That’s why he knew when to stop.
That’s why I knew.s. I shouldn’t comment on her body.
That’s why I knew exactly what kind of man would inspire confidence in Claire.
Claire listened as tears fell silently down her cheeks.
The tenderness he had believed belonged only to them two suddenly seemed stolen.
“How much?” he asked finally.
Adam seemed confused.
What?
What did you gain?
He looked down.
“Nothing.
Claire let out a bitter laugh.
“Don’t insult me now.
There was no money.
“Then why?
Adam looked at her straight.
“Because he was an arrogant idiot who wanted to prove that he could do what other men couldn’t.
That response hurt more than the money would have hurt.
For Adam, his virginity had once been an achievement.
A victory.
Something his ego could conquer.
Claire stood up.
“I hate you.
I know.
What About Vanessa?
Adam slipped the phone to her.
Read the messages of the last few weeks.
Claire didn’t want to.
But he did.
Messages had changed.
At first Adam had followed the game.
But a few weeks earlier, Vanessa had written to him:
“You’re getting too attached. Don’t forget what this is.”
Adam had replied:
“I’m done.”
Vanessa: “You haven’t even slept with her yet.”
Adam: “Exactly.”
A few days later another message arrived.
“So all that effort was for nothing?”
Adam replied:
“She’s not something you can earn.”
Claire read that phrase twice.
It didn’t erase what he had done.
Nothing could do it.
But he explained the strange distance he had noticed lately every time Vanessa made jokes about their relationship.
Adam had already tried to quit the game.
I just hadn’t had the courage to tell Claire how it all started.
And that cowardice had taken them to that point.
Claire returned her phone.
“You should have told me.
“Yes.
“The moment you realized you felt something for me.
“Yes.
