Page 92 of Summer Reading

He looked at me in concern. “What’s wrong?”

“Oh god, I think I’m going to have to have the S-E-X talk with him,” I said. “Just so I’m clear, I’d prefer to jump off the Jaws Bridge with a great white circling me in the water, thank you very much.”

“Yeah, I’d definitely choose the shark,” he said.

“Not helping,” I retorted. “I wonder if I could do it with emojis or food or anything other than actual words?”

He laughed. “Either way you’ll put him off eggplant forever.”

I clapped a hand over my face. “I can’t deal with this. I mean, I remember when he was five and obsessed with Spider-Man. If you sat in a chair for too long, he’d tie your shoelaces to the legs and pretend he’d shot you with webs. He even did it to the family priest, Father Roberts, who did a face-plant when he got up. That was a fine Gale family moment. What happened to that kid? I miss that kid.”

“Maybe you don’t have to say anything,” Ben said. “I mean, he’s only fourteen.”

“Almost fifteen,” I said. I was snuggled up against him while we watched the movie, but now I leaned back so I could see his face when I asked, “How old were you?”

“The first time?” he asked.

I nodded.

“Seventeen,” he said. “And before you ask, let me just say, it was awful. I had no idea what I was doing and despite the glorious two minutes of actual sex that happened before I came, at the end of it I felt cheap and gross.”

“Why did you feel that way?”

“I didn’t love her,” he said. He pointed at the house with his thumb. “Not like that.”

“Reaffirming my need to talk to him,” I said. “Damn.”

“What about you?” he asked.

“I was eighteen,” I said. “I had a mad crush on him, and it was lovely as first times go. But then he left for college, and when he came back a few weeks later, he’d found a ‘smart’ girl to be with and he dumped me.” I tried to keep my voice light but a sliver of hurt revealed the unhealed wound.

“Proving that having a college education does not mean you’re not a moron or an asshole,” Ben said. It was his library director voice of authority. Dead sexy and it made me feel surprisingly better.

I kissed him, but before it could get hot and heavy as it tended to with us, I pulled back and said, “I’d better go talk to him.”

He nodded. “Call me if you need backup.”

It was weird, having this person that I could lean on. I had been a solo unit for so long that I wasn’tused to it. I walked him to his motorcycle, which was parked in front of the house. He pulled me close and when he kissed me, it was all I could do not to demand he take me with him.

He climbed onto his bike, straddling the seat. Was there anything sexier than a man on a motorcycle? No, I was certain there wasn’t.

I stepped back, giving him space. He picked up his helmet and slipped it on. He fired up the bike, and over the purr of the engine, he said, “Just so we’re clear. Unlike my first time, my feelings for you make it impossible for me to feel anything butwowafter a night with you.”

He winked at me and then revved his engine as he took off down the street. Did he mean what I thought he meant? My heart was thumping hard in my chest, and I felt a smile curve my mouth. Ben Reynolds hadDad!for me. When I turned back to the house and jogged up the steps, I was quite certain I had the same dazed look that Tyler had worn.

My not-so-little brother was seated at the kitchen table with a monster bowl of ice cream in front of him. I grabbed a spoon and joined him.

“So...” I said.

Tyler pushed the bowl so it sat between us. Chocolate ice cream with whipped cream and sprinkles. Perfect.

He looked at me, waiting for me to say more. I tooka spoonful to fortify myself, and only after I swallowed did I elaborate.

“You and Sophie.”

Tyler flushed and said, “What about us?”

“As your temporary guardian, I think I need to ask how serious it is.”

---