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“You seem different.”
“Well, it’s senior year, Mom. Time to spread my wings, right?”
“It looks good on you.” Pride radiated in her expression. “But I can’t help but feel like there’s something you’re not telling me.”
My spine went rigid.
She knew.
How the hell did she know?
“I still didn’t fill in my college applications,” I admitted, trying to shift her attention.
“No, that’s not it.” She tapped her cheek. “You know you can always come to me, Lily Star. With anything.”
“I know, Mom.” I placed my mug down and went to her, wrapping my arms around her waist. “I’m okay, I promise.”
I hated lying to her, to my dad. But it was a means to an end. The only way to stop Dad losing his shit and causing problems for Kaiden. I had no doubt they would try to talk me out of being with him when they found out.
He was a football player with plans to go off to college and chase his dreams of going pro. So while part of me felt that out of everyone, Mom should have understood my predicament, the other part knew the fact that she’d been there. Her falling in love with a Raider meant that she knew firsthand the emotional rollercoaster it could be.
Falling in love…
Was I really falling in love with Kaiden?
It wasn’t like I had anything to base my feelings on.
All I knew was, I had constant butterflies whenever he was around. I watched my cell phone like a hawk, wishing he would text. I felt completely at ease in his company. And now I had a giant pit in my stomach, wondering if we were over before we even got started.
I’d let Kaiden touch and kiss me intimately.
I’d let him in.
Maybe it was lust or first crush feelings, but it felt like something more.
It felt right.
“Well, if it isn’t two of my favorite girls.” Dad came into the kitchen, sporting a Raiders hoodie and his trusty ball cap.
“Jase, it’s ten in the morning. Why do you look ready to go to work?” Mom frowned.
“You mean it isn’t Monday?” He hooked an arm around her waist and pulled her into his side, covering her face in big wet kisses.
I watched them fondly despite the ache in my chest. What they had was rare. It was the same for my Uncle Cam and Aunt Hailee, and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.
We’d all heard the stories about how they met in senior year and survived four years of college, tragedy, my dad’s career in the NFL, and time and distance. Nothing had torn them apart, and they were stronger than ever.
My mom supported Dad one hundred and ten percent and he never ever clipped her wings or dreams.
I used to look at them and think I would never be blessed with that kind of love. I came with too much emotional baggage, too many insecurities and self-doubts. But Kaiden saw past all that. Not only did he see past it… he wanted mein spiteof it.
A guy who could have any girl he wanted.
Was Poppy right? Did he have his own self-doubts about us? About being good enough for me?
“What’s on the agenda today, Lil?” Dad asked, keeping one arm possessively around Mom.
“I’m not sure yet. We might hang out at the Bennet’s again, or head to Riverside.”
