Mom shrugs. “If her parents are okay with her dating, I don’t see why they wouldn’t let her date multiple guys. No one should settle down with the guy they date in high school anyway.”
Caden’s eyes narrow. Yeah, he doesn’t like that sentiment.
I walk over to Caden and take the towel he’s currently strangling from his hands. I rest my hand on his arm and his gaze drops to mine and softens. She doesn’t know what the guys mean to me or the fact that Caden is determined tokeepme.
“We have a lot of growing up to do,” I admit to my mom. “But you never know. Do you guys need to head home?”
The easiest way is to end the conversation.
Caden sighs and glances at Ava, who watches us with wide eyes. “Yeah, we should head home. Walk me out?”
I nod. Ava and Caden thank my mom again before we head outside.
Caden wraps his arm around me.
“It was nice meeting you, Ava.” I give her a genuine smile. She’s been sweet.
“I’m shocked and a little amazed to meet you.” Ava chuckles. “I figured Caden had a girl trapped in a relationship with him.”
Not far from the truth at the beginning of the year. I just smile.
“Do you mind waiting in the car, Ava?”
Ava grins. “Aw, do you guys need some alone time?”
“Yes.” Caden points to the car.
She laughs the whole way over before getting in. Caden draws me into his arms and hugs me.
“Is Luke coming back?” he asks.
“I don’t know.” I rest my cheek against his beating heart.
“Make sure the security system is armed.”
“I will.” I don’t know how I’ll sleep without him tonight.
He releases me and tips my chin up. “I’ll miss you.”
His mouth claims mine. His hand cradles my head. Everything in me wants to figure out a way this all works so that I can sleep with him tonight. Dammit, I want to sleep with all my guys every night.
He rests his forehead against mine. “Fuck. We’ll figure this out.”
I chuckle. “Guess we’ll have to act like normal teenagers for a while. Sneaking around.”
“Fuck that.” He kisses me once more and then backs away. “See you in thirty, little nympho.”
CHAPTER 19
The Game Strategy
Luke
My room is the way I left it. I didn’t replace my second cell phone and neither has my father. He may still have it, but he’s not getting anything new or interesting on it. Not after Jack wiped it.
I turn on my computer and wait for it to pop up. Jack updated it with a code that I enter to acknowledge it’s me in the room. The only camera that comes on is Harper’s. The others are blacked out.
She’s not in her room, but just taking in her room settles me. It’s ridiculous how quickly someone can feel like home when I never really understood the concept before.
