Complicated by You by Kenya Wright

covered mine. The whole situation had gone from crazy to mental institution ill as far as I was concerned. It could have been the marijuana I’d just smoked, but the vibe that came from Cynthia seemed odd.
    “You look like you’re in deep thought.” She strolled over to Jay and circled him a little bit, stopping behind him. Her hand glided over his six-pack. It was all I could see, but I knew she must’ve been doing something behind him as he whimpered in pleasure.
    “I should give you both a moment.” I turned to leave.
    “No, Evie.” She peeked around him. “Don’t go.”
    “Stay.” Jay rubbed his lips with one hand. It was his nervous tell. Anytime he did it when playing poker, I knew he was bluffing.
    “Why? It looks like you two are having a … couple’s moment.” I continued to shield my breasts with my arms.
    “I think we should talk.” Cynthia walked around Jay, got between us, and turned her face his way. “I’m not stupid, you know. I can see what’s going on between you two. I saw it three months ago when you both would hang out on Evie’s side. The first time I got the nerve up to say a few words to Jay, he seemed weird about dating in front of Evie. I spied that weird emotion in Evie’s face right when I asked her if you both were together and she stuttered out a ‘no.’ I see the way you look at her, Jay, when you think I can’t see. I heard what you told her when I was in the other room and you both were out in the hallway nights ago. I was listening through the door—”
     I backed away. “I’m going to—”
    “Don’t, Evie.” Cynthia held up her hands. “We’ll have to deal with this eventually.”
    “Deal with what?” Jay didn’t look my way.
    “The sexual tension between you two. I love you, Jay, more than anybody I’ve ever loved before. But there are things that I can’t give you.”
    Jay leaned his head to the side. “What are you talking about?”
    “I’m not … sexual like other girls. I don’t … ”
    Jay raised his eyebrows. “You don’t what?”
    “I don’t like sex.”
    Now I really should leave.
    “But all those times you moaned. Were you faking?” Jay asked. He didn’t seem angry, just curious.
    “Yes.” She stared down at the water. “I pretended it felt good. I mean. It all wasn’t bad. I like kissing you.”
    “And your phone ringing?”
    “It’s an alarm with my phone ringtone. I time it to go off so that you get just enough to tide you over, but the actual feel of a … penis being inside of me makes me want to … ”
    “What?” I blurted out.
    “Vomit.”
    I twisted my face in confusion. “Why?”
    “I’ve been through some things that I would rather not talk about, but … it’s always left me with this disgust for sex.” She cupped water in her hand and poured it on her chest. The clear liquid streamed between her breasts and returned to the ocean. “I’ve tried with girls and guys. Nothing happens. I’m just not into sex. Jay, you’re the first guy that didn’t push me. You’re the first one that captivated me enough to make me want to fake it with you, but in the end, I would be faking, which leaves us to Evie.”
    I tilted my head her way. “Excuse me?”
    “You wouldn’t fake with him,” she declared. “You’re hot for him. Every time he steps into the room you can’t keep your attention on anything else. Sometimes when you’re dreaming, you moan his name.”
    A smile plastered on Jay’s face. “You do?”
    I sucked my teeth. “Let’s just focus on this, please. Cynthia, what do you think I have to do with your relationship?”
    “You want Jay? I want him too, just in other ways.” She lowered into the water. “Why can’t we both just share him?”
    Jay turned to me. I glared at him. “You’re just enjoying this conversation, aren’t you?”
    “What? I didn’t offer up this agreement. This is the first time I’m hearing it.” He shrugged with that damn smile still glued to his face.