Page 81 of Risks

“Nothing,” he rasps. “Iwillsee you before you go to New York, right? Even if it’s a weekend. If not, it’llbe damn near eight months before I see you again, considering it’s April now.”

The length of time turns my stomach.We can’t possibly go that long without any physical contact. It might wreck us.

“Of course,” I swear. “I have theweek after finals. I plan to use that to meet my grandparents and spend alittle time with you.”

“Okay,” he says, tone low. “Congratsagain on the internship. I really am happy for you. Have fun celebrating. Justdon’t do anything crazy.”

That pulls a smile out of me. “Iwon’t. Love you, Varen. I’ll call you later.”

“Love you, too.”

I slide the phone into my pocketwhen he ends the call.

“Everything all right?” Jasper asksas he steps closer.

“Yeah.”

“So, are you coming to that collegebar?” He wiggles his brows. “My friends will be there. Let’s celebrate withfellow writers.”

“Sure. Let’s go.”

36

Damn.

My plan has pretty much exploded.Life keeps throwing stuff in the way of our trip, and I’m starting to thinkmaybe it’s a sign.

Perhaps my fear of losing Toya mademe want her to risk her internship. It’s selfish to feel frustrated about herliving her life after encouraging her to do that.

Dropping down on the couch, I reachfor my laptop to cancel the airline tickets. Again. It’s disappointing, but Iunderstand Toya has more important things.

My phone starts to ring not longafter I finish.

“Hey, Finn. What’s up?”

“Hey, man. I’m heading to Colt’splace. You should come. He has a few people over, hanging out.”

“Uh, I don’t know.” I sit out on thecouch and rub my forehead, not really in the mood.

“Come on, V. It’s okay to chill withyour friends. You don’t have to stay away. No drugs. Promise.”

I consider it a bit more and concede,realizing it’s better than sitting here moping. “All right. See you there.”

Changing into jeans and a t-shirt, Igrab my keys and head out, reaching the waterfront house several minutes later.

Quite a few friends from high schoolare here, catching up and vibing.

“Hey, V.” Finn smacks my hand when Iwalk out to the deck. I greet the others and grab a beer.

“I’m surprised you didn’t try to getKenya to come out,” I remark after a sip.

He smirks. “She’s studying for atest. You know, I’m glad we met. She’s great. So easy to talk to. I can bemyself with her.”

“That’s good. Sounds like things aregoing well for you two.”

“They are,” he says, unable to keepfrom smiling.

I give him a playful punch on hisarm, and we continue hanging out until nightfall, and he heads inside to shootpool.

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