Just Friends by Jennifer Sucevic

Can a guy and girl ever be just friends?

I used to think so but now, I’m not so sure. Emerson and I met freshman year of high school and we’ve been tight ever since. I’ve been pretty good about keeping her locked in the- girls I don’t think about having sex with part of my brain. Which is no easy feat because, let’s face it, unless we’re related, you’re potential spank bank material. Luckily for me, Southern University has an overabundance of Red Devils hockey groupies, which means there are always plenty of puck bunnies for me to choose from. I’m just careful to make sure they look nothing like Em.
So, it should be all good in the hood, right?
Wrong. I’m embarrassed to admit this, but lately, I can’t seem to get it up. Unless an image of Em pops into my head. Then it’s all systems go. It’s a messed-up situation. One Emerson is blissfully unaware of. And that’s exactly the way it needs to stay. What I’ve learned is that friendship is a hell of a lot harder to come by than hookups.
Ready for a complication? It turns out that Em is a virgin. And she wants me to be the one to, well…take care of business. You better believe I shot down the idea before it could gain traction in my brain. Maybe Em doesn’t realize it, but remaining friends after you’ve slept with someone happens about as often as spotting a tie-dye colored unicorn that craps sprinkles. If it weren’t rare, everyone would be doing it, right? Exactly.
As far as I’m concerned, Emerson has remained a virgin for this long, she can damn well wait to do the deed until after we part ways next year.
Unfortunately, my best friend has other ideas.
Which pretty much means I’m screwed.
And not in a good way.