“Text me if it gets worse please,” he whispered, bringing a hand up to her cheek.
She nodded and let him kiss her one more time before stepping away. As she took off her apron she asked, “Will you bring me back later to get my car?”
“We’ll take care of it,” Mrs. Miller said. “A friend dropped me off, so we can each drive home. Just go get some rest.”
Lila thanked her and followed Kaley out to her small blue car. The pale color could’ve easily blended into the early summer sky above them. They both climbed in, and as Kaley started the engine, Lila smiled at the music that came to life.
Kaley turned it down a little but left it playing as she pulled out of the parking lot. “Is that okay? I can turn on the radio instead.”
“No,” Lila said, wincing at her own loudness. “I love Dear Evan Hansen.”
They rode in comfortable silence—so unlike their morning—and sang along quietly. When they reached Lila’s house, she unbuckled her seatbelt but stayed sitting. She turned, pulling one knee up to face Kaley. “What did you mean it’s about time?”
Kaley laughed a little, fidgeting with her dangling keychain. “I didn’t know you two before high school, but I heard stories about how close you were. People talked about it whenever you would get into one of your fights at school.”
Lila leaned against the seat, waiting for more.
“I don’t know if you remember, but I was at the homecoming dance freshman year. I didn’t really know anyone since we’d just moved here. My mom made me go, saying I’d regret it if I didn’t.”
“My mom did the same,” Lila said.
Kaley nodded. “Gavin and Dylan practically dragged me into their group when they saw me sitting by myself. At first, I thought Gavin was flirting with me. I quickly realized he was just being nice. He was nice to all the girls—dancing with the ones who asked. But then I noticed something.”
“What?”
“He never asked anyone to dance. He only said yes to people—I assume to not hurt their feelings. Throughout the night though, he kept looking to the far corner of the room. I couldn’t figure out who he was looking for until Kyle mentioned he was going to ask you to dance.”
Lila swallowed hard. She knew that part of the story. “Gavin told him not to because I wasn’t worth the trouble. I know, I overheard him.”
Kaley looked at her with wide eyes. “So, you knew how he felt then?”
“I thought he hated me. I didn’t know it was anything else…”
“How could you not know? Everyone knew.” Kaley tilted her head to the side. “Wait, was that the only part you heard?”
Lila could only nod. She’d run to the bathroom to cry after that and called her mom to pick her up.
“Kyle didn’t stop there. He said some pretty nasty things about you—about not caring if you were trouble because he just wanted to… I saw this rage flash across Gavin’s eyes,” Kaley went on. “Even in the years since then, I’ve never seen him so angry. He slammed Kyle into the wall. Half the baseball team had to pull him away. The teachers rushed in to break it up and everything.”
Lila’s mouth dropped open. Gavin wasn’t that person. He didn’t have a violent bone in his body.
When she said as much, Kaley agreed. “Exactly. Everyone was so shocked they didn’t know what to do. He threatened to beat Kyle if he ever talked about you again. Then, he told the rest of the guys around to stay away from you. When someone asked why he cared and pointed out that all he ever did was tease and argue with you, Gavin just said that was different. Dylan dragged him outside after that, but I think we all suspected the truth at that point.”
“I never knew that part,” Lila whispered. She looked to the Millers’ house. He’d lived so close the whole time, and she never knew how he truly felt. “I should get inside. Thank you for driving me.”
“Yeah, of course.” Kaley smiled and waved as Lila got out of the car. Before Lila could shut the door, she added, “Feel better!”
18
Friday
Soft fingers trailed down Lila’s arm, sending a shiver through her body. She didn’t need to look to know it was him. Gavin’s touch and scent were utterly familiar. She turned and buried her face into the warmth of his embrace.
“What time is it?” she asked, glancing around the darkening room.
“Nine. Mom closed the shop early tonight.” His breath stirred her hair. “How are you feeling?”
“Better.” The relief from the pain rejuvenated her. She felt better than she had all week. Slowly, she moved up higher to see his eyes. “You’re in my bed.”
“Mhmm.” His grin made her stomach flutter and her heart pound.
She traced a random pattern along his chest as she inched her fingers up to the side of his neck. With her palm against his jaw, she fought the giggle threatening to burst from inside. “If my dad finds you up here—”
“Your parents know I’m here.”
Raising a brow, she asked, “They let you up here without a fight?”
“Your mom loves me.” He slid a hand around the back of her neck to bring her closer and kissed her gently. “She convinced your dad that it was fine. Besides, I’m not staying long.”
“Oh…”
Smiling, he pressed his lips to hers. When he broke away, he said, “If you’re feeling up to it, you can come with me.”
She propped her head up on a hand while she rose on one elbow. “Where are we going?”
“You know I’m not telling you.”
Lila rolled forward, forcing him to his back. His eyes widened as she straddled him. His throat bobbed when she leaned down with both hands on his chest. The absence of pain mixed with the longing in his gaze made her bold. His hands moved to her waist, skimming her sides beneath her shirt. Their breath mingled
