Still, I shook the lewd thoughts from my mind for now. I'd come because

I was craving affection, not sex. Whatever else was going on between

Brianna and me, sexual fulfillment was being taken care of quite nicely.

“So seriously," Danielle arched an eyebrow at me as she settled into

Cherys' cuddling grasp and pulled a blanket over themselves. "What's up? You haven't made a habit of hanging out with us Lately.”

“I thought it would be nice to change that," I said honestly as I sat down at the other end of the couch and slid my own legs beneath the shared blanket. My frozen toes brushed against Danielle's feet and she gasped at the chilling touch before kicking me in protest.

Both girls looked at me, the TV now forgotten. I shrugged and set my gaze on Danielle, communicating with my eyes more than my words could express.

“It feels like ever since you guys graduated, we three just haven't been the same."

It had been quite the eventful couple of years: Amber, both girls‘

“virginities", their break-up, the rape, and finally their reunion and buying a house together. Things just seemed so much simpler when we were all roommates.

Cherys spoke up. "It was inevitable. We all knew things would change."

"Yeah, but I miss the old life," I answered.

“Don't you?"

Danielle reached out her hand and mussed with my hair. "Yeah, squirt."

Cherys' foot snaked out and she touched it to mine beneath the blanket, rubbing me affectionately. "Of course."

"So for old times sake," I began, a pleasant idea popping into my head.

“Why don't we just grab a few beers, curl up on this couch, and watch a few movies. Just another lazy day."

Cherys shrugged.

“Kind of what we planned anyways. But isn't today a football Sunday?"

Danielle saw it in my eyes. I needed this. So nodding her head slowly, she simply answered, “Sounds like a plan."

SPRING (May 2004)

It started off as a pleasant Saturday-night date. But it started going downhill at the restaurant when Brianna spontaneously suggested visiting a new museum exposition on Sunday.

I frowned. "Ooh, can we do it some other time? I promised Danielle and

Cherys I'd watch old movies with them tomorrow.”

Brianna looked at me across the table and huffed.