Page 3 of Salace

We’re both lying in our respective beds in our respective homes, having our nightly conversation. It’s strange; we see each other in the hallways at school, but somehow it still doesn’t feel like I spend enough time with her.

She makes a face, rolls her eyes, then turns on her side, setting her phone on the pillow next to her. The tell-tale sign that she’s ready to go to sleep. I glance at the time at the top of the screen, wondering when ten p.m. became bedtime, but she’s had a mentally exhausting day, what with the calculus test she practically killed herself studying for. And I know that teasing her about possibly failing isn’t going to do me any favors, but I can’t help needling her.

“Whatever, Kasey,” she grumbles, before placing a hand to her mouth, stifling a yawn.

“Relax, E. You passed. You must have; I helped you cram for the test, remember? And not to toot my own horn, but I am something of a math genius,” I say with a grin.

“I guess you have your uses,” she says conversationally, as she closes her eyes.

I chuckle.

I don’t mind being teased about much, but our relationship isn’t something I like to joke about. Even though she knows that, she still enjoys ribbing me about it from time to time.

“So, that’s it? You love me for my math?” I ask in an unintentionally tight tone.

“Well, that and the thing you do with your tongue.”

My face turns red.

Eden opens her eyes slightly, grins at my obvious discomfort and giggles. “Come on, Kase. You know that you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“True,” I say, after clearing my throat. “And then there’s thatthingI do with my tongue. I guess I’m the whole package, now that I think about it.”

Eden lets out a groan and it’s my turn to laugh in triumph.

“Good night, Kasey,” she says, as she leans up on her elbow and shakes her head.

“‘Night, E,” I reply, as I swipe the button to disconnect the call.

With a sigh, I lean over and set my phone on the nightstand, then clasp my hands on my chest after I get comfortable again.

As soon as Eden is out of sight, my thoughts turn toward Mrs. H. Something was different about her today, almostwelcoming.Like she was happy to see me in a weird way. Or maybe she read the boyish crush all over my face when I gave her a toothy grin.

Either way, I sometimes find myself wondering if she ever thinks of me. Aimee too. She’d be more my speed, since she has virgin written all over her face. And while I’m not a virgin myself, I’d be more than willing to kickstart Aimee’s engine if she gave me the chance.

With a sigh, I turn my eyes toward the window.

Aimee Huntington; the inadvertent bane of my existence.

She acts as though she hates me; however, I don’t think she does. I think she’s playing hard to get and I’m up for the challenge. It’s not like Eden would notice, because I’m pretty sure she’s over it when it comes tousat this point. Each night, she’s been hanging up earlier and earlier, which makes me wonder if she has someone else already.

I close my eyes and think.

I haven’t seen Eden making eyes at any of the other guys in school, and I haven’t seen any of them show interest in her, but that’s the thing about infidelity; it’s always done in secret, hidden far away from the daylight.

So, whywouldI see it?

Chewing the inside of my mouth thoughtfully, I open my eyes and lean over to swipe my phone off the nightstand and tap the screen to life. Opening the contacts, I quickly find Aimee’s number, then let my finger hover over thecallbutton.

Do I really want to do this? What if I’m just imagining things about Eden?What if I can have them both?The latter thought is enough to excite me to the point that my dick starts to slowly press against my sweatpants.

I’d be the coolest guy in school with two girlfriends.

The jocks, the nerds–they’d all look up to me and wonder what it is that I have that they don’t. And the answer would be simple. Eden and Aimee.

Taking a deep breath, I run a hand down my face, before I hit the button and place the phone to my ear. I’ll ask her out on a date; the worst she can say is no. At the best, she’ll say yes.

Perhaps Mrs. H. will chaperone,I think with a nervous chuckle when the other line finally clicks and I hear a soft “hello”greet me.

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