AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, I’d tell you. But I’m okay. Really. Better than okay. You were amazing yesterday.”
I actually felt a little dizzy as the thousand-pound weight was lifted off my shoulders. Thank God.
“Amazing, huh?” I teased.
“Don’t go getting a big head. You won’t fit back into the van,” she chuckled awkwardly as the pink in her cheeks darkened.
I couldn’t help stealing another kiss. She was just too damn cute when she was embarrassed.
“Ian, you do want to make it to Emporia sometime before game time, right?” Maya called from the van.
“Come on. I made Dad promise to stop for coffee on the way down there,” I told Kyler, kissing her nose. “And I’ve got something better for you to wear than that lame hoodie from Walmart.”
“Seriously? I had less than a week to get this. It was the best I could do on such short notice,” she giggled.
“I know. That’s why I decided to upgrade your wardrobe. Come on, let’s go before Maya drags us into the van kicking and screaming,” I chuckled.
Izzie opened the sliding door for us.
“You two are in the back with all of Ian’s gear.Pleasetry not to make out for the entire time,” she teased.
“I woke up at the ass crack of dawn, Iz. I’m not sure I have the energy for that anyway,” I shot back as we climbed into the third row.
“That tender, loving moment I just saw on the front porch says otherwise,” my dad chuckled.
“Are they always like this?” Kyler groaned while fastening her seatbelt.
“Pretty much. At least when Izzie’s home. Sorry, baby,” I sighed, kissing her head. “But at least we’re buying you coffee and breakfast to make up for it.”
“Have you been to Groundhouse in Gardner, Kyler?” my dad asked.
She grinned. “I love Groundhouse. I barely ever go because it’s a long way to go just for a coffee, though.”
“We love it too. We’re going to run by the drive-thru one right off the highway. What’s your drink and pastry?” Maya asked as we took the ramp onto the highway.
“A Caramelicious, with an extra shot of espresso if it’s okay. And I already had breakfast, so I don’t need a pastry.”
“Who doesn’t have room for a pastry?” I asked. “Room’s not a prerequisite for empty calories.”
“Fine. I’ll get whatever you’re having, so that way you can eat half of mine too,” she chuckled. “Happy?”
“If it means I get another half of a frosted sugar cookie out of the deal, absolutely.”
“When you keel over on the field from sugar overload, I’m going to laugh at you,” she teased.
“Are you?” I chuckled, tickling her ribs.
“Ian!” she squealed, giggling.
Even that exchange proved how far Kyler and I had come in such a short time. There was a time not so long ago when she would have freaked out if I’d touched her like that. I did it again just so I could hear her laugh again, and she turned to glare at me.
“Don’t laugh if you don’t want to get tickled,” I said with a playful smirk. “I like hearing you laugh too much.”
“I think we may have finally found a couple more nauseating than us, baby,” Hillary laughed, kissing Izzie’s cheek, then turning around to look at us. “Seriously, though, you two are adorable together. How’d you meet?”
“Ky does tutoring with our school’s branch of National Honor Society. I needed a little extra help in Spanish and Pre-Cal, so she agreed to help me out.” I left out the part about how I’d practically gotten down on my hands and knees to beg her.
“How’s the Spanish coming along now?” Izzie asked.
