Page 151 of Study Buddies

I laughed, pleased with his answer, and happy to be in his arms.

And incredibly excited about tonight.

41

LUCAS

Jayden and Kylewere sitting on the front porch when I pulled up on Saturday afternoon. That would make things easier, since they both would be interested in what I had to say. Tori would be too, but I didn’t see her, and for once, that felt like a good thing.

Ever since Kyle revealed that he hadn’t slept with Natalie, things between us had been better but also awkward. I couldn’t quite wrap my head around how he’d taken the blame for Natalie, even though he’d had nothing to do with it. And he let me rage at him for all this time.

But he’d been no angel—I was under no illusions about that. Still, I wished I hadn’t given him so much grief for the one actually selfless thing he’d done.

It was a weird dynamic. But at least I’d be able to give him some news today that he needed.

“There’s more beer in the fridge,” Jayden said by way of greeting. Maybe that was why I had so few male friends. My first thought was always on schoolwork. So many of my peers were obsessed with drinking, partying, and women.

Kyle sure was—though maybe things were changing now.

He and Jayden were in the only two chairs that fit out here on the porch, so I sat on the front step. “I found out something.”

Kyle straightened up in his chair. “About the recording?”

“Yes,” I said. Kyle had already been cleared of cheating, but I didn’t blame him for wanting to know who’d targeted him like this.

“What’d you find out?” Jayden asked.

“A buddy met me in the computer lab today and we did some analysis. And we also were able to see who else used the equipment there.”

“Who was it?” There was murder in Kyle’s voice.

“It could be one of few people.” I rattled off a few names, none of which seemed to mean anything to Kyle. But knowing what I did about his lifestyle, I was fairly certain the next one would. “Then there’s a young woman who’s minoring in Blockchain Development, and in the past couple of weeks, she’s?—”

“Fuck. Is it Jasmine?” Kyle interrupted.

“Yes. She’s on the short list.”

He slumped back in his chair. “It’s her.”

“A vindictive ex?” Jayden asked. Apparently, he had no more trouble believing that possibility than I did.

“Something like that. We were hooking up before I got interested in my hot new writing tutor.” He sighed heavily. “I knew Jasmine was jealous, and she’s been blowing up my phone, but I never thought she’d do that.”

“You could turn the tables on her,” Jayden said. “She accused you of cheating, but she’s the one who’s violated the Langley code of conduct by fabricating that.”

Kyle shook his head. “No, I don’t want to do that.” Then he sat up again and looked at me. “But you’ll keep all the evidence, right? Just in case something else happens?”

“Right.”

“Good.” His shoulders relaxed. “Thanks.”

We were silent for a minute or two, and then Jayden spoke up. “Speaking of non-crazy, non-vindictive women, we’re on for tonight.”

My stomach did a little flip as I stared at him. “Tori said yes?”

Jayden nodded. “She wants to give it a shot.”

“Told ya,” Kyle said. Then he paused. “I don’t mean that as in I told you so… I just think she’ll like this. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be participating.”

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