Page 5 of Hers to Kiss
Someone cleared their throat, and it sounded distinctively feminine. Keke stood in the doorframe, and Pete could’ve melted into the floor. Not only did she not recognize him, but now she probably overheard his dad chastising him for staying home after graduation and playing video games. It was like being thirteen all over again—without the pimples and grasshopper legs.
He never skipped leg day in the gym.
“Uh, sorry to interrupt.” Her curious gaze rested on Pete. “I’m here to grab some stuff for the girls’ bunk?”
“It’s here.” Pete pointed to the table where he’d stacked a couple of piles of sheets and pillows.
“Take some toiletries, too.” Titus gestured to his own pile. “And welcome home, Keke. It’s good to see you again.”
Keke ducked her head shyly, or maybe meekly. “Thanks, Mr. Headley.”
Pete cocked his head to one side. He had never seen Keke act shy before. Ever. She had a confidence that drew attention to her. He’d always been impressed with how she carried herself, which made dance a perfect college major.
He grabbed one pile while Keke took the other. “I’m going there too.” He led the way out. If his father wasn’t going to listen to him, wasn’t any point in staying.
“Still playing video games?” Keke teased.
She heard. “Yup.”
“Clearly your dad thinks you should grow up.”
Pete whirled, nearly causing Keke to slam into him. “You don’t know anything about it.”
Keke took a step back, her expression startled. “No. No, I don’t.”
Pete resumed his trek to the bunk. “He doesn’t understand why it’s important to me, and I don’t get it. Why can’t he accept I’m different and be happy for me?”
“Be happy that you want to play video games all day?”
Pete groaned loudly. “That’s not even accurate.”
“Did I hear him, correctly? You got into Cornell?” Keke hurried to match his pace. She stared at him with astonishment. “Petey, that’s incredible! Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” he mumbled. He’d rather be congratulated on getting a meeting with Warp Entertainment.
Warp Entertainment was a rapidly growing game company that rivaled the major ones that had already cornered the market on strategy fantasy games and first-person shooters. Warp wanted to dominate the gaming world only played on phones. A ton of apps existed, but nothing that had the sophistication of Warp’s. A lot of their storylines focused on space exploration, and Pete had been an avid Star Trek fan since conception.
And they valued talent over degrees.
“Petey?”
“Argh, I can’t believe you remembered.”
“How could I forget your name?”
“Not my name Keighly.”
“Nickname, whatever.”
“Unofficially. You’re the only one who calls me that.”
“You’re not excited, Petey? Cornell’s an Ivy League school.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“You know how many peopledon’tget accepted? I’d frame that letter if I was you.”
“I only got a partial scholarship. You got a full ride to your school.”
