It’s like every thought or feeling between us can only be communicated without speaking. I’m much better at kissing than talking, so that makes sense.
I don’t want to stop, but one burning thought won’t leave me alone. Pulling back, I meet her gaze.
“You ran off the other night. I thought…” I trail off as she shakes her head.
“I panicked. You and Claire have history, and even if you didn’t, this whole thing between us took me by surprise.”
It surprised me too, but her pointing it out doesn’t exactly have me feeling great about the prospect of doing this again, but then she says, “None of that seems to matter, though, because I can’t stop thinking about it.”
“Me either.”
I drop my lips to hers again, softer this time, taking my time to explore the soft, supple way her mouth molds against mine and the sweet taste of spearmint as my tongue sweeps against hers. My head swims in the pleasure of it. She’s a good kisser, or I am, or maybe it’s just the chemistry between us.
I don’t know how long we kiss before someone clears their throat behind me. No, not someone. My dad. Warmth spreads up the back of my neck as I school my expression to something more appropriate for the glower he has aimed at me. Lacey yelps in surprise, scrambling away from me.
His stern gaze takes in the situation, including my rumpled shirt and Lacey’s messy hair that my fingers were just in. I have an uneasy feeling the second bell rang and neither of us heard it.
“You’re both late to fifth period,” Dad says, confirming my suspicions.
When neither of us moves or says anything, his jaw tightens, and he flicks his head to the door. “Get to class.”
Lacey and I rush to go. Dad’s disappointed gaze follows me until I’m past him. I bypass the locker room, not bothering to change. It’s only a few hours until practice anyway.We stop as soon as we get inside the school and turn down the first hallway out of view.
We’re both panting, and I glance back to see if Dad is following us, grateful that he’s not.
“Oh my gosh.” She presses her back to the wall and erupts into a fit of laughter.
A smile loosens my lips despite the earful I know I’ll get later from my dad. Her stare drops to my mouth and lifts slowly like she’s thinking about kissing me again but isn’t sure.
I brush my lips against hers quickly and then tug her with me toward our next classes. I don’t know what this is between us, but for as long as I can, I plan to kiss her as often as possible.
Chapter Twenty-three
Lacey
Monday night after practice, Austin has some of the guys over to his house, plus Claire, who invites me. My best friend walks into the Keller household confidently, making a beeline for her boyfriend in the living room. I follow behind, waving hello to the guys sitting around the TV and fighting off the butterflies in my stomach.
They’ve been ever present since lunch when Vaughn and I kissed again. Rowan grins and the Whitlock twins, Eddie and Eli, lift their hands in a quick wave. A couple other guys from the team are here too. Hunter and Blake, juniors like us, and the senior goalie Barrett. I look toward the kitchen for the one soccer player I hoped would be here tonight. But there’s no sign of him.
The TV is on a Premier League game, and everyone is glued to the action. Rowan is the only one who looks like he wants to be distracted. I walk over to sit next to him on the couch.
“Hey.” He bumps his knee against mine. “How are you?”
“Good. You?” I have this nervous feeling I can’t shake.
“Good.” Rowan eyes me carefully, then a slow smile lifts the corners of his mouth. “He’s not here.”
“Who?” My cheeks heat as I play dumb. I don’t know why I thought Vaughn would be here. He’s never been big on social activities, and even though he passed his last algebra test, he’s been studying hard to maintain the progress he made.
“Vaughn was still on the field messing around when we all left. Not like he needs the practice. I think he’s just feeling the pressure.”
“That sucks.” I think back to Coach Collins catching us on the soccer field. I hope Vaughn didn’t get in trouble. We didn’t get a chance to talk the rest of the afternoon, but he didn’t seem any more stressed than usual. In fact, I think I was freaking out more about his dad catching us than Vaughn was. Or maybe he’s just good at hiding it.
“Yep,” Rowan says. His grin widens. “I bet he’ll be sad he missed you, though.”
“We’re not…” I’m not sure how to finish that statement. We’re not together. It’s not like that. Both are true. We’ve kissed now on two different occasions, but it isn’t like we’re a couple. Vaughn doesn’t want a girlfriend. He’s been very clear on that. And I’m not sure he’s someone I want to date. I just want to kiss him again. I’ve never felt this spark with anyone else.
The few guys I’ve kissed or made out with were fine. I didn’t really see what the hype was about, but now I think I was just doing it with the wrong people.
