Molly McAdams - Needing Her

Maci

AMBER SLAPPED A hand over her mouth and had to work at swallowing her coffee before she burst out laughing. Oh, I would have paid to have been there! Stupid night shifts at the hospital getting in my way of all the fun stuff.

You shouldve seen the look on Shelbys face when Bryce pulled me in for a long kiss in front of her. I grinned against my cup and drained the rest of it. It really was priceless.

I would have even suffered through being near Bryce if it meant watching that skank get put in her place.

I rolled my eyes. Amber had never been one to hide her hate for Bryce, and even though Id never understood why she didnt like him in the first place, it was becoming more of a running joke for us rather than her actually hating him. Besides, she couldnt hate him: hed inadvertently brought us together a couple years ago and wed been best friends since.

It had been my twenty-first birthday, and somehow over the course of the night filled with barhopping and Bryce being . . . well, Bryce, hed ended up with a concussion and wed spent the rest of my birthday in the ER. Amber had been one of his main nurses when wed finally gotten him into a room, and not more than twenty minutes later, my night filled with drinking and not much food decided to make a reappearance all over my shoes. In my still-drunk mind, I hadnt even been upset about puking everywhere. Id started crying because my favorite shoes were ruined and favorite shoes cant be ruined on my birthday. Amber and another nurse had cleaned everything while I sat there crying like a three-year-old over my shoes, and when they were done, a pair of sequined Uggs were placed in front of me. Amber had told me at the time they were her favorites and I could borrow them so I could finish out my birthday wearing a pair of favorites. Itd been a lasting insta-friendship, even though she still wouldnt let me live that night down.

She groaned and tossed her phone roughly onto the table. I swear this guy is a machine. He never stops. I mean, never. If it werent for the fact that we have jobs, I dont think hed ever let me leave the bed.

Is this still Aaron? You said you two still sneak into the closets at the hospital . . . I drifted off, my accusation sounding more like a question.

Yeah, exactly. Machine. Lets just hope were busy tonight, I need at least a twelve-hour break from that man before we go back to one of our apartments, or hes going to break me.

I shook my head sadly at her and almost chickened out of asking my question twice before finally blurting, Do you actually enjoy having sex?

Is that a trick question? Of course I do, who doesnt?

I justI dont know. In the books I read, these women have amazing partners and I know what Im reading is fantasy . . . I mean, seriously, I get that. But I dont enjoy sex with Bryce at all. It has nothing to do with wishing it was like what I read, its just really, really bad.

Amber eyed me with a confused look. Then why are you still seeing him? Maci, youre hot, its not like you wouldnt have a chance with anyone else. You dont have to settle for him.

Im not. Hes not even my boyfriend, you cant settle for someone you arent technically dating.

Exactly! But youre still not getting out there either because hes always with you and stops anyone from coming near you.

I sighed and twirled my empty coffee cup between my fingers. I know.

You just need to drop him. And since you two only have this friends-with-benefits thing going on, it shouldnt be a big deal to end it.

Were not together because my brothers would flip if they knew I was dating anyone.

No, you just think your brothers would flip, Amber argued. Theres a difference.

My jaw dropped and I looked at her like she was delusional. Max Bertrand asked me on a date right before college started and canceled via text the day of. I saw him the next day and he turned and literally ran the other way, Amber. He had tape on his nose and huge bruises under his eyes!

She shrugged. Maybe he didnt want you to see him looking like that.

He still runs away from me, youve seen him do it! Besides, my brothers fessed up to it.

Huhshe looked like she was trying to find something to support her argument before finally throwing her hands up in the airokay, fine. Theyre a little protective.

Or a lot protective. I rolled my eyes and snorted. Anyway, Bryce knows all that and is completely fine with staying how we are. Eh, well, for now.

I knew Bryce figured we would be a legitimate couple eventually, but he was expecting me to change in that time; and there wasnt a chance in hell of that happening. I was positive the only reason he was okay staying just friends for now is because he and I both knew his family wouldnt approve of the way I looked. I didnt fit in with their perfect country-club multimillion-dollar house, and I was more than okay with that. I had grown up in a loving home, and my mom always encouraged each of us to find who we are and be that person.

And that person wasnt a back-to-her-blonde-roots, polo-wearing, club-for-brunch-on-Sunday kind of girl. Its not like I was goth or grunge, or even some peace-pushing, tree-hugging hippy. I was just Maci. Id dyed my hair a vibrant red years ago and never gone back. My nose was pierced with a small hoop in it, I have a few tattoos, and I cussed too much from growing up with older brotherssomething that Bryce was always reminding me he hatedif that was enough of a reason for Bryce to keep me hidden from his family, then so be it. It just helped with the arrangement I needed in hiding him from my brothers.

Tell me something, Amber said suddenly. What dont you like about sex with Bryce?

The whole thing? Ambers expression deadpanned, and after looking around to make sure we were alone outside the caf, I sat up straight. Okay, fine. Well, first, he seriously lasts forever but however hes doing it doesnt feel good. Like, its almost painful. Second, Ive never had an orgasm with him. Ever. I always have to finish myself when I go home or after he leaves. And, third, theres never any foreplayit almost seems like a business transaction. Take your clothes off, let him thrust for a while put your clothes back on and part ways. Its the most awkward part of our relationship . . . friendship, gah, whatever-the-fuck its called.

Amber was cracking up by now, and though she was covering her mouth to try to quiet it, her entire body was shaking and her face was turning red.

Why are you laughing, this isnt funny!

Seriously. She snorted and her laughs got louder. Oh my God, Im sorry. Whew! She fanned at her watering eyes. Oh that just makes me hate him more. And to think, Shelby cant stand you because youre with Bryce Anderson? If only she knew . . . if only she knew.

I dropped my head into my hands and groaned. I want a guy who pays attention to me for once. It doesnt have to be this amazing, mind-blowing, the-world-stops-turning experience; I just want to enjoy it. Just once. Thats all I want.

Nope, Im not letting you settle for anything less than your . . . whatever-the-hell experience you just said. We need to find a man who will give that to you.

Sure . . . yeah. Not even counting the fact that guy is probably only found in fiction; that would involve me sleeping with numerous guys until I find one who will give me that experience. Not only do I not want to be labeled a slut like some best friends I know . . . I cleared my throat and gave her a pointed look. But that also sounds like the biggest headache.

I wont take offense to that because I love you, but weve got to get you away from Bryce. She took a long drink from her cup and slapped her hand down on the table a few times. Oh! Oh, what about your neighbor! That cop guy