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I point at him. “But I didn’t make that mess on your pants. That was you.”

Those gems he calls eyes sparkle. “It was because of you.”

We both smile before getting up.

When he opens the door for me, I see his elbows are mangled, like he fell from a tree and scraped his arms on the trunk the entire way down.

“What happened to your elbows?”

He rolls his shoulders.

“It’s a long story.”

I study the rest of him. For once, his face doesn’t have any new wounds, and as usual, his knuckles are blemish-free.

“Another fight?”

His chuckle’s so low I almost miss it. “Not exactly.”

As I’m opening my mouth to ask more questions, he says, “Come on, I already filled up your water bottle for you.”

“You did? When?” It’s a hundred-and-twenty-eight ounces and takes forever to fill up.

“When I got home from work.”

I don’t know why but that makes me want to cry. Even though I would never say it to him, he’s being very boyfriendly. He always is, honestly, but last night and then right now, even more so.

At the top of our staircase, I stop him to wrap my arms around his middle. Gazing up into those deep blue eyes, I tell him, “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I wanted to.”

After a kiss that wakes me up more than this morning’s shower did, he leads me down the stairs, his hair sticking out every which way. Other than read the books I’ve been recommending him, I’m not sure what he does all day while I’m at camp, but I bet a nap is on today’s agenda. He looks like he could use one.

I feel like I could use five.

Cheer is now in session. Sleep will be hard to come by for the next seven months.

I wouldn’t have it any other way though. I love it and I know once college is over, I’ll miss it. These are the good days. The best days. I want to cherish them while they’re here.

This year will be different without my cheer bestie, Ever Munreaux. I have no idea why but she changed schools without a word. Far away, too. She even took that bodyguard of hers. Although, based on the pictures she’s been posting of the two of them, I don’t think he’s her bodyguard anymore.

“Sorry I’m so busy right now.”

“That’s one of those things you don’t need to apologize for.”

“Yeah, but—”

“But nothing. You’re doing what you love. I’ll adjust my schedule to fit yours. Simple as that.”

“Okay…” I grin. “Well, if you can adjust your schedule in two weeks, you can see me perform.”

“Is that the first football game?”

“Yeah. It’s on September first.”

“I’ll be there.”

“Front row?” I tease.