Page 128 of Unexpected Prejudice

Returning to my locker with a towel knotted around my waist, I started pulling out my clothes when I heard footsteps. Looking over my shoulder, I saw Ty.

“Hey, Jordy.”

Not being in the mood for small talk, I shot him a head nod before returning to my business, only Ty didn’t get the message because he came to use the locker beside me.

“Did you do anything fun during the holiday?”

“Actually no, I didn’t.” I offered him a slight smile before putting on my boxer briefs and sweats. I didn’t want to chat, but I didn’t want to be rude either.

“That’s a shame. I went to Santa Barbara. It was epic. I think you’ve been to my house there once. Sophomore year, we had this big party. Remember?”

I shook my head before grabbing my shirt and sliding it over my body.

“That’s alright.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Maybe we can go there sometime. We’ll have the whole house to ourselves, so we can do whatever.”

All but ready to go, I didn’t really pay attention to his words, so I shrugged, wanting this conversation to be over. “Sure, why not.”

By now, I was fully clothed and was about to reach for my bag when Ty grabbed my wrist and had my back pressed against the locker before I could. The next thing I knew, he was trying to eat my face, while shoving his tongue between my parted lips. The only reason my mouth was opened to begin with was from shock. Once I came to my senses, I put my hand on his chest and pushed him away.

“The fuck you think you’re doing?” I yelled, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

“S-sorry.” His eyes were wide with fear, and his chin trembled. “Oh, shit, I’m sorry.”

I remained where I was while Ty took another step back, shaking his head nervously. “I’m not gay, I swear, I’m not…” He was seriously panicking, and even though he just kissed me out of the blue, I felt terrible for the guy. He shouldn’t be ashamed of wanting to kiss a man, and I didn’t want his first experience to become a horrible memory of blunt rejection.

“Hey, it’s okay,” I said, reaching my arm to touch his shoulder.

“I-I’m not gay. I-I was just… fuck.”

“Even if you are, that’s okay. No shame in that.”

He shook his head before looking at me with glassy eyes. “I’m sorry I kissed you. Shit. Please don’t hate me.”

“I don’t hate you. I was just surprised.”

“So, you’re not upset?” A bit of hope sparkled in his hazel eyes. Resting my hand on my hip, I looked down at the floor and rubbed the back of my head.

“No, absolutely not.” Looking up at him, I smiled. “You’re a great guy, Ty, and whatever you’re trying to figure out about yourself is totally cool. I’m just… I’m with someone. That’s all.”

Ty gave me a dazed look before he scratched his head. “You have someone? But Shay-Lee said you’re single and that you liked me.”

Trying to process what he’d just said, I blinked several times, still too stunned to speak. “Shay-Lee said I’m into you?”

“Y-yeah. I mean… sort of?” He paused for a moment to reconsider his words. “I was drunk and told him I’m into you by mistake. He said that I might have a chance. So, I thought, why not, right?” He smiled nervously.

“When was this?”

“Sorry?”

“When did he say that to you?” My voice came out sharp.

“Last night.”

“Last night? You spoke to him last night?”

He nodded.

Feeling rage flooding my guts, I clenched my fists as my nostrils flared. I was beyond furious at the feeling of betrayal. What the fuck was Shay-Lee playing at? And when I thought I couldn’t get any angrier, Ty proved me wrong.