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“I’m going to miss you.”He pouted as we reluctantly got dressed.
“I know, but I’ll only be gone for three days.” Me, Lily, Ashleigh, and the guys were heading to the Pocono Mountains for spring break. Just the six of us, a pre-graduation celebration.
“I’m not sure I like the idea of you all alone in some ski resort with Hughes.” His brow arched.
I went to him, sliding my arms around his waist. “You have nothing to worry about. Bryan is my friend, nothing more. Besides, we won’t be alone. Ashleigh and Gav are going and they’re not a couple. Really, when you think about it, Lily and Kaiden will be the odd ones out.”
“I could always come—”
“We talked about this: a) you hate skiing, b) it’s weird, you’re their coach, and c) you’ll want to steal all my time and it would defeat the purpose of me going away with my friends.” I gave Xander a pointed look before stealing a kiss. “It’s only three days and you promised Cameron you’d go hiking with him.”
“Yeah, I know.” He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer. “I’ll miss you.”
“You know what they say—”
“Don’t let your girlfriend go on spring break with another guy.”
I swatted his chest. “Xander Ellis Chase!”
“Fine, fine! I hope you and your friends have a good time.”
“We will. Help me with my bags?” Xander had stayed over at my place last night. I’d moved in a couple of weeks ago. Jason and Felicity had begged me to stay, but after everything, I didn’t want to make things any more awkward than they already were.
Everyone who mattered had accepted our relationship to a degree, but it was going to take some time for the dust to settle. Xander had decided to stay in Halston, and I wanted to stay in Rixon given I had my job at the diner. So for now, I had my place and he had his. But it worked. We got a lot more stares in Rixon, but I knew over time, people would move onto the next scandal.
I was happy.
We were happy.
And that’s all that mattered.
Xander
“Coach,” Bryan approached me warily. “How’s it—”
“Listen up, Hughes, and listen good,” I said with a smirk. “We need to lay down some ground rules for this trip.” My eyes flicked over to where Peyton, Ashleigh, and Lily were huddled together, watching Kaiden and Gav load the trunk with their bags.
“Ground rules?” Bryan balked.
“Yes. You and Peyton—”
“Whoa, Coach. You know it isn’t like that. I would never—”
“Relax, kid.” I smirked. “I’m just busting your balls. Watch out for her though, yeah? She’s important to me.” Peyton looked over and our eyes collided.
Fuck. I would never tire of the way she looked at me. Happiness radiated in her smile, and love blazed in her baby blues.
“I know, Coach. She’s important to me too.”
My head whipped up to Bryan and his eyes went wide. “Shit, I didn’t mean—friends… she’s important to me as a friend.”
Laughter rumbled in my chest. Truth was that Bryan was a good kid. He’d kept our secret, been a good friend to Peyton, and he continued to be a friend to us both.
I was still getting used to navigating my relationship with Peyton and the fact that her friends were all still in high school, but we made it work. It wasn’t much better with our families. Despite Jase and my brother giving their blessing, things were still awkward as fuck. I got it though, and so long as they didn’t try to come between us again, I could live with it.
“What are you two over here talking about?” Peyton appeared, burrowing into my side. Her hand ran up my stomach, making my dick twitch. Just thinking about all the dirty things I’d done to her earlier made me hot.
“None of your business, Blondie.”
