Now it’s my turn to hang on.
We run together, hearts racing, hands clasped, and dive into the cold summer water.
43
Brad
“You and Noah can come by honestly whenever. We love having you guys around.” Dakota says to me while she stokes the fire with a very long branch.
“You guys are pretty welcoming, eh?” I chuckle, lifting my water bottle to my lips. I find it adorable that they’ve accepted not only Noah so easily, but me as well.
She shakes her head. “No. Not at all. We’re actually a really tight knit group.” She comes to sit back down beside me. “You know the feeling of when you meet someone and you feel like you’re supposed to have them in your life for a reallyreallylong time?”
I look across the fire, seeing my guy sitting there, laughing with some of the others. The fire crackles, sending sparks in the air, making him look as mystical as he makes me feel.
“That’s how I felt about Noah back in school. And it’s the same way I feel aboutyou. You guys just seem…” Dakota looks at me, admiration in her eyes. It’s pretty intense, but it’s calming at the same time. “Real.” She nods her head like that’s the perfect word she could think of. Maybe I just have to trust it for what it is. “In a world full of fakeness and pretending,” she continues, waving her hands in front of her, “theminuteyou find someone who feels real, you’ve got to hold on to them. There aren’t many of those people left, you know?”
I suck in a breath. She’s right. It’s exactly what drew me to Noah in the first place. When we met that summer, I remember feeling like I’ve never met anyone so authentically themselves before. It was both intoxicating and terrifying. Whether he meant to or not, he drew out my authentic self, and I’ll forever thank him for that.
I squeeze her shoulder. “Thank you, Dakota.” I smile. “Honestly, that means a lot.”
My eyes drift back over to Noah, who has now begun walking over to us. Hands in his pockets, looking like a damn dream. There’s not a second more that I want to go without feeling his lips on me and judging by the look on his face, I’d say he feels the same way.
“Well, I think it’s time for bed for us.” I pat her on the back.
She takes her phone out. “It’s eight o’clock.”
“Beauty rest.” Noah winks at me.
I hold in a laugh, rubbing my finger against my bottom lip.
Dakota’s eyebrows shoot up as she glances between the two of us. “I gotcha. Well, I hope you had a great birthday celebration, buddy.” She winks.
“The best,” Noah says, walking towards the trees. “Thanks for spoiling me.” He waves.
“Night, Dakota.” I smile.
***
Our campsite isn’t too far from here but it’s enough to create some distance between us and the rest of them. Which we’re going to need, judging by what I’ve got in mind.
I watch as Noah makes his way through the trees, lit up by little twinkle lights amongst the branches, guiding us perfectly. It’s just enoughlight to cast a subtle glow on his face. Every time he glances back at me, flashing his dashing smile, it reminds me over and over again how lucky I am.
Dakota was right. Thisisreal.He’sreal.
No matter what bullshit we’ve been through, or what’s ahead of us, I know we’ll make it through.
Because I’m so fucking in love with him and there’s no way I’m ever letting this go.
“Wait up for me.” I crack a smile.
“Better move faster old man,” he laughs, picking up his pace.
Oh that little shit.
I scoop him up around the waist as soon as we finally reach the campsite.
“No more running,” I say in a breathless order. He opens his mouth, allowing me inside like he’s just as desperate for my taste as I am of his.
