Page 42 of Scoring Chance


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His smile turns sheepish and he shrugs. “Um…I know that I want to have some. Lots, actually. I want to have lots of sex.”

“It’s good to have goals, I guess,” I say, trying my hardest not to laugh out loud. I fail.

Will puts his fork down and frowns. “Why are you always laughing at me?”

“Because you’re always saying stupid shit. But it’s funny stupid shit so at least you keep me entertained, right?”

“You’re a little hard on the ego, Mel. I can’t lie.”

Now it’s my turn to shrug. “That’s kinda the point of this whole thing, right?”

“True,” he says, nodding before taking another drink. “So…about the sex…”

I laugh again, and it occurs to me that life is a lot more fun with Will around. He still drives me crazy, but I kind of like it. It’s a good crazy. “You have a one-track mind.”

“Two tracks,” he corrects. “Don’t forget hockey.”

“Hold on—don’t eat or drink anything,” I command, a smile playing on my lips. “I’m going to say the S-word again, so brace yourself.”

He leans back on my couch, his posture all cool and confident. He props his arms behind his head. “Hit me.”

“Oh, not tonight, that’s an advanced lesson,” I quip, and his eyes go wide.

“Seriously, Will, we need to talk about sex. Well, intimacy is a better, broader term. If we’re going to pass as a couple, we’re going to have to touch and kiss in front of our friends. Are you comfortable with that?”

“Theoretically, yes,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck. All that bravado has vanished.“This is embarrassing as hell, but since you’re doing me this favor, I owe you the truth.”

I nod for him to continue and tamp down the jealousy that spikes again. How ridiculous. I have no claim over Will Franconetti—nor do I want it. Yeah, he’s nice to look at, and fun to be around, but he’s a freshman looking for dating experience. I’m a senior trying to avoid my ex and bide my time until I can get into the real world and date real, experienced men—who aren’t douchebags like Chaz.

“So, we started kissing. And I liked it. And she liked it. So, I kept doing it, but I had never done it before, so I might have been a little slobbery. And a little too enthusiastic. And I think I bit her. You’re not supposed to use teeth, I guess?”

Oh my God…“Yeah, teeth are only to be used upon request,” I tell him, doing my very best not to laugh out loud.

He sighs. “So, to answer your question, yes. Yes, we should kiss and touch in front of our friends. But first, I need you to teach me how to do that stuff.”

“That stuff’s not as hard as you think it is,” I assure himbecause nerves are coming off this kid in waves. “It’s all about feeling comfortable and confident. And listen, my best friend Ian would kill me if I didn’t mention something important: kissing and touching and, well, sex, isn’t for everyone. If that’s not what you’re into, it’s not a big deal.”

“I am, though,” he assures me. “I want all of that. I just…suck at it.”

“Well, sometimes sucking comes in handy,” I say cheekily, and he laughs. That’s a good sign. “Ok, so—”

“Are you comfortable with it?” The words burst from him like he’s been worried about this very thing.

“Am I comfortable with kissing you?” I ask, and he nods in response.

“And touching you and holding your hand in public?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I am absolutely comfortable with that. I don’t do things unless I want to, Will. If I wasn’t okay being intimate with you, I never would have agreed to this crazy plan of yours.”

He leans forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. “You wouldn’t have agreed to my crazy plan if your ex hadn’t been bugging you.”

I shrug. “Ok, that was a catalyst… But seriously, Will, I don’t do things I don’t want to do—I learned that lesson the hard way. I’m one hundred percent in, but I want to make sure you are too.”

“Yeah, no doubt,” he assures me.

“Good. I want us to trust each other, ok? Honesty is important in every relationship, but especially this one. If things go in a direction you’re not comfortable with, I want you to tell me right away, ok? And I’m not sure exactly how far we’ll decide to take things, but I’ve been tested recently and haven’t been with anyone else since. I’ll send you a copy of my results.”