Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Remy shifted a certain way and then—
“Oh my God!” I shuddered as jizz spurted against the front of my shorts.
“Tell me about it.” Remy groaned as I felt him stiffen against me, and I was thrilled not to be in this alone. I knew he had the same mess on his hands. Or rather, in his pants.
I tried to catch my breath as his lips found mine one last time before he sat up.
I didn’t know what to expect next. Maybe for Remy to snap out of it and question what we’d done. Instead, he offered his hand, and we quietly adjusted our clothing before staring at the horizon again.
Yawning, I leaned my head against his shoulder, feeling sated and a bit sappy, knowing this was probably a one-time thing even though I’d easily welcome more.
When he began tracing circles on my knee, I wondered what he was thinking and why he’d come out here in the first place.
“Why did you do that? With me, I mean.”
He smirked. “Are you complaining it happened?”
“No freaking way. I totally enjoyed myself.” I lifted my head to look at him. “I just…it was my first time with a guy.”
He nudged my shoulder. “Mine too.”
We smiled at each other as I considered what an amazing luck of the draw that had been. To be able to kiss my crush. Though I’d admit, I still had a bit of trouble believing it was mutual, despite what happened between us. Guess years of pining made it feel like a dream.
“So, like I said, I’m off to college in a few weeks…”
My stomach sank, even though I knew the reality of the situation.
Remy continued, “And Bailey is gonna need a lot of support.”
I stiffened. “What do you mean?”
“He’s gonna hate me. And that’s okay.” He glanced at the house. “I just hope you don’t hate me too.”
“Why would I?” I sputtered. “What did you do? Remy?”
But he wouldn’t meet my eyes. Instead, he stood and adjusted himself. “I did what I thought was right.”
And then he took off toward the house, the sun illuminating the strands of his hair still messy from my hands. Little did I realize that it was the calm before the storm.
Remy
Two years later
With my final tattoo appointment for the day done, I sterilized my tools, cleaned my cubicle, and got ready to head out.
“Later!” I said to Bruno at the front desk, and he grunted a response I didn’t quite catch. He was the owner and a bit intimidating until you got to know him.
I was grateful for the job at Indelible Ink, especially since it’d helped me hone my interests. I’d almost balked at applying for the position last winter because drawing something permanent on a person’s skin was pretty scary. But now, I only felt honored.
Lifting my phone, I texted Derek, my friend from high school and now roommate. Heading to the studio.
It was the start of my junior year at Franklin University, and we lived in a rental house off campus. Truth be told, it was probably better to not be on campus outside of classes since my brother and his best friend were officially freshmen.
It would’ve been easier had Bailey gotten a swimming scholarship to another university, but Mom seemed happy I was in proximity and could keep an eye on him. Not that he wanted anything to do with me. Life had been rocky, to say the least, since that summer two years ago.
“Mom, I have something to tell you.” My voice was shaking something fierce. Along with my hands. “It’s Dad…he’s, uh…he’s cheating on you.”
I would never forget how her face crumpled and her shoulders sagged. I’d hated that I had that information, that I’d overheard Dad’s conversation with another woman late one night, but I couldn’t just ignore it.
I’d gone to him first, of course. Dad had promised the affair was over and that he’d handle it. But it wasn’t the truth, and as time dragged on, I became increasingly sicker to my stomach until I couldn’t bear watching him lie to Mom’s face a moment longer. Mom had apparently given him an ultimatum he couldn’t fulfill, and they’d divorced. But not before things got ugly, and by the time they’d settled their shared assets, the tension between Bailey and me had become unbearable. In his eyes, I was to blame for breaking up our family. In truth, it was broken to begin with, and Mom deserved better.
As I walked through campus, I saw the guys from one of the shared houses in Liberty Court out on the lawn, no doubt enjoying the cooler air. I hesitated as Bowser waved me over to hang out with them. He and his roommates, Marshall and Felix, who were a couple, were always super friendly.
“Maybe another time,” I begged off because I still had a couple of hours of work ahead of me. It was art, so it wasn’t a hardship, but because it was for a grade, it was stressful. My junior and senior years would consist of a lot of studio time, culminating in an exhibit and presentation. I needed to put forth my best work, which would be scrutinized by my professors starting next semester.