Page 14 of Hey, Stepbro

These damn guys need to quit reading my messages.

"It's not a date," I hit back. "We're meeting up to talk about… stuff."

Pablo laughs. "It's a date. I'm proud of you for taking a chance like this."

"This is my pen pal," I snap. "We're friends."

"Suuuuure," Justin drawls, his voice laced with amusement. "Friends who bring doughnuts and coffee to an animal shelter. And talk about swapping blowjobs."

I roll my eyes, taking another swig of my beer. "You guys are ridiculous."

"Brock’s not bringing coffee and doughnuts," Pablo says. "His pen pal is the one providing the treats, yeah?"

"I don't know," I say, "he mentioned treats would be served. He didn't tell me whether he was bringing them."

CHAPTER5

BLAKELY

The bell on the door jingles as another animal lover walks into Rainbow Paws, but it's a woman in her late thirties with a baby poodle, so notCampusKing. I sigh and glance at the clock again. It's already ten thirty. I guess he's not coming.

I was really hoping to meet him in person and tell him all about my first kiss with Brock. And the blowjob. My cheeks heat at the memory. Brock's mouth was so hot and eager, his tongue doing wicked things while he stared up at me with those pale blue eyes.

A pang of arousal mixes with the disappointment, and I have to adjust myself discreetly behind the counter. At least the shelter is busy today, keeping my mind occupied.

"We have a new litter of kittens that need feeding if you want to help," Stella says, coming up beside me. She frowns, scrutinizing my expression. "Everything okay?"

"My campus pen pal was supposed to meet me here today, but it doesn't look like he's coming."

Stella's frown deepens in sympathy. "Damn, I know you were looking forward to meeting him." She nudges me with her shoulder. "Want to ditch this place for a coffee run? We can get pumpkin lattes and complain about boys."

The offer is tempting, but I shake my head. "Thanks, but I think I'll stay here. Maybe he's running late."

"Alright, but the offer still stands if you change your mind." She wanders off to help a family interested in a golden retriever.

When the bell jingles again, I glance up with a flicker of hope, but the ninety-year-old grandmotherly woman who enters can’t beCampusKing. Simply another kind soul here to play with a furry friend. I scrub at a particularly stubborn stain. Today is turning out to be a bust.

"That's it, we're going for coffee," Stella says after another twenty minutes have passed. "You need a pick-me-up."

I open my mouth to protest, then think better of it. Stella's right—getting out of here for a while might do me good. "You know me too well."

"You bet your ass I do."

***

The crisp autumn air hits me as we step outside, filled with the aroma of fallen leaves and dying summer. A cool breeze rustles my hair as birds chirp a melancholy tune from the branches above. The coffee shop is only a block away, so we decide to walk, taking in the seasonal sights and sounds along the way.

A squirrel darts across the sidewalk, gathering the last acorns before winter. Pumpkin spice wafts from nearly every storefront, along with cinnamon and cloves. The trees lining the street are resplendent in golds and reds, a final burst of color before everything fades to slumber.

By the time we arrive at the coffee shop, my mood has lifted. The interior is cozy and dim, filled with overstuffed armchairs and the hum of conversation. I order our usual drinks at the counter—a pumpkin spice latte for me and peppermint mocha for Stella.

We snag a table by the window while we wait for the barista to make our drinks, watching people amble outside. Stella smiles. "Feeling better?"

"Thanks for dragging me out of there. I needed this."

"I figured. Don't worry about your pen pal. Maybe something came up."

As the barista prepares our order, I turn around... and spot a familiar face sitting alone at a table near the back.

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