Page 7 of Worth the Risk

While taking in the charm of the wooded area surrounding the house, I think about the kiss again. But then I try to refocus my thoughts because I don’t need Nash harassing me about the tent in my pants I get each time I think about it.

“What the fuck,” Nash yells.

At first, I think he must have seen the bulge in my shorts, but when he points to the end of the driveway, I realize that isn’t what caused his outburst.

I sit up quickly.

“Is that a… bear?” he questions.

Sure enough, there is a bear leisurely strolling down the street. It must hear us because it turns in our direction and makes its way up the driveway. We sit in shocked silence for a few moments before realizing we could be dinner for the bear and jump up and bolt into the house like our asses are on fire, locking the door behind us.

Once we’re safe in the kitchen, I let out a laugh. “This isn’t New York. The most we have to fear there are sewer rats. Oh, and pigeons. Those fuckers are a nuisance.”

“Facts,” he replies as he searches the pantry for something to eat. We arrived a couple of days ago, so our options are limited since we haven’t ordered a delivery of groceries and only have the essentials. Our best choice is cereal for breakfast.

After we make our bowls, we go into the living room, turn on ESPN, and eat.

“Are we going to talk about last night?” Nash asks after we finish.

“What about it?” I have no idea which part of it he’s talking about.

He raises his brow at me. “Let’s start with the girl you kissed. You called her Sunshine?”

I don’t know how or where to start. This is Nash, and I know I can tell him anything, but I don’t know how to explain what happened last night, so I try to play it off.

“She was gorgeous… no denying that. But we have plenty of beautiful girls in New York. It’s no big deal.” I shrug.

“Leo, we’ve been friends for six years now. I’ve never seen you act that way with a girl before. You couldn’t take your eyes off her. I’ve also never seen that level of intensity you gave her. So, what gives?”

“Nothing,” I spout out. “Sure, she was hot, but that was it. I’m not a relationship guy. You know that. Would I like to have fucked her? Absolutely. Not going to lie, but that would be it. No getting attached this summer. You know that as well.” After what my dad went through, I refuse to allow a woman to have that kind of power over me. Ever.

He must see my resolve because he switches the subject. “And the guy… what was his problem?”

“I honestly don’t know. I guess he didn’t like me kissing her.”

“Do you think he was her boyfriend?”

“Don’t know, but she can do better. That guy was a fucking asshole.”

I shift my attention back to the television when the commentator talks about the NFL draft that happened last month. They mention Kason Morgan, and my ears perk up. Kason was drafted in the first round to play wide receiver for the New York Cougars. He’s a hell of a wide receiver and was in the running for the Heisman. He lost out to a quarterback. If you ask me, he was robbed. However, I might be a little biased since Kason is my younger cousin. He always wanted to play in the NFL, and his dreams have come true. I’m so proud of him.

“Kason still with the she-witch?” Nash asks.

“Unfortunately, yes.” To say his girlfriend is a witch is an understatement. She manipulates him every chance she gets and is the bane of his existence, although he’s not realized it yet.

Another reason not to fall in love.

How he stays with her after everything she’s put him through. I’ll never understand love.No, thank you. I’ll never fall victim to that.

ChapterThree

Kylie

“What time is it?” I roll onto my side as Sierra comes out of my bathroom. She’s already showered and dressed.

“Noon,” she replies with pity in her eyes. “You know I love you, but you look awful. No more drinking for you, lightweight.”

With the fatigue in my body, that shouldn’t be a problem.

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