Page 74 of Risks

“Cool,” Varen says. “Want anything,babe?”

“Yeah.” I look at Kenya.

She waves us off. “You guys goahead. I need to use the restroom.”

“I’ll show you,” Finn blurts, and theystart for the house.

“Okay then.” I watch them disappearinside before following Varen to the grill.

He introduces me to some friendsbefore we fill plates, grab drinks, and walk over to the water, sitting inlounge chairs.

“So, how did it go with your mom?”he asks before biting into his burger.

“Well, she wants me to considerseeing a therapist with her.”

He swallows what’s in his mouth.“What do you think?”

I shrug a shoulder. “I don’t know. I’mso mad at her. The lie…” I slowly turn my head. “I could never do that to mychild.” I stiffen after the words leave my lips. “Oh, right. Sometimes I forgetthat’s not possible for me.”

“We’ll adopt,” he says, making melook over at him. “If you want.”

“As you’ve said, I’m still so young.I’ll think more about that when I’m thirty or something.” I snort and resumeeating.

“Hm. Well, a therapist is a goodidea. But it’s up to you. You deserve to take as much time as you need. You’vebeen hurt deeply.”

“Yeah.”

Kenya pops into my head as I finishmy burger. I shift on the chair and search the yard, realizing that Finn hasn’treturned after showing her the bathroom.

I flick to Varen. “Um, you told methat Finn can be a dick when drunk or high. He wouldn’t try anything with myfriend, would he? Neither has come back.”

Varen pinches his brows whilechecking the yard. He straightens from the chair, setting down the empty plateand bottle. “No, he wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. I’m not familiar with someof the guys here, though.”

Memories of unwanted passes fromMom’s exes fill my mind and trigger a sick feeling.

I jump up and start toward the house,with Varen following closely. We enter through the sliding doors into the largekitchen, and he leads me to the passage.

Sexual grunts become apparent as themusic outside fades a bit.

“Oh no.” I hasten towards the sourceof the sounds, ending up at a closed door.

“Babe, wait,” Varen tries to stopme, but I’m too worried for Kenya.

Heart lashing against my ribcage, Iturn the knob and push the door open.

A shocked gasp slips out.

“Fuck!” Kenya shoves Finn off herand hurries to fix her clothes, which I’m sure she was seconds from removing beforeI interrupted. “I thought you locked the door.” She scrambles from the bed.

“I got caught up,” Finn rasps, stillpanting from carnal heat. He brushes over his shaggy hair and straightens fromthe bed.

I pivot to Varen.

He immediately puts his hands up. “Ihad no idea. I figured it out just now.”

I cut back to the secret lovers. “Whydidn’t you tell me you’re dating?”

Kenya scoffs and fixes her braids.“We’re not. It’s not like that.”

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