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She was going to say Troy. I’m not surprised I’m better at it than him. He’s probably done in a couple minutes, ignoring Tara’s needs and just getting himself off.
“When do you have to go?” she asks.
“I can stay a little longer. I need to do homework tonight since I blew it off last weekend.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. After Haley broke up with me, I couldn’t get my head into studying or anything having to do with school. I just wanted to get away from there. That’s why I called Sean. Being with my friends got my mind off what happened.” I rub her arm. “And being with you.”
“Is that why you did this?” she asks, running her hand over my chest. “To get over Haley?”
“Tara, look at me.” I wait until she does. “This had nothing to do with Haley. I did this because I have feelings for you. Feelings I didn’t expect to have.”
“I feel that way too.” She pauses. “I’ve never forgotten you, Jake. I always thought you were the sweetest kid. You were the only boy who was nice to me. I missed you when I left. I didn’t think I’d ever see you again so I was shocked when I saw you at Sean’s house. My heart was going really fast.” She laughs a little. “I thought it was because I was nervous around you, but I think it was because I was so excited to see you. I couldn’t believe you were back.”
“I didn’t tell many people I was going to school here. Just Sean and Leo, who I’m guessing told Troy.”
Tara stares up at the ceiling. “I want to keep seeing you, Jake.”
“Then I’ll keep coming over.”
“But if Troy finds out—”
“Break up with him. I know you’re not happy with him, so just end it.”
“I can’t.”
“You can.”
She turns to me. “Let me think about it, okay?”
“Okay, but what does that mean for us?”
“Let’s just take it a day at a time. I want to keep seeing you, but I understand if this isn’t what you want.”
“I wantyou.” I kiss her. “So I’ll do whatever I need to to make that happen, even if it means waiting for you to figure this out. When can I see you again?”
“I work nights the rest of the week so I’ll only be around during the day.”
“I could make that work. How about tomorrow at noon? I can’t stay long, but—”
“I’d love that.” She smiles, her whole face lighting up. I bet she doesn’t smile that way for Troy. She probably never smiles around him. He’s always yelling at her or barking orders at her.
“Do you and Troy really have an open relationship?” I ask.
Her smile drops to a frown. “How do you know about that?”
“Sean mentioned it. He said you and Troy agreed that your relationship was casual. I’m taking that to mean you can see other people.”
“That’s what it means, but it’s one-sided.” Tara rolls her eyes. “It only applies to him.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
“No, but you know Troy. Nothing’s fair with him.”
“So he told you that you can’t be with other guys?”
“Well, no, but it’s implied. He can be with other girls, but he doesn’t want me being with other guys.”
