I’d fought against it my whole life, even though I knew one day it would be expected of me.
And look wherethatgot me. Engaged to Jerome, of all people.
“Just before graduation, my parents informed me my husband had been picked out. Fortunately, he gave me permission to attend school.”
Kip’s eyes crinkled. “Gave youpermission?What kind of bullshit is that?”
My question exactly. “What can I tell you? It’s the way of our people.”
“Well, it’s a fucking dumb way.”
Again, what I said.
“So who is this guy? What’s he like?” He stared at me. “Youhavemet him, right?”
“Unfortunately, yes. His name is Jerome and he’s… he’s a douchebag.” I told him about our date, how Jerome had laid down the law, how he could have multiple partners, while I was stuck with his skanky ass.
Through it all, Kip looked horrified.
“There must besomethingyou can do,” he said when I’d finished.
If only.
“Nope. Ordained and all that.”
That scowl was back. “I can’t believe it. I always thought your parents were good, reasonable people.”
“Theyare,” I insisted, needing to defend them. “It’s just… it’s always been this way, and they won’t go against tradition.”
“So why are you telling me this now?”
“Every time you suggest going home for a weekend, I beg off.Thisis why. I can’t take the chance Jerome will change hismind and insist I come home again. It’s bad enough I have to call him on Sunday nights and tell him what I’ve been doing and assure him that no one is touching his virgin bride.” I couldn’t keep the bitterness from my tone.
Kip’s eyes went wide. “You’re a virgin?”
Great. I hadn’t meant to say that part out loud. “Yeah. Please don’t tease me about it.”
He held his hands up. “Dude, no way. I think it’s admirable you’re saving yourself for someone, but if I’m honest, I’d rather it be someone you love.”
That makes two of us.
Kip let out a sigh. “So we’re both up shit creek. One of us has a paddle with holes, and the other’s is snapped in two.”
“Youcan have the one with the holes,” I said softly. “You seem to have a lot more experience.”
“Not as much as you might think,” he admitted with a rueful smile. “Sure, I bedded more than my share in high school, but honestly it was more peer pressure than anything. I think that was one of the lessons my parents expected me to learn. I can still hear my dad: ‘You need to trust yourself and not bend to outside stimuli.’” Another sigh. “God, I miss high school.”
Well, duh. IfI’dgone from getting freaky every week or so to cold turkey, I’d feel the same way. That had to suck.
Kip cleared his throat. “So what do we do about it?”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t want you to marry someone you don’t love, and I would honestly rather not take over for my father. So there must besomethingwe can do to help each other stay sane and, maybe, find a way out of our messes.”
If only there was.
Chapter Four
