“Sounds good to me. We better ring Shane, tough, to let her know.”

“Okay, I’ll do it in a minute. You feel like having breakfast?” 

“I feel too sick to even think about food right now,” I admit.

“You want to have a shower or a bath?” 

“That would be nice.”

“I’ll show you where the bathroom is. Follow me,” she says and gets up. Given that we don’t know each other very long, she’s being great for me. I wonder how I deserve it. 

I get up, gather myself and go after her. I get a chance to check out that fantastic ass again and immediately tell myself off. We come into the bathroom and she gets some towels out. I lean against the wall, resting my head.

“So, gay, huh?” I say. “Anyone you fancy?” 

She blushes and looks away. “Carmen and I kinda… kissed, last night. But I’m not sure if she’s my girlfriend, we were gonna talk but then I had to get you home and…”

“Oh, I’m so sorry I ruined it for you!” 

“No, you didn’t ruin anything. We’ll talk, anyway. So, maybe you can get your bath or shower while I arrange things with Shane and call your mom?”

“Sounds great. So, you and Carmen… I have to be honest, it surprises me.” 

“Why?” A look of horror crosses her face.

“Oh, nothing, it’s just… Carmen and Shane had this one-night thing a while ago, but Shane doesn’t do relationships. The thing is that Carmen really likes Shane, a lot, so I thought she still fancied her. I thought Shane had feelings for her, too, but she just didn’t want to admit it or give up her life as she leads it now, the convenience of it.”

Bette Porter

I stand frozen as I hear Tina speak. I think back at the jealous look on Shanes face… would Carmen… no, she wouldn’t. Carmen wouldn’t use just to get back to Shane. Hell, Porter, you’re not even sure she’s your girlfriend.

“I’m going to call Shane,” I say, and I leave the bathroom. Right now, I don’t care what Tina thinks. I don’t care what anyone thinks. 

I go back to the living room, rummage through Tina’s purse without feeling guilty for it – it’s for a good cause – and get her cellphone out. I make the phone calls and lie down. Tina’s scent is in the pillow and I unconsciously take hold of it, putting my nose in it.