Chapter 17

Keegan had been gone for a month already and I hadn’t heard anything from him. Baylen would call me and share some highlights of Keegan’s time at school but that was brief and far and in between.

I tried to gauge the look on his face, but he wasn’t phased one bit. He walked over to the appetizer table and started filling his plate. He didn’t even speak to me.

“Oh shit!” Jeff said, moving away from me. “Keegan, bro, it was a dare, that’s all,” Jeff pleaded.

Keegan shrugged and chomped on a tortilla chip and salsa.

“Dude, do what you want. This doesn’t concern me. I’m actually getting pretty used to Brees kissing other people,” he said, shooting me a snide look and heading outside to the pool.

I was frozen. I had no idea he would be here. Before I could address Jeff he started apologizing.

“Brees, I’m so sorry. I got wrapped up in that kiss and forgot it was a dare. I shouldn’t have overstepped,” he said, excusing himself from the game.

“That was epic! Like was this planned? What about that timing on Keegan’s part?” someone yelled.

I felt my face get really hot and I knew that meant I was as red as a beet. I jumped up from the couch and bolted for the door. I dodged as many people as I could on my way out. When I hit the deck, I could see that Casey was already headed in my direction.

“James? I saw him. Are you ok?” she asked, rushing to my side.

“I’m fine, Case. Just a bit embarrassed that he walked in on me kissing Jeff. Don’t ask!” I explained.

I frantically searched for his blonde curls and I spotted him by the pool talking to Cyman.

“Wait, why were you kissing Jeff? You were gone for like five seconds James. You little slut!” she joked, slapping my behind like the football players do.

“Case!” I squealed, rubbing my spanked butt cheek.

She grabbed my hand and started walking me towards Keegan. I fought her incredibly hard, but she didn’t give in.

“James, you aren’t letting him ruin your senior year. No way,” she said, still marching me towards the vicinity of the pool. As we hit the wooden boards of the in-ground pool, Cyman and Keegan turned to see us wrestling one another so to speak.

“Casey and Brees came too Keegan!” Cyman exclaimed.

“Yeah I saw,” Keegan said, looking away from me.

He couldn’t even stand the sight of me and it hurt so badly. A few months ago we were holding one another and saying, “I love you,” and now we don’t even speak.

“Damn, bro! You good? Show our favorite ladies some love,” Cyman teased.

“Cyman, I don’t have time for this high school bull shit. Did Sterling show or not?” Keegan said scanning the crowd.

“Keegan, for you not having time for this high school B.S., you sure are immersed in a high school party,” Casey quipped.

“I came for Sterling. He is helping throw my 18th birthday party tomorrow,” he said.

My mouth dropped wide open. Oh my gosh. I forgot Keegan’s birthday was this week. It is actually today!

“Kee happy birthday! I sent your present to your dorm address. My mom wrapped it nicely. I’m sorry I didn’t even realize that is why you are home,” I said, hiding my nervousness.

“Tell Missy I said thank you,” he said, walking away once he spotted Sterling.

He didn’t even thank me for his gift and I did not receive an invitation to his party. Navigating this new dynamic that we have was incredibly difficult. To see him be so callous towards me was hard. I watched him as he joined Sterling's crowd. Isadora Bellings came up from behind him and hugged him around his neck. He didn’t even pull away and she hung there. Izzy was a foreign exchange student that came, last year, to our school. She was absolutely stunning as you could imagine any girl from Italy to look, that was it. Long, dark tresses, sun-kissed skin, perfect teeth and a body to die for. I knew last year that she had a crush on Keegan, but he was mine and I knew she could not have him. Now, I’m not so sure. As I watched her touch his arm with every word she spoke, my stomach started to feel uneasy. Why were they laughing so much? Why did she keep touching him?

“Brees? Did you hear me?” a male voice said, halting my thoughts.

“Oh, hey Jeff. I am so sorry. Can you repeat what you said?” I asked, filling up my cheeks with the color “embarrassment fuchsia”.

“Yeah, I was just asking you if you were alright,” he repeated.

I nodded and pointed to a nearby garden bench. We walked over to it and sat.

“Jeff, please don’t feel like you have something to apologize for. I heard you loud and clear in the house and I forgive you for what happened last spring. I mean I obviously couldn’t keep my hands off of you during that kiss,” I giggled.

“Yeah, that was a smoking hot kiss. I don’t think you have ever kissed me in that way before,” he said, pushing his hair back with his hand.

“Well who knows, maybe that won’t be the last time that happens,” I winked and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

I was ready to go. I needed to find Casey though and I didn’t see her anywhere. I went back to ask Cyman if he had seen her, but he wasn’t by the pool any more. I looked everywhere. Where has she gone? Then I saw it— a small outdoor bathroom attached to the back patio near the side of the house. Of course she had gone to the bathroom. I went over to knock and inform her of my brilliant plan to leave this party, but as I got closer, I could hear heavy breathing and moaning. The door was still ajar just a tad, so my curiosity made me peek inside. I quickly snapped my head back after I saw what was happening. Cyman had his hand up Casey’s dress and was kissing her neck. Casey was half way onto the small sink area with one leg propped on the toilet.

Jeff started walking over , but I waved him off and ran towards him to create a diversion.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Oh my goodness. I just saw Cyman and Casey…,” I stopped mid sentence as I saw Harper get out of the pool and start asking where Cyman was.

“You saw Cyman and Casey what?” he interrogated further.

I didn’t respond. Instead I texted Casey five times that Harper was looking for Cyman. Almost immediately I saw Cyman run from the bathroom with a towel wrapped loosely around his waist.

“Jeff, I would love to finish this conversation, but I need to find Casey. Call me tomorrow? Do you need my number?” I asked, stealing glances at the bathroom door.

“Oh I still have it. This was fun, Brees. I’m glad we are friends again,” he continued.

I kissed his cheek and said goodbye. He walked off to chat with Cyman and Harper. After a few minutes passed I saw Casey slip out of the bathroom. Her face was stunned to see me standing there.