Page 16 of XO

He raises his hands in mock defeat. “I saw the way you looked at him at recess and just wanted to be sure.”

“And just how exactly did I look at him?” My tone draws Anna’s attention, and she frowns at the interaction. “You know what… never mind. There’s nothing going on. And why do you care all of a sudden?”

“Because,” he says softly, leaning forward while brushing a lock of hair behind my ear. It’s an incredibly intimate gesture, and I’m slightly taken aback by his touch. “I want to see what you’re doing next Friday night.”

I realize the right answer is crucial at this point in time, but that still doesn’t help my case. “Nothing,” I wrongly reply, leaving myself vulnerable.

“I was hoping you’d say that. I want you to come to the home game. We’re playing the Giants.”

Shit. Just my luck.

“The football game?”

He chuckles and eyes me curiously like I’m some weird creature he hasn’t figured out. “Yeah, football.”

Two invites in one day.What the hell is going on?I watch him carefully while disguising my suspicion.Is Kevin working alongside Jacob in this practical joke?

“I’m sorry, but I’ve never seen a game of football. I’m the wrong girl to ask.”

“Sounds like you’re the right girl, I’d love to pop your cherry.” My eyes widen and cheeks redden, and Kevin realizes what he’s said. “Your football cherry, not your…” he trails off and narrows his gaze. “Rosie Reign, are you still a virgin?”

“Well, that’s inappropriate.” We both turn to Anna who’s been listening in, and who clearly disapproves.

“She’s right,” I say, heating from the inside out with embarrassment. “That is totally inappropriate.”

Kevin chuckles good-naturedly. “I’m sorry. It’s just that… well… it’s just uncommon in our cohort that there are any virgins left.”

Anna clears her throat, and I make a mental note to alert Nessie that two virgins have now become three.

“You are the king of inappropriateness today,” I say while pouring water into the mâché bowl.

“Maybe so, but I didn’t say it was a bad thing being a virgin.”

“Are you?” I ask knowing the answer but redirecting the focus off me for a heartbeat.

Kevin laughs, and it’s not the response I’m expecting. He slowly shakes his head, teeth biting down on his smiling bottom lip. “No, Rosie… I’m not a virgin.”

The way he says it causes me to shiver, and I don’t know why.Is it because he’s now looking at me the same way a lion would its prey?Ready to devour its meal. I look away forgetting what I should be doing.

“So,” he says, breaking the awkward silence. “I’ll see you next Friday?”

“Maybe,” I reply just to appease. “I’ll have to see how my week pans out.”

“Well,” he says, quietly pleased with himself. “I’ll look out for you in the bleachers, but until then…” he steps behind, arms encasing me as he leans against the table, lips brushing my ear, “… I’ve got plenty of ways to imagine popping your cherry… and not of the football kind.” He waits a moment, no doubt gaging my reaction, but I’m frozen in place, unable to move, unable to respond.

Kevin leaves, but his comment lingers.

When I hear the door close behind him, I exhale, hands trembling as I numbly go about ripping shreds of newspaper for the mushrooms.

Am I okay with this?And if my answer is yes, what the hell has gotten into me?

~

“Mom. Dad,” I call while closing the front door behind me. I kick off my shoes and search my otherwise quiet house. It’s almost five in the afternoon, and while Mom typically works late or is out of town, I’d messaged her earlier in the day asking if she could book an appointment with Dr. Symmonds, and not surprisingly, I haven’t heard a word back. Dad, however, should be home.

“Dad,” I yell again walking through the living room and kitchen. Opening the back door, I search the yard and down by the pool. He must have stopped by the grocery store. Since there will be no doctor today, I need to raid the medicine cabinet for something that can ease the crippling pain and discomfort. I know Mom should have something for all the times she’s come home and taken a sleeping tablet, refusing to be social with her husband and child. Barely making it up the flight of stairs, I bypass my bedroom and head toward my parents’ bathroom. I stop just shy of opening their door when I hear my father’s voice on the other side. His tone is one I’m not too familiar with considering he’s the quiet, peaceful member of the family. But today, something’s off. He’s angry, frustrated, and not holding back. Pressing my ear against the door, I listen for a reply, and when I don’t hear one, I determine he must be on the phone.

“No, no, no… you don’t treat a person like that.”

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