Page 22 of A Cock and Bull Story

I can only embrace it as she has.

“I’m sorry about Professor Yardley,” I start as soon as Theo sits down next to me.

He looks so. . .disappointed—I hope it’s not with me. I bite my lip and fidget nervously when he runs a hand through his blond hair and sighs. Theo’s crystal-clear blue eyes lock on mine, pinning me in place.

“It’s as Jude said—you have nothing to explain or apologize for.”

“I swear I forgot all about tonight’s. . .ah, rendezvous.”

In truth, I’m a little embarrassed. Between my relapse earlier and my teacher coming to my door, I doubt anyone takes my vow of celibacy seriously. I mean, I have bigger concerns, but still, SA hasn’t cured my habit yet.

It’s only your second meeting, I remind myself firmly.Plus, you saw a woman get her throat ripped out, so I deserved that quickie with Jack. . .

Even though it happened beforehand.

Semantics.

“No one is judging you for your preferences,” Theo continues.

“That’s right, love,” Sian adds. “To each their own. Elise and I don’t do dick—ever.”

I gasp at this announcement.

“What do you mean you ‘don’t do dick’?”

“We’re minge munchers, hun. We never ever add dick to the mix.”

“You’ve never. . .had dick?!” I squawk incredulously.

“Nope, we’re gold-star lesbians!” Sian crows proudly.

“Someone gave you a gold star for fucking other chicks?! How come no one’s ever given me one?” I pout.

I scissor like a champ, thank you very much.

Elise and Sian both break out into peals of laughter.

“No, love,” Sian hoots. “A gold-star lezzie is a woman who’s never been with a man. Elise and I have been together for eight years.”

She shoots Elise an affectionate look, smoldering with promise, and I cock my head to the side in thought.

“If you two are a couple. . . how does that work for the program?”

“Program?’ Elise wonders.

“The meetings,” I clarify. “I mean, how can you be together if. . .”

I trail off with a hand in the air, as if that conveys everything that I haven’t said.

“Oh—I understand,” Elise exclaims. “So, our society really frowns on my relationship with Sian, so we usually keep it hidden. Our parents know and don’t acknowledge either one of us anymore.”

My hand falls limply at her words—that hadn’t been what I was askingat all, but fuck if it doesn’t gut me. A sudden anger courses through my body.

“Fuck your parents and their pretentious rules. Do you two love each other?” I demand hotly.

“Abso-bloody-lutely,” Sian grins. “As you said, she’s my ‘breast friend’.”

“Then, screw what our society says about you two being together. I just meant I didn’t know if you were breaking any rules of the meetings by being a couple.”