Life at home continued on as it always had. Every year upon returning from camp, my siblings and I packed our August social calendars full, catching up with friends we hadn’t seen in a month and squeezing out as much “hanging out time” as possible.
This year was no different. On the first Sunday, I headed out to the basketball courts to meet up with my boys. Daniel Chen welcomed me back to the real world. Sung Joon and James Kaito gave me head nods. And Kenny Doyle unsubtly asked, “Bang any hot chicks at camp? I’ll bet you were a sexual machine this past month.”
I had been. A naughty smile crossed my face as I mused over the last four weeks of my life. I’d not only had the most amazing sex with a gorgeous young blonde who rivaled even Adrienne Dennis for sheer beauty, but I also nailed her hottie little sister. Hell, I’d even taken the virginity of my own little sister.
But also in that time, I’d fallen head over heels in love with Dawn, my lifelong best friend. I’d faced my own problems with fidelity and made an active choice to curb my casual attitude towards sex. And even though Dawn and I were now apart, I remained steadfast in my resolution to be loyal to her. Ben, male slut, was history.
Of course, I had yet to be tested in that resolution.
But anyways, Kenny didn’t need to know all that. In response to his question I just shook my head and looked down. “No comment.”
Too late, he’d already seen my little smile and thumped my back. “Of course you did! Big Ben: Campus Stud! Welcome back, brotha. Just stay the hell away from my girlfriend.”
After a full hour of getting sweaty and thumping up and down the court, we guys collapsed onto the grass and sucked wind. Shortly after, three of the guys got up and headed off to their cars, nodding their heads goodbye.
I was still chugging my Gatorade when Kenny hit my shoulder and asked, “You wanna come over and game? The new Gran Turismo came out while you were gone.”
I took another gulp and then shook my head in the negative. “I can’t. I’m meeting up with Cassidy for lunch. She said she has something urgent to tell me.”
“Will Megan be there?” Kaito asked from the other side of me.
I turned my head and arched an eyebrow. “Uh, no. Why?”
The handsome but shy guy blushed and shrugged. “Uh, nothing. Nevermind.”
I didn’t think much of it at the time, because Kenny had already turned around and asked Daniel, “You coming? Or do you need to call your old woman for permission?”
Daniel was already standing up and he smacked Kenny upside the back of his head. “NO, I do not need permission. And yeah, I’m coming.”
Sung nodded as well. “Me, too.”
Kenny then spun back to me. “C’mon, Ben. Don’t leave us hanging. We need a fourth.”
I shook my head. “You can race three just fine.” I checked my watch and noticed the time. “Hell, I gotta go. See you guys later.”
I’d barely gotten up when Kenny snorted, “Girls. They’re not even dating anymore and he’s still whipped.”
Sung was quick to retort. “Oh, and if Rachel called like you wouldn’t be out of here in ten seconds?”
The conversation behind me devolved into the usual mess of male insults and posturing. Ah, home again.
Cassidy O’Leary crinkled her nose when I hugged her outside In-N-Out. “Jeez, Ben. You stink! You could’ve at least showered before you met me.”
I raised an arm and saw the spreading wet spot at the armpit of my T-shirt, not to mention how the white material was damp and clinging to me at my chest and in the small of my back as well. I grinned wryly and said, “Well, I’m not trying to impress you anymore, Freckles.”
I’d meant the comment in good humor, but Cassidy’s face darkened and became serious. “Do you mean that?”
Startled by her solemnity, I stood up a little straighter and furrowed my eyebrows. “What?”
The cute redhead frowned and seemed nervous, looking away from me. But she gathered herself and brought her attention right onto my face. “Ben, do you still want us to get back together?”
I gulped and paled immediately. I’d known Cassidy had once loved me quite passionately. Even after I cheated, she’d still held out hope and desire for reconciliation. But once the opportunity presented itself, after I’d thought Adrienne had dumped me, she’d chosen not to reunite with me despite what she professed to be her still undying love. But that was months ago. To a teenager, it had been a near-eternity. A lot had happened since then.
“Well…” I began, wincing in apprehension. The fact was, I didn’t want to get back together with Cassidy. I was quite certain in my love for Dawn, but I wasn’t sure how my ex-girlfriend would take the news.
Cassidy read the expression on my face as she started to figure out that I was going to answer ‘no’. And as a little smile crossed her face she teased, “Aww, not trying to win me back anymore, Ben?”
There was no heat in her voice and I relaxed considerably. “You’re not upset?”
“No. Relieved, actually,” Cassidy sighed and visibly loosened up. “I’ve been feeling guilty ever since I told you I didn’t want to get back together anymore. You looked so hurt and I was feeling really bad about it.”
I smirked. “Why? You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Well, I did break up your relationship with Adrienne.” Cassidy frowned in apology.
“No, no.” I held up a hand to forestall any further comments and leaned forward, putting my hand on Cassidy’s shoulder and looking her straight in the eye. “I broke up my relationship with Adrienne. Really, it wasn’t your fault.” After all, Cassidy didn’t know about Donna nor Adrienne’s willingness to overlook my slip-up with Cassidy herself.
Cassidy touched my hand on her shoulder, nodding slowly as she tried to accept what I was telling her. I removed my hand and stood up straight. Then giving her my most reassuring smile, I asked, “So, what was so urgent that you needed to see me right away?”
Now Cassidy looked guilty again, but she took a deep breath and collected herself. “I’ve met someone.”
Her news and vocal delivery surprised me, but I wasn’t alarmed. “Oh, okay. Who is he?”
Cassidy’s green eyes glittered and she got a hopeful expression since I didn’t seem angry. “His name’s Cameron. You don’t know him. He goes to a different school. But… well… we’re getting closer and I’m thinking he wants to go steady but I just couldn’t really… I dunno… I wasn’t sure if we were totally done. I mean, I know we broke up and I told you we couldn’t get back together but I just… I just had to see you again, Ben. I had to know if I’m over you and know that you’re not in love with me anymore.”
I gave her a wan smile and shrugged. “Sorry. I’ve moved on.”
Cassidy nodded and actually managed a smile. “I can tell.” She then took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, blowing out a big puff of air for several seconds. And when she was done, she finally looked at complete ease. “Me, too. I’m good, Ben. I’m happy.”
“I’m happy for you,” I smiled. “Will I get to meet him?”
“Sometime. I’m sure we’re run into each other,” Cassidy nodded. “Heck, when you pick yourself a new girlfriend maybe we can double-date.”
I smiled radiantly at the thought of Dawn. “If I can ever get her down here.”
Cassidy’s eyebrows went up. “’Down here’? You have a new girlfriend already? Or are you talking about Summer MacIntosh? I know she’s going to UCLA but I thought you said you two weren’t—”