Page 2 of Dangerous

“I remember someone—probably you—being there, but I don’t know your name or who your cousin is.”

“Ah, shit. I can’t believe I never told you. My grandma would have my head for forgetting my manners like that.” He held out his hand and my own manners forced me to shake it, marvelling at the sense of calmness I felt when we touched. One that reminded me of my best friend Mason. “I’m Ethan and I’m staying at my uncle Scott’s for the year to finish high school.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” I attempted to pull my hand away, but he gave it one last squeeze before letting me.

“You, too. I have a feeling we’re going to great friends.”

2

Katy/Katerine

By the time Geoff arrived to help close the store, I’d already put Ethan’s phone number into my contacts after promising him to get together once exams were over since he was spending the next few weeks back in Winnipeg where he’d been living for the past two years.

“Everything go well tonight?” Geoff leaned on the counter, staring at the doodles which covered my algebra notes.

“Um, with the store, yes. It wasn’t too busy. I made a couple notes of the items we’re short on and a few items that people said they were looking for and wanted to know if we could order them in.” He nodded before pointed to my math, making my shoulders slump. He didn’t even have to say a word because it was the same every shift. He wanted to make sure I was holding up my end of the bargain with my mom. She might not have been a big, imposing figure next to Geoff or the guys, but being a nurse for such a long time gave her a look and tone that kept people from wanting to cross her. “With algebra, not so much.I’m keep making a couple of mistakes and I can’t figure out where they’re happening.”

Goeff tapped the counter as he stood. “I’d love to help, but math was many years ago for me. Algebra isn’t used much when I’m checking out a cow to see if she’s pregnant or not or when I’m trying to figure out why someone’s horse isn’t feeling well.”

“Yeah, I know.” I close my binder, getting my stuff packed and ready to leave once Jarrod arrived. “I don’t know where I’ll ever use it which makes it even harder to motivate myself.”

Chuckles streamed from Geoff. “Fuc—I mean fudge—you sound just like Kate did when she had to take algebra for the first time. Maybe you should ask her for pointers.” He held out his pointer finger and shook it at me. “Just don’t tell her I told you.”

Something in Geoff’s voice when he mentioned Kate, pulled on my heart, making me quick to reassure him that I wouldn’t mention him. Kate had been a classmate of Jason and Peter’s. I didn’t know her well other than to know that she made some awesome body products like shampoos, skin creams, and other things, but I did know that she’d been good friends with Geoff and some other guy—Tyler, I think—and that now Geoff and Kate never talked. Stories and gossip had even reached my friends about them and with questions and rumours about what could have possibly happened to ruin a great friendship, enough that two of them never spoke and Tyler never returned to Voyageur Bay after his first year at university even though his parents continued to live here. The teenage romantic in me, couldn’t help but wonder if they’d been in a similar situation to me and the guys, but didn’t know that they didn’t need to choose.

The doorbell over the door dinged as it opened despite the closed sign on the door. All thoughts of a possible unrequited love affair fled as I stared at Jarrod’s loving smile.

“Hey, Jarrod.” Geoff crossed the open floor area, hand outstretched. When they touched, Geoff pulled him into one of those bro hugs I often saw them do with a close group of male friends. The ones where they bumped chests around their joined hands while patting each other on the back. “Good to see you, man. Didn’t realize you were picking up Katy tonight, but it saves me a call. Any plans yet for your beginning of summer bash?”

Jarrod’s gaze darted to mine before returning to Geoff’s. The motion so quick that I wasn’t sure if Geoff saw or not, but I did. And the unease behind Jarrod’s eyes didn’t sit well with me. Was he uncomfortable because he remembered how their parties used to be, remembered what he did last summer with all those different women and didn’t want to upset me if I heard about it since he didn’t know that I’d seen him? Or was he uncomfortable because he wanted to have the party, was missing all those things he used to do, but wasn’t because he was with me, and I wasn’t ready for sex?

“Um, we haven’t really discussed it, but with my new business and the officialness of my relationship with Peter, I’m not sure if we’re going to be hosting parties like those anymore.”

“Slowing down now that you’re in a respectable relationship, huh?” Geoff elbowed him in the gut. “Not that I really took part in those aspects of the parties, but I’ve been missing hanging out with you guys. Between Jason working away and rarely home to my hours, it’s been a while since I’ve been out with guys who understand things.” The look Geoff gave Jarrod made my curiosity sit up and take notice. Outside of the odd rumour about Geoff and Kate and that Tyler guy from many years ago, I couldn’t remember ever hearing anything else about him in a relationship capacity. I mean, I’d heard lots of older ladies discussing how they tried to set him up with daughters, nieces, granddaughters, and others, but that he always managed toavoid their entanglements. Some even introduced him to some guys, wondering if he was gay, but Geoff held his cards pretty close to his chest and never seemed to be publicly associated with anyone in a romantic capacity.

“Yeah, we’re wanting to change our ways, not be the party guys anymore.” Jarrod walked back with Geoff to the cash counter where I had just finished packing up my schoolwork. “Hey girl, ready to head out?”

I slung the weighted backpack over my shoulder as I stepped out from behind the counter. “Yup. All packed up and cashed out.”

“Thanks, Katy. See you tomorrow.”

I nodded, giving Geoff a smile as Jarrod wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me to his side for a quasi hug as he placed a kiss on the top of my head. From the corner of my eye, I caught Geoff giving us a quizzical look at the move before shrugging it off. A sigh of relief left me as we exited out the door.

“What’s the sigh for, Kitty-Kat?”

While Jarrod and I were in an official relationship, it wasn’t one that was public. We didn’t walk around in public doing relationship PDA instead we acted the same way as we did before the first time we kissed. Not only was it a safety precaution to keep the scrutiny off Peter since he was a teacher, but also to keep people from talking about our age differences and the non-traditional aspect of our relationship. The guys weren’t even public yet about Jason being included in Peter and Jarrod’s relationship. So, adding me in in any form would definitely bring attention to Peter and potentially from the police.

“I thought that Geoff might have suspected something, but then he seemed to shrug it off.” I climbed into the front passenger seat of Jarrod’s car. He leaned in and despite the risk,I turned to face him, allowing our lips to meet in the slightest of kisses.

“If he does, it’s not a big deal. Geoff knows how to keep secrets.” Jarrod brushed his lips against mine again, drawing another sigh from me. Twinkling eyes filled with delight greeted me as he pulled back and I couldn’t stop from returning his smile even as my cheeks heated. For as many times as we kissed, I’d never get used to the sensation or even the awe that this gorgeous man whom I’d been in love with for years could actually like me back.

By the time he walked around the car and climbed in, my heated body had settled, allowing the fatigue to hit. Thank goodness I didn’t have to deal with school tomorrow. I could sleep in before heading into work for the afternoon shift.

“Hungry?” Jarrod squeezed my hand. Ever since that first kiss, whenever we’ve been in the car alone, he drove holding my hand. In fact, Jason did the same thing, and I found that I missed it whenever I was in a car with Peter. But maybe he’d start now since he’d finally admitted his feelings and kissed me. Even if we hadn’t repeated it.

Before I could answer, my stomach rumbled, giving him the answer. He laughed and I enjoyed watching how his eyes crinkled.

“Guess your stomach answered for you. Good thing Peter’s cooking. It should be ready by the time we arrive.”

---