AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ember squeezed between us. “Dad! Oh my God, how can you humiliate me like this?”
Hero didn’t take his eyes off me. “Answer me, boy.”
“I kissed him.” Ember put her hands on Hero’s chest. “Thanks for ruining my first kiss.” She ran away.
“Fuck. That was her first kiss?” he asked me, as if I knew the answer.
“I guess.” I shrugged. As far as I knew, Ember had never had a boyfriend or even liked a guy. Or I was the guy and had been totally oblivious because I was in love with Birdie.
Hero’s jaw twitched. “I don’t appreciate you pawing my daughter. Don’t think I didn’t see your hands on her chest.”
I winced. “Sorry. Got caught up in the moment.”
“Mhm. What are your intentions with Ember?”
Intentions? Hell if I knew. “I’m leaving for basic tomorrow. I had no idea Ember was going to kiss me.”
He studied me. “Shocked the hell out of me too. I thought you were into Birdie.”
“Crap. Does everyone know I like her?”
Hero smirked. “Everyone but her.”
I groaned. “Way to make a dude feel worse.”
“My pleasure. You were kissing my baby girl.” He grabbed my shoulder. “Let me give you a bit of advice.”
“Have at it.” I knew better than to tell Hero no.
“You’re leaving in the morning. Enjoy your freedom, son. Get your head straight, and when you come back, go after who you want.”
I flicked my gaze toward the stage. Birdie was singing and Ray was right there with her.
“That’s good advice.” After this new development, I had no idea who I wanted.
“Yes. And if you want my daughter when you return, you better do right by her, or you’ll answer to me. Not even Dodge can save you from me. Understand, Little D?”
I swallowed. “Yeah. I understand.”
“Good.” He stalked off.
I licked my lips, tasting Ember’s fruity lip gloss. My fingers tingled, wanting to touch her again. But Ember Fuentes?
I should feel guilty for desiring Ember after pining over Birdie for years, but I didn’t. She only ever treated me as a friend. I would have given anything to have her look at me the way she did Ray.
Ember… Boy, she’d shocked me to the core. I had no idea she liked me. I honestly didn’t know how I felt about her.
Hero was right. I needed to go to basic, enjoy my freedom and get my head screwed on straight.
Birdie’s songbird voice stabbed my heart, while Ember’s kiss was branded on my lips.
Thank God I didn’t have to make a decision tonight.
1
Dante
Five more weeks was all I had left to complete my six-year army contract and return home—on my terms—but I would leave the base much sooner.
