Free Taught: A City's Secrets Novella by B. B. Hamel

friend.”
    “You fucking liar!” she exclaimed. “You’re texting Jim, aren’t you?”
    I was not the best at hiding things from Lane, and I had absolutely no experience with keeping a boy from her. Actually, I had little experience with guys at all in the last year or so. Maybe I was getting rusty.
    “Yeah, fine, it’s Jim. So what?”
    “So what? Are you kidding, you gave him your number!”
    “Of course I did. We made out pretty hard, remember?”
    “Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you want to see him again. This is a huge step for you.”
    I sighed. That was actually a good point. Just because we had hooked up for a little bit, didn’t mean he was my boyfriend or something. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to pursue him further, and yet there I was giving away my number and responding to him immediately like a lovesick puppy. I was pretty lame, but I couldn’t help it. I kept thinking about Jim’s hands on my hips, his soft lips and warm breath, and the confident way he took me through the city streets. It was sexy, the way he seemed to own the space around him.
    “I don’t know what I want, Lane.” That was as honest as I could get.
    “I hear you. Just go with it, you’ll figure it out eventually.”
    My phone dinged again, and Lane grinned. “Not a word,” I said. She exaggerated zipping her lips and throwing away the key. I rolled my eyes at her bad joke, and retreated back into my room. I put my laptop on my desk and plopped down in bed, letting the sheets wrap around me. I had those T-shirt sheets, the super comfy kind, and I loved laying around in them. It made getting out of bed in the morning really hard.
    10:48am Jim: he says there was a guy from sub pop, and he’s interested. Not sure I believe him yet but that could be huge.
    Holy shit, Sub Pop was a huge indie label. I was immediately impressed and a little jealous. Although I didn’t have any musical talent myself, I was really into the scene, and went to as many shows as I could. I was pretty familiar with the major record labels.
    10:51am Me: sub pop! That’s amazing! Are they interested in signing you guys or what??
    10:53am Jim: I honestly don’t know yet. George is being frustrating and vague. I’m pretty sure he was wasted when the guy talked to him, which is why he doesn’t really know any details.
    10:54am Me: that’s hilarious. I’d be so pissed.
    10:56am Jim: yeah but I’m used to it. Apparently the guy is going to call this afternoon, so I guess we’ll find out more later.
    10:59am Me: that’s so exciting. Keep me updated.
    I put my phone away and lounged back in bed, staring up at the ceiling. I was pretty torn at that point. His band was possibly taking off, or at least had a chance, and he was a professor at my college. All signs were pointing to us not pursuing anything. And frankly, I wasn’t sure I was even that upset about it. He was cute, hilarious, a great kisser, had a fantastic body, shared the same taste in music and TV, and was confident in the right ways. But I had promised myself that I’d focus on my studies, and not let some guy distract me. I had pretty constant pressure from my overachieving parents to consider.
    There was no easy answer, as much as I wanted one. I had to consider my obligations and his reservations.
    Either way, we were taking it slow, whatever it was.

Chapter Nine: Jim
    “W ho do you keep texting?” George asked me. I had a stupid grin on my face, and kept looking down at my phone.
    “Don’t worry about it,” I said, not really interested in hearing all the douchey things George would say. I knew him, and it was always the same: stuff about how badly I needed to hit that, how I was such a pussy for being into her, etc. Stupid frat boy crap. The sort of thing a guy who actually got any wouldn’t say. George didn’t mean any of it, but it was still annoying. He kicked his feet up onto my coffee table and changed the channel on the TV.
    “I’m not worried, I’m curious.”
    I