with you carrying me all the time,” I joke with him, and he gives me a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Dinner’s done,” Mike says as Reed puts me back on my feet and I take off the heels and put them back into the box.
The four of us sit down to eat because my dad never joins us. He's been getting more and more reclusive lately and he disappears for hours. He talks even less than he used to, which is saying a lot because he didn't talk much before. I’ve tried with him, but it’s hard when I’m around Reed’s parents and then I go home to my dad who barely says three words to me. I’ve kind of given up and I’m not trying to force conversation anymore. I’ve quit inviting him to have dinner together with the Sanders and they’ve stopped asking if he’s coming.
I push away all thoughts of my dad as we eat dinner and have a great night. All too soon the sun has set and Reed’s parents clean up after dinner and go inside for the night. Reed and I stay on the back deck, and when they’re gone he leans over and kisses me on the neck. It’s a soft touch at first and I let out a sigh, wanting more.
“Tomorrow I’ll know you in all ways,” he whispers against my skin, and my whole body heats.
He pulls me into his lap and then he kisses me with urgency. He digs his fingers into my hair and I don’t know how long we sit like that, making out. I know we can do it for hours because we’ve done it before, but when we finally separate my mouth tingles and I’m out of breath. His hands hold my hips to stop me from rocking against him and I know he’s trying to get himself under control.
“Tomorrow,” I remind him, and he groans as he rests his forehead to mine.
“You know I love you?” he says, and I nod.
“I know.” I rub my hands up and down his chest. I don’t know why but it always soothes me, in the same way rubbing my ring finger soothes him.
“No, Cami, I love you. We’ve been saying I love you since we were kids and you say it to my mom and dad. They say it to you, but you know this is different, right? I love you more than anything in this whole world.”
“Of course I do. And you know I love you like that, too?”
“Yeah.” He smiles at me before kissing me again.
I don’t care what anyone says, Reed is my forever. Some people at school say that we’re high school sweethearts, and that it will never last in the real world. I don’t pay them any attention because I know what this is. I don’t know how we got so lucky to find each other so young but we did.
“What the hell!” I jerk away from Reed at the sound of my dad’s voice booming from the other side for the deck. “Do you have any idea what time it is? Get over here, Cami.”
“Mr. Evans,” Reed says as he stands with me. “I’m sorry about that. I meant no disrespect. She’s my girl and we got carried away.”
I can tell Reed is trying to be polite for me, but he wants to say more. He doesn't care for my dad and the way he’s so dismissive of me. Of course Reed would never understand someone not wanting to be near me.
“I said get over here,” my dad snaps again and points his finger to the ground next to him.
“There’s no need to talk to her like that.” Reed’s voice comes out hard now and his jaw clenches.
“She’s my daughter,” my dad says but takes a step back. He’s no match for Reed, especially when it comes to me.
“And she’s my—” I grab his arm and squeeze it so he looks down at me.
“Let it go,” I say softly. “I’ll see you tomorrow. I should get to bed anyways.” He searches my face before looking over towards my dad. I don’t know what his deal is because he’s never cared what I was doing before.
“I don’t like this. I don’t want you to go.” Reed takes my hands and his eyes search mine.
“It’s only a little longer,” I remind him. “Then we have forever.”
He leans down and gives me a quick kiss before he nods. “I love you.”