Brad’s parents drive us to their place, making small talk about the game and our plans after graduation. I’m still surprised my parents agreed to this. Dad simply said I’m technically an adult and that he trusts me. He also said this will be a good trial run for when I leave for college in a few months.
My gut twists at the thought. I hate even thinking about it, about leaving Dylan. We’ve not talked about it much, I’ve been holding off, not wanting to add anything to his stress level until the game was over. Now that it is, we’re going to have to talk about it. I don’t want to leave him. I’ve even been looking at colleges close to home that have education programs. It’s a little late to apply for scholarships, but I can try. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to stay with him. He’s my heart.
“Thank you again for doing this,” Harley tells Brad’s mom. The three of us are in the kitchen getting some snacks together.
She smiles at us. “You’re welcome. This is a big deal, their last game of their high school career. I asked Brad how he wanted to celebrate and he said he wanted to take you out. I knew there was no way these boys would want to wait until next weekend to celebrate and that your curfew would come way too soon.” She glances over at the clock. “You would have to leave here in fifteen minutes to be home on time.”
“Thank you for including me,” I say, pouring some salsa into a bowl.
“Dylan is my second son. That boy owns a piece of my heart. No way could we not include the two of you in our little mini celebration.”
“Not many parents would do this,” Harley says.
“You all are good kids. As a parent I would rather know you’re here under my roof than trying to sneak around to see each other. It’s a big night, a big win, and a celebration is in order.”
“Hey,” Brad says, coming to stand behind Harley. I watch as he places his hands on her hips and kisses her cheek. Harley says she’s not sure how he feels, but from my view he loves her. Anyone can see that.
Arms wrap around my waist, a kiss pressed to my temple. “Missed you,” Dylan whispers just for me.
“Okay, Brad and Dylan, carry down the pizza boxes. Avery and Harley, do each of you mind grabbing a tray? We’ll set all of this up downstairs.” We do as asked and carry all the food down to the basement. “You kids go ahead and dig in. I’m going to go upstairs and change.” Brad’s mom looks over at him. “Your dad and I will be down in a little bit.”
Brad walks to where she’s standing and scoops her up in a big hug, lifting her feet off the floor. “Thank you for this. I love you,” he says.
“Love you too,” she replies as he sets her back on the floor.
Then Dylan picks her up, only he swings her around. “Thank you, love you,” he says. It’s low, not a proclamation like Brad’s. My heart aches for him, losing his mother at such a young age. I’m glad that he’s had Brad’s mom to semi-fill those shoes for him.
We fill our plates with junk food and settle onto the couches. There are three of them set up kind of like a sectional to make a U shape. The other wall holds a huge TV, and there’s not a bad seat in the house.
“You all kicked ass tonight,” I say before taking a big bite of my pizza. They both grin at my praise.
“Your parents are seriously the best for doing this. Av and I were plotting ways to sneak out to see you,” Harley tells them.
Dylan looks at me. “That true?”
I shrug. “Tonight was a big deal for you, both of you. We just wanted to be there to help you celebrate. Who knows if we would’ve actually pulled it off? Thanks to Brad’s parents, we didn’t have to.”
He leans over and kisses me. “That right there, that made my night.” He must see the question in my eyes because he continues on to say, “To know you were willing to risk getting caught to see me.” He opens his mouth like he’s going to say more but quickly closes it.
“I ate too much,” Harley complains, standing to throw her paper plate away.
“Me too.” I grab Dylan’s plate and toss both in the trash. Harley and I close the pizza boxes and place the lids back over the dips. “Should we put this in the fridge?” I ask Brad.
“Nah, leave it for now. I’m sure my parents will come down and eat eventually. Hurry up, you two, it’s movie time.” Harley and I are wearing matching grins as we join them on the couches.
Brad jumps up to dim the lights over where we’re sitting. It’s a pretty cool setup down here. Dylan stands and walks toward the small area off the kitchen, back in no time with two blankets in his hands. He hands one to Brad and sets the other on the back of the couch we’ve been sitting on. He lies down and pats the couch in front of him.
I look over at Brad. “It’s fine, they won’t freak out,” he answers my silent question. His parents have been great; I don’t want to push my luck.
“We’ve done this before with his parents, Av. It’s cool,” Harley reassures me.
I sit on the couch in front of Dylan and stretch out, resting my head in the crook of his arm as he wraps the other around my waist. “I need you closer,” he whispers, and I wiggle back to where my body is aligned with his. I feel his breath against my cheek as he exhales. Reaching up, he grabs the blanket and places it over me. I bunch a portion of it up in my arms and snuggle it close. “That’s my girl,” Dylan says, his lips next to my ear.
My body breaks out in goose bumps from the heat of his breath against my skin. It makes me think of that night in his truck. There hasn’t been another one like it. Yeah, there’s been some groping in his room, or in his truck or my car, but nothing like that night under the stars. We haven’t even been able to make it up to the rooftop again. It’s only been stolen touches here and there, and it’s done nothing to quench this craving I have for him.