Page 46 of The Riley Effect

She’s staring at my lips as her finger comes back to circle my dark skin. I can’t take it anymore. I pull her hand from under my eye, and I lean in and kiss her. My kiss is returned passionately,and when she nibbles on my bottom lip, I moan. I pull away not because I want to stop–trust me, I don’t– but Ivy’s emotions are still high, and I don’t want her to do anything she might regret.

“We still have a lot to talk about. I have a team breakfast I have to be at in thirty minutes, but we can talk tomorrow. Maybe we can get dinner?” I can’t remember the last time I asked someone out on a proper date. No bet involved. No friends’ assistance needed

“Okay, text me later.” She reaches up and kisses me. “And Jalen, thanks again for everything last night.”

25

Ivy

I run through my sister’s front door like I’m being chased by a bear trying to outrun a hurricane in the middle of a forest fire.

“I need advice!” I blurt.

Ruby looks up from the salad she’s making with a quizzical look.

“I’m doing great, Vee. Thanks for asking. How are you?”

“I don’t have time for your jokes, Ruby. I’m having an existential crisis!”

I hate how dramatic I sound, but I think for the first time in my life, I’ve let myself catch feelings for someone. I don’t know what to do.

I had a couple of boyfriends throughout high school, but they were never that serious. This thing with Jalen was supposed to be fun and easy, but last night it became real. He stayed with me when he could have run. He’d have no problem finding a girl with a lot less baggage. Instead, we are going to get dinner tomorrow and talk.

“Can you please just sit for a minute?” I pat the stool next to me at Ruby’s kitchen island.

Ruby must hear the desperation in my voice because she puts her knife in the sink and takes my hand before taking the seat next to me.

I tell my sister everything that’s happened between Jalen and me–albeit as PG as possible since the kids are playing in the room next to the kitchen– from the party at his house to my panic attack last night and everything in between. It feels good to talk through what I’ve been feeling for Jalen. I love Indy, but she spends a lot of time at the boy’s house, and she is so pro-Jalen I was scared she would tell him something before I was ready to.

When I finally exhale, I feel so much lighter, like the weight of an entire lifetime filled with anxiety has left my body. I look up from the napkin that’s been occupying my fingers and see Ruby grinning from ear to ear.

“I knew it!” she says. She jumps out of her seat and starts doing a happy dance. I’m not kidding you she is literally doing the running man in the middle of her kitchen. “Ivy, stop looking at me like that. It’s obvious something has been happening between you two since we saw him after your game. I’m happy you’re actually trusting your feelings.”

I hate the smug look on her face. I throw the napkin I’ve been using to calm my anxiety at her.

“Stop being so arrogant,” I tell her through a laugh. I get up and make my way behind Ruby and wrap my hands around her. “Thanks for listening. I love you, Ruby.”

“I love you too, Vee. You know I’m always here for you.”

I guess I’m learning there are a lot more people in my life who are willing to listen if I give them the chance.

An hour later, when we are all seated at the dinner table, my phone starts to vibrate in my pocket. I pull it out, ensuring it’s not Coach Lee wanting to talk something over before next week’s games. I feel my body tense when I see it’s a FaceTime from Jalen. Why the hell is he FaceTiming me? I look like shit. I threw on a gray hoodie and gray sweatpants that don’t even match. My hair is in a messy knot on top of my head, and I have no makeup on.

“Who’s that Aunt Vee?” Caleb asks me while he stabs some peas on his fork.

“Umm… uhh..” I can’t lie to the kid. “It’s Jalen.” I’m not the one who decides if I answer Jalen’s call because Caleb gets up and rips the phone from my hand. I chase him around the living room, desperately trying to get my phone back. “Give me my phone back, you little shit.”

“Hey!” Ruby yells from her seat, but the laughter in her eyes tells me she knows it was warranted.

I finally think I have him pinned when he sits on the couch, but before I can get my phone back, I hear, “Hey Ivy, so I was thinking about our…” he must finally look at the screen because he doesn’t finish that thought.

“Hey buddy!” he greets Caleb. “How are you?”

“I’m good. What are you and Aunt Ivy doing?” I cringe at his question, but I am also curious to hear how Jalen will answer it.

“Your aunt is finally letting me take her on a second date.” I’m happy Jalen can’t see me right now because I know my cheeks are flushed.

“Oh, that’s cool.” I hear Jalen laugh at Caleb’s lack of interest. “Can you teach me how to skate?” Caleb’s obsession with hockey has only grown since he met Jalen. All he does is watch highlights on YouTube and play street hockey with his friends.

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