It’s an electric feeling, shocking me to my core.
I move my lips against hers, our noses bumping with inexperience. I have no idea if I’m doing any of this right. The only actual experience I have is with a girl who kissed me at Homecoming last year. I’ve never been interested in any girl other than Kaitlyn, but I’ve never tried very hard.
We break apart a few moments later, and I rest myforehead against hers, trying to calm the racing thoughts in my head. “Was that okay?” I ask, nervous I might’ve fucked everything up.
She kissed you back. It wasn’t one-sided.
“Perfect,” Kaitlyn whispers, and I like that she’s tall enough to kiss the corner of my mouth, the sweetness taking me by surprise. She shivers, and I relish the feeling of holding her. I’m also terrified to move my hands in case I do the wrong thing.
“Are you cold?” I ask, opening my eyes to look at Kait just before she nods, dropping her head against my chest.
“Yeah, I’m sorry.”
I hope this isn’t the last time I get to hold her.
Letting go feels wrong, but I don’t want Kaitlyn to get sick from the chill in the air. I have so many questions to ask, but I don’t even know where to start.
My teeth chatter as I follow her out of the water. I cross my arms over my chest, trying not to stare while Kait gets dressed.
Kaitlyn shivers, wringing out her hair, and I wish I’d thought to grab towels before coming down here with her.
I shake the sand off my sweatshirt, doing the best I can before offering it to her. I’ve never been more grateful for the cover of darkness so she can’t see how red my face is. “Here. This will keep you warm.”
“I’ll be okay. I don’t want you to get cold,” Kait tries to protest, and I continue to hold it out.
“Please, take it.”
Her dark eyes glitter as she accepts it, tugging the sweatshirt over her head. A funny, warm feeling spreads through my chest seeing Kaitlyn wear my old soccer sweatshirt, and I wish I knew what was going through her mind right now. I think I’d give anything to know.
“Thank you,” she says, smiling at me. “It’s getting prettylate. I should go home and at least try to get some sleep before school.”
Right. There’s school tomorrow.I nod, dragging my hand through my short hair. “Thanks for calling.”
“Thanks for answering. I know you don’t want to talk about whatever is going on, but when you’re ready for eventually . . . I’m here to listen.”
We make our way to the front of the house where her car sits in the driveway, and I don’t want Kait to leave, even if I know she has to.
At the absolute last second, in a moment of panic that all of this will disappear by morning, I pull her back into my arms. Kaitlyn smells like the ocean, and her arms are quick to wind around me. I can feel her fingertips pressing into the fabric of my shirt, forever leaving an imprint on me. “You’re my favorite person,” I whisper, slow to let her go.
“Goodnight, Bailey,” she says, leaning up to kiss my cheek.
For the first time since meeting Carter and discovering the truth about my family, I feel a spark of hope.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Bailey
NOW
The longer I stay,the harder time I’m having with the idea of leaving again.
I see how easily Javi fits in with my family. My parents approached the topic of kindergarten with him a few days ago, and he had a lot of questions, but he seemed excited.
With his health, I know Javi has no business going back to the streets. He deserves to go to school and enjoy being a kid, which is something he’s rarely had the opportunity to do.
If I leave, I’ll have to break my promise that we’ll stay together. He’ll want to go with me, but he shouldn’t. He deserves a real family that won’t hurt him.
Hell, I’m not even sure if I’m leaving. It’s nice not having to sleep with one eye open, or worry about where my next meal is coming from.
