Summer's Temptation by Ashley Lynn Willis Page B

into him. They have to be the cutest couple on the planet with her all-American beauty and his rugged, earthy handsomeness.
    Liz clears her throat, and we all turn our attention to her. “Since y’all are here, I have a question.” She sits up straighter, legs crossed and looking prim, but her question is anything but proper. “Have any of you had a fuck buddy?”
    I feel the blood draining from my face, and I hide behind my hair, hoping no one will notice. Did she really have to go there? Yes, of course she did, because she’s Liz, and she has no qualms about talking sex with anyone. She’s not breaking the secret sorority code either—thou shalt not allude to being a slut—because she’s not talking about her sex life.
    Tyler tilts his head back and laughs. I’m not sure Emma heard the question since she’s busy staring at Tyler and looking dazed.
    Dylan doesn’t hesitate to answer, and of all the people in the room, he was the last person I expected to speak up. “I had a friend with benefits. Is that the same thing?”
    I watch Hannah closely, hoping she doesn’t get pissed. Dylan has a long list of past partners, and even though Hannah knows he loves her, it’s a sore spot. She swipes her blond bangs away from her temple and goes still. I can’t tell if a storm is brewing behind her blue eyes or not, but I think we’re in the clear.
    “Not the same thing,” Tyler says. “A fuck buddy isn’t a friend, just someone you hook up with a lot.”
    “So their function’s sex only?” Dylan asks.
    “Yep,” Tyler says.
    “Okay, then yes, I’ve had a fuck buddy,” Dylan says.
    Oh, hell. Dylan needs a lobotomy.
    “Then what’s a booty call?” Josh asks.
    Hannah stands up and does a smashing job of looking hurt, pissed, and annoyed all at the same time. She doesn’t say anything; she just grabs her purse from under the coffee table and turns toward the front door.
    “A booty call is a late-night phone call to get laid,” Tyler answers.
    “So I could ‘booty call’ a ‘fuck buddy’ or a ‘friend with benefits’?” Josh asks.
    “Exactly,” Tyler answers. He’s obviously the resident subject expert.
    “Do you need a ride home?” Hannah asks Emma.
    I debate pulling Hannah into my room and letting her vent, but sometimes Dylan’s a dumbass, and Hannah leaving is probably the wakeup call he needs.
    Emma’s still staring at Tyler. “Um, sure.” She grabs her purse. With an extra swing in her hips I’m sure is meant to impress Tyler, she takes off after Hannah.
    Dylan seems to come out of his stupidity daze. His gaze goes from Hannah to her purse. “You leaving, baby?”
    Without answering, Hannah steps outside. Emma peers over her shoulder to make sure Tyler’s watching. He winks at her, and she giggles as she closes the door. I wouldn’t be surprised if Emma gushes about Tyler all the way home, oblivious to Hannah’s mini-drama. I’ll call Hannah in fifteen minutes to let her rant to someone who isn’t under the spell of the university god.
    Liz turns a severe glare on Dylan. “You’re an idiot.” She took the words right out of my mouth. “When I asked if anyone had had a fuck buddy, I didn’t expect you to chime in.”
    Dylan rubs both hands down his face. “Me and my big mouth.”
    “Dude, you don’t tell your girlfriend you’ve had a fuck buddy,” Josh says. “Even I know that.”
    Dylan sighs. “It was three years ago.”
    “Doesn’t matter,” Tyler says. “She’ll hold that over your head forever .”
    “Shit.” He hops off the couch and darts for the door. “Gotta go.”
    “What about the game?” Josh asks.
    “I’ll meet you there later.”
    “Get flowers,” Tyler calls. “Twenty bucks at Wal-Mart for a dozen roses, and not the shitty white or yellow ones. That’ll just piss her off more.”
    Liz, Josh, and I stare at Tyler as if he’s grown boobs.
    “How do you know what to get a pissed-off woman?” Liz asks. “I thought you left your girls