I want to reach out to him but refrain. “I'm so sorry. I can't imagine growing up with my parents the way you did and then losing one of them now.” I tuck my hair behind my ear out of habit. “From the time I was six I've had all of these years to slowly forget the details of them that I was used to and miss my parents less and less.”
“Well, my mom is pretty amazing and so tough. She doesn't let us get too down about losing him. She says there is nothing to be sad about because our dad gave us more in our eighteen years with him than many people get out of a dad in fifty.” He chuckles to himself as he watches his hands.
Before I have time to think and stop myself, I reach over the center console and place my small hand on his large, entwined ones. He sucks in a sharp breath before his eyes flash to mine. He licks his lips causing my heart to double its pace and I can’t seem to look away from them.
My phone buzzes loudly in my back pocket, making me jump and breaking the spell Gavin has on me. I snap my hand back like I touched a hot plate and dig for my phone.
My eyes go wide when I see the screen. I have four missed texts from Kassy and two missed calls. I notice that it is already past lunch, and I was supposed to meet Kassy by her car ten minutes ago. I groan inwardly and jump out of the driver's side of the car. Gavin quickly follows me from his side.
“I didn't realize what time it was! Kassy is probably freaking out. I was supposed to meet her after lunch.” I send her an apology text back and let her know that I'm on my way. I turn back to Gavin and he is standing in front of me with a questioning look on his face. “Thanks again, Gavin, for rescuing me. I need to run now before Kassy leaves without me, or worse, causes me to have to be saved again. I owe you for... well, everything.”
“You’re welcome, again.” He flashes me his adorable dimple and then untucks my hair from behind my ear, letting his warm fingers softly graze my neck in the process. His hand leaves a trail of electricity in its path, making me shiver from the delicious sensation.
Gavin's confident smile falls, and his eyes darken slightly at the sight of me shivering from his touch. He clears his throat. “I guess you should start running then. I wouldn't want you to get in trouble because of me.”
He drops his hand from my neck and lets out a long breath before turning and climbing into his awesome car. He drives out of the parking lot, leaving me feeling empty and cold, again.
Chapter 5
“I just don’t understand why you put me through that, and just so you could talk to some boy! I was seriously worried, El. We don’t know what kind of crime goes on around here. Maybe I am being dramatic, but I thought you’d been kidnapped or murdered!” No, not dramatic at all.
“I told you I’m sorry, Kassy. We just lost track of time, talking. It will never happen again, I swear. I don’t even know how I let it happen once.” I chose to leave out the fainting and ending up in Gavin’s arms parts because she will insist I am not eating enough and rush me to the nearest hospital in her not dramatic way. Then, she will want to know all of the details of how I felt about being so close to Gavin and I’m still not sure about that part myself, other than I can’t stop thinking about it.
She stops combing her hair in front of the bathroom mirror and sighs. “Fine, I believe you. Anyways, I’m actually relieved that you are finally talking to boys and not being such a shut-in. It also helps that it's the gorgeous boy with dreamy eyes and rock-hard pecs.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me and winks.
I roll my eyes at how easy it was for her to switch from anger to boy-talk. I run to the basket by the front door to get my black flats on so we can head out. “Let’s just go have some fun with your boys tonight and forget about today, alright?”
“El, they are not my boys! Liam is just my good friend and Max is my date.” I shrug my shoulders, not totally agreeing. “Well, it’s really more like a double date which means Liam is sorta your boy tonight.”
She giggles at my suddenly disgusted face. “What? He is super cute. Why are you so grossed out?”
“I guess I just already feel like he is my long-lost brother which makes this just extremely icky!” I shudder.
She continues laughing as she bounces to the door in her bright pink blouse, glittery jeggings and too-high heels. She is so little but never fails to get noticed. I follow after her as we head to our first ever club outing and double date. This should be interesting.
***
We meet the guys at the entrance of ‘The Vinyl’ nightclub. They are standing by the red double doors, looking extremely uncomfortable with one another. Kassy runs up and gives Max a big hug, causing him to wrap his beefy arms around her tiny frame, practically engulfing her.
“Hey, have you guys met yet?” Kassy gestures between the two boys. “Liam, this is Max and,
