“Cyb? What? How? You’re here!”
She looks like she just walked off a magazine shoot and is grinning her wide grin. “I took the red-eye so I could be here right away! I can only stay two nights, but I came!”
Two nights with my best friend. Two nights I need desperately.
“You sure did! And you didn’t call!” I say as I rush forward to hug her.
As soon as her arms are around me, the tears form. So much has happened in the last three hours. This is just too much. I start to cry, unrelenting and ugly tears as Cybil holds me to her. “Oh Lord, honey, I knew you’d be happy to see me, but not crying like this.”
“Cyb.” I hiccup. “I’m so stupid.”
She pushes my shoulders back and then guides me to the couch. “It’s a good thing I came out. I know stupid and how to fix it. Tell me . . .” I look up, and she gasps. “You had sex!”
“What?”
“You had sex with Jacob! I can see it in your eyes.”
I release a loud huff and then wipe my tears back. “You can’t see sex in someone’s eyes.”
“Maybe not, but I sure as hell know it’s true.”
“I did.”
Cybil squeaks. “When? How? Where? Most important, was he hung? I mean, are we talking like a horse or more like a small dog? I’m hoping for the horse because it would be a shame if he was sporting a small pecker. Remember that model that we liked? We all saw a full frontal, and he was small. So disappointing. If I were him, I would’ve had that thing photoshopped to be much bigger. CGI that shit or something. Oh, and was he good? Did you at least have an orgasm or did you have to fake it?”
There is so much to unpack in that little tirade. “Today, literally two hours ago. In the woods after he taught me how to fish—kind of—and as for the rest of your questions . . . shut up.”
She blinks rapidly. “So, it’s new. Okay. No wonder you’re a bit raw—in more ways than one.” Cybil grins.
“Really?”
“I’m sorry, I’m a little shocked, which is what I’m thinking has you all twisted like a pancake.”
“Pretzel,” I correct.
“Same shit. Listen, you had sex so, of course, you’re going to need to cry a bit. It’s okay. You answered all the stupid questions . . . what about the peen?”
I groan, head falling back against the couch. “Cybil.”
“It was small. So sad.”
“He was not small,” I correct her.
“Oh, so he was hung?”
“He was amazing. He was perfect, and I’m an idiot.”
She sits beside me, watching me. “You’re not an idiot, Bren. You’re a woman who has had a shit ass year. Besides, I’m here now, and Daddy always said that a friend in need needs to have a friend with deeds or was it . . . a friend in deed? I can’t remember.”
“I can’t keep up with you.”
“It’s irrelevant. I’m here, and I will save you from yourself.”
“I have no hope.”
She waves her hand in front of me. “Please, you may be able to fix others, but you’re a damn mess when it comes to your own issues.”
“You’re the one who told me to do this with him! And look at me.”
“Yes, look at you!” Cybil gets to her feet. “You’re alive. You’re glowing. You had an orgasm! What a shit friend I am.”
“You’re missing what’s wrong.”
Cybil lifts both brows. “Which is?”
I open my mouth to speak, but the words die on my tongue. What is the problem? I’m not sure. I’m confused and worried that this will end badly, but then I know how it will end. He’s already told me, and I’m well aware of it. I’m the one who offered myself up on a platter. I said no promises, so what exactly am I worried about?
“You know, I don’t know.”
“I’ll tell you what. It’s that you are too damn self-aware. You know all the complications in every situation, and your mind can’t ever just be. You’re looking for problems because you always have to fix something or someone or your damn self.”
I stare at her, wishing I could deny it.
“Exactly!” Cybil says with glee. “You can’t tell me I’m wrong. You had sex with Jacob, relish in it! Enjoy your life, Brenna. Have some damn fun before you find the next Mr. Perfect and you’re hating that you didn’t do this.”
The breath leaves my lungs in a loud explosion. “And what if I fall in love with him?”
“Could you?”
“Yes.”
She sits back beside me, taking my hand in hers. “Then you do whatever you can to avoid it, and if it does happen, be prepared for me to come out here, hold you as you cry, and tell you it’ll be okay because, Brenna?”
I look up at her. “Yes?”
“It will be okay. It always works out in the end.”
I really hope she’s right.
Chapter Twenty
Jacob
After a few deep breaths, I knock on the door of Brenna’s house. When it flies open, it’s not her standing there or one of her kids, but a gorgeous blonde with a big smile.
“Well, hello there.”
“Hello?”
“You’re looking for Brenna, I assume? You are a lucky man, Jacob Arrowood. If I weren’t married to the most gorgeous man in the world, I might just want to fight her for you.”
I have no idea who this person is, but she definitely knows who I am.
“I’m sorry, but you are?”
She laughs. “I’m Cybil, her very nosey best friend who is very much on your side, but we’ll keep that last part between us, all right?”
“Sure.”
Sebastian comes running to the door. “You’re coming too?”
“You guys are going out?”
Cybil rubs the top of his head. “You go let your mama know that someone is at the door and she should come.” She drops down and whispers. “But don’t tell her who it is. Let’s let it be a surprise!”
He runs off, and she opens the door wider. “Come on in. We were just heading out for some fun since I leave first thing in the morning to head back to California.”
I nod. “Where do you live in California?”
I really hope it’s not Hollywood. If so, I’m in deep shit and my entire existence here is about to be screwed. Not that I’m not walking a tightrope daily as it is. It’s been a few weeks, and thankfully, I haven’t been outed, but who knows how much longer that’s going to last.
“We’re stationed at Lemoore. You see, Luke and my husband, Reggie, were best friends and basically spent their entire careers alongside one another.”
There’s a slight bit of relief. “I see.”
Cybil sits on the couch and smiles. “So, tell me, how hard is it being out here instead of Hollywood?”
“It’s an adjustment.”
She laughs. “I’d say. I suggested we order food, and Brenna just laughed at me because there was nothing that delivers.”