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they came to join us in front of the television, the games had wound down for the night and someone had turned on a movie. A romantic comedy, of course. I could not catch a break! Couples had drifted to cuddle up with one another. I was sitting on my corner of the sofa when Kristin came to sit beside me. I put my arm around her, and I don’t know why, but I hoped that would be all for the night. I didn’t want to kiss her, hold her, and I didn’t want sex. I just didn’t feel it. I guess the wedding talk had scared me off more than I thought. Or maybe I was thinking of someone else.
    I was desperate for this not to turn completely awkward, so I suggested we all go out for a drink. Dave and Jen politely declined and then made their way to Dave’s room. Great. Now I definitely wanted out of the apartment. I didn’t want to listen to those two going at it all night. I tried to give Jason a pleading look, which he pointedly ignored.
    “No, man. Come on, Chels. Let’s head back home. See ya, Matt. Bye, Kristin. And thanks for dinner.” Jason had his coat in one hand and the other all over Chelsea’s ass. Great. That left Kristin and me.
    “Want to go out for a drink? Sam Thompson is supposed to be playing at that little bar off Pennsylvania,” I asked her hopefully. I felt her tense up in my arms and realized I was playing this all wrong. Unfortunately I didn’t think making it right would do either of us any good.
    “Actually, I’m a little tired, Matt.” We both turned toward the bedrooms as the first squeak of the box springs was heard. I raised my eyebrows and she gave me a faint smile in return.
    “Mind taking me home?”
    “Sure thing.”
    Kristin lived with two other roommates about ten minutes from my place. I knew she’d invite me in, and I was trying to find the least hurtful way to leave her and head into town. Maybe I’d call Curt and see where he’d gone. But Kristin knew me well enough to know I wouldn’t want to go home with Dave and Jen doing the nasty back at my place. This was going to be tricky.
    Help came in the form of her roommate, Stephanie. She was dressed in pajama bottoms and a tight T-shirt, no bra, eating ice cream straight from the container in front of what looked like yet another chick flick. This one looked like the sad kind, though. One look at Stephanie told me she was an emotional mess; tears were streaming down her face. Kristin rushed over to her side.
    “Steph, what is it? What’s wrong?”
    “Men suck. I want to be a lesbian,” she cried. Stephanie is actually a very pretty girl, but her eyes were puffy and red, and she looked a little miserable. I didn’t really want to stick around to find out who had stood her up or let her down. I got that it was one of my gender. I didn’t need to know any more.
    “Um. Maybe I should head out, Kristin….” I was already backing up toward the front door.
    “Yeah, I’m so sorry, Matt.” She had her arm around Stephanie. She blew me a kiss over her sobbing friend’s shoulder. I smiled and gave her a small wave as I made a mad dash for the door.
    I breathed a sigh of immense relief as I stepped out into the cool November evening. It was still early. I knew I wasn’t going home. I pulled out my cell and called Curt’s number. I got his voice mail. There were other friends I could call, or I could just grab a beer on my own. But I couldn’t stop thinking of Aaron. It had been almost a month. Would he even remember me? I pushed “send” before I could talk myself out of it.
    The call was answered on the first ring, but it didn’t sound like Aaron.
    “Chel-lo… Aaron’s phone….” The voice was masculine but lilting. It was very loud in the background. I’d bet Aaron and whoever had his phone were at a club. “I’m sure you’re looking for Aaron, because I am too. I need to give him his phone.” He must have pulled the phone just away from his mouth, but he was still yelling in my ear, “Yoo-hoo, Aaron honey…