**DISCLAIMER: This chapter is the same as the one posted yesterday because I didn't read the saved chapters I had in my drafts and posted the wrong one. The update should be made by tomorrow so then you can read that one first and then come back to this one. Sorry for the mishap.**
***Chapter Thirty-Four***
“Juliana, I don’t know how you got your leg up that high, but that was fantastic!” I screamed as we walked back to our dorm.
“I would have tapped out on the first count,” Dillon says.
Juliana laughs at our stupidity. Her performance was amazing! It was no wonder she was the captain of the dance team. She moved her body in ways I could only dream of moving it. She was spectacular, and I couldn’t help but scream for her once she was done. The whole team did amazing, though. Those girls and guys really put in a lot of effort. It was the perfect way to celebrate the first football game of the season.
Drew also congratulated her on her performance by buying her flowers. I have to admit; it was a bit gut wrenching seeing him show so much affection to her. What we were doing was wrong, but my feelings for him were unchanged. Despite not explicitly saying it to him, he had to have a sneaking suspicion. Why else would I agree to something like this? Either way, I had to remember my place in the matter. I was just his friend that he saw occasionally. Nothing more.
They hug and kiss as I look away sadly. Cameron saw my face, knowing exactly why I was reacting the way I did. He warned me I’d be wasting my time holding on to my feelings for Drew. I tried to let them go, miserably, but he has a way of sucking you back in. It also didn’t help that I gave myself false hope when he wanted to kiss me. I should have known better than to think he’d feel anything other than lust toward me.
Nudging my shoulder, Cameron smiled softly before speaking. “Hey, why the long face?” He whispered so no one would hear.
I shrugged. “Oh, it’s nothing. I’m just feeling like the odd one out with everyone dating people.” I admit. It was pathetic.
“That sucks, huh?” He says. “Lucky for you, your friend is amazing!” He screeched.
I giggled, looking at him, confused. “What do you mean?”
That smirk never left his face. “Oh, you’ll see.”
Not sure what he meant, I kept my hopes high in anticipation of what he had lined up. We headed back to my dorm room to have drinks and listen to some music. It was the weekend and the time to have fun. Especially after a football game. Mainly, we were celebrating Juliana’s amazing performance and I couldn’t be more excited. Of course, we were going to keep it down as much as possible, but it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve gotten in trouble for being too loud.
That aside, once we got to my dorm, I was stunned to see Keegan waiting on my bed for me. My face couldn’t help but smile at his pearly whites looking back at me. I wasn’t expecting him to show up here and had to thank Cameron for the surprise. I was more happy that I wouldn’t have to watch Drew devour Juliana in front of me. At some point, I knew this night would end the same way it always does. Having Keegan here saved me from a really awkward situation.
Walking up to me, Keegan didn’t hesitate to embrace me as tight as he could. I missed his presence. It hasn’t been long since we last saw each other, but anytime was too long in my book. It’s obvious Keegan felt the same, judging by how he hugged me. Cameron was a sneaky little guy, but I appreciated him.
I turn around to look at Cameron. “Thank you, Cam.” I say, snuggling up closer to Keegan.
“You didn’t tell me there was a football game, I would have come.” Keegan said, looking down at me.
Dillon and Juliana crossed their arms, giving him daggers. “Oh, really? Like you were supposed to come to the party and never showed?” Dillon retorted.
Keegan’s cheeks flush as I laugh. “I said I was sorry.” He was embarrassed.
Cameron, the party starter he is, grabs a drink to hand over to Keegan. “If I remember correctly, we’re supposed to be partying, not arguing.” He said, prompting Kayla to turn on the music.
This was the first every one of us hung out together and I couldn’t be any happier. The music was great; the drinks weren’t my thing, but everyone else seemed to enjoy them. Regardless, it truly was a great time and I couldn’t be anymore happy. This is the first time I fit in with people other than Dillon. Dre and Drew were letting us hang with them more. Cameron turned out to be amazing and met someone just as great. Juliana was nice and accepted me as well, despite her threat. I could finally say that I had a group of friends that I cared for and loved dearly. My parents would be so proud of me.
As expected, once the party got in full swing, the make-out sessions transpired. It started with Drew and Juliana going in first. Once Kayla turned the music down a little, she instantly went after Cameron. Just because everyone else was doing, Dre and Dillon followed suit. There wasn’t much space in our dorm, but each pair found a place to be. Cameron and Kayla were at my desk, while Drew and Juliana occupied Dillon’s desk. Of course, Dre and Dillon were on her bed. Leaving Keegan and me on mine.
The last time I tried to kiss Keegan, he rejected it. I didn’t want to be the first person to make a move if he would not go along with it. It left us in this awkward position as we sat on my bed. Neither of us would budge, both fiddling with our fingers. I haven’t felt this nervous about kissing someone since Drew proposed it. Not to mention things were more weird with Drew being here. How would he feel about the whole ordeal? It shouldn’t have even mattered, giving the fact that he’s deep in Juliana’s mouth. Curse my heart.
Clearing his throat, Keegan scratched the back of his neck out of nerves. “Gee, I didn’t expect things to get so heated.” He licked his lips.
I giggled, trying to relax myself. “This usually happens after a good night,” I inform him. “It’s normal.”
He chuckled, still not sure what to do. “So, um, do we…” he trailed off.
Smirking, I scoot closer to him, our faces inches apart. “We could try it.” I suggest. “Only if you want to.”
Keegan stared at me intently, thinking hard about what the best option would be. I didn’t peg him to be the nervous type with this stuff. Usually that spot is reserved for me. I couldn’t deny that the nerves looked good on him. It made me even more attracted to him than I was. Though I’m not sure if it’s a physical attraction or that I actually want to date him. Maybe I wanted to kiss him so badly because Drew was here. The way he so willingly made out with Juliana peeved me. It’s wrong of me to use Keegan this way. However, I might feel something if we kissed.
After he thought hard about it, Keegan’s hand made its way up to my cheek. He cupped my face before smiling at me. I smiled, ready to feel his beautiful pink lips against mine. It’s been a long time coming, but within a moment’s notice, Keegan’s lips came connecting with mine. They were soft, warm, and fit perfectly together. It was so inviting that I couldn’t resist the urge to wrap my arms around him. Keegan responded rather quickly, lifting me in his lap as he scooted back on my bed. I’m not sure if it was hormones talking or if I felt something. All I know is the kiss was great, and I wanted more.
Parting our lips, I could feel Keegan’s hands grasping at my back. The desire in his eyes was unmatched. I couldn’t help but smile back at him as my fingers course through his hair. We didn’t know what we were doing or where we were going, but the most important thing was that we enjoyed one another. Though I couldn’t deny that kissing Drew felt a thousand times better. If I wanted to move on with my life, I needed to stop comparing him to Drew and focus on Keegan. After all, Keegan isn’t the one trying to keep his attraction to me a secret.
Licking those lips again, Keegan pulled me closer to him. “Well, that was something,” he said, happily.
I giggled, continuing to run fingers through his hair. “It was…perfect,” I say. Even if I didn’t mean it.
“Could we maybe do it again?” He asked before going in for more.
I nodded it, laughing before kissing him again. It’s not that the kiss was bad because it was great. It just wasn’t the feeling I felt with Drew. I didn’t grow up pining over Keegan like I did Drew. We barely know if our relationship is going to go anywhere. With Drew, I don’t have that answer either, and yet I allowed myself to be more emotionally available to him. So emotionally available that I’m hurting myself in the process as well. Not letting other people in will be the downfall of this friends with benefits stipulation.
***
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