The Buddy System

“Why did you do that” Sally hissed at Jen as she punched Jen’s shoulder.

“Ow!” shrieked Jen. “What did I do?”

“You know exactly what you did, playing all helpless with Troy while setting me up to look bad” Sally’s anger swelled.

“Just admit it, you have a thing for Troy. Go for it” Jen fired back.

“Oh, just like you have a thing for Aiden?” Sally countered.

“Uh… truce!” Jen lifted her hands in the air and sped up towards Sally’s dorm room.

Once inside and warmed up physically, Sally reengaged the topic of Aiden from a different angle.

“Aiden really sounded worried about you. Don’t you think you should let him know you’re safely indoors?” Sally softly prodded.

“He has a thing for me but I don’t particularly know what he wants to do to me” Jen whispered as she lowered her head.

“What do you mean?” Sally grew instantly curious and pulled up to her friend.

“I think he has some kind of kink and it may involve other women. I’m not sure how I feel about that” Jen stayed closed off.

“Did you ask at least?” Sally gingerly probed.

“If it was up to him, he would have been Troy tonight… and…” Jen hesitated to continue.

Over the years, Jen had learned how annoyed Sally got at being a damsel in distress. Worse, whenever guys tried to get her into a situation without her consent, it bothered Sally immensely.

“And what? What would Aiden had done to you while I’m around?” Sally wondered.

“Well… it’s nothing… but he would have been really happy about it” Jen tried to avoid the core point.

“Seeing two women begging for help? What exactly would Aiden do?” Sally sternly asked growing a bit impatient and annoyed.

“Remember when you helped me get my grandpa’s car into the garage?” Jen cautiously ventured.

“Yeah. Wait. That was Aiden in the car behind the van?” Sally’s anger started to boil up as she connected dots rapidly.

“You made Aiden’s day. I didn’t say anything because I remember how mad you got when he got you stuck” Jen confessed sheepishly.

Recognition dawned on Sally as she shook her head in disbelief. Anger washed over her. Frustration tugged at her desire to be understanding, nearly blocking reason.

“Is that why you didn’t want Aiden coming to rescue you?” Sally fired

“I don’t like flooring my car. That scares me. And Aiden loves that” Jen felt compelled to say.

“Crap!” Sally blurted out while trying not to use a swear word.

“I’m sorry” Jen hung her head.

“You didn’t do anything wrong…” Sally assured, “…does Troy know?”

“I don’t think so. Troy is different. He cares about you” Jen redirected.

“Really? That’s supposed to make me feel better?” Sally aired her flustered feelings.

The two looked at each other and blew hair up to clear their bangs. This made matters a bit more complicated.

“If Troy is into this scene, I can’t continue to be nice to him” Sally resumed.

“Why? Hasn’t he proved to you he’s not like most guys?” a surprised Jen stared back at her friend.

“Has Aiden?” Sally retorted.

“Yeah. He has. Outside his weird sense of humor around my driving, Aiden is a wonderful guy. I just don’t know what he wants from me with respect to his kinky side” Jen laid her cards on the table.

“OK. So. What will you do and what will you not do?” Sally asked.

“I don’t know. I’ve not had a man guide me into kinkiness before. I don’t know how to know if Aiden knows what he’s doing… so I’m nervous and worried” Jen continued.

“Wait… hold on a second… aren’t you Ms Independent Feminist? Why do you need any man to guide you any way or any how?” Sally’s voice raising with anger.

“Sally, promise me you’ll keep an open mind” Jen’s voice found a commanding stance.

“Um… OK” a baffled Sally took a step back.

“We are more alike than you think. I love your company. But, you need to embrace the gift that is within you. Let Troy lead. You won’t regret it” Jen confidently pointed out to Sally.

“Let me get this straight. You want me to let a man determine aspects of my life?” Sally sounded borderline incredulous.

“Yes” Jen said resolutely.

“How’s that working for you and Aiden?” torpedoed Sally.

“Better than you think actually” a sly wicked smile cracked Jen’s lips.

“What!?!” Sally exploded.