(It also stands for everything, which is what Jace Kennedy is to me.)

Courtney: Back Then

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ON MONDAY AFTERNOON, I find myself summoned to the principal’s office for the second time in my high school career.

Typical future felon behavior...

“Miss Ryan?” The secretary says to me as soon as I come downstairs. “Mr. Thompson is ready for you.”

I take a deep breath and walk into his office.

“Well, well, well,” he says, taking off his reading glasses. “We meet again, Christina Courtney Ryan. This will be quick.”

I take a seat, hoping Genevieve told him everything.

“Genevieve Parker has told me everything,” he says. “A lot of things I’m still trying to process. And well, to be frank with you, I’m just in shock. Utter shock.” He pulls out a yellow pad and begins to write. “As of today, your detention sentence is suspended, and I’ll be sure this doesn’t appear on your permanent record. You’re free to go to all your debate team practices now.”

“Debate season is over, Mr. Thompson.”

“Oh. Well, stay out of trouble for the rest of the year and the summer so you won’t be in danger of missing any of them during your senior year.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “What’s going to happen to Genevieve? I mean, if you don’t mind me asking.’

“I’m not sure,” he says, handing me the yellow clearance slip. “Miss Parker is officially enrolled at Boulder Boarding School as of this morning, so that’s between her and her parents.”

I gasp. That school is one of the strictest in the country. It’s three hours away, and they don’t allow cell-phones. Even if I wanted to contact her, I wouldn’t be able to.

“Any other questions, Miss Ryan?”

“Um, yeah. Is Mr. Kennedy free from detention, too? There’s no point is you letting me out if you don’t consider letting him out as well.”

He gives me a blank stare. “Go enjoy your freedom, Miss Ryan. Hurry up before I change my mind.”

He doesn’t have to tell me twice. I leave his office and head down to room 221. No one is inside. Not even the supervisor.

I rush out to the parking lot and see Jace standing in front of his pick-up truck. He looks as if he’s been waiting for me.

“Hey.” He pulls me into his arms. “Did Mr. Thompson let you off, too?”

“He did.”

“So, we have what? A semester and a half to enjoy together before I graduate?”

“Yeah.” I ignore the g-word. I don’t like to consider the thought of him ever leaving me behind in Blue Harbor.

“Where do you want to go on our first day out of prison?”

“My house.”

“Okay.” He shrugs and helps me into the truck. When he cranks the engine, he speeds out of the parking lot and far away from Room 221. Pulling his truck onto Main Street, he looks over at me. “Why do you want to be a lawyer again?”

“Well, I’ve always studied the criminal justice system in the history books, but mainly because of my dad,” I say. “He got into an accident at his job several years ago, and the insurance company refused to pay for it. He was in and out of courtrooms for two years, all while dealing with physical therapy, but in the end, he didn’t get much at all. To this day he says that if he’d had a good lawyer, things would’ve ended much differently.”

“Very touching.” He smiles. “I can understand that.”

“Why do you want to be an actor again?” I mock his question.

“Because I’m sexy as fuck. That’s about as deep as it gets.”

I roll my eyes and laugh. “I appreciate your honesty.”

“I once wanted to be a weatherman.” He clasps my hand behind the gearshift. “But that was before I realized how full of shit they all were.”

“I think acting suits you better.”

“Lately, I’m not so sure.”

“Why not?”

“Because my girlfriend has repeatedly told me that she’s hell-bent on marrying a lawyer when she gets older.”

I blush. “I’ve only said that twice.”

“But you’ve said it.” He parks in front of my house. “Then again, if you’re willing to compromise and maybe consider being with a guy who plays a lawyer on television, my feelings will be less hurt.”

Laughing, I lean over and kiss his lips. “I’ll consider it.” I glance at my house, then back at Jace. “My parents are out of town for the next three days.”

“Okay?” He raises his eyebrow.

“So, maybe instead of walking me to the door and going home, you can come inside?”

He stares at me as if I’ve just spoken Spanish.

“Maybe I can finally show you my room...For like a couple of hours?”

His lips curve into a smile, but he still doesn’t say anything.

“And um. I’m assuming you have your own, but I bought some condoms. I bought the biggest size they had because anytime we’re rolling around in the back of your truck and you place my hand on it, it feels huge...But, if the ones I bought are too big, you can just go get the rights ones, like now.”

“You’re saying you want to have sex with me?” he asks, his eyes on mine.

I nod.

“Then you can just say, I want to have sex with you.”

“You don’t think that sounds cliché?”

“I think that sounds perfect.”

As if he knows that I’m not going to say it like that—ever, he gets out of the car and opens the door for me. He walks with me into my house and up the steps to my room.

Instead of immediately pulling me onto the bed and climbing on top of me like Sam did, he pulls me close and runs his fingers through my hair.

“Are you sure?” he asks softly. “We don’t have to do this until you’re ready.”

“I’ve been planning this for weeks...I even bought lingerie from the mall.”

He laughs and kisses my forehead. “I just need to hear you say it.”

“I’m ready.”

“Okay.” He walks over to the wall and hits the lights. Then he takes my hand and walks me over to the bed.

Grabbing the hem of my shirt, he slowly pulls it over my head—stopping once he catches sight of my black lace bra.

He trails his fingers against the straps, and then he unzips my pants.

Pushing them down to the floor, he presses a kiss against the red bow on my panties.

“Get on the bed,” he whispers, stepping out of his pants.

I move past him and oblige, watching as he pulls off his shirt—revealing the set of six-pack abs I’ve touched every day in his backseat.

He takes a condom from his wallet and climbs in bed on top of me. Brushing my hair out of my face, he kisses me softly, whispering, “Courtney?”

“Yes?”

“I love you.”

“I love you back.” I lean up and press my lips against his.

He unclasps the front of my bra and trails his tongue all the way down my stomach—making me blush all over. Gently pulling my panties down my legs, he presses a kiss against each of my thighs before putting on a condom.

Returning to his position on top of me, he clasps both my hands and slowly enters me inch by inch.

I shut my eyes and brace for pain, but this isn’t painful at all. Him being inside of me, him kissing me every step of the way, is total pleasure. Beyond total pleasure.

“Ah...Jace...” My eyes flutter open, and I notice he’s staring at me intently.

“Do you want me to stop?” he asks.

“Never.”

He smiles and covers my mouth with more kisses. Then he continues controlling my body with his for what feels like forever.

When we’re done, we do it again.

Then again.

Then every day after that, we do it whenever and wherever we can.