Fool Me Once

“Same place we were before he showed up—friends… at least I hope so. Who I choose to date shouldn’t affect our friendship.” When he doesn’t say anything, I push, “You aren’t seriously going to let the fact I’m dating come between our friendship, are you?” I step toward him. “You’re one of my best friends and Zane loves you. I’ve never allowed any of the girls you’ve taken out to affect our friendship.”

“They didn’t mean anything to me,” Brenton says. “You’re the only woman I care about.”

“And I care about you too. I don’t want what’s happening between Keegan and me to ruin our friendship.” I sniffle once, hating that I’m hurting Brenton. I never wanted this to happen. He’s one of the best people I know. “Please tell me you aren’t about to throw away years of friendship over this.”

“I like you,” he admits, and my heart sinks. “I’ve liked you for years.”

“I didn’t know.” I hadn’t the slightest clue, and I feel so stupid. “I can’t help how I feel. I’m sorry.” And then it hits me… “Do you not want to be friends with me anymore?” I can’t imagine Brenton not being in my life, but if it’s too hard on him, or hurts him, then I’ll understand.

He shakes his head and sighs. “I’m not going anywhere. If all I can have with you is friendship, then I’ll take it.”

I throw my arms around his neck for a hug. “Thank you.”

Blakely

“You’ve been quiet the last few days.” Keegan pulls me into his lap and I go willingly, my thighs straddling his. He presses his strong lips to mine then sucks on my lower lip, nipping it lightly before he releases it. “Everything okay?”

I lay my head down on his shoulder and listen to his heartbeat. I love being this close to Keegan. It’s only been a short time since we found each other again, so you would think it would be awkward between us, getting to know one another, but it’s not. The last week we’ve somehow fallen into a comfortable relationship like we’ve known each other forever. He came to Zane’s show with me at his daycare, and everyone welcomed him. Apparently Zane has been talking nonstop about his daddy. Every night he comes over with dinner and plays with Zane, and after we put him to bed we talk and get to know each other. But I’ve noticed that we mostly talk about me and Zane. I love that Keegan wants to soak up every memory I have because he feels like he missed out on so much, but at the same time what Brenton said keeps prickling in the back of my head. “What do you know about this guy?”

“We’ve never been to your place,” I blurt out, and Keegan’s arms stiffen around me.

“I live with Kolton. There isn’t a lot of room there, and he’s home more than your sister is, so that’s less privacy. Plus, all of Zane’s stuff is here.”

That makes sense, I think to myself.

“How do you afford the apartment?” He goes to school and doesn’t work.

“I have some money saved, and Kolton and I share the bills.”

I nod against his shoulder. Makes sense…

“What do you want to do for a living?”

“Something in criminology,” he says after a second of silence. Then he lifts my chin so we’re looking into each other’s eyes. “What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing.” I shake my head. “I guess I’m just overthinking things.”

“With us?”

“Maybe.”

His brows furl together. “What are you overthinking?”

“I really like you, but I feel like I don’t know you,” I admit.

“I think it just takes time.” He kisses my forehead. “Every conversation, every time we hang out, we learn more about each other. Just last night I learned that when I kiss you right”—he plants an open-mouthed kiss to just above my collarbone and I wiggle in his lap—“here, you get all squirmy.” His lips land on the same spot again, but this time they linger there, suckling and licking the area, and my body ignites.

“Keegan.” I moan as if I want him to stop, yet I tilt my head to the side more to give him better access. My center grinds down on the bulge between his legs, and he groans.

“We have to stop,” he says, but his tone doesn’t convey he wants to stop at all.

“Or we can take this to my bedroom.”

His lips still against my flesh for a brief moment before he lifts and carries me to my room. On the way, we both peek in and see Zane is sleeping soundly, snuggled up with his stuffed animal of choice.

“We created that,” Keegan whispers in awe, and my heart riots in my chest.

With his elbow, Keegan closes my door and then walks us over to my bed, laying me down in the middle. He climbs up my body and dips his head down to kiss me. “However far you want this to go is up to you,” he murmurs against my lips.