Page 33 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I

“Miss, we’re here,” the cab driver says.

I open my heavy eyes. At some point between my last thought and now, I drifted off.

“Oh, okay.” I dig my wallet out of my pocket.

“No need to pay. You’re a guest of penthouse three. Your fare has been taken care of.”

My mouth falls open as he takes out a clipboard. “All I need is your name.”

The moment has come to finally tell the truth. In light of all I learned about Hercules’s future, I still say, “Paisley Grove.”

My head feels like it’s taking a nosedive as I watch his hand write my name. It’s official. If Hercules reads his bills, then he will know I was Tabatha and we made love. It’s only fair that he knows the truth.

Treasure works fast.When I make it back to the dorm, Dandi’s bed is stripped, her closet is empty, and none of her things are in her room. Eden also hasn’t come home from being out with Nero. I’m sure she’s told him her real name by now and mine too. If the signature on the cab service doesn’t let Hercules know he and I had sex today, then I’m certain his friend will.

I sit on the firm living room sofa and enjoy the solitude. I can’t count the times I’ve come home from class and caught Dandi making out with a boy on the same cushions that are supporting my rear. Our dorm feels peaceful without her in it. I didn’t realize how unsettling Dandi’s energy was. It’s Friday night. Usually, Dandi would have a few friends over. Together, they would drink beer and play music in the living room for a few hours before heading out to a party or a dance club. I’m surprised she’s not on academic probation. Beneath all her need for male validation, she is very bright. But frankly, I think she’s here to please her parents, who live in Kent, Ohio.Dear Dandi’s mom and dad, your daughter would rather be hot than smart.

The unique chime of my cellphone sings from afar. I scurry to my bedroom and turn on the light. I notice a note on my bed as I race to answer the phone. But first, I read the screen to see who’s calling.

“Hey, Treasure,” I say, looking at the note.

“Is she gone?”

“Yeah. How did you make her leave so fast?”

“I’m paying her dorm fees.”

I jerk my head back, stunned. “You’re what?” I wait for her to explain herself, but she goes quiet. “Treasure?”

“I know, Pais, I went too far. Two kick-ass roommates were supposed to be my gift to you. My roommates in college were nightmares. And actually, my gift was perfect until Dandi screwed it up.”

I roll my eyes. “Not really.”

“What do you mean by ‘not really’?”

I flop down on the side of my bed. I have to sit for this. I start with all the boys Dandi paraded through the dorm, hitting all the high and low points.

“You’re telling me that this disgusting guy left crap in the toilet?”

“And frankly, I can’t narrow it down to just one guy. Maybe Dandi has a type. The kind that likes to leave sperm on the shower walls and crap in the toilet.”

“You may be right, Pais. There are some sick-as-hell people out there. I can’t believe you were going through all of that and hadn’t told me a thing. You must hate me.”

I roll my eyes. My cousin can be so dramatic sometimes. “What I said about her type was a joke, Treasure.”

“This is not a joking matter, Pais. You don’t have many girlfriends, so let me tell you, banging your roommate’s boyfriend is a cardinal sin, punishable by public flogging.”

“Okay, you’re going to have to explain what you mean by ‘public flogging.’”

“Blasting her ass on social media.”

“Oh, you mean defaming her? It’s not that serious. Don’t do that. Please don’t do that.” I shake my head vigorously. “Plus, I have other things on my mind.”

“Other things like what?” she asks.

I look down at my crotch and rub the insides of my thighs. It’s still hard to believe I had sex with Hercules Valentine. It’s so funny how fast the brain starts the process of making us forget our past pains and pleasures. Mr. Gorman, my fifth-grade physiology teacher, said that ability is part of a human being’s survival mechanism. Our brains can't let the good or the bad impede the day's hunt for food, clothing, and shelter. I never knew what he meant by that until this very moment. However, I’m one hundred percent certain that my encounter with Hercules helped me put Boyles behind me faster than I would have if our paths had never crossed.

“Treasure,” I say.