Page 60 of The Frathole

“Hey, hey,” Ryan says, intervening once again.

Fuck, that was so close too.

“What the hell?” Gisele asks.

“I leave you alone for five seconds, and you’re running the scene without me?”

Dax watches us, his twisted-up expression suggesting his confusion about whatever the hell he thinks he’s witnessing. I mean, I really can’t imagine what’s going on in his head.

Ryan turns his attention back to Dax. “Sorry, we’re helping Gisele with a scene for class,” he lies, surely to get him off the scent, which I appreciate since it’d be embarrassing as fuck if he knew the truth.

Dax shrugs. “Cool, man. Catch up with you later. See you, Marts.”

He heads on his way, leaving us in this weird-ass situation, andI find myself less stressed with him gone, but also annoyed at Ryan for interrupting my moment with Gisele.

“I’m really confused right now,” Gisele tells Ryan. “I thought you wanted him to get practice.”

“Yes, that’s what we’re doing, but we don’t need to rush anything.”

“You wanted him to make out with me the last time we got together.”

Ryan flinches and stammers before explaining, “I realized I was moving things too quickly. You’re gonna make him uncomfortable.”

“I’m fine with it now,” I assure him, and he shoots me dagger-eyes. I don’t get what the issue is.

He shakes his head. “Look, we’re doing like you would in a play. I cut the kiss from the scene.”

“But both actors want it back in the scene,” she insists.

His eyes narrow as he glances between us. “Fine,” he says through his teeth. “You’re both right. I’m wrong. Let’s go for the kiss.”

“With pleasure,” Gisele says, turning her attention back to me.

I move closer, leaning in and pressing my lips against hers. I’m curious to try this out with the confidence Ryan’s given me, and as I do, I notice Gisele is much more receptive to my kisses than my ex.

But…it’s not the same as it is with Ryan. Doesn’t have the same spark, though it’s still pleasant enough.

As I pull away, Gisele smiles, and I look to my mentor for feedback. He’s got his fists clenched, and his shoulders are as tense as the time he got a pinched nerve in his neck. “How was that?” I ask him.

“It was very good,” Gisele replies.

“Yup,” Ryan says, sounding annoyed. “No issues. You did it.”

“Should we practice again?” Gisele asks.

“Nope,” he answers on my behalf. “You know, I think that was more than enough for tonight, but thank you.”

She shrugs. “Okay. I need to get up early tomorrow anyway. I’ll see you guys for the next session.”

She sets her hand on my arm, gently caressing before Ryan takes hold of my other arm and starts to pull me away. “We should definitely recap, go back through everything,” he rushes out. “Later, Gisele.”

17

Ryan

I’m surprised Ican even see straight as I escort Marty back to his room. I don’t know what the hell has got me so worked up. It’s not like I wanted to kiss Gisele.

I told myself it was because I didn’t want Marty to be uncomfortable. That had to be the reason I was so defensive about it. That had to be why, when I saw him leaning in for it, heat fired up in my chest, which flared up even more at the thought of them going at it. Then when they kissed, it was like a knife. Not sure why it’s affecting me like this when Marty was doing what I told him to do last weekend.