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JOEL
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WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU doing?
When I decided to make this year’s Homecoming Weekend and class reunion the location of my apology tour, I didn’t expect it to entail following one curvy woman in the dark to the secluded campus pond. But with Kenzie’s departure from the cocktail party and my determination to make things right with as many people tonight as possible, this seemed like the only option, despite the autumn chill clinging to my cheeks.
Sighing, I ask the question I’ve berated myself with since the moment I decided to attend this class reunion: Why did I have to be such an ass in school?
Because you were young and stupid and only cared about having fun.
Late-night parties. Skipping classes. Or goofing off when I did attend.
College was awesome.
Until the medical school I managed to get into with piss poor grades gave me a wakeup call. No one likes a slacker or a class clown who wastes time. They especially don’t like it in future doctors. It took all my willpower to buckle down and actually contribute to discussions, do the hard work of learning.
But it’s paid off now that I’m a pediatrician in my family’s practice. However, it also means I realize how badly some people suffered here because of me. Which is why I’m following Kenzie.
I was the dick who barely lifted a finger to help her on class projects, while her work ethic and intelligence benefited me as she earned us good grades. At the time, I knew it wasn’t right but enjoyed her snappy reactions to my bad behavior, along with the line of straight As I got. As an adult, though, I see how I should’ve done better, which makes an apology absolutely necessary.
Kenzie sits on the top step leading into the wooden gazebo, and I carefully step into the moonlight, letting her see me as I cross the wooden bridge leading to her perch.
“Hey.” I offer a short wave of greeting before stopping and jumping into my spiel. “I’m not sure you remember me, but I’m Joel Beecham and we used to be partnered in class a lot.”
“I remember.” She leans back on her hands, head tilting to the side—clearly trying to figure out what I want. “Hard to forget the guy who frustrated you at every turn by doubling your workload during team projects.”
Fuck, she still seems pissed.
“Right...” My stomach twists with shame, and I run a hand through my hair, grimacing at the uncomfortable situation my past self’s put me in. “That’s why I followed you out here. I want to apologize. I’m sorry for being a lazy asshole and putting so much on you. It wasn’t fair, and you were kinder than you needed to be because you never did shoddy work. My best grades were because of you. So, I owe you a thank you along with an apology.”
There. Mission complete.
Kenzie remains quiet as silver moonlight crisscrosses over her body, and it hits me how beautiful she is. Sapphire velvet outlines her curves, the deep vee of her neckline revealing bountiful breasts that somehow dodged my notice before. Has she always been this sexy?
I remember observing her in secret. Remember the fascination she held for me. Even recall thinking she looked soft. But I always rationalized it as natural curiosity, nothing more.
Obviously, you were wrong in more ways than you knew back then.
“Thanks for apologizing albeit ten years too late, but I appreciate the gesture.”
“You’re welcome.” Duty done, I should leave, but then Kenzie shivers and I have an excuse to stay—to explore an attraction that’s laid dormant for a decade. Shaking off my coat, I hurry forward and hand it to her. “Here, looks like you need this more than me at the moment. You’re not exactly dressed for cooler weather.”
She thankfully takes my offering and wraps it around her shoulders, huddling in the warm wool. “That’s what happens when I make spur of the moment decisions. Which is why I avoid them usually.” The mumbled addition at the end amuses me because from what I remember about Kenzie, she was the definition of responsible and prepared. Always had her schoolwork completed to perfection. Ran every campus event with precision.
“So, what happened? Why the sudden bolt outside?”
It’s a toss-up whether she’ll answer since we’re not really friends, but she surprises me. “Needed a break from some people. Like my ex-boyfriend and his husband.”
A vague memory of her and a nerdy looking guy comes to mind. Attached at the hip, every student-led activity featured the two of them together, working side by side. I always wondered if they dated, too.
“I get it. Break-ups are tough, and to learn your boyfriend’s gay can’t be easy.”
Kenzie shakes her head in denial. “I knew Kyle was bisexual. That’s not why we broke up or what bothers me. We dated for a few months after college because we got along so well. Truthfully, I was more convinced of our compatibility than he. Everything fell apart, though, when he decided we were too much alike. He wanted more of a counterbalance in his partner, which I understand. It’s just not how I saw life going relationship-wise, and it sucks facing that reality surrounded by people who know our past.”
“I see... So, he’s here with his counterbalance and you’re...” Single? Divorced? I’m itching to know if she’s got a man in her life.
“Alone.”
A wealth of discouragement lives in that one word.
Moving to sit beside her, I bump her shoulder with mine. “Cheer up, buttercup. You’re not the only one.” I’ve been single for a while, too, and the sheer number of couples dominating the cocktail party hit me in the gut from my first step inside the room. She must’ve felt the same thing ten times deeper with the presence of her ex and his spouse.
And a crazy idea pops into my head. “But maybe that can change for this weekend.”
“What do you mean?” Skepticism furrows her brow as distrust radiates between us.
“We’re both single. You need a distraction from Kyle, and I need to make up for years of mistreating you. Why don’t we kill two birds with one stone and spend the weekend together?”
“Are you out of your mind? We’re strangers, and the little I remember about you isn’t positive.” Kenzie jerks to the side and stares me down with blue eyes filled with incredulity. “An apology is one thing, but I’m not even sure I like you.”
My hands lift in supplication. “Fair enough. But if you give me a chance, I’ll guarantee a fun weekend where you don’t have to face Kyle and his husband or any other uncomfortable situation alone. It can be platonic companionship or a guilt-free fling to provide a pleasurable distraction. It’s up to you.” Nowhere in my apology tour did I plan for an affair with a former classmate—let alone Kenzie Beechman—but with our past partially sorted out and this sudden burst of desire for her generous curves hardening my cock, I’m not about to miss an opportunity for some casual fun.
I might have become less of an ass with age, but I still enjoy a good time. Especially when it includes a gorgeous woman.
“So, what do you say?”