Page 83 of Risks

He splays his hands as he asks, “Whathappened, man?”

Kelly steps out of the house thenand struts to her Jeep, asscheeks on display in her short shorts as she climbsin. She starts the engine and looks my way, a smirk on her face. “See you,Varen. Call me sometime.” She takes off, confirming she only came because sheheard I was here.

Finn cuts back to me. “Did somethinghappen with her?”

“Kelly kissed me,” I admit.

“What?” he blurts. “Did you kiss herback?”

“Of course not. I stopped it rightaway.” I drag my hand over my head. “Fuck! Toya will be pissed.”

He sighs. “Look, I believe you. Buthow will Latoya feel when she hears your ex fuck buddy kissed you?”

“We promised no secrets. I have totell my girl what happened.”

“It’s your call, man. Sure aboutthat?”

I shake my head. “I…I have to behonest.”

“All right. Good luck. Call me.”

We smack hands, and I jump into mycar and take off right away.

Toya will believe me. She knows Iwouldn’t do something like that.

She trusts me.

37

“I’ll walk with you to the dorm,”Jasper offers as we enter campus. I had fun celebrating at the college bar withthe others around. This is where it ends.

“I’m good. Thanks for inviting mealong.”

“Hey,” he stops me before I walkaway. “I look forward to working with you this summer. As friends, of course.”

I simply nod. “Thanks again forcelebrating with me. It was fun.”

He catches me by surprise with aquick kiss on my cheek.

I push him back. “What the hell,Jasper!”

“I was just…”

“Just what?” I grit. “You can’t doshit like that. I have a boyfriend. That is not cool. There’s also somethingcalled consent.”

He frowns. “I’m sorry. I got aheadof myself. It won’t happen again.”

“It won’t. We’re not hanging out again.It’s clear you don’t want to be just friends, so I think it’s better to leaveinteractions only to the club.”

“Come on, Latoya,” he argues. “You’renineteen. You’re trapping yourself in a serious relationship when you should havefun and enjoy your independence.”

“I have those things with Varen,” Ipoint out seriously. “I’m not trapped. Maybe that’s how you and your ex felt,but not me. You’re only saying that because you want to be with me. I’m notleaving my boyfriend, not for you or anyone else. Varen’s my first and last.”

He stares at me quietly for a fewbeats before wiping his face with his hand. “Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seenor experienced love like that.” He sputters a short laugh. “You know…I hope itworks out.”

“It will. Goodnight, Jasper.” Leavinghim there, I hasten in the direction of the dorm.

I can’t believe he kissed me. Atleast it was on my cheek, and the one before that was on my hand. But regardless,I’m sure Varen will still be upset when I tell him.

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