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prologue
. . .
Zoey
Jay: I’m here
Excitement courses through me as I grab my jacket and tiptoe toward the window. Seeing his truck idling a few houses down makes my hands shake with adrenaline. It’s a reaction that happens to me often when it comes to Jayson Lincoln. That heart racing, can barely form a full sentence, would jump through fire just to be near him kind of rush. Everyone says its young love and yeah, maybe it is, but in my opinion, young love feels incredible.
Careful to be as quiet as possible, I lift the window slowly and glance back over my shoulder, holding my breath and listening for any movement outside my bedroom door. My parents are heavy sleepers and for that I am grateful.
I’ve stacked pillows up beneath the covers on my bed to create the appearance I am sleeping peacefully, and my sound machine still plays quietly on my nightstand. The distant sounds of waveswashing along the shoreline mixed with the sounds of seagulls always lull me to sleep most nights.
When I am sure I am in the clear I take a deep breath and climb out, positioning my feet securely on the rough brick below.
Our split-level home makes it possible for me to sneak out without disrupting my parents. Their room is located on the opposite side of the house and a half level up, leaving me at almost ground level. Carefully, I slide down and plant my feet on the ground, feeling relieved I made it. Smoothing over my hair, doing my best to correct my disheveled look, I send a message and can’t wipe the smile from my face. The chance of getting caught sneaking out is worth it if it means I get a little time alone with Jayson.
I’ve never been the kind of girl who was boy crazy, but one smile from him and I’m all mush and desire inside.
We were friends before we were more, but from the moment he first said hello, I’d always wanted to be more.
Me: On way!
Tucking my phone in my pocket I hurry toward the trees that line the North side of our house and head in the direction of Jay’s truck.
After clearing the trees, I step onto the sidewalk and feel a pang of disappointment Eric, Jayson’s best friend is with him. He is holding the passenger door open, waiting for me to jump in with a smile on his face. I think he picked up on my disappointment I wouldn’t be alone with Jay and I feel bad. I like Eric, but I was hoping for time alone with Jay.
“Come on, little bit,” he whisper yells. “Your neighbor already peeked out through the blinds. The way I see it, we’ve got minutes before they call the cops. That or he comes out yelling and wakes up your parents.”
My heart rate spikes and I quickly jump inside the truck and slide across the seat, my side colliding with Jayson’s a little harder than I intend. He chuckles and I glance over to find him smiling at me.
“You ready?”
I nod, immediately lost in his dark eyes. The passenger door shuts, Jayson shifts into drive, and we are moving. The second his hand rests upon my thigh, I take a slow deep breath and focus on the road ahead.
I know what they say about being young and thinking you are in love, but I swear Jayson Lincoln has owned my heart since I was six and he made Jimmy Williams apologize to me for ripping my sweater. The boy who was two years older and didn’t owe me a thing, offered me a smile and from that day forward I was in awe of him. He was always sweet, even if he and I ran in different crowds.
Ten years later, I’m up in his truck on my way to the place all the older kids go and I don’t feel nervous. We’ve been here before.
The gravel path we take makes the ride rough as we bounce around the cab of Jayson’s truck, and he holds my leg a little tighter. As I’m leaning in close, the scent of his cologne fills my nose and I try not to make it too obvious I’m breathing him in. I swear to it, I’m gonna buy a bottle of whatever he’s wearing just so I can smell it when he’s not around.
A line of trucks and cars are parked close together with their headlights all pointing to one central location. Several people are gathered in the middle, dancing around and laughing, enjoying their slice of freedom.
Jayson parks and leaves his lights on too, while Eric wastes no time jumping out.
“Hey,” Jayson says. Redirecting my attention, I find him watching me. “You sure you’re okay with this?”
“Yeah,” I reply. Granted, I’ve never snuck out before, but I’d do it all over again just to be with him.
My daddy may not like the idea of me dating an older boy, but Jayson isn’t any boy. He’s my boy. He’s always watching out for me; protective yet adorable about it. I don’t know every single detail of his home life, but I do know he spends a lot of time with his grandparents. Jay had been raised right, with respect and kindness, and it shows in every action he makes. He has a way of making me feel like I’m the only girl he sees.
I notice the way his gaze drops to my lips, and on instinct I lick my lower one. Jayson’s chest rises as he takes a deep breath and I slide a little closer.
“So,” I offer in a low sultry voice that I don’t even recognize myself. “What now?”
“We could join everyone else.” He shrugs though he doesn’t make a move. If I’m not mistaken, he shifts his upper body closer to mine, while glancing between my lips and my eyes, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
I shake my head to answer his suggestion.
