“Yeah, that would be cool. So, am I going to be able to see you at all this summer?” I ask, stomach in knots as I anticipate his answer.
“I fucking hope so. I only just got you. I don’t want to gomonths without seeing you,” he assures me. “I have been wanting to figure out a plan for us though. Are you still going home?”
“Yeah, as of now anyway. The money is good at the restaurant I work with and it helps me save a bunch for the coming year,” I tell him honestly.
“Do you want me to come to your hometown with you?” Will asks, turning to look at me as he parks in front of my house, and my heart stutters. He’s never even met my family or been to where I grew up, but he wants to come, what? Live there with me? As much as I appreciate the offer, I don’t think it’s what I want. Because I don’t even want to be there.
“I live with my mom, and I usually take every open shift. I feel like you’d be so bored, and Maryland sounds way more fun.”
“Then come to Maryland with me.”
“What?”
“I want to spend the summer with you. You can get a job anywhere, Kitten. You’re such a hard worker. You said it’s a fancy restaurant so you get good tips? There’s plenty of those in my town. So, we could go to your mom’s, my parents’, or we could stay here. It’s up to you, but I want to be with you all summer. Or as much of it as I can be.”
I consider the offer for a moment. And I really appreciate how flexible he’s being by letting me choose. But going to either of our parents’ sounds like it’d be a lot, and selfishly, I want to spend time with him alone. Want to be naked, want to wear lace for him, want him to pin me down and fuck me and be as loud as we want. So it’s a pretty easy decision if he’s giving me the option.
“Let’s stay here,” I decide, and the second the words are out of my mouth, I feel relief. He reaches out to lace his fingers with mine, giving my hand a tight squeeze. “I already gave my notice to the coffee shop for the season, but maybe I can take it backand work extra shifts, or maybe that place we ate with your family is hiring. But I don’t have anywhere to live…”
“Live with me,” Will suggests eagerly. “My landlord rents our house to us through the summer. It’s super cheap too—he discounts the rate for college students. Probably so he still gets some money since it entices people to stay, and it’s already paid for. That is, if you’d be okay with Nathan and Cam popping in and out?”
Cam is great, and I wouldn’t mind at all. Nathan is a bit distant with me, and even with Will it seems, but he’s never said anything negative to us. I’ve asked Will about it, and he’s assured me Nathan doesn’t hate us. Still, I wouldn’t want it to be weird.
“Would your roommates have a problem with it? What about Nathan?”
“Nah, I straight up asked if he’s got a problem with us and he said no. The whole time he just kept telling me things like ‘people talk’ and ‘I’m looking out for you.’ I don’t know what that means exactly, but it’s his shit to deal with. He hasn’t opened up further about it yet. I think he needs some time.”
“Well, okay, if you think it won’t be a problem, I’m down,” I agree even though I am a little nervous. But I know it’ll be fine, and it sounds like I’ll get to spend the summer mostly just with Will.
“This is going to be the best summer ever.” Will smirks and leans over the center console to kiss me. It’s full of passion and desire, and a future that neither one of us expected when we met.
I can’t wait.
EPILOGUE ONE
Will
Three months later
“Ican’t believe this is how my senior year is going to go,” Porter says, eyeingourroommates, Decker and Cam competitively playing video games in the living room.
“You better not be having second thoughts because Josie already rented your room to Carrie,” I tease.
“They’re totally sharing a room. We inspired them, babe. But no second thoughts happening here, just not at all what I imagined my life would be like,” he assures me.
I smile up at him, pulling him in for a quick kiss.
Somehow, I was able to convince Porter to move in with me. He was a bit nervous about living with the guys, but they all get along well. We moved into a bigger, nicer house so Decker could live with us too, and the largest bedroom is on its own level, so it was perfect for Porter and me.
We spent the whole summer together, and it was hands down the best summer of my life. Porter worked at the coffee shop andgot another job as a waiter at the restaurant we went to with my parents. I assured him that he didn’t need two jobs, especially since his rent was much cheaper now that we’re sharing a room, but he said he didn’t like starting the school year without more savings. Not like he needs it though, I’m going to pay for everything I can, just like I did all summer. His protests have slowly dwindled, which has been amazing. All I want is for my man to enjoy his senior year.
“Come on, we can leave them to battle it out. I have something fun planned for us tonight.” I tug his hand and lead him outside.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” I tease.
We climb into the car and head to a drive-through of one of our favorite local spots, then I continue driving. I try to plan dates for us whenever I can. He took half the week off from work for our move and to get settled in before classes start, so I thought tonight would be the perfect night to do this.
