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A choking sound comes from his end and he gets quiet. “Connor? Connor is there?”Um, why does he sound mad? “Yeah he goes here too. He’s on the football team. So is Xavier,” I say hesitantly. “Well that’s just fucking perfect,”he mutters quietly, but I still hear it.“Hey baby, are you ready to go?”A girl with a southern drawl asks him. He moves the phone away from his mouth, but I can still hear the smacking sounds of kissing and a small moan.Well, okay then. “Hey Memph, I have to go, we will talk later, okay?” I hang up before he responds. That whole conversation was just strange and I didn't even bring up his claim to fame. The infamous Dolly and Memphis sex tape.My alarm buzzes, reminding me I have psych in twenty minutes.
For once I’m early to class and I find a good seat in the middle. This class is not what I was expecting, but I can’t say I hate it. Who knows, maybe she’ll enlighten me?
The class fills with other students, but I don’t pay attention. I read over my notes from last class and open a new page for today’s lesson. The topic on the board is bringing up a lot of personal feelings and I’m not sure how to feel about it. “Okay so raise your hands if you have a step-sibling?” Ms. Robbins asks us. About half the class raises their hand including me. They aren't technically married yet, but it's inevitable. She gives us all a smile, but there's an evil glint in her eyes. I brace myself for what is coming next. If the title on the board today didn't clue me in I don’t know what would. “Great. So, as you can see today's lesson is about taboo relationships. Within today’s culture you would be surprised how many relationships turn out to be taboo. For example, age gaps—usually young women who date men ten years older or more. Now wait, before you get huffy, this also applies to the men dating older women. Another popular one these days is polyamory: which is one female with multiple men in a copacetic environment. There are many taboo relationships out there, but today we are going to discuss sibling relationships. If anyone loves to read as much as I do, you will find this to be a popular trope.” She continues on, but I zone out thinking about that book I started the other night. I had some vivid dreams after about me and Memphis and Connor. I don’t think seeing his sex tape helped any.
I’m tapping my stylis when my professor snaps me back. Maybe I need to have some one-on-one discussions with her about fantasies and how many are too many to have in a day. “So class, today I want you to think about who your partner is. Take the last fifteen minutes and get to know the person beside you.” I glance over at the cutie a few seats over, but his eyes are already eating me up. I duck my head and tuck some loose hair behind my ear, feeling my cheeks heat. Wait, I take him in another moment and scowl. Great another class with Easton Hawthorne.
“Congratulations everyone, the person sitting next to you will be your partner for the rest of the year. Welcome to Psychology 101, the place where I am going to make you uncomfortable and step out of your comfort zones.” The professor stops talking and moves to a desk in the corner, taking a seat and putting her feet up, crossing her ankles. The red bottoms of her heels make me instantly jealous. She has serious style. Taking out her phone she starts to scroll through what I’m assuming is social media. I hope it’s nothing nefarious, but I mean, she does sell sex toys on the side. I had a teacher in fifth grade who used to watch naughty videos on his computer and had a coffee cup set on his desk for his chew spittle. I thought he was the most eccentric teacher I would have. I cringe thinking back to him, and East chuckles.
“I'm not that bad to be partnered with, beautiful.” I scoff and roll my eyes.
“You still haven't helped me with the last assignment. I’m not someone who will sit back and do all the work while you get the grade.” I stand up to go talk to my professor, and he grabs my arm, biting his lip trying to hide a chuckle. “I think you met my twin Easton, because I can promise if I’d met you before, I would not be blowing off time spent with you,” he says, giving me another once over. I take him in, noticing the differences. For one, he doesn't have tattoos, his ears are free of gauges plus his eyes are hazel, but more blue.
My cheeks heat and I laugh awkwardly. “You have a twin? If so, then what is your name?” I say with a bit of sass. Am I flirting right now? He stands and offers me his hand to shake. I place my palm in his gently, before firming. He smiles and leans down, keeping my gaze the whole time, placing a small kiss to my knuckles. “Jase, and you are?”
Okay now I know my cheeks are dark red. I’m flushed, and a drop of sweat runs down my spine, not to mention the state of my panties. Damn, for someone who’s never been boy crazy, I am turning into a bit of a hussy.
I gently pull my hand away and bite my lip, “Carson, but you can call me Cara,” I say with a smile. He gives me a beaming grin and my breath hitches. Wow. I thought East was handsome, but Jase is something else. Wearing a simple hoodie and jeans he reminds me of a model from Abercrombie and Fitch. So understated, but gorgeous all the same. He touches my arm and I jump. Oh my god, I zoned out watching him talk to me, how embarrassing. What was he saying? I nod my head yes and his eyes light up. Crap, what did I just agree to?
“How about now?” he asks and I nod once more. He takes my hand, bending down to grab his bag and mine. I think he’s going to hand it over, but he just swings it over his shoulder. Like wearing a woman’s purse is normal for him. I think I may swoon at the gesture. Maybe southern hospitality isn’t dead here after all. He leads us to the door and to an elevator I never knew was there. I’ve been taking the steps this whole time, but my butt has never looked better if I do say so myself. The doors shut and he drops my hand. “So what have I missed? I had some family obligations recently,” he asks and I’m so clueless it’s not even funny. “In class, what have I missed? Anything crucial?” Oh, okay. I shake my head and laugh, “Not too much. So far we’ve only gone over the syllabus and gotten a lecture about immaturity. A few of the guys ended up dropping out.” He nods as I talk, giving me his full attention. I take a step back, leaning against the wall of the elevator. “Okay, I have to ask. Is East okay?” He jolts back a bit and looks at me confused. “I’ve been texting him. We have an assignment, and he’s blowing me off. Is he sick or something?”
He places his hand over his face and groans, before running it down to his chiseled chin, which has a bit of scruff. I wonder what it would feel like on my fingertips, or neck, or lower. I bite my lip imagining, and he coughs. I close my eyes for a moment trying to compose myself and he laughs. “I know we just met Cara, but if you keep giving me looks like that I won’t be able to hold myself responsible for what I do next,” he says in a tone that has me clenching my thighs. What the hell is going on with me? “I’m so sorry. I think I need to eat something or take a cold shower,” I mutter that last part under my breath. He moves closer, brushing some of my messy hair behind my ear, and rubbing his thumb lightly along my cheek. A tingle runs through my face just from the barest of touches, and he clears his throat, stepping back. “Let’s go get something to nibble on then, before I end up nibbling on you,” he says softly. I glance at the door. How long is this elevator ride? We’re only on the second floor. Wait, we never pushed the buttons. I burst out in laughter, and Jase gives me a weird look. I point to the buttons and he follows me in laughing, before moving closer. He tips my chin up with his finger and gazes into my eyes. “I guess you could say I was distracted.”
I suck in a breath, and his nostrils flare. He shakes his head and steps back, pressing the button. A minute later we are on the bottom floor and I quickly step out of the small space. I need to clear my head.
A warm palm meets mine and I welcome it. We walk side by side not talking until we reach a small café. He releases my hand to open the door, and the cool air immediately hits my heated skin. I walk over to a small counter and order a vanilla bean iced coffee with caramel. “You like things sweet then I take it?” he asks me while ordering a cold brew hazelnut coffee.
“I do. I’ve always had a sweet tooth, but lately I try not to indulge too much. I need to start going to the gym they have here.”
He snorts and I give him a glare. “Cara, you do not need the gym, but if you insist, I can take you. I go with my guy three times a week.” He shoots me a wink and pays for our drinks ignoring the cash in my hand. His guy? “That would be great. I’m used to working on a ranch, so lately I’ve been lazy. I’d love to go with you guys.”
He gives me a nod, and we walk back outside. I find a bench under a nice shaded tree, and take a seat. He sits down a moment later with a sigh. “This is nice. I don’t remember just having a coffee after class, relaxing outside. I need to stop and smell the metaphorical roses more,” he says with a wistful look on his face. I set my bag on the ground and take him in again. Really take him in. He does seem relaxed. I wonder what’s been going on.
Twenty-Three
Jase
I sit back and close my eyes, letting the sun shine on my face. Cara takes a sip of her coffee and a small “ahh,” escapes her lips. I smile and open my eyes to take her in. I thought she was beautiful from afar, but in person I can see that she's not just attractive on the outside, but she's sweet, funny, caring, too good to be destroyed by us. I wish things could be different. I know Lay really likes her, and I think she even charmed East which is hard to do. “So tell me about yourself,” I say, taking a sip of my drink. She leans closer to me and nudges my shoulder. “I would, but then I’d have to kill you and that would be a shame since I maybe, sorta, kinda like you,” she says with a wink. A laugh escapes, and she gives me a beaming smile. She takes another sip of her dessert before speaking. “But seriously, there is not much to tell. I’m eighteen, almost nineteen, I grew up in Kansas with my parents. We run a huge ranch that specializes in cattle. My mom passed away when I was sixteen. I have a best friend who is an up-and-coming country star. I like to sing, dance, write and draw.” She takes a breath while I soak in all the information she just told me. Some I knew thanks to Penny’s insistence on research.
“Oh and I am a legacy for Kippa Nu, so I guess I’m a sorority girl,” she says with a wince, looking off at the courtyard. I give her a small nudge, bringing her back to me, and she smiles. “So how about you? Now that you know my life story it’s only fair.”
I laugh and run my hand down my face with a groan. “Shit I didn’t think that through very well.” She chuckles and I swear my heart races with joy. I made her happy.I am so fucked.Just like with Lay I can tell this girl has been through some hell, and I wish I could protect her from the storm that's about to hit. She licks her lips, and all I can think about is taking them between mine. I bet she tastes as sweet as she looks. “So?” she nudges me again and I sigh.
“Okay it’s only fair. Hit me with it. What do you want to know?” I ask and her eyes light up. She bats her lashes at me and I groan. “Really, I can ask you anything?” she says with a furrow to her brow. I nod and she smiles. “Okay how about what you like to do?”
I take a sip of my coffee and think about that. I know the most simple answer would be my hobbies, but my mind goes in a dirtier direction and I don’t think she wants to hear that. I glance her way and smirk. “Well, football, basketball, and I like to draw too.”
She nods and gives me her full attention as we talk about random shit. Her love for food and writing music. She takes a deep breath and I know she’s about to ask me something, but she’s nervous. I sigh and nudge her, “Just ask,” I say, and she blurts out. “So you're in a fraternity? With your brother and boyfriend?” I nod as I wait for a comment about being bisexual, but she seems completely comfortable with it. I feel a weight being lifted from my shoulders. I’ve always been upfront about Lay, but not everyone is okay with it. They say they are at first, but then become jealous, or think they can change my mind, turn me completely straight. Ella learned really quickly that I will always pick my guy. He’s my other half, and I have no qualms about telling people that. If only people were as open as Cara. My own family thinks it’s a phase. “How does that work? If you don’t mind me asking,” she says with a cute scrunch of her nose.
“I’ve known Lay since middle school, and we’ve always been friends. We have an agreement and an open relationship of sorts. As long as whoever we’re with knows that he’s going to be included and is willing to share we don’t have any issues.”
She chokes on her drink. “Yo—sha—?” She coughs for a moment, and I laugh at her expression. She is so innocent it’s adorable. I rub her back lightly and move closer to her ear. “Lay and I love each other, but sometimes we need a softer touch, someone delicate that we can command as we wish.” I run my finger along her bare shoulder and trail it down to her wrist. She gasps and turns to look at me. Her eyes are glazed over with lust and her breath hitches.Interesting.I lean in for a kiss, but she covers her mouth with a yawn. She shifts back a little bit and blushes. “I’m sorry. I haven't been sleeping well,” she says sheepishly. I internally cringe and mask it with a smile. Yeah I know all about her not sleeping. One of my genius ideas. “Don’t worry about it, maybe the coffee will help.” I glance at my watch and groan. I have to leave.
“I hate to cut this short, but I have to meet the guys at the house. We have some party planning to do. You’re coming right?” I ask and she winces, biting her bottom lip. “I’m not sure yet. The last party I attended didn’t turn out so well.”
I nod remembering that night. “Well, for what it’s worth, I hope you do come.” I give her a giant smile and a wink before standing. I turn and offer her my hand, but she sits there blinking for a few moments, blushing.I can’t wait to see how far that blush goes.
Carson
