Page 119 of His Reckless Freshman

“Bummer.” I pretend to pout. “That’s one of my favorite tropes.”

She snickers and gives me a little side-eye. “Didn’t know you were into age-gap romance.”

My cheeks heat with instant color, but I’m not about to go into the fact that I’ve been introduced to a whole new world since meeting Ben. My boyfriend. Ben’s my boyfriend!

Trying to play it cool, I shrug and put on a playful voice. “Just don’t tell my mom. She’d die if she knew I was getting into this spicy stuff. I wasn’t allowed to read anything she hadn’t read when I lived at home.”

Guilt shimmers through me like it always does every time I think about my parents’ reaction to my current lifestyle.

But I’m not willing to stop it. I’m loving life right now. More than I ever have. So that guilt can just shut it.

Easier said than done, but I’ll keep trying. I find the best way to handle it is to simply ignore the fact that it’s lurking in the background.

“I see.” Nylah spins to face me properly, her gaze probing. “So, college is all about experimenting with steamy lit, huh? And maybe an older guy?”

Ugh. I can feel myself blushing again, but… it’s okay to tell her now, right? I’ll just keep things vague.

Besides, it’s impossible to hide my grin, so I’m forced to admit, “He’s a junior.”

“Oh really? So he’s just a baby, then.” She winks at me. “For a second, I thought you were gonna tell me that your tutor was a forty-year-old professor or some silver fox with sexy reading glasses.”

“Reading glasses are so sexy, right?” I blurt before thinking it through, but it’s true. Glasses are super sexy.

“The right pair on the right man? Mmmmm.” Nylah makes this sound of approval that I’m pretty sure only Black women ever make, and I seriously love it.

When she turns to me, I give her a beaming smile.

Wow. This feels like we’re friends or something.

I wonder if I should ask her more about this guy she’s wanting to impress at the babysitting gig. Is he the father? Or a friend of the father? Or⁠—

There’s a sharp knock at the door, and my insides flail when I hear Caroline’s voice. “Hey, JoJo, it’s me!” It’s all chipper and sweet like I haven’t been avoiding her for the past week.

What is she doing here?

Oh crap. I hope she doesn’t try to read my mind. She has no idea about Ben. At least, I don’t think she does.

“Uh… hey, Caroline!” I force a bright, unaffected tone, flashing Nylah a smile as I walk to the door. “’Sup, cuz?”

Caroline crosses her arms, her eyes narrowing as she smirks at me. “I thought we were meeting up after my lunch thing.”

“I know.” I force a smile. “I just got caught up with something, and I forgot to text you. Sorry.”

“What?” Caroline’s bubbly voice takes on a suspicious edge.

I blink, my heart rate accelerating as I try to play dumb. “Um… what?”

She gives me a pointed look. “What did you get caught up with?”

My fingers tighten on the door, like if I grip it hard enough, maybe it’ll save me.

Oh crap.

I’m screwed!

“Hi!” My roommate steps up with a stunning smile. “I’m Nylah.”

I catch her eye, giving her a grateful smile without moving my lips.