I’m just stepping out of the girls’ locker room when Nate wraps his arms around my thighs and lifts me.

My backpack fall to the floor as I laugh, and lean forward to connect my lips with his.

He smiles against my mouth and gives me a hard peck, before pulling back to look at me. “Hi.”

“Hi.” My tone is laced with amusement. Here he is, lifting me off the ground just to kiss me and say ‘hi’, when we both just got out of gym - a class we have together.

“I’m gonna need you to wear some tight-ass jeans, your sexy black boots, and matching jacket tomorrow night. I’ll let you pick the shirt.” He winks.

My brows lift teasingly. “Oh, really?” I run my fingers through his dark hair.

Dropping me to my feet, he nods, seeming mighty pleased with himself. “Really. I’m picking you up at seven.” He bends and grabs my bag off the ground, swinging it over his shoulder.

“And where, might I ask, are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.” He laces his hand with mine, bringing it to his lips for a quick kiss as we make our way toward his truck.

“Alright. As long as it ends the same way every other night has, then I’m game.”

He pushes me against the rock wall of the building quickly, his dark eyes searing through me, waking up every nerve-ending in my body.

“It’ll be better.”

It’s a promise, one I’m okay accepting.

“Okay.”

His eyes shift back and forth between mine, then his sexy smirk graces his perfect lips and he pulls me off the wall.

“Mia’s waiting for you out front. I have a few things to finish up before tomorrow, so I can’t come over tonight.”

Apparently, I’m pouting because he laughs and pinches my bottom lip between his fingers. “Stop it.” He smiles down at me. “If I can make it by, I will.”

I smash my lips to the side to keep from smiling. “Sorry. I just kinda like having you around.”

His smile grows. “I know.”

I search his eyes. He’s not being cocky or conceited. His smile’s genuine and just for me. He drops a quick kiss to my lips. “See you tomorrow. Seven on the dot.” He steps back, only letting go of my hand when the distance forces him to.

I nod, watching as he jogs backward toward his truck.

“Looks like it’s just me and you tonight, kid,” Mia teases as I hop into her Jeep.

I can’t wipe the smile off my lips if I tried. “Looks like it.”

Two at a time, I all but run down the stairs, laughing when I almost fall on my ass at the bottom.

“Whoa, son.” Smirking, my dad saunters toward me, smoothing his hands down his dress shirt. “Where’s the fire?”

I look from him to me, realizing we’re practically wearing the same thing: dark jeans, a long-sleeved button up with the arms rolled up to our elbows, only mine’s a dark navy-blue and his is black, and black boots.

“Just excited to pick up Kalani, I guess.” I shrug and pick up my wallet from the entrance table, sliding it into my back pocket.

Dad nods, giving me an equivocal look. “You tell her where we’re headed?”

My smile grows and I shake my head.

A deep sigh leaves him, and he chuckles. “Oh, lord. She has no idea we’ll be around tonight, does she?” He raises a thick brow at me.

“Nope.” I smile.

He shakes his head in amusement. “I hope you know what you’re doing, son.”

“Honestly?” I laugh, dropping down to tie my boot. “I haven’t a clue. All I know is I want keep her by me.” I stand again to meet his gaze.

“Yeah?” he asks, his face neutral.

“Yeah.”

After a few moments, he asks, “For how long?”

“As long as she’ll allow.”

Eyes pinched around the edges, he nods and scratches at his chin. “You using protection?”

I think about lying, but I don’t keep secrets from my parents; that’s why I have the freedom I do. “Ninety-five percent of the time, yeah.”

Both brows raise this time.

I clear my throat, my hands finding my hips. “Sometimes we don’t really, uh…plan it?”

Dad tries, but fails, to keep his laugh in. Clasping one of my shoulders, he gives me a small shake. “I guess that’s to be expected. Just be careful.” He stabs a finger into my chest. “Your mama said no grandbabies till after college.”

I shrug him off, smoothing out my shirt. “Yeah, yeah. I know. I’m in no hurry.”

Not that it would be a bad thing if she did accidentally get pregnant. I bet she’d be as gorgeous as ever.

“Oh, hell.”

My gaze flies to my dad’s, finding him running both hands down his face, his fingers pausing over his lips, “You just seen it, didn’t you?”

Shrugging, I look to my left.

“Seen what?” We both jolt when we hear my mother’s soft voice.

“Nothing,” leaves both our mouths at the same time, making my mother laugh.

“Uh-huh.” She makes her way down the stairs.

My father turns toward her, and when her eyes shift to him, I see her chest fall with a deep sigh, and a light pink brightens up her fair skin.

I slip onto the porch to give them a few moments of privacy.

On the way to Kalani’s, I figure it’s as good a time as any to fill my parents in on a decision I made.

“So.” I clear my throat and lean forward, placing my elbows on the back of both their seats. “I wanted to let you guys know I made a decision about college.”

I watch dad’s hand tighten nervously around the steering wheel, but I gotta give the gold to my mother for her attempt at a very nonchalant, “Oh?”

“Yeah.” I nod. “I’m going to take Coach Jeffery’s offer to play for UCLA.”

Dad nods at the road, and mom pulls her pink cardigan closer to her chest. “California?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s great, honey. We’re very proud of you.” My mother smiles at me over her shoulder, her left hand coming to clamp over my mine. She gives it a small squeeze.

“You make this decision for yourself, son?”

When I look at my dad, I see the lines at the corners of his eyes are a bit deeper than normal. Patting him on the shoulder, I put his mind at ease.

“Aside from my counselor, you two are the only ones who know, if that helps. I haven’t discussed this with, uh, anyone. I looked into the housing, the team’s rep, and history. Everything down to the weather and local surrounding area. Shops, fun, all of it. I already talked to Mase and Ari, and they’re both headed to Avix, so they’ll be around, too.” I nod, even though they can’t see me. “I want this.”

No need to tell them Kalani played a huge part in my decision and is the entire reason I looked west in the first place. I don’t know exactly where she’s headed, but I have a feeling it’s back that way. I’ve paid attention to signs she gives or lets slip. I know the beach she and her parents frequented the most was in Capitola, which is near more Northern California, and her favorite French toast - other than her dad’s - was at a place called 101 Cafe. I looked it up. It’s a hole-in-the-wall diner, in a beachy town called Oceanside, in Southern California.

UCLA is the safest bet. And if, for some reason in the end - God forbid - she doesn’t want me, want us, I’ll still be happy living there. Not that I plan on letting her slip by in the first place, but still.

“Well, then I’m happy you found a place you’re excited about, son.”

We pull up at Kalani’s and I’m about jump out the still rolling truck, when my mom grabs my hand, halting my movement. “We really are proud of you, Nathaniel.” My mother’s voice is soft and low. “You’ve grown so much in the last few months, and…” Her eyes glaze over and my dad places his hand on her knee. “We’re just really proud.”

I smile and lean forward, kissing her cheek. “I know, Ma. And I feel better. More… me, I guess.” I laugh lightly, shaking off the seriousness of this conversation.

I step out.

As I walk toward Kalani’s door, my palms start to sweat and my breathing gets a bit heavier.

I glance back at my parents.

My mom sits in her seat with her head resting against the back, smiling knowingly at me. Her eyes shining and soft, she tilts her chin toward the door.

I knock.

When the handle starts to turn, I inhale deeply.

Every single ounce of air escapes me, leaving my lungs starving and desperate when Kalani pulls the door open and leans her tiny little body against it, looking up at me through dark lashes, her eyes bright and clear.

She’s so beautiful.

Subconsciously, my feet find their way directly in front of her.

Her head tilts back, allowing her to look up at me, and her arm drops from the door.

My right hand lifts to her face and I run my knuckles across her soft, flawless skin. I can’t tell if she’s wearing more makeup on her cheeks than normal, but they look a little pinker, her eyes a little bluer.

My hand continues upward.

Already anticipating it, I look to her lips, watching the slight twitch that always graces the left side of her mouth when my fingers skim above her ear and curve around, securing her hair behind it.

My left hand comes up to cup her cheek, my thumb stroking her skin softly, watching as she closes her eyes on a tranquil, slow blink, her eyes opening even brighter. More vibrant.

Her right hand covers mine, while her left sprawls across the center of my chest, giving her a base to support herself on as she lifts onto her toes to kiss me.

As if I would let her fall.

Her deep sigh fans across my mouth when her bright red lips press against mine.

I step further into her, threading my hands deeper into her hair, kissing her back a little harder.

A loud horn sounds instantly and we’re jolted back to reality.

Kalani’s eyes turn wary as she lowers herself slowly.

“Handsome?”

I grin. “Hi, baby.”

Her eyes narrow slightly, but she’s not upset. “Is that your dad’s truck behind you?”

She tries to hide her small frame behind mine, but I move out of the way, giving her a complete view of both my parents leaning toward the window, arms waving at her.

Now I know it’s a blush that creeps up her chest, neck, and cheeks.

She lifts a hand to wave. “You are so dead,” she says through a big, fake smile.

Laughing, I grab her hand, and place a quick kiss to her knuckles. “Sorry, but I knew you’d try and back out if I told you and, I promise you, tonight will be a good time.”

She eyes me for a minute, then smiles at the ground, letting me lead her to the truck. “I know it will be.”

This time, she squeezes my hand.

Funny thing is, I don’t even think she realized it.