Page 61 of Cougar

“It’s okay if you are. I understand. You’re my mom, and I know sex is a big deal. It’s like you want to know but you don’t.”

I nod once. “Exactly.”

“Then I’ll spare you the details.”

“I would appreciate that—although I have to ask. Did you use protection?”

Against Marcus’s protests, I put Jay on birth control when she was fifteen. I wasn’t giving her permission to have sex, but she was developing so fast and clearly, it was the right thing to do.

“Of course. Mom, I promise you it wasn’t a decision I made lightly.”

I blow out a breath of relief. “Okay. One other question and then I’ll let you continue.”

“What?”

“Have you had sex with anyone else?”

A few months ago, Jay had been spending time with one of Lucas’s bandmates, Ace Matthews. Although it seemed they were just friends, I can’t help but wonder if there was more to their friendship.

Her brows furrow and her face twists in disgust. “No way. I love Zach. He’s the only one I’ve ever wanted to be with, both then and now. But I knew we couldn’t be together right away. He lived here, and we lived in California. And Daddy was sick. Anyway, the night I got back from St. Thomas, Zach had called while I was in the shower. I noticed there were two voicemails from him. The first must’ve come in while I was talking to you and Daddy right after I got home because his message said he was checking to see if I’d made it home okay and wanted to know if I’d come visit him for Labor Day.”

“Okay,” I drawl. “Then what happened?”

“The second message happened.” She grimaces. “It wasn’t exactly a message. He pocket-dialed me and my phone recorded him making out with a girl.”

My heart shatters into a million pieces. “Oh, Jay.”

“I remembered what you’ve always said. Things aren’t always what they seem. So I called him and a girl answered. She told me Zach was her boyfriend and that he told her all about me. And that we hooked up.”

“Did you believe her?”

She shrugs. “Not completely but then she called me a skank. I was pissed off and hurt. So I blocked his number. Then Daddy got really sick so….”

I reach over and brush her hair from her face. “Honey, I’m so sorry. I want to say that I wish you would’ve come to me, but I understand why you didn’t. I believe you that losing your virginity to Zach wasn’t an easy decision, but you’re so young. When you add sex to a relationship, it just makes things more intense. Emotions run deep and things become so much more complicated.”

“Everyone is having sex,” she admits with a snicker. “Some are having it with more than one person.”

“That’s not an option for you,” I warn. “So did you and Zach work things out?”

“We did. Zach said she lied to me. She wasn’t his girlfriend at the time, but they did end up dating for a while until she cheated on him and he broke up with her.”

“Jesus, that’s a lot of drama for one girl to cause. She goes to your school?”

“Yes.” She rolls her eyes. “Her name is Reagan, and she’s a cheerleader.”

“My advice is to stay away from her. You don’t need that kind of drama in your life. You’re supposed to be enjoying your senior year of high school doing all the fun stuff, not fighting over Zach.”

She smirks. “She’s not even on my radar, and there’s no fight. Zach is mine. Always has been and always will be.”

Well, okay then.

* * *

Bass strolls into the kitchen still dressed in his clothes from the night before and heads straight for the coffee.

“Good morning,” I singsong, eyeing him over the rim of my cup and hiding my grin. “Did you have a nice night?”

Turning to face me, he leans with his backside against the counter and crosses his arms over his chest while he waits for his coffee to brew. “I think I’m in love.”

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