“Dane!” Mason yells from the kitchen.

I was walking toward the stairs, but I turn on my heels and lean against the island, watching as he moves about the kitchen.

“Dinner’s done,” he says, handing me a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast.

I take the plate and roll my eyes. “Eggs again?”

He throws his hands up in the air. “What do you want from me, Dane? I don’t know how to cook anything else!”

I laugh. “Alright, it’s fine. Let’s eat.”

We both take our plates to the living room. I plop down on the couch and grab the remote. I flip through a dozen static-filled channels before finally stopping on an old football game.

“We seriously need to get cable,” Mason complains.

“Yeah well, that’ll never happen.”

He looks at me with his fork raised, mid-bite. “Why not?”

“Because Dad is a cheapskate, and he knows if he gets cable, we’ll end up parked in front of the TV instead of doing his work.” I scoop my eggs and bacon up on my toast and eat it like a sandwich.

He shakes his head and groans, “Dad’s not that bad, Dane.”

“What do you call making us re-build this house and work at the shop?”

He shrugs. “Helping out. He’s only one person. He can’t do it all on his own.”

“Yeah, I guess. It’d be nice to get to be a kid once in a while though. When’s the last time you hung out with your friends after school?”

“I don’t ever remember doing that. I’ve always had soccer or work.”

“My point exactly. You’re fourteen, you should be out causing trouble, not working on boats.”

“I’m fine with my life, Dane. My plan is to work hard and get out of this town. I want to play soccer for Notre Dame.”

I laugh. “Good luck with that. Dad will probably guilt you into running his shop.” I roll my eyes.

He shrugs. “Why will he need me? We all know you ain’t going anywhere.” He laughs.

I punch him on the arm. “Fuck that. He doesn’t own me. I’ll pack up my guitar and play on street corners before I take over business for him.”

Mason gets quiet and focuses on the TV. I can’t keep my mind from wondering though. Is he right? Will I be stuck in this small town forever? Will I get stuck running Dad’s business, never getting out or making a life for myself?

Suddenly, my appetite is gone. I shove off the couch and toss my food in the trash before setting the plate in the sink. It’s starting to get dark, and I know my dad will be home soon, but I need to get out of the house and his strict rules. Grabbing my keys, I tell Mason I’ll be back.

An hour later, I’m in town and the sun has set. When I drive by the shop, my dad’s truck is still there. I’m sure he’s watching the construction crew build the new bar and grill. Pressing the gas, I pass it by and stop at the arcade. Inside I find Sean.

“What’s going on?”

“Whoa, how’d you escape?”

I shrug and rest against the wall. “He doesn’t know I’m gone.” Chuckling, I look over the place to see who’s here.

Several people I know from school are here, but none that I want to talk to, and not the one person I was actually hoping to see.

“So, how’d your lunch date go?” He doesn’t hide the bitterness dripping from his voice.

I stand up straight. “I’m sorry, man. I know you called dibs and everything. But I couldn’t help myself.”

He puffs out his chest. “You broke the bro code.”

I push my hair away from my eyes. “I know. And I get why you’re mad, but you have to understand my side of things.”

“And what side is that? Your dick thinks for you?”

I shrug. “Whatever. If you want to be pissed that’s fine, but I’m not dropping her.”

“You’re not dropping her? So, there’s something to drop?”

Taking a deep breath, I look around the arcade again. “Yeah, I guess there is. I like her, and she likes me,” I say with a shrug. “I’m not letting you come between that. She’s the first girl I’ve actually been interested in.”

He studies me for a long minute before he smiles. “Alright, man. No use letting some girl come between us.” He gives me a five that turns into a handshake.

“But just so you know, if you guys break up, she’s mine. I won’t hold back because it’s over between you two.”

I laugh. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

Sean and I spend an hour playing pool. We talk about school, the newest drama, and girls. After our game finishes up, I check the time and realize it’s going on ten P.M. I know my dad will kill me if he catches me out this late.

“I have to go,” I tell him as I set my pool stick down and head for the door.

As I’m walking to my car, someone shouts my name. I turn to see Alissa walking up the dark parking lot.

I stop and lean against my beat-up car. “Hey, what are you doing out this late?”

She crosses her arms over her chest, pulling her long sleeve flannel tighter around her, and shrugs. “I had to wait for the parentals to pass out before I could leave. You hang out here much?”

I nod. “Sometimes. When I can get away. My dad keeps me pretty busy.”

She takes a few steps closer and looks into my eyes. “Maybe one night this weekend we can get together. I haven’t really made any friends yet.”

I offer up my signature grin. “Yeah, sounds good.”

She nods. “Okay.” She turns to walk away, but I latch onto her arm, stopping her in her tracks. Spinning around, she faces me with a dozen questions clearly written across her face. “What is it?”

“There’s something I didn’t get to do earlier today.” I take a step closer.

“What’s that?”

I close the distance and press my lips to hers. Her hands fist weakly in my shirt while her lips move with mine. She tastes better than I could’ve imagined. Her lips are soft and sweet. And her skin is hot, almost burning my hands cradling each side of her face, anchoring her to me.

It feels like the air has been sucked from my lungs, and my heart pounds in my chest. What the hell is going on? I’m not a virgin I’ve been with a bunch of girls already. But none of them gave me this high I’m on right now. This girl, she’s different. I can feel it in the pit of my stomach. Feel it consume me entirely, like a fire someone has thrown gasoline on.

When I pull away, her cheeks are flushed. My hands drop to her shoulders. She bites her bottom lip, and her wide eyes watch my every move. “Wow.”

I let out a small laugh. “I know.” I place my hands back on her cheeks and pull her in one more time. A kiss that good has to be felt more than once.

* * *

It’s way past dark by the time I get home. Dad’s truck is in the driveway, and the house is dark. I park my car and walk up to the front door.

It’s locked.

I kick it with the toe of my shoe. “Fuck.”

I walk around to the back of the house and stand on the riding lawn mower. With a jump, I’m able to grab ahold of the balcony. Using my upper body strength, I pull myself up and walk to the window I keep unlocked for this exact reason, but it’s locked too.

I want to fucking punch something, but I don’t want to wake my dad up. I know he’ll have an ass chewing to hand out in the morning — may as well hold it off as long as possible. Balling up my fist, I knock on Mason’s window and after a few minutes, he opens it and allows me to crawl inside.

“What the hell, Dane? You know I have direct orders not to let you in the house tonight.”

I wave him off. “You didn’t, okay?”

“Then how’d you get in?”

“I’ll tell him I left a window unlocked somewhere.”

“He checked them all before he went to bed.”

I run my hands through my hair and pull. “Fuck, why’s he such as asshole?”

He gets back into bed. “I don’t know, but you better get a whole lot better at being sneaky.” He rolls to his side, leaving me to look at his back.

Quietly, I make my way to my bedroom and crash on the bed. I don’t bother taking off my clothes or shoes. I’m asleep before I can even think of those haunting blue eyes that were locked on mine after that incredible kiss.

* * *

“Wake up!” Dad shouts as he walks into my room.

I groan and roll over. “What?”

“I told you if you missed curfew where you’d be sleeping. How’d you get in?”

“I left a window unlocked.” I sit up and rest my elbows on my knees, running my hands through my hair.

“Did Mason let you in?” His face grows even redder.

“What? No. I was only five minutes late.”

“I waited up for you for an hour. You just got yourself double the work load this week.” He leaves my room as quickly as he came in.

I throw myself back on my bed and look up at the ceiling, seething mad. I’m glad I’ve been saving up my money because I have to get out of this house and soon. Even if I can’t leave this town, I can get out of this house and his law.

I shower quickly and dress, then head downstairs. Without saying a word to anyone, I grab my keys and head out the door. I’m only sitting in the car for a few seconds when Mason comes running out.

He gets in the passenger seat and slams the door. “I’m grounded now thanks to you.”

“Grounded for what?” Turning the key, I start the car and head down the driveway.

“For letting you in last night. He says he’s going to double my work load, whatever that means,” he says with a roll of his ice-blue eyes.

I quickly look over at him. I hope he can see the apology I’m sending his way because no way will I say it. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll do it, you don’t deserve to be in trouble.”

He laughs. “You’re going to do my work?”

“I said I would, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, but I think we both know that’ll never happen. You always stick me with the work, so you can go to some party.”

“Mase, just cut me some slack, would ya? I said I’d do it, and I will. Okay?”

He rolls his eyes but doesn’t argue the point further.

We drive halfway to school before I think to ask about the brunette who offered to show him around school.

“So, how was your first day of high school? Did your little girlfriend show you around?”

“Girlfriend?” he asks with his brows raised.

“Yeah, you know, the little brunette that offered to show you around.”

“Oh, Lindsey? Yeah, she showed me around all right.” A big smile covers his face.

“What does that mean?”

He laughs. “She showed me right to a janitor’s closet where we made out the whole lunch hour.”

Shaking my head, I laugh silently to myself. I know I’m not the best with girls, but the fact that my little brother is moving so quickly worries me. I mean, I can afford to sleep around, because I’m not leaving this town anyway. But him, he has a future. He’s going to go to college and play soccer professionally. I know he can do it too. So, I don’t want him getting tied down to some small-town girl all because she was easy, and he didn’t know any better.

“Listen, Mase. I know the whole girl and high school things are new to you right now, but you need to be careful.”

He frowns at me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

My eyes stay glued to the road because I’m not feeling comfortable enough to look at him while having this discussion. “It just means go slow. I know this is all new and exciting for you. You’re the big soccer star everyone’s been waiting over a year for. Girls are throwing themselves at you, and you’re the big man on campus. But go slow, okay?”

He nods his head and laughs. “Let me make sure I have this right. Dane, the guy who sleeps with a different girl every weekend, is telling me, not to have sex?”

It’s my turn to roll my eyes this time. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m telling you. These girls that I fuck around with, they won’t gain anything by sleeping with me. But with you, they will. I just don’t want to see you lose out on everything you’ve worked so hard for. Plus, the different girl every weekend thing is changing.”

“Yeah right. You love playing at parties and finding a different groupie every weekend.”

“I’m serious. I found one that I really like. Like, I really, really like. I want to see how things play out.”

He looks at me with some kind of knowing look in his eyes. “I hope it works out then, Dane.”

I ruffle his messy dark hair, and he punches me in the arm. “I just got it right!” He flips down the visor and starts styling his shaggy hair all over again while I laugh.

* * *

School was long and hard. By the time the bell rings, I’m already heading toward the main doors. My eighth-hour teacher, Mrs. Wells, turned her back, and I slipped right out the door. She’s so blind, she probably didn’t even notice as long as someone didn’t rat me out.

I toss my books in the car and prop up against the side, hoping to see Alissa. We went to lunch together again today, and since we got back to school early, we spent the remaining ten minutes in a lip-lock in my car.

I had to talk myself down before I could even stand to go back inside.

“Hey,” she says, coming to a stop in front of me.

Placing my hand on her hip, I pull her closer and land my lips directly on hers. The kiss is short, and when I pull away, her brilliant blue eyes seem darker. I cock my head to the side while staring at her.

“What?” she asks.

“I’m just trying to figure out your eyes.”

She blushes under my stare. “What about them? They’re eyes, nothing special.” She leans against me.

“That is absolutely not true. They’re beautiful, and sometimes, like when I make you laugh or embarrass you, they light up. But sometimes, like after we make out, they seem even darker.”

Her face turns bright red, and the color makes its way to her neck and ears.

“Does that mean you’re turned on?” Just asking her that question turns me on.

“What? No!” She stands up straight and takes a step back. “Listen, I have to go. Ed will be pissed if I don’t get home right after school. I’ll catch you later?”

I nod, and she walks away. But I don’t move, I stand and watch her go, teasing me the whole way.

Mason has soccer practice, so when Alissa leaves, I get in the car and go straight to the shop to see what my punishment entails.

Dropping in a seat behind the counter, I wait on customers. When Dad comes in, he hands me a detailed list. I look over it.

• Clean the gutters on the shop

• Gas up boats and jet skis

• Spray off dock

• Mow grass around the building

• Re-stock shelves

• Place next week’s order… And the list goes on and on.

I throw my head back in exasperation and let out a long breath.

“Better get to it, Son. Nobody’s going to do it for you,” he says as he walks back toward the door. He opens it, causing the bell to ring, and then pauses. “I may be a little late tonight with the bar and grill. You better be home on time. Got it?”

“I got it.”

As soon as he leaves, I get to work. For hours I work. It’s long after sunset when I finally have it all done. I don’t test him on the curfew thing, because I don’t want to get Mason in trouble again. Not to mention, I’m too tired from all the work to do anything else. I’m home with a pizza by nine P.M.

“Mase!” I yell as I walk in and place the pizza on the island.

He comes running down the stairs. “Thanks for forgetting me, dick.” He grabs two plates from the cabinet and hands me one.

“I’m sorry. Dad kept me so busy at the shop I forgot. How’d you get home?”

“Lindsey.” He grins before taking his plate of pizza and walking into the living room.

I follow him. “She didn’t come in the house, did she?”

“What do you think?” he asks, plopping down on the couch.

I stand unmoving. “Did she?”

“No, Dane! I’m not stupid. I heard what you said to me. Don’t worry, we didn’t have sex.”

A relaxing breath leaves me, and my shoulders visibly fall from relief. I sit down and take a bite of pizza.

“But we made out for like an hour out by the pond.” He grins.

“What the fuck, Mase? I thought you said you heard what I was saying this morning?”

“Last I checked, you can’t get someone pregnant by making out.”

“No, but it starts that way. You start making out, letting your body do all the thinking for you. The next thing you know, you’re both naked and doing things you shouldn’t be doing.”

He rolls his eyes at me. “Whatever. Just mind your own business, and I’ll mind mine.”

I smack him on the back of the head. “I swear if I find out you’re having sex, I’ll spread a rumor so bad at school no girl will ever sleep with you again.”

His chest puffs out, and his jaw flexes. “What the fuck? Nobody keeps you from having sex! Why are you trying to act like Dad?”

“Your future is more important than getting your dick wet, Mason.”

Even with the seriousness of the conversation, the term I used makes him laugh. “You sound so much like Dad right now.”

“One, that was uncalled for. And two, I’m just trying to look out for you. You’ll thank me when you go off to college on a full scholarship.”

He turns to watch TV, but what I’ve said seems to have sunk in a little. I relax and eat my pizza, letting Mason and his sex problems fall away. Instead, I think of Alissa and our sex problem. The problem being, there isn’t any.

* * *

The rest of the week goes by quickly. I do my school work. Then I go to the shop and get that work done. I pick Mason up from practice, and we work on the house when we have time. The kitchen is almost finished. We only need to stain the cabinets, finish the floor, and brush on a coat of paint. I have no time for friends or anything else until the weekend. But with Dad being so busy at the shop and with the building for the bar and grill going up, he’s forgotten all about our weekend punishments.

Mason told Dad he’s staying with his friend Trent tonight, and I told him I had a band gig to play. He doesn’t exactly like me being in a band, but he likes that I have something I’m passionate about and dedicated to, so he doesn’t give me much grief about staying out late for paying gigs.

I get to the party around nine P.M. and set up. The house we’re in is basically a mansion. Some rich kid’s birthday party from school. I don’t know why he hired us. With the money he’s paying us, he could’ve hired a real band, but I don’t argue when he hands me a grand before we start.

Mark, the drummer who’s already out of high school and going to the local college, counts us down. I lead in with my guitar, and the bass follows. The crowd gathers around, and as soon as I open my mouth to sing “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns and Roses, the girls scream and dreamy looks gloss over their eyes.

I eat it up, glad everyone’s loving the music and really enjoying the attention I get when I’m on stage. I flash the girls a grin while I sing and watch as their cheeks flush. I even wink at one, and she blows me a kiss.

The girls lining the front row start to compete for my attention. They flash each other dirty looks. One pulls her top a little lower, so it’s sure to show off more cleavage. Another one hikes her skirt up higher.

Without much conscious thought, I start to wonder which one would look better on top of me, but then Alissa flashes in my mind and all thoughts cease. I no longer check out the girls vying for my attention. Instead I focus even more on what I’m playing, and the music sounds great.

Before, I never noticed how much checking out the girls actually took away from my playing. In fact, I never even considered that they got in the way. When I started the band, it was because I loved playing music. But then I realized how much it got me noticed by the girls, and the music took a backseat.

With the girls in the front row pushed from my mind, I concentrate on feeling the song I’m singing. I give it my all, and when the song wraps up, I’m dripping with sweat. The crowd goes wild with cheers as I laugh to myself, feeding off their energy.

We play a few more songs before we take a break. Wandering off the makeshift stage, I cut in line to get a beer. A red cup full of the foamy goodness is thrust into my hand. When I turn around to walk away, my eyes land on Alissa standing a few feet away. She’s holding a red cup to her lips, but she’s not drinking it. Rather, she’s chewing on the edge. I smile and walk over to her.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” She smiles, making my heart pound ever harder. “Why didn’t you tell me you played in a band? You sound amazing.”

I shrug. “I didn’t think it was a big deal. Have you been here long?”

Her smile fades just a bit. “Long enough to watch those girls fall all over themselves.” She nods toward the girls that lined the front of the crowd.

I laugh. “Yeah, the shit they do just to get attention keeps me laughing.” Bringing my cup to my lips, I take a sip and watch as she kicks at the grass with her stained-up Chucks. Her long, tan legs beg to be wrapped around my hips. I shake the thought from my head. “So why didn’t you make your way to the front of the stage?”

She offers up a half-smile. “I figured I couldn’t compete with those girls.” Her eyes drop back to her feet again.

I place my hand under her chin and tilt her head back to look at me. “There’s no competition when you’re there.” I slowly move in for a kiss.

My lips tingle from the feeling of hers against them. I can taste the beer on her tongue, but I can also taste her licorice flavored gum.

Black Jack gum is my favorite.

Right before I pull away, I steal the gum from her mouth and make a show of chewing it.

“Hey! That was my last piece! Give it back!”

She reaches for me, but I dodge away. “How about we share it?”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “Fine.”

I move the gum in-between my teeth and pull half of it off. “Here.” Instead of handing her the piece from my hand, I lean in and give her the gum in my mouth with a kiss. When she pulls away, she’s smiling.

“Thank you for sharing my own gum with me.” Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes darken once again.

“No problem.” I can’t hold back the grin playing on my lips. Just being around her is a reason to smile.

Mark taps me on the shoulder. “Time to play.”