Page 20 of Saints & Sailors

My first was actually older than me. I was sixteen and he was nineteen. Kevin was actually a friend of Danny’s—or ex-friend now.

We’d met at Danny’s favorite bar he liked to sneak us into. Kevin and I hit it off instantly. He liked all the same older bands as I did, and he could match my smart mouth and sarcasm with ease.

We weren’t in love or whatever.

My generation was so fucked-up and confused. None of us knew what love was. Our parents didn’t even make it.

With Kevin, I just knew I liked him a lot. I would sneak out and spend the night at his place, and we’d stay up smoking on his balcony and listening to our favorite songs and dissecting the lyrics.

My mom and stepdaddy dearest never found out, which was good. They each would’ve had a conniption a piece if they had known.

My thing with Kevin did hurt, though. I won’t lie.

I’d never been a romantic. Never fantasized about having a boyfriend. But then I let Kevin in and was open to it. My first kiss was his. My first time, too. I tried to act like it was no big deal, but I really liked him.

One moment we were together and it was us against the world, and the next Kevin was with some new girl.

He never spoke to me or directly ended us. It was something that was just obvious by the way the guys and I’d walked into the bar one night and caught Kevin with someone else.

There was no text, no phone call, no apology. Not even goodbye.

I never cried. I never let it show.

But Danny—man, did I love Danny—he took it upon himself to kick Kevin’s ass over it.

It wasn’t love, but it was something like it.

Still, Kevin and I, we weren’t half as nauseating to be around as Cameron and Aidan.

He had his arms around her and she was leaning up on her toes as she draped her arms around his neck.

The googly eyes were enough for me to look elsewhere.

Dreux was down the sidewalk, shaking hands and slapping five with a few equally muscular boys—jocks.

Cameron was finishing up with Aidan, giving me a perfect opportunity for snooping.

Cameron was friendly, like super friendly. Some kid had to read a report in English in front of the entire class, and the whole time they read their hands were shaking. Most of the kids were laughing at the girl, except Cameron. She had her hands clasped together, a big smile on her face, encouraging the girl as she looked really into her report.

“You ready?” She was suddenly nudging me.

I folded my arms, trying to find a way to ease into my snooping. “What’s up with Dreux St. Julien?”

Cameron’s blue eyes flickered off into his direction where he was getting into some SUV. “Dreux? He’s nice, real sweet. Total green flag. He’s good friends with Aidan.”

So the guy was a real snooze fest.

“Interesting,” I let out. “He’s my neighbor.”

Cameron elbowed me, winking a little. “How convenient.”

The scowl that marred my face proved to be humorous as Cameron started laughing.

“Hey!”

Bonham was coming over. Head up high, confidence, and swagger. He was a walking bad decision that I could not wait to make.

Cameron recoiled as he got closer and this seemed to only amuse Bonham.