Page 32

He hada hard time imagining Parker being self-conscious about anything.Maybe I'll take a walk around the complex,he thought.If I run into him there, I can at least get a peek at hisplace.

Kell went home,and the first thing he did was send Jessie a textmessage.

KELL:We didit.

JESSIE:What?

KELL:It.

JESSIE:....

JESSIE:omg.

JESSIE:ewlfkjaeljwflefw.

JESSIE:WHAT.

JESSIE:Omg, Kell. Are you guys official,then?

Official...Kell had no idea what made a couple "official." It was obvious they weresomething. They were seeing each other, even though it seemed like it might continue to be on the down low for awhile.

KELL:Don't say aword.

JESSIE:Ok, ok. So, was it as romantic as you wanted it to be? Candles, flower petals, all of thatshit?

Kell laughedas he read her message. He couldn't believe how quickly those ideas had gone out the window. He'd gotten so worked up about it needing to be special, and he realized that he'd probably thought that as a means of making himself feel better for having such a difficult time losing his virginity. When it'd come down to the moment, he'd completely forgotten. It seemed like Parker had that effect on him. After all, Parker used to be on Kell's "no-fucking-way" list ofalphas.

KELL:We may have done it in art studioB...

JESSIE:OMG. Who is this newKell??

KELL:Haha... I know. It was crazy, but it was so in the moment. I couldn't wait forit.

JESSIE:So hot. How's Parker? Not asking in a pervy way. Is he different, now?Sensitive?

KELL:He's about the same. I've got a sense of how he thinks, now. He's still as rough as ever. But I think the things that he does that drive me crazy and piss me off also do the same in a good way,now.

JESSIE:Power couple! Haha, seriously. That kind of compatibility means you're mate material. I read a book onit.

KELL:Jesus, it's too early to talk about mates. Anyway, the next thing is to get him comfortable enough to invite me over to hisplace.

JESSIE:What's the big deal? You'reneighbors.

KELL:I know. But he's embarrassed or something. I asked and he got all weird anddefensive.

JESSIE:Huh.

Kell stared at his phone.He was bothered about the apartment thing more than he had any right to be. It was day two, for god's sake. They were still just getting to know one another, basically. They were only just coming to terms with this crazy thing that'd come over them. And yet, it still bugged him. He just wanted Parker to know that he couldn't care less about money or appearances or anything like that. It washimhe was into, not how organized or clean or fancy his apartment was. And he hoped Parker felt the same way abouthim.

Another message chimedthrough from Jessie, and he frowned as he readit.

JESSIE:You don't think he's hidingsomething?

KELL:A dirty apartment? That's what he said. I think he's just self-conscious because it's not the luxurious accommodations he's usedto.

JESSIE:Hmm... I see. Well, it's okay. It's stillearly.

KELL:Yeah.