the truth.
“Shut up,” I shush. “You’re going to get me in trouble.”
“Sleep with me,” he whispers, plucking at my tank top flat on my stomach.
My eyes grow wide. “Um. No.”
Holt’s hands come to my hips as he moves me backward to the bed. “Just sleep. I was at home thinking. You did something today you’ve never done with a guy. Right?”
Oh God. How’d he know? Can you be bad at getting eaten out?
I nod, embarrassed and suddenly shy.
“Don’t be embarrassed. I love it. But I want to give you one of my firsts too.” I swallow as he leans forward, brushing his nose over mine. “Scoot onto the bed.”
My hands find the mattress, guiding me backward over the top of my covers until I’m up by my pillow. Holt stands at the end of my bed, setting the alarm on his phone before placing it on the nightstand. He reaches over his shoulder and drags his shirt off, toes off his shoes, then pulls the button on his jeans before tugging them off, leaving him in boxer briefs.
Holt’s body is perfect. A sculpted ode to every damn fantasy a girl could have. I sit, knees pulled to my chest, ogling him, as he pulls the blanket back. I lift my bottom and tuck my legs in before he reaches for me. Strong hands drag me toward him like I’m a pillow. He rests his head on my stomach, one arm running under my back and the other through my legs as his hand cups my ass.
My eyes are still wide, unsure of what to do, as he softly kisses the skin exposed right below my belly button and sighs, “Night, baby.”
My fingers weave through his hair as I listen to his slowing breaths and wonder how I came to be in a place where I’ve fallen for another boy I don’t even know but want to keep.
Ava
August—Six months later, senior year
My mother descends the last stair by the front doors as I round the corner to leave for the first day of senior year.
“You look beautiful, Ava. I’m glad to see you took some initiative for the first day of school. Let’s hope this new attitude sticks for the entirety of the year.”
“Thank you?” I answer sarcastically, grabbing my backpack.
“It’s a compliment, darling.”
I smile and take a bite of my apple.
“And yet, the backhand still stings, Mother.”
I don’t wait for her response as I bound out of the door to my waiting car. Ducking inside the limo, I smooth my skirt and wonder for the one-hundredth time, just this morning, if I’ll see Jackson—or whatever his name is.
The rest of the year after spring break was hellish. My cousin disowned me. The Carolines of the world acted like I was scum, and I went back into high school oblivion. But somehow I wasn’t alone, because I had them. Holt and Jackson. I miss Holt, too much, but I can have Jackson. Maybe. Possibly. Fingers crossed.
As soon as my car slows in front of the Hillcrest steps, I don’t bother waiting, opting to let myself out. I need to be cool, but I can’t. I’ve thought about this all summer. For a good week after spring break, I became a member of the social media FBI and tried to track Holt down, but I couldn’t find his Snap or Insta, so I gave up.
I trot up the steps, making my way through the heavy antique wooden doors that adorn the entry. The halls are full of kids, chatter everywhere, as people find their lockers and catch up with friends. Walking down the corridor, I smile at a few people I know, giving a wave as I try to inconspicuously search the crowd, wondering if I’ll actually see him.
A couple is speaking quietly next to my locker as I smile and say, “Excuse me,” opening the metal door and twisting around to pull books from my backpack.
What if he doesn’t want to know me? We made a deal. In the end, he accepted it.
I’m deep in thought when a strong arm wraps around my waist and a kiss is pressed into the side of my neck.
I guess I have my answer.
“You look like a dream come true,” he whispers, as I turn to face him.
“Oh my God.”
Holt smiles down at me, dipping back in to peck my lips. “Damn, I thought about you all summer, and now, here you are. I didn’t know you were from here and went to Hillcrest. Fate’s