Page 100 of His Reckless Freshman

“No.” My eyes bulge. “It’s not like that. He’s just been helping me out.”

“With sex!” Her voice pitches and she almost looks scandalized, which she really shouldn’t, because she’s told me some of her one-night stand stories. It’s not like I’ve been doing that!

Closing my eyes, I shake my head and try to justify this. “Okay, look, I know it sounds weird, but he’s a really nice guy. And the sessions have been amazing. I’d never experienced an orgasm before him, so I’ve got a lot to be thankful for. It’s just the last time we… we went all the way…” I pause, creeping my eyes open to check Caroline’s expression. “You know.”

“Yes, I know what ‘all the way’ means.” Her voice is dry, her shock giving way to… anger? Why’s she mad? She should be happy for me. Orgasms are great!

I ignore her expression and quickly punch out, “The problem is that… well, afterward, he kind of told me it was over. He doesn’t want to teach me anything else.”

“Well, no wonder.” Caroline flicks her hand in the air, looking even angrier. “He was just playing the long con. Stringing you along until he could fuck you properly, then flick you off!”

My faces flushes at her forceful language. I hate the word “fuck,” especially when it’s being used to describe sex.

Fezzik jumps off my knee, obviously a little afraid of Caroline’s venom, and I stand too, moving away from her to lean against the bar. He trots after me, perching behind the stool. I lean down to rub the top of his head and try to stand up for Ben. “He’s not like that. He’s the nicest guy, I swear. But now I don’t know what to do. I mean, he seemed to enjoy it when we were doing it, but afterward, it’s like he felt really bad about it. And now I don’t know where we stand or what I should do. I haven’t found the guts to call or text him because I don’t know what to say. What should I say?”

“Nothing.” Caroline whips off the couch to turn and face me properly. “It’s obvious he only wanted you for one thing, and now that he’s gotten it, he’s out.”

I don’t want to believe that, so I shake my head and keep quietly arguing. “But… we were so good together. It seemed like he was really enjoying it.”

Caroline huffs, crossing her arms, her eyes dark and stormy. “Who is this guy?”

I almost don’t want to tell her, but she’s getting all fiery and scary, so I acquiesce with a soft mumble. “His name’s Ben.”

“Ben? Ben who?”

“Ben Evers. He’s pre-law and he’s a basketball player and why… why is your face doing that?” I frown as I take in Caroline’s bulging eyes and pale skin.

“Nothing.” She blinks and turns her back on me.

My eyebrows dip into a confused frown as I push off the counter and move around so I can see her face again. “Caroline, what’s going on?”

She swallows and looks down at her socked feet. Her toes are curling into the carpet. Never a good sign.

Crossing my arms, I narrow my eyes at her. “What are you not telling me? Do you know him or something?”

She flushes pink, and my stomach starts to twist as she stammers, “I… Not really. I… we… might have met once or spoken a couple of times.”

“Oh my gosh,” I whisper, my knotted stomach free-falling to my ankles. “You slept with him, didn’t you?”

She closes her eyes, giving herself away. “Jolie, I…”

I can’t believe this! She slept with him? Was it just a one-night stand, or did they date for a while? I don’t remember her telling me about him, but maybe she hasn’t told me everything.

I’m about to ask her for every tiny detail when the door pops open and Casey walks in. He’s looking all relaxed, his smile that friendly one I’ve come to love.

But right now, I can’t smile back at him.

“Hello, ladies. What’s…?” His cheerful chirp disintegrates the second he picks up on the obvious tension in the room.

Pointing at Caroline, I ask him, “Did she sleep with Ben Evers? Before you guys got together, did she have a one-night stand or some kind of relationship with Ben Evers? He’s a basketball player. Do you know him?”

Casey bulges his eyes and looks at Caroline. She’s clenching her jaw, looking at the floor and squeezing her biceps like she wants to be anywhere else right now. “Um… I think Fezzik needs me.” He goes to back out of the room, but I quickly shout at him.

“Fezzik is here!” Pointing to the bar area, I indicate the dog, who jumps up as if only just noticing his owner. Racing over, he does a little dance at Casey’s feet, and the hockey player picks him up, getting his nose thoroughly licked while trying to avoid my questions.

“Casey!” I end up shouting because I can’t handle this anymore. I need to know the truth!

“Okay, fine.” He looks at Caroline again, his expression crumpling with apology as he softly says, “Yes. I know who you’re talking about, and…” He pauses to check on his girlfriend, who finally lets out a huff and snaps at me.