“Toren! Welcome!” Professor Kitner greeted as I stepped into room 212.
I smiled and waved shyly. There were a lot of kids in the room and I felt my cheeks tinge. Girls and boys looked up at me and smiled or nodded until Josh stood up.
“Hey, Toren. C’mon, sit down,” Josh said, touching my back.
I put my book bag down and wondered if anyone in the classroom knew that we had kissed. Josh sat down at the desk beside me, Professor Kitner grinned in my direction, and I felt my ears get hot. My stomach tightened and suddenly I wanted to leave. I took a deep breath and Professor Kitner started the meeting, drawing Josh’s gaze away from me.
Professor Kitner was a strong speaker and active in LGBT affairs. He updated the group on various activities that we could participate in, on and off campus, as well as a larger, national picture of gay rights and same-sex marriage. He was very devoted and I admired that. I jotted down some information and meeting times that he suggested. He made me want to get involved.
Professor Kitner ended the meeting and thanked us for coming. I was glad that I went, and I was excited to tell Mom about it. I called Wesley to let him know I was done and waited in front of the building. The weather was steadily growing colder and it was getting dark earlier and earlier.
“Hey. You need a ride?” Josh asked, stepping beside me.
“No! Um, no, thank you,” I said, feeling my heart race.
Josh stepped closer to me and he turned his eyes to the side. I stepped back a little and hoped that I could send Josh on his way before Wesley showed up.
“Look, I’m sorry about the other day. I really didn’t know you had a boyfriend.”
“Oh, that’s okay,” I interrupted. Talking about it made it seem all the more embarrassing. I stared at the cement and shifted my weight from foot to foot.
“I just hope I didn’t get you in trouble or anything. ’Cause your man seems….”
“Really, it’s okay. We worked it out,” I said and giggled awkwardly. I hoped Wesley would hurry up or take a long time; I couldn’t decide which.
“Well, that’s good for you, but bad for me, I guess,” Josh said, staring at the ground. “You know, I really like you, Toren. Is there any chance for me at all?” He looked at me earnestly and I felt a slight pain in the pit of my stomach.
“I’m… I’m sorry,” I whispered, unsure of what else to say.
Josh sighed and looked up at the dim horizon. He scratched the back of his head and smiled. “Oh well,” he said and patted me hard on the back.
Wesley pulled up and my stomach dropped. I stepped forward but he was already out of the car.
“Hey, Tor. You ready?” He came around the car and stepped between Josh and me.
“Um, bye,” I said, letting Wesley guide me to the car.
“Bye, Toren. See you next week,” Josh said, waving and smiling. He stepped closer to Wesley and narrowed his eyes. “Better keep your eye on him. Toren deserves better, you know,” he whispered, close to Wesley’s ear, but loud enough that I could hear.
“What the hell did you just say?” Wesley shouted, turning quickly.
“What can I do? He’s just too tempting,” Josh said with a smirk and waved over his shoulder.
I watched him walk away and Wesley ran around to the driver’s side. He slammed the door and gripped the steering wheel, gritting his teeth. I looked at Wesley and bit my lip. I didn’t quite know what to say or do.
“Who the fuck does he think he is?” Wesley seethed.
“Wesley.”
“Stay the hell away from him,” Wesley ordered, glaring at me with furrowed brows.
“Wesley, I can’t, exactly. He’s my lab partner.”
“Then get a new one.”
“I can’t do that now. But it doesn’t matter anyway.”
“Like hell it doesn’t.”
“No. It doesn’t. You’re the only one I want. You know that and I know that and I told Josh that. So, take me home and I’ll prove it,” I said, smiling faintly. I was trying really hard to be sexy.
“You might have to prove it a couple times,” Wesley growled, still angry about Josh, but then he grinned and drove home as fast as he could.
Chapter 31
“HI HONEY, I’m home! Take your pants off!” Wesley announced. He kissed my cheek as he passed me and put his lunch container in the sink.
“Heh. Welcome home. How was work?” He smelled like auto grease, sweat, and deodorant, a scent that was distinctly his.
“It was work.” He stepped behind me and slid his arms around my waist. “How about you? Did you have a good day?” He nuzzled his chin against my neck and shoulder. His prickly stubble tickled my skin.
“Yeah, it was kinda slow, though,” I answered, slicing through a tomato and dicing it into small cubes.
“So, are you gonna take your pants off?”
I set the knife down on the cutting board and looked at Wesley sideways. “You know, your foreplay has gotten really lazy.”
“I’m sorry,” Wesley whispered, kissing my neck. “Please take your pants off?” His hands waited at the zipper of my jeans. He pressed his hips against my back, and I felt him against my rear. He breathed heavily and I turned around in his arms.
“But aren’t you hungry?”
“Uh-huh. But sex now, food later,” he said, kissing me deeply and unzipping my pants.
“Wait! Wesley!” I protested halfheartedly since he already had his hand down the front of my boxers. My cheeks burned and I covered my mouth with my hand. “Not… not in here.”
Wesley yanked my jeans down and took me in his hands. He stroked tenderly and my resistance melted. “But we’ve never done it in the kitchen,” he said with a grin.
