Chance had been outside smoking for a while – partly to enjoy the warm night, but mostly to think. He was reluctant to talk to Trish, but it needed to be done. He needed to know what kind of relationship they had together. They’d had sex once, and slept in the same bed on a handful of occasions, but could that really be considered any kind of intimate relationship? He sighed, pulled out a cigarette and dug through the side pocket of the chair for his lighter.
He should probably quit. He’d had his first cigarette when he was twelve, and at fifteen it was semi-regular. He stared at the lit end of the cigarette and crushed it out, only a third smoked. It was now or never, he decided. With that decision made, he opened the door and rolled his way in, closing it behind him and began to look for Trish. When he didn’t find her, he called out.
“Trish?”
“I’m upstairs.”
“Can you come down? I think we need to talk.”
It took a moment, but he could hear her footsteps on the stairs and soon she appeared in the living room.
“Is something wrong?” she asked, concern on her face.
“I hope not. No…just…just need to figure some things out, that’s all.” he gestured towards the couch and waited for her to sit down before he spoke again.
“It’s about us. We need to figure out, decide, whatever..whatever this is between us.” he gestured from her back to himself. “I don’t want to keep unrealistic expectations or desires. I don’t want this uncertainty to drag on anymore.”
Trish rubbed her thighs and bit her lower lips slightly as she thought for a minute on how best to phrase things.
“I don’t know. Truthfully I’ve been wondering how to define us too. Maybe we should start by figuring out how we feel about each other.” she offered.
“Well…honestly…I like you, more than a little. You’re smart, fun, and great to look at. I enjoy spending time with you and being with you in general.”
She smiled at the flattery. “I guess that makes it my turn now, huh? Let’s see…obviously, I like you, otherwise you wouldn’t be living with me. Despite your problems, you’re striving to do better and I admire that. I love that you;re into photography – the pictures you take are always so interesting that I look forward to the next ones. I like the time I spend with you, whether it be around the house stuff or just chilling.”
“So if it’s mutual…then I guess we’re a couple?”
“Guess so.” she smiled. “There is something I’d like to bring up though. Sex with you…” she stopped, seeing the look on his face. “Oh, no no no no, it’s nothing bad. I enjoy it. It’s a little awkward, but whether that’s due to size or inexperience I don’t know. I’d like to do it again sometime, if you’re up for it.”
Chance looked relieved that it wasn’t as bad as he had feared. “I wouldn’t mind that…I just don’t look forward to the leg pain that comes with it.”
“I know. I don’t want to hurt you, either.”
“There’s other things we can do, though.”
“True.” she thought a minute. “You know what I really like?”
“What’s that?”
“Laying in bed with you, and just being held. I feel comforted.”
“Yea, I like that too.”
“So I guess now we can tell people we’re in a dedicated relationship. Umm…would you prefer I break things off with Vince? We only had a friends with benefits situation in the first place.”
“That’s up to you and him, as far as I’m concerned.”
“Okay – I’ll try and talk to him at some point; see what his opinion is. I don’t want to ask now, after his bout of depression.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Good.” she walked over, and placed a kiss on his forehead. “Now how about we go explore some of those other options you mentioned?”
“Don’t have to ask me twice.”