Page 85 of Rookie Moves

Her mouth opens, but no words come out.

Swinging my legs over the bed, I reach over and give her cheeks a gentle tap.

“Are you with me, Stas? Or have aliens hijacked your brain? Blink twice if you’re in danger.” I snap my fingers in her face.

She huffs out a sharp breath and pushes my hand away. “I’m fine, I’m just…” She shakes her head, blinking almost in disbelief. “I don’t know why, but I thought you two were already, like, taking it in turns of who rides the joystick.”

I tip my head back and laugh. “The joystick?”

She picks up her ruler and swats my thigh with it just below the hem of my shorts.

“Ow!” I yelp, rubbing my stinging flesh with my hand. “What was that for?”

“Making fun of me!” she bleats. “But seriously, Colby, this isn’t something I can help you with. I’m not sure if you remember, but I’m still very much a virgin, and I’m not equipped to answer these kinds of questions.” She points her ruler at me and waves it in a circle. “The one thing I can say is that guy is besotted with you, and I have no doubt that he’ll make it the most memorable time for you. So don’t worry about it too much. I’m sure he isn’t going to care about anything except making it good for you.”

Warmth fills my chest, because every moment with Tyler has been memorable. Not just the sex, but everything else in between.

The laughter, the meals together, the late-night drives, and the moments of vulnerability where we share our weaknesses and fears so candidly.

There is no one on this Earth who is more perfect for me than Tyler Beckmann. I’m certain of it.

And maybe this is how I can tell him how I truly feel about him. To give him this last piece of my virginity.

To hand over my heart and ask him to be by my side as I navigate this next chapter of my life.

Placing the stress ball down on the bed beside me, I get up and ruffle her hair before heading to the door. “Thanks, Stas. I better get researching.”

I can hear the smile in her voice as she says, “Please don’t keep me posted, but I wish you the best on your bottoming adventure.”

I give her a salute before I slip through the door. There’s a buzz of anticipation thumping through my veins, and I’m unable to wipe the smile from my face as I head back to my room.

“Okay, so, please don’t be mad at me,” I say the moment Tyler enters my room later that evening, scrunching my face in a slight grimace.

Tyler’s brows pinch in confusion as he closes the door behind him. “What? Why would I be mad at you?”

“Because I’ve found this open mic night tomorrow, and I think it would be a good idea if you did it.”

His eyes go wide. “An open mic night?”

“Yeah. I figured it would be fun, you know… remind you of the good times and how much you enjoyed performing when you were in school.”

Tyler blinks at me, mouth twisted in a frown as he rubs the back of his neck. Uncertainty swims in his eyes, like he’s full of doubt. My heart pounds a little harder.

“I don’t know, Colbs… I haven’t played in front of people for years.”

I stand in front of him and place my hands on his neck. “You played in front of me the other night. Did you not enjoy that?”

“Yeah, I did, but that’s you. I’m comfortable with you. We suck each other’s dicks and fuck. You’re not going to tell me I’m shit, even if you thought it.”

I curl my lips inward, trying to stop myself from smiling.

“What?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Nothing.”

He lets out a heavy sigh and rubs a hand over his face. “You really think I should do it?”

“Yeah, I do.”