What You Don't Know, Can't Hurt You

“I can’t imagine what it’d be like to have a roommate checking up on me all the time. I can’t even handle that in relationships,” I said to Brayden. “Every boyfriend I ever had that felt like he should know where I am 24/7 never lasted long. Drives me crazy!”

“That’s what I like about you,” Brayden replied. “You’re so relaxed. Like, you aren’t expecting anything from me. The fact that I came back after that first night was more than you expected. I love that I don’t feel like I’m going to let you down because you don’t WANT anything from me. We’re just fun, you know?”

“I think that’s the best way to do it, honestly,” I said with a smirk. “I’m 21. I’m not fuckin’ looking to get married. I’m young and I’m having fun!”

“EXACTLY!” Brayden exclaimed. “I’m 21! We’re not supposed to be settled down at 21. God, I’m so happy you understand that. Nobody understands that!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at him. “Sounds like you don’t do this a lot,” I said to him.

“Nah,” he said. “As dumb as it sounds I can’t do the one night stand. I always end up going back. For example, I’m here on a date with you,” he continued, laughing. “It feels different with you though. Like I said, you don’t want anything. I feel like either of us could walk away at any time without getting hurt. I like that freedom.”

“Yeah, me too. I’m not that girl who sits by the phone waiting. I hate those girls who fucking swoon over every guy. I’m the girl who’ll never rely on anyone. I can handle myself.”

“God, keep talking like that and I might not be able to make it all the way back to your apartment…” he said with a mischievous grin.

“Well, you’ll just have to,” I said, winking at him. “I’m not hooking up in a bathroom or on the
side of the road in your truck. I’ve got more class than that.”

Brayden stood up quickly. “I’m gonna find the waitress and pay the bill,” he said as he rushed off.

I smiled after him and couldn’t help but think to myself, “My God. The stamina of a hockey player is no joke.”

Brayden drove me home like a maniac and we were barely in through the door when he started pulling off my dress. He pinned me against the door as I started untucking his shirt. “Bed,” I whispered, trying to catch my breath.

“Not a chance,” he said with a smirk. “I’m having fun right here.”

We ended up having sex all over the apartment and I was finally able to get him into bed and to fall asleep. I laid in bed wide awake the next morning watching him sleep. “What the hell am I doing?” I whispered. Brayden’s eyelids fluttered open. “Hm?” he asked.

“Nothing,” I gave him a little smile. “You look happy when you sleep.”

“I am happy when I sleep,” he smiled back. “I love sleep. Especially after sex.”

“Ha,” I scoffed. “You definitely enjoyed sleep last night then. You should go make breakfast if you’re so well rested. I don’t think I can walk.”

He shot me his stupid little smirk again. “Mission accomplished. But, I can’t make breakfast. I’m supposed to meet uh, Claude, for breakfast. I have enough time to get a shower though. I should probably get a quick shower…” he trailed off, looking at me.

“Well, go on then! I’m going to lie here because, like I said, I really don’t think I can move.”

“Fine,” he whined. “I know what you’re doing. You just want to watch me walk out of here.”

“Oh, yeah,” I said nodding. “That’s totally it.” In my past, I had always hated guys who were as cocky as Brayden. I couldn’t help but laugh at him though – unlike all of those other guys, he actually had something to be cocky about. As I watched him leave I whispered, “God damn it. He’s right.” I climbed out of bed and slowly made my way to the bathroom. As soon as I walked out of my bedroom I noticed Brayden standing outside of the bathroom looking at me.

“Ha. Knew it,” he said, laughing.

Eventually we got out of the shower and Brayden switched on his phone as he was getting dressed. I was laying on my bed watching him when it began to ring. “Hey,” he said into it.
“I’m on my way! Give me like 10 minutes, alright?” he continued with an annoyed tone. He hung up and rolled his eyes at me.

“Roommate. I know, I know,” I muttered. He finished doing up his belt and leaned down to kiss me.

“I have a game tonight,” he said. “I want you to come. I’ll figure it out and text you.”

“Alright. I’m bringing Chelsea though.”

“Okay. See ya. Wish me luck…” he said with a tight smile.

“God. If I were you I’d look for another roommate…” I said.

“It’s complicated,” he said. “I’ll text you.”

As he left I dialed Chelsea’s number. “We’re going to the game tonight. Brayden’s getting us tickets.”

“Hm. That’s interesting,” she said slowly.

“What?” I replied.

“I just find it funny. You know, I know a few people who have hooked up with hockey players – myself included – and those guys don’t usually get tickets for someone they consider a booty call…”

“Do you want to go?” I asked, annoyed. “Listen, we’re just having some fun. He said so himself. No commitment – which you know is perfect for me. You think I’m going to turn down free tickets to a Flyers game? You know we’d probably end up going tonight regardless of if he asked me to.”

“That’s a good point,” Chelsea replied. “Maybe I’m just jealous that Claude didn’t offer me tickets.”

“Maybe you just aren’t as talented as I am…” I said slowly, laughing into the phone.

“Whatever you need to believe, Jory,” she responded, laughing. “Yeah, I’m in. We going out after?”

“Um, isn’t it Saturday? Of course we’re going out after.”

“I’ll be at your place soon. We’re getting ready there and I’m bringing pizza – I know you don’t have any food.”

“Thanks bitch,” I said into the phone, smiling. “See you soon!”

I got a text from Brayden a while later. “Tickets are at the counter. Just tell them you’re name. I wish I could say I’ll see you later but apparently I have to hang with G tonight. Enjoy the game! I’ll text you tomorrow.”

“Thanks! Good luck. : )” I replied.

A few hours later we were in our (incredible) seats and watching the warm-up. “You’ve gotta admit, Jor. He’s really hot.”

“I know, Chelsea. I’ll happily admit that. I’m just sayin, it’s only sex. I don’t want to commit to anything and neither does he. We’re having fun. Stop it.”

“Alright. Well, when he wants commitment – which he will if he keeps coming around like that – don’t call me for advice.”

“Have you met me? If he asks for commitment we both know I’ll run away screaming. Not doing the relationship thing for a longgg time,” I said as we both laughed. Chelsea looked at me and shrugged. “Hey, you never know!”

I turned back towards the ice and thought about what she said. “I’ll prove to her tonight that we have no commitment”, I thought. “I’m going to take someone home.”

We sat through the game – which we won – and left quickly when it was over to go home and get ready for going downtown. Soon enough we were walking in through the doors of our favorite club. We walked over to the bar and got our drinks then I turned around to scan the crowd. Chelsea watched me and finally said, “You look ready to pick up.”

“I am,” I said, smiling. “If he’s cute, I’m interested.”

“You sure that’s a good idea? What if Brayden finds out?”

I turned around and put down my drinks. I turned back to Chelsea and looked her straight in the eyes. “Listen. This is the last time. We are not together. He is not my boyfriend. I can do whatever the hell I want. THAT is why it’s so fun. Chelsea, I’m single. I can hook up with whoever I want.” At that, I picked my drinks up and headed to the dance floor, leaving Chelsea behind. The first cute guy I saw, I walked up to and started dancing with him. A little while later he grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the bar. “I’m Tyler,” he said, sticking out his hand for me to shake.

“I’m Jory. I’d like a Pornstar, please, and then I’d like to dance again,” I slurred back. Minutes later we were back on the dance floor and I noticed Chelsea dancing with someone. She looked my way and I shot her a wink, then turned and started making out with Tyler. Twenty or so minutes later I whispered to him, “Come on. Let’s go.” He followed quickly and soon enough we were in a cab.

“Your place or mine?” I said, grinning.

“Well, I don’t exactly live here so I’m gonna go with yours…” he replied.

“You don’t live here?”

“Not technically, no… I guess you could say I’m visiting but I don’t know for how long?”

“Whatever,” I said, shaking my head. I gave the cab driver my address and we quickly picked up where we had left off in the club. The rest of night was nothing exciting – if you get my drift. He was alright but all I could do was compare him to Brayden. And let me tell you, he was no Brayden.

I woke up the next afternoon to someone pounding on my door. I sat up slowly, seeing Tyler still asleep next to me and pulled on some clothes. “I’m fucking COMING!” I yelled at the door. “My head is pounding! Stop the knocking!” I pulled open the door and saw Brayden standing on the other side. “I’m pretty sure I told you to text first,” I said in a bitchy tone.

“I texted you like 10 times and you didn’t answer. I wanted to see if you wanted to go for a late lunch. What? You got a guy here or something?” he said with a smirk. At that moment Tyler wandered out of the room.

“What the fuck is going on?” he asked, clearly confused as he looked around my apartment.

As soon as he came out I saw Brayden’s jaw drop. I figured he was just shocked that I actually brought someone else home until he stuttered, “Uh… Ty?”

“Brayden?! What the fuck man! What’s up?” Tyler replied.

I turned and really looked at Tyler for the first time while sober. “Oh, fuck,” I whispered. “You’re Tyler Brown.”

Brayden looked livid. “You idiot! You would fucking bring home a Flyer!”

“Hey. I’m not technically classified as a Flyer…” I heard Tyler say behind me as Brayden pushed past me into the apartment.

“Jesus, Jory. Fuck.”

“What is the big deal?” I cried. “We. Are. Not. Together!”

“You don’t get it!” Brayden yelled back. “Oh my fuck. Tyler, get your shit. I’m driving you home. Jory, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Tyler quickly did as he was told and they were out through the door before I could even process what was happening. Sure enough, Brayden was back not 20 minutes later - and I was sitting on the couch waiting for him.