"Can I ask you a question?" asks Maroney. He is sitting on the couch, picking on the side of his jeans. It is too early, and I barely slept enough hours.

"You did go out last night, didn't you?"

"Yes, we were supposed to do something together, but again things didn't work out for us. What am I supposed to do? Stay home on Saturday night?"

"Of course not. I said I was tired, but that didn't mean I wouldn't spend time with you."

I sigh without knowing what to say. It is almost ten am, and I'm not going to church with Maroney. I'm not doing what my parents told me to do. I'm not doing what Maroney suggested me to do.

"Did you go out with Mr. Square?"

"Who?"

"The boy with puppy eyes."

"I don't really like when you refer to Denver that way, Maroney. He is a person just like you."

"A weirdo who dresses like a teenage boy and wears a tie-dye shirt like those hippie potheads in Madison."

"That's not fair."

"You seem to know him a lot more than I expect, Cassidy. Is that something going on that you haven't told me?"

"Yes, Maroney. Like you never told me you're confused about getting a divorce. You seem to be a nice guy, but things are different right now. It could have been different, but they are now."

"Wow." He says, staring at me. "I didn't expect that...so that means you guys are together?"

"I don't know what we are now. I haven't promised him anything."

"Have you guys..."

"No," I cut him short.

"So, in this case, you can keep going out with both of us at least until you decide who you really want. I know I have better chances than him." He laughs under his breath.

"You seem to have your life together because you live on your own and you're independent. But Denver has something you don't."

"A fucking stalking wife. That I know."

"That, too," I mumble. "In fact, Denver has something else. His soul is different, almost pure, untouchable. I can't explain."

"I don't get what you're saying. It seems stupid."

"Stupid how?"

"I've seen him in college for a while, okay? The type of people he goes out; their style. You're not his style, Cassidy. How can't you see that?"

"What makes you better than him?"

"I could fuck you better than him."

"What the hell, Maroney! What did you just say?" I sense the anger boiling up my head.

"He seems stupid...that's all. I believe in my gut. I know I can do a better job than him."

"This is not a competition, Maroney." I push him away. The anger inside e is boiling, and all I wish is Maroney to go home.

"I'm sorry. I'm jealous. Daniel doesn't seem to be a bad guy."

"Denver," I fix him.

"Okay, let's start over. There is a party next Friday. It is a guy from our Literature class. He lives in a big lake house here in Madison. I want you to go with me."

"Let me think."

"C'mon, Cassidy. I think we had a bad start. I believe we can start over."

I agree we should start over, and ten minutes later, we are laughing about something else completely different. I offer Maroney a mug of coffee, and he follows me to the kitchen and kisses me. I return the kiss, but we are suddenly interrupted by the ring of my cell.

Denver.

Once again, my mind is confused by the memories from last night. Maroney says he doesn't want to know any further details about the boy with puppy eyes and me. Maybe that's what I need—time to figure out things in life.

"I can tell you one thing. This guy, Denver, has no boundaries. Go ahead and tell him this is my day with you. He had you yesterday. From tomorrow till Thursday, you're free. Friday and Saturday are my days with you again. Should we make a contract for him to sign?"

"I think it is a good idea," I laugh.   

***

Finally, it is Friday. The entire week had been weird, with Denver and Maroney fighting for my attention at school. I don't hang out with either more than exchanging words in the hallway, classroom like most peers do. Once in a while, I see eyes staring at me, especially when Denver attempted to touch my hands a couple of times. Denver is like that. He is not afraid to show people how he feels, and he is not embarrassed by me. Maroney acts as we are just friends at school, and there isn't anything going on.

"Look at the puppy eye looking for you," Maroney says with a smile when Denver enters the library and see Maroney doing a Literature assignment with me. He greets me from a distance and doesn't bother us. Instead, he grabs a book and checks out, leaving us alone again.

I'm cleaning the apartment when my phone rings. It is Denver.

"What's up?" I say.

"There is a party tonight. Want to go?"

"I can't. Maroney invited me over for another party. I can't go with you this time."

"Oh, Maroney. So, what's up with you and him? Are you hanging out with him for good?"

"Yes, kind of. I don't know, I say."

Silence.

"I told you I could wait until you figure things out."

"Oh."

"What time is the party?"

"After six pm, I think."

"Well, it is two-thirty now."

"So, what are you suggesting then?"

"I have to go to Kohls to exchange a pair of pants that didn't fit me. Want to help me? I want to look good for the party tonight." That comment surprises me since Denver is never worried about his appearance.

"I've been willing to go to Kohls to buy a new dress and some of the clothes."

"Meet me there?"

"Sure." I hang up, hearing the commotion behind me.

"Who were you talking to? Maroney?" TJ asks. I see him heading to the kitchen and grabbing a bottle of juice out of the fridge, pouring it into the cup, and drink. "that's good."

"No. I was talking to Denver. We're going to meet at Kohls."

"Aren't you going on a date with Maroney in a few hours?"

"Yes."

"So, what's the deal with you, Maroney, and Denver then?"

"I'm confused. I don't know. They seem to understand the situation."

TJ lets a laugh escape from his mouth. "Cassidy, that doesn't make any sense. You've come from that boarding school, doesn't date, doesn't drink, and now you drink and date two guys at once?"

"I'm not dating either one of them."

"You're kissing both. Let's wait when you start becoming intimate with them."

"TJ!!!! Don't say that." I almost fall on the floor,  "I'll have to make a decision. I know," I say as I stand up on my feet and go back to clean the dust from the coffee table with a rag.

"I can date three or four women at the same time, but if I find out one of them is seeing someone else, I dump her."

"That's a chauvinistic comment."

"That's true. I don't want to be the guy in between."

"So, are you implying I'm a slut?"

"Of course not. I think you're smart. You're playing both."

"They know."

TJ raises an eyebrow, "That's what I'm saying. They are not men!!!" he laughs even harder.

"You're terrible, TJ."

"Just go back to your room, wear nice clothes, meet Denver at Kohls and then make yourself more beautiful to go to meet Maroney at the party tonight."

"But Maroney was clear that tonight is his day, not Denver's."

 TJ lets another laugh escape from his lips, "You tell him the rules! I think Maroney deserves to be treated this way because he was an asshole to you the other day. Don't forget what you've been  through with him and his wife harassing you here."

"He filed for a restraining order, and she is in jail for a second or third DUI."

"Good," says TJ.

"But and about Denver? Do you think he deserves this treatment?"

"I don't think you and Denver are meant to be together, but no, I don't think he deserves it. He is too nice and naive. He deserves someone better that will love him."