Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 73940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“See you in a bit.”
He said it’s okay.
I raced to put on gym shorts and throw on a T-shirt. I didn’t realize it was on backward until I was out of the dorm and headed to the spot Jay talked about. I knew exactly what he meant.
I hurried down the quiet street, passing by a couple of giggling freshmen who must have gotten one of the upperclassmen to buy them alcohol. I took a turn and walked past the science building, the gym, and the library. The entire walk had me planning what I was going to say to him.
Jay, it’s not me. It’s my dad.
Jay, I swear I tried to stop him.
Jay, please believe me.
He sat at the table next to a small pond, the light from the full moon bouncing off the calm surface. It was dark out, but there was plenty of light from a nearby streetlamp so that I could see the brief flicker of a smile flash across Jay’s face when he saw me.
It made me forget about everything I was going to say. Instead, I settled for “I hate hurting you.”
Jay patted the empty space next to him. Okay, good. So I hadn’t made up that smile. He really didn’t seem to hate me as much as I thought.
“You didn’t hurt me. You just… surprised me. And not in a good way. You know how much I love surprises, but this one kind of sucked bull balls. Big ones. Hairy ones.”
That got a snort out of me. I quickly composed myself, although I saw the flash of that smile again. Like a bright comet streaking across the dark night sky.
“But I get it.”
Jay saying those four words was like applying aloe vera to a scalding burn.
“You do?” I asked.
Jay nodded. He reached for my hand and grabbed it. “Now it’s my turn: I’m sorry for overreacting. I blew up when I should have stayed and listened. That was messed up on my part. I was being a drama queen. So I’m sorry for that.”
His apology felt honest. “You don’t have to apologize, Jay.” I squeezed his hand. His smile no longer flickered.
“It’s what I get for dating the star of the show,” I said, leaning forward.
“Hardly the star.”
“More like… forget it.” I caught myself. The joke was too silly for the moment.
“Say it,” Jay said, eyes narrowed.
“No, no, seriously, it was dumb.”
“If it’ll make me laugh, I want to hear it.”
“I was gonna say ‘more like hard for the star.’”
Jay’s head dropped forward before he started to laugh, the sound drifting through the otherwise silent night like the sweetest melody I’d ever heard. “I told you it was dumb.”
“But it was funny,” he said, “and cute. And hot.”
I smiled and leaned in, slow. I put a hand on his shoulder, climbing up to his neck. I didn’t sense any tension or apprehension from him. Jay moved forward too. “Can I kiss you?” I asked.
“I’d never say no to you,” Jay responded.
Boom.
Galaxies were created, universes formed, planets birthed.
That’s how astronomical this kiss felt. I inhaled him, my lips parting, my tongue sliding over his. I could feel his smile. My heart beat a little faster, his hand resting high on my thigh, squeezing a little as he gave me a moan I eagerly swallowed.
We sat extra close, our legs pressed together, my hand on his lower back. There was a cluster of palm trees around the pond. Their thick leaves barely moved. This had immediately become one of my favorite spots on campus ever since Jay showed me it. It was semi-private, tucked away on a short trail that led away from one of the main sidewalks.
“You know why I find this spot so relaxing?” he asked, looking out at gentle pond. “Because it lets me feel close to my dad without stepping near a body of water I can’t see the end of. He loved the water, so being here reminds me of him without feeling tortured and terrified.”
I followed his gaze, seeing the serene water in a whole new way. “It tears me apart inside. Knowing what you’ve been through. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Jay said, taking in a deep breath and letting it flow right out. “I’ve come to terms with it. Mostly. Moments like these help. I feel like he’s looking down on me, especially when I sit here. I hope he’s proud of me.”
“I’ve got zero doubts he is,” I said, ignoring the sharp barb that my father left in my back with his disappointment.
“I hope so… and, Ryan, I have to say that I still need to go ahead with the protest at Beacon Bay. I know it’s against your dad’s company, but I can’t back down. No matter that we’re dating.”
“I totally get that,” I said. “It’s the right thing to do. And honestly, I hope you shut that shit down.”