I can’t believe I just sent that. I can’t believe I just freaking sent that.
I watch as the text dots dance, the time passing feels like torture as I wait.
u know I want you to be happy Cade
but with Zach
idk. tbh I don’t know how I’d really feel about that
I don’t know what to say. I don’t get it. Zach is a good guy. He said it himself.And if he knew how happy he made me, then maybe he'd understand.
Because Zach truly does make me happy. We might have had a few bumps these past few weeks, but those things are bound to happen the more we figure out how to navigate this new territorywe've entered into. For so long, I've had to pretend. And based on what he's told, so has Zach.
I watch as Bray types out another text.
listen, if he wants to step up and make sure ur not alone for the dance, cool. but I’m firm on the other guys, Cade. no one else takes u to the dance
You’re not my father, you know that right?
lol ur right. dad would tell u no dating till ur married
I hear the hall bell ring, I realize that class has started.Shoot. I’m never late to class. I step out of the cove and rush down the hall.
At least I got Bray’s approval of me and Zach going to the dance together. But then it hits me, I don't even know if Zach wants to take me to homecoming or not? We haven’t talked about it, and I didn’t get a chance to say anything else before I stormed away from him earlier.
But that kiss. I can still feel it buzzing on my lips.
I rush into class, grateful that no one really pays any attention to me as I sneak in and take a seat in the back. I take a deep breath as I wonder how things just went from slightly complicated to overly complicated. And how am I going to fix it?
All I know is that I can’t wait for this weekend.
18
Cadence
Every morning before school for the past three days, Zach and I have been sneaking into whatever part of the school we can to see each other. The janitor’s closet, the familiar spot in the library, the weight room. This morning, we didn't get to school early enough so we bravely made it off to the theater room before lunch was over and I have to admit, that was the most electrifying yet terrifying moment of my life.
We were hidden behind the curtains of the stage, tangled up in each other while we kissed like we’ve never been kissed before—the way he kisses me really does give me butterflies like nothing else. And one moment, we’re laughing at how crazy it was thatwe were tucked away for the few minutes that passing period allowed us, and the next moment we were scrambling for our lives to get out of there.
The lights had powered on, and voices started to fill the auditorium in a loud echo. I can still feel the sheer panic that pummeled through me when I realized that a whole class was about to witness us.
Thankfully, Zach handles situations under pressure like a pro and got us out of there unnoticed. But boy, was I so scared we were going to get caught.
As I look at him now, standing at the front of his Jeep outside my house, I know he’s thinking the same thing as I am.
I can’t wait to be alone with you this weekend.
He grins at me and I have to avert my gaze so that I don’t get caught smiling back at him like a fool. Because I always do. The past three days have been some of the best and now, I can’t wait to see what this camping trip holds for us.
“Do you guys have everything you need?” My mom looks between Bray and I, standing in the foyer with our suitcases packed and our shoes on our feet. The boys have a bye week today so as soon as we got out of school about an hour ago, we came straight home and packed.
Ryen and Zach have everything they need already packed up in Zach’s jeep and all that’s left is for our mom to stop being so worried about making sure we have everything and then we can head out.
“Ma, I told you for the fifth time. We have everything we need.” Brayden throws his head back, feigning annoyance which causes my mom to roll her eyes.
“We’ll call you as soon as we get up there, Mom. But we need to go now or else we’ll be traveling in the dark,” I tell her as I grab my suitcase and lean in to give her a hug.
“Okay, okay. Please check in every morning and every night.” She points her glare at Brayden before he gives her a hug.
