Page 67 of These Secret Years

A laugh breaks loose from my chest. “Is that right?”

“You can’t be having this whole ass conversation with me and then try and tell me you never noticed.”

“I love you, too, Chels.”

“So, this math tutor. He’s hot?”

“Yeah.” I sigh loudly into the car. “He’s very hot.”

Chapter Fourteen

KNIGHT

No matter how many intensive drills Dillon, Derek and I run with my dad, no matter how many weird protein shakes I make with my sister, no matter how many delicate card structures whoever’s around builds after dinner, I’m going to remember this summer mostly in terms of what house I was in and which piece of staged furniture I was clinging to while Sullivan got himself off in my ass.

He favors meeting at the abandoned house by the lake, but I got a splinter while I was bent over the kitchen counter with my hand braced on one of the upper cabinets. I didn’t complain about it at the time—barely noticed it, but my mom had to dig it out of my palm the following day when the area had gotten red, puffy, and sore.

I didn’t know what would happen with our hookups after I aced his algebra class, but the very next day, I get a text from him telling me I can meet him at the lake house.

I give him the address for a ridiculously big mansion on a private stretch of beach, and he agrees to meet there instead, even after I warn him it’s completely unfurnished.

Sullivan

sounds fun?

Me

i have an air mattress and fold out chairs. it can be like camping

Sullivan

what are the acoustics like?

Me

you’ll have to let me know once you test them out. big backyard though. we can toss a ball around

Sullivan

ur hilarious. are you gonna bring everything? sheets? pillows?

Me

u planning to spend the night?

I have to wait a few minutes for a response to that.

Sullivan

what made that sound like I was asking for me??

Sullivan has a way of leaving after he fucks me that goes down like good cough syrup. Like in the way that I’d rather not have to take cough syrup, but if I do, at least this one tastes okay.

Me

ur sweet to worry

Sullivan