The Impact of You

Avery

When Jase practically shoves me into the guest room, I’m confused. And hurt. I thought we were really getting somewhere, and after last night’s make out session, I’d been looking forward to a repeat of that. Apparently Jase isn’t. Which sucks. But I scrub my face, brush my teeth, and try not to pout as I crawl into bed.

In the morning, things are quiet over breakfast again, and Jase doesn’t dally – we’re soon saying goodbye to his mom and in the car for the journey back.

The closer we get toward campus, the more my panic sets in. Madison had been beyond pissed that I was going home with Jase, not believing for a second that his motives were virtuous with me, and now Jase, the guy I’m risking everything for, is barely speaking to me.

When he parks in front of my dorm, we exit the car and I wait while Jase retrieves my bag.

“I don’t know what I did wrong…but I don’t want things to be weird between us now,” I say.

His eyebrows draw together. “You did nothing wrong. I thought maybe I’d rushed you the other night, so I wanted to make sure you knew that wasn’t all I wanted.”

Oh. I shake my head. “Well, you got quiet on me… so I figured you were mad about something.”

His finger presses over my lips. “Stop thinking so much. I’m not mad. I’m giving you time to sort out whatever you need to sort out. Just don’t shut me out, okay?”

I nod. “Thanks for this weekend.”

“Thanks for being so sweet to my mom,” he says. He leans down to plant a tender kiss against my forehead, then turns back for his car.

I was right about Madison’s mood. She sends me suspicious looks and cryptic comments all afternoon while I try to study. I’m relieved when Noah shows up for our regular Sunday night dinner in the cafeteria.

focus on anything but Madison’s suspicions. Am I being stupid to think there’s something between me and Jase? When I slide into my seat, Noah has clearly been

remain standing in front of them. “What? Will you two just

Madison’s, telling her he’s got this. “We just think you need to be careful. Jase could be playing some kind of game with you. And you’re bound to fall for him, spending so much alone time with

it just annoys me. “Is it so impossible that Jase really likes me? How many other girls has he brought home for the weekend to meet his mom? Did

We love you. We support you. As long as you’ve

can tell they’re mentally deciding to

into the seat and stab at the food on my plate. Do they know something I don’t? Is this all going to blow up

your partner and part of that effective communication

I get my blushing under control by the time

eyes playfully dancing on mine. I brace myself for the embarrassing comment he’s sure to make from the lecture. Only he doesn’t. His eyes grow serious and he leans in

gripping the table in front of me for support, ready to melt into a puddle on the floor with the way Jase

drops an octave lower. “Because I’m willing to lend my services…to extend your assignments into a gray area I’ve nicknamed Operation

I clamp my thighs together and remind myself to breathe. There are no words for the tingles Jase can send through my body with

absently traces his thumb

a ragged breath,

back. “Just think about it,

a nod.

understand,” he says, running a hand through his messy

can’t have him asking questions about Brent. “Uh

He raises his eyebrows. “So I take it