I bounced into the kitchen a few days later. After the past weeks, I’d finally found that normality I’d craved for so long. Taylor had the ability to make me feel good about myself and I couldn’t remember a time when I’d experienced that before. I wasn’t about to question my feelings for him while I was still riding high. Whatever was happening between us was exactly what I needed. He made me want to wake up in the morning and bask in the sunshine. For once, I no longer dreaded each new day that arrived.

I rounded the corner of the breakfast bar and leaned over, grabbing a perfectly round, pink apple from the fruit bowl. “Morning,” I practically sang to Jen who had her nose buried in some papers.

“Someone’s chipper this morning,” she replied as she began to examine me from head to toe.

“What?”

I hated that I had to justify my happiness whenever I felt it, especially when it was something that should be deemed as normal. Then I remembered I wasn’t exactly normal.

Jen shook her head. “Nothing, it’s just… Well, you seem different lately, that’s all.”

She never did miss a beat.

I smiled and took a seat opposite her. “I feel good. Better than good, actually.”

“You have no idea how pleased I am to hear you say that.”

I did know. I might have been lost in my own world of self-pity, but that didn’t mean I hadn’t noticed the vacant look in her eyes this past year, or how the smallest of smiles would set her back, reminding her that her daughter was a mess.

“I take it things are going well between you and that boy. Taylor, is it?”

If by ‘well’ she meant, “Have you gotten passed the kissing stage yet?” then no. I didn’t say that, though. I paused mid-bite.

“Umm… Yeah. H-how did you know?” I stuttered.

Brie. It had to have been Brie.

Jen didn’t give me an answer.

I made a mental note to kill my best friend before lifting my head to meet Jen’s eyes and shrugging. “We’re just friends, that’s all.”

“Friends?”

“Yes, friends. He’s great, and honestly, it’s nice not having to pretend to be someone I’m not. He gets me,” I confessed.

“That’s great,” she said, but I could tell she wanted to say more.

“I’m sensing there’s a big but coming?”

“No. No buts. Just… be careful, okay? Me and your father—we worry about you.”

“I love that you both care, but really, you don’t need to worry.”

“I’m your mother, Lola. It’s my job to worry.”

“Well could you try not to worry so much? For the first time in a really long time, I’m happy. Can’t you just be happy for me?”

“I am happy for you. We both are. Like I said, I’m your mother and I’m—”

“Going to worry,” I finished for her.

“Yes. Even when you finish college and leave home, I’m still going to worry. You will always be our little girl. Always.”

I didn’t say anything back. What could I say? We’d never really spoken this much since the accident. It felt weird, maybe even a little awkward. I got that she would worry. My hundred and eighty degree turn overnight was enough to worry anyone, but treating me as though I was going to break at any moment wasn’t what I needed. I needed them to embrace my crazy and go with it. I wasn’t going to break. I felt stronger now—like I could do anything.

The silence had started to become uncomfortable, so I was thankful when the doorbell rang, announcing Brie’s arrival. Jen and I exchanged an amused glance and began to count. One… Two… Three…

Just as our mouths opened, ready to say four, Brie burst through the front door like a tornado about to tear the house apart.

“Ohmygodohmygod,” she squealed and threw her arms around my neck. “Tell me. I want to know every little detail.” Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t.

"Brie, you're choking me,” I managed to say.

“Oops, sorry,” she apologised.

Jen coughed, making herself known, and only then did Brie release the hold she had on me. “Hey, Mrs. H.”

“Aubrie,” Jen said in an even tone that made me shrink back in my chair. Great. I did not need Jen to know about my love life. I really wanted to kill Brie.

“Lola, we need to go,” Brie rushed out. “We have that thing… Before class. Remember?”

“Thing?” I asked, rubbing my neck that was now sore and most likely red.

“Yes. That thing. Come on. We can’t be late.”

“Right, that thing,” I confirmed, although I had no idea what she was taking about. I did, however, know that I needed to get Brie out of the house before she let anything else slip. And because I really was dying to tell her all about Taylor.

She gripped my arm, practically pulling me off the stool and out through the kitchen to the hallway. I managed to tug my bag from the bannister before I was forced out the front door, calling out a goodbye to Jen over my shoulder.

“Jesus Christ, woman. What’s the damn rush?” I yelled, pulling my arm free from her hold. Brie pulled a face and pointed behind me.

What the...?

Oh.

Sure enough, there stood Taylor and Riley, both leaning against a white, pimped-out Range Rover that had to be Riley’s. It wasn’t a secret that his parents were loaded.

“That is what the rush is,” Brie stated, blowing out an exasperated breath.

“Oh,” was all I could manage. All the air had left my lungs in a rush, and I suddenly felt light headed and a little excited. Taylor’s eyes locked on mine, and I swear, my heart skipped a few beats. I dipped my head to hide my smile, following Brie as she closed the distance between the boys and us.

“Sorry it took so long. I told Lo we needed to hurry, but she wouldn’t listen,” she told them and rolled her eyes.

I poked my tongue out like a five-year-old and pocketed my hands in my jeans for something to do. Taylor not only made me feel good about myself, he also made me nervous. I had a feeling he would always have the ability to make me react that way.

“Hey, you,” he said, coming to stand in front of me. We were toe-to-toe, and I couldn’t help but take a huge breath in. Taylor always smelt so good; it was hard not to inhale him to the point of embarrassing myself.

All too aware that I still hadn’t said anything, I cleared my throat in the hope that my voice would work. “Hey, yourself.”

Taylor smirked, clearly sensing how delirious he made me, and lowered his mouth to mine. It was only a light kiss, but my head was already spinning with so many emotions that it was hard to decipher what they were.

“I hope you don’t mind us showing up here like this. We were passing through and thought you girls might want a lift.”

“No. Yes. I mean…. A lift would be good, thank you.”

Taylor chuckled at my nervousness and reached behind me to open the back door of the four-by-four. His fingers brushed my hip as he pulled the door back and I tried not to whimper at the loss of contact as he ushered me inside. I bit back a smile. Taylor didn’t seem like the type of person to open doors for others, but I liked that he did it for me. It made me feel special. He made me feel special. I was beginning to realise there was a whole lot more to Taylor Lawson than I’d once thought.

“God, I can’t freakin’ wait! This weekend is going to be epic.” Brie sighed. “Is it Friday yet?”

I wish.

Taylor and Riley had organised a weekend away. Apparently, Riley’s parents owned this gorgeous house on the lake just a few hours away, and I’d agreed to go with them. Half term was coming up and I hadn’t made any plans that I couldn’t rearrange. Besides, I figured time away would do me some good. I needed some fun in my life.

“Nope, sorry,” I clucked.

“Never mind. I guess it gives us more time to prepare.” She shrugged, flicking her long red locks over her shoulder.

“Prepare for what? It’s just a weekend away, B. What exactly is it we need to prepare for?” I asked, wondering if I’d missed something crucial.

“It isn’t just a weekend away.” She gasped. “This is the first time we’ve been away, just the four of us. No school, no football… Don’t tell me you aren’t even a little excited that you get to spend a whole weekend away with Taylor.” Brie shot me a knowing look, and I sighed.

“Not really. I mean, it’s a little weird, don’t you think?”

Brie frowned. “Why is it weird?”

“Well, you and Riley are an official thing. I get why you’d want the time away together. I just don’t get why we have to come along.”

“Ah, come on, Lo. Don’t be boring. We’ll have a blast. You’ll see.”

I had to stop reading too much into this and remember that this weekend was all about the laughter and making memories.

“I’m not sure, B. I just feel a little awkward about this whole trip. Taylor and I aren’t even together. At least not officially, and watching you guys get all smoochy is just gonna be a whole lot—”

“Awkward?” she interrupted. “Is that what you’re worried about? You and Taylor?”

“Well, yeah, I guess so. I just don’t know what’s expected, that’s all. In case you’ve forgotten, I’ve never done this before.”

Brie looped her arm through mine and gave me a playful nudge, her smile big and wide. “You know, if you’re that concerned then you could just ask him. Find out what’s going on. What his intentions are. But for the record? I think he likes you. A lot. Riley said so, too.” She smirked.

“I’m not so sure, B. Sometimes I think the same, and then he… I don’t know. He’s confusing.”

“He’s a man. Of course he is. But look…” Pausing, she tugged my arm, forcing me to halt in my tracks. “Do you really need to put a label on what you are or aren’t? Speaking from experience, I think it’s exciting. With relationships comes expectation. And then you have to worry about letting the other person down. Frankly, it’s just one big headache that you really don’t need.”

Maybe she was right. I should spend less time worrying about how Taylor saw me and just enjoy every moment.

“Hey, now’s your chance. Go ask him.”

“Wha…?”

“Ask who what?” Taylor said, coming up beside me.

“Oh, nothing. It’s nothing.” I waved him off and my eyes shot to Brie.

Great. Some friend you are.

“Lola was just wondering what you guys are, that’s all. Like, is this a casual thing or more?”

“Brie,” I said through gritted teeth, shooting my arm out to stop her. I turned to Taylor, wishing I could shrink away somewhere. “Ignore her. She’s had far too much caffeine this morning. Right, B?”

“No, I’m just…”

Taylor planted his feet in front of me and brought a hand up to my face. His fingers curled around my chin as he forced me to look at him.

I couldn’t. I was mortified. When I finally did pluck up the courage to glance up, a sexy smile lit his face and that gold smattering through his brown eyes twinkled. “This is me telling you that I really fuckin’ like you, okay?”

Before I could respond, his mouth came crashing down on mine and whatever I was about to say was soon forgotten.

Cheers erupted around us. I hadn’t realised we had an audience. Not that I cared. Taylor was kissing me in public, in front of the whole damn school.

Someone whistled as Taylor’s hands reached around my back, landing on my arse before he lifted me off the ground. His mouth left mine and he gazed down at me with a brilliant smile. “Take that however you want,” he said, and pressed a kiss to the tip of my nose.

Holy fuck.

Swoon.

Taylor squeezed my arse once and then lowered me back down. “I’ve gotta shoot. Meet me back here at lunch?” he asked as he began to back up. I could only nod in response. Taylor chuckled and shook his head before he turned his back and started up the steps.

I gazed breathlessly around the quad and found all eyes on me. They had clearly witnessed Taylor’s little declaration and were fully intrigued. Hell, even I was intrigued. I didn’t have time to think much about why he was in such a good mood, though, because when he finally reached the top of the stairs, he shot me a wink and bowed to his adoring fans. Another round of clapping and cheering erupted around us, and I could only laugh as I watched him push through the doors to the main block.

I guess I had my answer.

“Oh. My. God.” Brie squealed, a look of adoration on her face. “That was just… Gah! I’m officially jealous of you.”

“I know, right?” I agreed, and may have squealed a little myself.

I was no longer nervous about spending the weekend away with Taylor. Like Brie, I couldn’t wait.

Brie planted her hands on her hips and frowned, her eyes roaming the entirety of my bedroom. “Please tell me you have another case somewhere?”

“What do you mean? It’s only for the weekend,” I informed her. Knowing Brie, she had packed double the amount of clothes I’d brought. What was the point in packing unnecessary items I wouldn’t even use?

I smirked at how flustered she was. I wasn’t sure why she looked so panicked. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t already done the deed with Riley. From the way he spoke, it appeared they were at it all the time, even if I’d never asked her outright. I figured it was none of my business.

“Fine,” she finally said on a huff. “It’ll have to do. They’ll be here any minute so we don’t have time to rummage through your things. C’mon.”

I rolled my eyes. It’s just for the weekend, I told myself, and took a final look around.

Grabbing my small overnight case, I switched off the light and made my way down the stairs behind Brie. Just as I rounded the corner, I spotted Jen and Andy having what appeared to be a heated conversation. They stopped when they noticed me and plastered on bright smiles.

“Have you got everything, sweetheart?” Jen said as she glanced behind me.

“Yeah, I think so. I don’t need much anyway. It’s only for the weekend,” I said, my eyes darting to Brie.

“Okay, love. It’s getting dark out. You’ll be careful, right?” Andy started.

I rolled my eyes again “Yes, Dad.”

Jen gasped and covered her mouth, having realised what I’d said. I fidgeted, not knowing what to do, and surprised at how easily it had come out. Andy—Dad—cleared his throat and nodded.

“Okay, good. Well, you get off and give us a call to let us know you’ve arrived safely. You’ll only worry your mother.” He grinned and Jen smacked his arm playfully. She sniffed and nodded, too.

I wanted to tell them that it was just for the weekend, but I knew that wasn’t the reason they were both fighting back tears. Instead, I smiled. “I will do. Bye.”

“Have fun,” Jen called out as we made our way outside. I swear I heard Andy say be careful, but I refrained from rolling my eyes again. It was giving me a headache.

“That was intense,” Brie said, blowing out a breath.

“No shit.” I shook my head.

“That’s the first time you’ve called him that since the accident, isn’t it? Shit, you almost set me off.” She began to fan her eyes with both hands.

“It just slipped out, I guess.”

“For what it’s worth, you can tell how much it meant to them both.”

I gave her a nod and glanced up ahead. Headlights shone a path towards my house and I smiled when Riley’s car came into view.

“I don’t feel so good,” Brie whispered, and even in the dark I could see that her face had paled considerably.

“Are you alright? You don’t look so good,” I told her and she waved me off.

“Nerves. I’ll be fine.”

Frowning, I wanted to ask her what she meant by that and why she was so nervous, but before I had the chance, the boys jumped out of their car and started loading our bags into the boot.

Weird.