Free Designer Genes - The Boyfriend Cut by Harley Brooks Page B

dented the metal wall below his cube. A group of his friends passed by, eyeing the two of us. I wondered how far the gossip train had already traveled, carrying the news of what happened this morning.
    "Let's get out of here. First period's a bust anyway."
    When we reached his jeep, Sam hugged me and I stiffened in his arms. "What?"
    I don't want you to touch me. "Nothing," I lied.
    As we pulled out of the parking lot, I caught a glimpse in the side mirror of a white Porsche sliding into traffic. I held my breath hoping Sam didn't notice. We usually went to the park on the edge of town, but Sam headed the opposite direction. Suddenly, he veered the jeep off the pavement and onto a gravel road.
    "Let's see if he follows us in that fancy car now."
    He noticed.
    My head bounced against the back of the seat and the restraint scraped my neck. I yelled at Sam to slow down, seriously contemplating how to jump from the jumbling vehicle, when he brought the jeep to an abrupt stop. Clouds of dust covered us.
    "Stop acting like this, Sam."
    "I can't!" His knuckles turned white from gripping the steering wheel so tight. "Damn. So this is how it's going to be now? You, me and him? Not quite the threesome I've fantasized about."
    "Knock it off." I leaned back into the seat. The bright sun beat hot on my head through the open roof and I covered my forehead with my hand to shade my eyes.
    Sam's tone softened. "What happened to your knee?"
    I inhaled a deep breath long enough to last through a recap. "Sam, Jordan thought he helped a stranger. He didn't know it was me."
    His eyes narrowed, "Looked like he was getting to know you pretty fast, or at least your mouth."
    "Shut up about the kiss! It just happened and I feel bad you saw us."
    "But you don't regret it, do you? The kiss I mean."
    My guilty reply slithered out. "No." Not then, or the several times since.
    Both of us glanced elsewhere, unable to face each other. An uncomfortable silence settled between us. I shifted in my seat, trying to look around without being conspicuous.
    "He's parked under the trees at the turn off."
    "Oh," I muttered, searching the side mirror until I saw the Porsche tucked in the shadows.
    "Do you want to get out of the sun and go sit under that tree over there?"
    "I don't know, Sam."
    "Ten minutes, Marli, is all I'm asking for. He can wait. Hell, you've been in my life for two years and he's been in yours what—maybe an hour?"
    "It's not that simple."
    "It is that simple. Give me some respect, would you? Don't walk away like I never mattered."
    Sam's statement hurt, but my don't-tell-me-what-to-do attitude ruled the moment. I shoved the jeep door open and dropped onto the gravel. The jarring pain to my knee shot to my teeth.
    "Fine. You want to talk? You got it. Ten minutes!"
    I marched towards the tree in the middle of the field. Sam cursed and slammed the driver's door, running to catch up to me. He grabbed my hand, halting my angry steps. His arm hooked my neck and he nuzzled my hair.
    "I'm sorry."
    I wound my fingers through his and tugged his hand under my chin. "You matter, okay?"
    We dropped at the base of a tree and I curled between his long legs, resting my head against his chest. His voice cracked.
    "What happens now? Tell me how I'm supposed to let you go?"
    "Sam, we knew this day would come."
    "Did we? You've talked so much about dropping out of The Program I guess I hoped you'd follow that plan."
    True, I'd thought about leaving, but when I read Jordan's portfolio after viewing the pod and realized I'd been matched with someone who shared my likes and dislikes on silly things like no lettuce on hamburgers, and strawberry shakes rocking over chocolate ones, my future suddenly didn't seem so grim. When I kissed him, I knew for sure.
    Sam's calloused finger lifted my face and he lightly touched my mouth. "Your kisses taste different."
    "That's ridiculous." Could it be true?
    He kissed me again, long, easing me down in the deep grass. I'd wrapped