I fly down the stairs, wishing the elevator works. When I get to the street, I’m so disoriented I can’t find my car.
Jamal will kill me tomorrow.
Chapter 19
Jamal King
I hold my fingers to my lips to confirm that really happened. My lips tingle and feel puffy.
Theo O’Keefe kissed me.
It wasn’t a regular kiss. It was a claiming, oozing with passion and anger. Theo tastes sweet and like cinnamon and dangerously delicious.
His kiss was like being shot into zero gravity and floating on air. I’ve never been kissed like that. Not even close.
And he left.
I should follow him, demand an explanation, and figure out why the hell he kissed me. But I’ve been doing what I should do my entire life, and I need a minute. Sinking down to the floor, I text Tyrone. In Theo’s hurry, my door didn’t shut all the way, so I don’t even have to get up.
“What’s the emergency, hon?” Tyrone glances around and finds me on the floor. “J, what happened? Spill the tea.” He locks my door and joins me.
“Umm, I don’t even know. For real.” I touch my lips again.
“Did he hurt you?” Tyrone demands, grabbing my hand.
I shake my head vigorously. “No…he…he kissed me?” It comes out as a question, not a fact.
“Did you want him to?” he asks carefully.
I shake my head again. “I don’t know.” Hiding my eyes with my forearm, I try to explain so it makes sense. “He hates me and I thought he was straight andI can’t want him to kiss me. It’s wrong. I can’t decide if I like him.” As soon as the words are out, I know they’re a lie. I like Theo and that kiss…that kiss… I flail my arms around, unable to find words. A single kiss has turned my world upside down, and I want more of his taste.
“He put it down.” Tyrone grips my hand. “Left you speechless.”
My eyes search the floor for an answer but come up short.
“The man isn’t a snack. He’s a whole-ass meal. What’s wrong with him?”
“Besides the fact that he’s my stepbrother? And he be deep in the closet.” My voice goes up three octaves and cracks.
“It’s not like you grew up together.” Tyrone fingers the gold chain on his neck, his nervous tic.
“But what will people say?!” He can’t be this dense.
“When’s the last time you went on a date that didn’t involve a camera?” He blinks at me expectantly. “Facts: you’re a Black man in a white sport. You’re a gay man in a traditionally homophobic sport. People will always have something to say.”
My skin heats. Tyrone knows I don’t go out with men. It’s safer with camboys who have rules and expectations set up by the website.
“At some point you’re going to have to stop caring ’bout what other people think. Didn’t you say he’s a massive dick? Or does he have a massive dick? It’s probably both. All the ones who have dick for days have personality disorders.” He sighs, and it loosens the tightness in my chest.
“I don’t have enough experience to know that.” I tip my head back, looking at the ceiling. “Do you think it would be gross if something happens between us?” My lungs hold in my deep breath as I wait for his answer.
“No. No joke. I’m more family than he’s ever been. It would be like kissing my cousin.” He shudders. “That hunk of a man has been a stranger your entire life. You only met him once as a kid and played against him in a few games. You ain’t got a drop of blood in common.” Tyrone slaps my leg as if it settles the matter.
“But still, it’s a big thing in the media that we’re related.” I lean forward and drop my head on his chest. “I don’t know why I’m so worked up. He ran out like he was on fire. Maybe he kissed me by accident.”
“You’re not marrying the man. Have a little fun. Also, there is no way you’d be this worked up over an ‘accidental kiss.’” He uses air quotes. “A suggestion from one queen to another. Figure out what you want that kiss to mean before you talk to him. Get your head clear. From the looks of it, that man can’t keep his eyes or hands off you. He gave off jealous vibes with me. Whaddya gonna do about it?”
I shrug.
