they’re just looking to have some fun and then go off to college. So why can’t girls do the same? Cindy and I have picked the hottest freshman and decided to have fun with him until we leave. The problem we have is that we’ve been in intense relationships that didn’t work out. Part of those relationships was sex. You’ll find once you’re used to getting regular sex, you never want to go without.”
“You’re telling me I just need to have fun right now and allow two hot seniors to have their way with me.”
She smiled.
“You got it on the first try, but I want you to know what we’re offering is not just fantastic sex—and it’ll blow your mind—but we have some expectations. We expect you to treat us right. If you wander, we expect you to use a condom. If you find someone you’re potentially serious with, you have to tell us. Just because we’re all friends doesn’t mean we’ll not develop feelings for each other. To be honest, we both have feelings for you now.”
I smiled in return.
“As do I. I love you both. I may not be in love with you, but I have feelings for you.”
“We know. Another thing is we may not always do things together. There will be times when you’ll be with just one of us. Cindy and I will work out most of that, but if you have a desire for just one or both of us, we’ll work it out. The key is communication.”