“Will, stop. Don’t apologize. You were trying to save my cousin’s life. I couldn’t be mad at you if I tried. I was just afraid that you… ” I shut myself up.
“That I was what?” he presses, searching my eyes. “Running after we slept together?”
Running after I told you I loved you.
Twice.
And you didn’t say it back.
Ugh, I want to punch myself.
I know he doesn’t owe me the L word. After all, it is still early in our relationship, but I can’t help the disappointment creeping into my heart whenever I think about his deflection.
Does he not… feel the same?
I nod halfheartedly, diverting my eyes to my feet. Silent, Will trace circles in the core of my palm with his thumb.
“I’m not fucking running, Kass.”
My eyes cut to his.
He stares at my lips. “Not this time.”
With that said, he unbuckles his seat belt. Then mine. I’m confused until he grabs my wrist and guides me over the center console onto his laps.
Oh, it’s make-out time.
I straddle him, my legs edging his body. His lips close over mine in an instant, his hands curving under my top. Heat finds us like it never left. My heart beats hard and fast. Will groans when I suck on his bottom lip. I never thought a kiss so intoxicating could come with such clarity.
I’m not just in love with this man.
I’m addicted to him.
The tension keeps on risi—
HONKKK!
My ass accidentally crushes the steering wheel, and Will draws me back to his chest, nuzzling his nose in the crook of my neck to drown out his laughter. I don’t bother containing mine, whipping my head to glimpse at the horn.
Only, it’s the last thing I see.
The most colorful sunset catches my eye. A thousand shades of orange and pink blend across the sky.
“Wow,” I breathe.
Now that’s what I call a sunset.
Will stretches his neck.
“Shit,” he agrees. “Am I the king of picking secret sex spots or what?”
“Secret sex spot, huh? Keep it up and I just might think you’re ashamed of me, Willy.” I crack a fake laugh—damn my fake laugh game is weak.
We haven’t had the chance to discuss what would happen now that we’re officially together. We haven’t even talked about the Kendrick problem. Does he want us to keep this a secret forever?
Will’s smile fades. “Kendrick may be out of town, but people still have eyes.”
Hurt rips through me.
“Gotcha.” I whisper, attempting to wiggle off his lap, but his thumbs skid farther under my clothes, digging into my hips to keep me in place.
“Wait, that’s not what I meant, I just…” He pauses. “I don’t want him finding out from somebody else while he’s away.”
“But… we are going to tell him, right?”
He hesitates, and that silence alone sends me spiraling. I keep my eyes glued to him. It all comes down to this moment. To his answer. I refuse to be his dirty little secret.
I need to hear him say it.
“Yes.” He nods. “As soon as he comes back into town, I’ll tell him.”
“Pinky promise?” I lift my finger, sounding vulnerable—like I’m begging him not to hurt me—and I hate it.
He smiles.
And laces his pinky around mine. “Promise.”
It’s one in the morning when Will and I stumble through Morgan’s front door. Elbowing him in the stomach to remind him to keep his voice down, I muffle my own laughter at the stupid joke he just told me. Knowing Morgan, she’s already in bed. Ethan is here, too. His car is out front.
He took the couch. Said he’d rather crash at Morgan’s than stay at his sister’s house where he’s reminded every five seconds that his parents kicked him out of the family home. Especially seeing as he recently decided to defer college a year and he’s got all this time on his hands now.
Morgan’s parents will be coming back from their trip in a few days, which means Will is going to have to start sneaking in through my bedroom window to keep up pretenses. Highly doubt my mom will approve of us dating after the Winter fiasco.
We spent the night up on the hill, laughing, looking at the stars on the hood of his car, driving around. Remember when Will said he’d missed me? Well, once the sun went down, he proceeded to show me how much—also on the hood of his car.
Will spins me around two steps inside the kitchen, kissing me slow and making my stomach the victim of a herd of angry butterflies.
“Are you staying for the night?” I wrap my arms around his neck, pecking the corner of his mouth. “Or… maybe we could go to your place?”
I expect a reply along the lines of “Sure, I’ll introduce you to my mom.” I mean, we are officially together, aren’t we? But what I get instead… Is an uncomfortable smile and a quick “Here is fine.”
“I just thought maybe you could show me your place. You know, since I’ve never seen where you live.”
He clears his throat. “Yeah… I’d rather not. My mom’s a bit strict on guests, and the place is kind of a mess.”
Okay…?
“Your mom, what’s she like? I’d love to meet her.”
His hands leave my waist. “She’s very busy. She’s actually out of town right now. I’d be surprised if you got to meet her anytime soon.”
Red flag.
Everything about this moment rubs me the wrong way, but I choose to drop it for the time being.
“All right. We’ll take the guest room, then.” I spring to my tiptoes, smacking a kiss across his cheek. His shoulders sink with a relief I’m pretty sure I wasn’t meant to see. We end up making sandwiches, emptying Morgan’s pantry and chatting for another hour. We laugh, make out, do all the things I used to dream about. But something feels… off.
I once asked him if his mom was okay. If she’d found a way to rebuild her life after Will’s father took everything and ran. He said yes, but… there has
