A Different Kind of Education

Chapter Eleven : Closer

I laid down in my bed, Jay's warm body sprawled next to mine. It was pitch black in my room so my glow-in-the-dark stars on my ceiling as I thought about my kiss with Jay last night at the beach. It had been incredibly impulsive and likely the most reckless thing I've done in a while.

I cared about Jay deeply and we connected on such an intense level, but it didn't change the fact that I had a crap feeling that if I got romantically involved with him our friendship would get complicated, but another part of me yearned to give it a chance. I covered my face with my hands, groaning at how confused I felt.

"Whoa, fantasizing about me now?" Jay's voice mumbled. I couldn't help but laugh at his ridiculousness and turned to face him.

"Oh totally." I replied dryly.

"Yeah?" Jay turned his body to face me as well and rested his head on his hand. My eyes instinctually flickered to his bicep and the rest of his shirtless upper body, causing him to smirk.

"Oh yeah." I said, casting him a sultry look.

He grinned at my response, shaking his head as he wrapped an arm around my waist. I wasn't going to lie, feeling the warmth of his arm over my pajamas felt nice and I snuggled into them as a reflex. I let myself wrap an arm under his, my hand lightly holding onto his shoulder. I looked up at his perfectly sculptured face which was still coated in a layer of sleep.

I decided at that moment that I would stop over thinking my choices. Jay was a great person. He wasn't betting on stealing my virginity, he understood me almost as well as my brother, and he was the first guy who I actually could stand for a long period of time. I chose to take a leap and try things with Jay.

Yes, it was impulsive. Yes, it probably wasn't the best idea. Yes, I had only met him less than a month ago. But no, I wasn't going to give a shit. Letting my instincts take over I pressed my lips against Jay's, gently kissing him. Slowly he returned the kiss, tightening his arm which was around my body. I dug my fingers into his shoulder as I heated the kiss up a bit.

The two of us stayed in my bed for three hours. The whole time wasn't just making out though, we talked about our childhoods. I learned that Jay had grown up in crap poverty for the majority of his adolescent years up until middle school when his father finally got a huge job opportunity which needed him to move to New York, thus resulting in Jay living with Mr. Hayes so he could stay in Manhattan.

Apparently Jay had to periodically check in with his parents, meaning he had to go to a fancy breakfast with them and relay how his life was going. Jay said that as much as he loved his parents, he disliked the way they had changed since being wealthy thanks to the job his father now had. It wasn't until both of our stomachs were clenching in hunger that we finally ended our cuddle time and got up.

When the two of us got to the kitchen I nearly had a heart-attack when I saw my parents and Tommy sitting at our rarely used dining table, eating together. I knew I looked like a deer in the headlights as I stared at the image in front of me and thought about how Jay was in only boxers and I was in an oversized tee that went past my knees - plus my fingers were interlocked with Jay's. I noticed my brother's jaw drop and his eyes narrow at the sight.

I was at a loss of words. I had no idea what the hell was going on or what to say. My parents were supposed to be in the middle of Europe discussing business and ignoring the fact that they had two children here at home. Tommy instantly picked up on my anxiety so like a good twin he started talking.

"Mom and dad wanted to come home and visit. Their therapist said that they needed more family time to help their emotional health." He told me between clenched teeth. I had the sudden urge to laugh my ass off, but I didn't and stayed silent.