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  “Hey,” I said, turning off my engine.

  “Hey,” he replied.

  Leaning into my car, he gently placed his hand on my neck. Turning my head to face him, he kissed me before I could react. I kept my lips closed. Ty pulled away and looked into my eyes.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Nothing,” I lied, turning a new shade of red. “You just caught me off guard.”

  “Are you sure that’s it?” he questioned.

  “I just wasn’t expecting it, that’s all,” I said, not making eye contact.

  Ty tilted my chin up with his thumb and forefinger, and forced me to look into his eyes.

  “I told you that I would kiss you every chance I got.” He gave me a quick peck on the lips.

  “And I told you that I couldn’t promise anything,” I said, reaching for my gym bag.

  Climbing out of my car, I walked past Ty and headed toward the gym door. Before I could reach the handle, Ty grabbed my hand and pulled me into him.

  “Just try and trust me,” he whispered into my ear. “I promise you won’t regret it.”

  Closing my eyes, I leaned into his chest. I wanted to trust him so badly, and give him everything that was left of my heart.

  “Let’s go inside,” I sighed, looking into his eyes.

  Before he could argue, Lexy and Colton pulled up in Lexy’s Mustang. Honking and jumping out of the car, they were both next to us before Ty let go of my hand. Unlocking and pushing open the door, Ty released my hand as I walked in.

  Practice began immediately, and we ran through the drills like robots. Unable to say anything Ty wanted to hear, I kept my focus on dribbling and sprinting. Halfway through our free throw drills, I decided we should just be friends and Ty would have to accept that. I wasn’t ready to face another possible heartbreak.

  Lost in my thoughts as I drank from the water fountain, I jumped when I turned and saw Ty was standing a few inches behind me. Taking a step forward, it was clear that he was frustrated with my silence. He placed his hands on either side of the water fountain.

  “Talk to me,” he said.

  “Talk to you about what?” I tried to act indifferent.

  “About yesterday, about me kissing you this morning, about anything.” Ty’s shoulders sank as he continued to stare into my eyes. “Just talk to me, Bailey.”

  “I don’t know what you want me to say,” I sighed, realizing that he wasn’t going to let this go easily.

  “Say what you’re thinking,” he continued. “Please stop trying to shut me out.”

  I was again stunned by his boldness and his ability to read my emotions. He was beginning to know me better than anyone else in my life, yet we had only known each other a short amount of time. Looking down, I wished he would walk away. As if I had said the words out loud, Ty moved closer to me.

  Sliding his hand up my arm to my neck, he tilted my head back and forced me to look into his eyes. Not saying a word, he pressed his lips against mine. Pushing against his chest only caused him to wrap his arms around my waist and pull me in closer. Parting my lips with his tongue, I gave in to the passion of the kiss.

  He wanted me, and I wanted him. Moving my hands up to his neck, I ran my fingers through his hair. Walking me around the water fountain, Ty pressed me against the gym wall. I let out a low groan when his lips moved to my neck. Forgetting we weren’t alone, we both jumped when we heard shouts from across the gym.

  “Get a room!” Lexy whistled.

  “Seriously!” Colton yelled. “You’re making me look bad.”

  Thankful Ty was taller than me, I dropped my arms and buried my face in his chest. Embarrassed by our very public display of affection, I lifted my red face up to see Ty smiling.

  “You have to stop doing that to me,” I blushed.

  “Trust me, I don’t think I could stop even if I wanted to.” He brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear and smiled.

  Straightening my t-shirt, I saw that he was serious. “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “When I kiss you, I forget that anyone else in the world exists.” Ty looked directly into my eyes. “It’s just you and me.”

  “Is that a line you use on every girl?” I asked in a skeptical tone.

  Kissing my lips again, Ty released his hand from my waist and held my hand. “No, Bailey, I’ve never felt like this before.”

  I believed him.

  Breaking his gaze, I looked toward the basketball court. “We should get back to practice,” I sighed, taking a step forward.

  “What do I have to do for you to give us a chance?” he asked, not letting me pass.

  “I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “I think I’m more broken than I realized.”

  I walked past Ty as he stood facing the wall. Grabbing my basketball, I continued shooting free throws, unable to sink a single basket. I tried not to watch as Ty walked past me and out the gym door. I heard his truck start, and my heart sank. There was nothing I wanted more than to be kissed like that.

  I just wished my heart could give Ty everything he wanted.

  ***

  We spent the rest of the week practicing basketball in silence and listening to Colton talk about Lexy’s birthday. She was turning eighteen, so we were having a surprise party at her mom’s house on Saturday. Her mother owned a large amount of land west of town, and on the land was a barn we had spent most of our childhood in.

  Now that we were in high school, it had become a regular hangout for our friends; a place where we could play card games and drink beer without getting in trouble. Since Lexy’s parents had divorced our sophomore year, her mom had become more like one of the kids than another adult.

  “Do you want to ride to the party together?” Ty asked as we left the gym on Friday.

  “I’m probably going to spend the night, but yeah we can ride out there together,” I said, walking toward my Jeep.

  Fidgeting with his keys, he looked at the ground. “What time should I pick you up?”

  “How about six?” I lightly slapped his arm. “And quit acting so distant.”

  “See you tomorrow.” Ty walked past me and slid into his truck before I could say anything else.

  After an uneventful Friday night, I decided to run on Saturday morning. Running past Ty’s house, I noticed his truck was gone. I couldn’t help wondering where he was so early on a Saturday. I would have to remember to ask him later.

  Once I was back home, I spent most of the day napping and watching reruns of Friends. Once I decided to get ready for the party, I spent extra time shaving and showering. After making sure my eyeliner and mascara were perfect, I dressed in short black shorts, a sleeveless purple shirt, and black strappy sandals. Straightening my hair so that it landed just below my shoulders, I sprayed my best perfume on for the final touch.

  My parents had left hours ago for the country club, and I still had some time before Ty would pick me up. I lay back on my bed and turned on my iPod. Closing my eyes, I drifted into the sounds of The Postal Service. I jumped when I felt someone grab my ankle. Opening my eyes and sitting up in record speed, I yelped when I saw Ty standing at the end of my bed.

  Pulling out my ear buds, I gasped. “You scared me to death!”

  Ty laughed and shook my leg, still holding my ankle. “Sorry, your mom sent me up here.”

  Pulling my feet underneath me, I looked around the room. “What time is it? I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

  “It’s only 5:45.” He sat down on my bed. “So this is your room?”

  I laughed, watching his face. “It’s ridiculous, right? My old room was a lot smaller.”

  We sat on my queen size bed and took in the large suite that was now my bedroom. I had painted the walls purple as soon as we had moved in, and all of my furniture was white. A huge flat screen television sat directly across the room from my bed on an oversized dresser and a stack of romantic comedy DVDs were scattered across my floor.

  I had never been too fond of
cleaning, and you could tell by my unmade bed and the clothes that were thrown all over my closet floor. My bathroom door was partly open allowing Ty to see the oversized bathtub and glass paned shower.

  “Well, you should enjoy it now. I’m sure you’ll live in some horrible dorm room next year at college.” He smiled as he continued to look around the room.

  “I hope so,” I replied with all seriousness.

  Patting my leg again, and letting his fingers linger along my thigh, Ty turned his gaze on me. “You ready to go?”

  Distracted by his touch, I could barely choke out a response. “Uh, just a minute.”

  I ran to the bathroom to double check my makeup. Grabbing my overnight bag, I reached for Ty’s hand to help him off my bed. Immediately liking and regretting this decision at the same time, I let go.

  “You are so frustrating,” he sighed.

  “I know,” I replied with no apology.

  We rode to Lexy’s house with only the sound of the stereo cutting into the awkward silence between us. Ty sighed several times, but never attempted to start a conversation. I was confident that with enough drinking games, we’d eventually talk later that night.

  Twenty of our classmates were hidden throughout the barn when Colton and Lexy walked in.

  “Surprise!” We all jumped out and yelled once Colton switched on the light.

  Lexy shrieked with excitement, then kissed Colton before hugging everyone in the room. We had set up a grill outside, so that Colton could grill hot dogs and hamburgers. Paired with chips, cookies, and beer that Lexy’s mom conveniently provided, we began to eat and play games.

  After a few hours, the party had dwindled down to our normal crew plus a few underclassmen. Holden handed out cards for the next drinking game. I excused myself for a bathroom break, and when I arrived back at the table, I noticed Kara had taken the seat next to Ty. Kara was pretty with long red hair and an amazing body. She could date anyone in our school, and she normally did. It looked like she realized I was dragging my feet about whether or not to make my claim on Ty, so she had set her sights on him. I couldn’t blame her, regardless of how it fueled a jealousy deep within me.

  Sitting across from them at the table, I grabbed a new beer. Kings Cup was my least favorite drinking game, and I had already had too much for the night, but watching Kara flirt with Ty had sparked something inside me that insisted I drink more and more until I didn’t care.

  “Your turn, Bailey,” Holden said, starting the game.

  Searching through the pile of face down cards, I turned over my first pick. It was a six of clubs. Thank goodness I didn’t have to drink. “Three to Ty, and three to Kara,” I smiled.

  Ty looked directly at me and took his three drinks. Putting his beer back on the table, he continued to stare at me as the game continued.

  “So, who are you dating these days, Bailey?” Kevin, a gorgeous underclassman whose blonde hair and chiseled arms almost made him perfect boyfriend material, asked.

  I laughed and took a long drink of my beer. “I’m completely single.” I clinked my beer can into his and took another drink. I could see Ty lean back into his chair from the corner of my eye. He was still watching me.

  “Should I ask you out now, or is there a line?” Kevin asked, leaning closer to me and attempting to flirt.

  Rolling my eyes, I smiled and let him lean in closer. “Trust me, there isn’t a line.”

  I could see Kara running her hand up Ty’s shoulder, and it only encouraged me to flirt with Kevin more. Fueled by alcohol and unexpected jealousy, I continued to drink and flirt until the game was over. I drank more than my fair share, and when I rose from the table, nausea took over. Making my way to the barn door, I knew I needed some air.

  I walked over to the picnic table that was halfway between the barn and house and leaned over to balance myself. Ty didn’t even know Kara. Why would he flirt with her in front of me? I thought he liked me.

  Ugh…

  I thought I didn’t care. This was exactly what I didn’t want to happen.

  Stumbling past the picnic table, I headed for Lexy’s house. I wasn’t going to deal with Ty anymore, and I didn’t want to watch him and Kara. Hearing laughter, I turned and saw them both walk out of the barn door and turn toward Ty’s truck.

  This only ignited my fury as I stomped through Lexy’s front door. Walking into the spare bedroom, I stumbled across the room. After successfully using the restroom without falling over, I ripped off my sandals and shorts, and started to search through my overnight bag when I heard the bedroom door creak open.

  Jerking around, I saw Ty enter the room and watch me cautiously.

  “Get out!” I screamed.

  “Bailey,” he said, stepping forward. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  “So is Kara waiting for you in your truck or what?” I glared at him.

  “She went home. I stood with her until her brother picked her up.” He glared back. “I thought you didn’t care.”

  “I don’t,” I challenged.

  Leaning down, he grabbed a pair of green cotton shorts and a t-shirt from my bag.

  “Put these on,” he said, handing me the clothes.

  I laughed and rolled my eyes which only caused Ty to push the clothes further into my hands.

  “Do you need me to dress you?” he asked in a serious tone.

  “Wouldn’t you rather undress me?” I challenged, stepping toward him.

  “Yeah, I would actually,” he said, running his hands through his dark hair. “But not while you smell like a brewery and not when you won’t remember it. Get dressed.” He let out an exasperated breath and sat back on the bed, placing his head down in his hands.

  Dropping the shorts and t-shirt to the ground, I reached up and pulled my shirt over my head. Letting it fall to the pile of clothes on the ground, I stepped toward Ty wearing only my black lace bra and panties. I slid my knee between his legs and ran my fingers through his dark wavy hair. I pulled his head up from his hands.

  “You’re killing me,” he sighed as he placed his hands on the back of my thighs and pulled me closer to him.

  Wrapping my arms around the back of his neck, I leaned down and kissed him. The kiss quickly grew intense, and he pulled me onto his lap so that I was straddling him on the side of the bed. Running his hands up my back and grabbing a fistful of my hair, he pulled back.

  “I want you, but not like this. We’re both drunk.”

  “So?” I objected, leaning into him again.

  “You need to go to sleep,” he said, running his fingers back down my back and stopping at my hips.

  “You need to stop flirting with other girls,” I said, letting my hands travel down his arms.

  Ty laughed and tilted my chin up to look directly into my eyes. “If you were my girlfriend, no other girl would even look in my direction.”

  A smile spread across my face before I could stop it. “You drive me crazy.” I laughed.

  “No, you drive me crazy,” Ty laughed.

  Running his thumb across my bottom lip, he kissed me again. Leaning his forehead against mine, he whispered. “Be my girlfriend.”

  Beyond all of my best judgment, I sighed. “Fine.”

  “Fine?” he asked in surprise.

  “Fine,” I shrugged.

  Ty grabbed the sides of my face and kissed me again. Smiling from ear to ear, he lifted me and threw me onto the bed. “This might be the beer talking, so I am going to remind you about this in the morning.”

  “I’ll remember,” I laughed as he tucked me into the bed.

  He kissed me on the forehead and lay on the bed next to me. “You won’t regret this, Bailey. We belong together.”

  “Mmmm…” I mumbled as I drifted off to sleep.

  Ty kissed my forehead before leaning back into the pillows. “Good night, baby.”

  ***

  I woke up in the morning wrapped in Ty’s arms and legs. Wrestling my way out from under his grip, I groa
ned as I made my way to the bathroom. I shouldn’t have played that last drinking game. Brushing my teeth and swallowing the first pain reliever I could find in the medicine cabinet, I tiptoed back to the bed.

  Looking down, I realized I was still only wearing my bra and panties. I knew nothing had happened, but apparently Ty didn’t find it necessary to dress me before putting me to bed. Grabbing my t-shirt from the floor, I began to pull the fabric over my head.

  “Oh no, you don’t,” Ty said, grabbing me by the waist and pulling me back into the bed.

  “Let me get dressed first,” I laughed, struggling to get out of his arms.

  “You weren’t worried about getting dressed last night,” he smirked, pulling the covers over both of us. “In fact you were pretty adamant about…”

  “Shhh,” I cut him off. “I had too much to drink last night, and you were flirting with every girl in sight.”

  “I would flirt with every guy in sight if it meant you would finally agree to be my girlfriend,” he smiled before kissing my neck.

  “Girlfriend, hmm…” I sighed, leaning back so he could make his way up to my ear. “I thought that conversation was a dream.”

  He ran his fingers up my back and along the lacy strap of my bra. Looking into my eyes, he asked me again in a serious tone. “Will you be my girlfriend?”

  Smiling, I ran my nose across his bottom lip. “I’ve only been waiting two months for you to ask.”

  “Are you kidding me?” he said as he kissed my nose.

  I shrugged. “I had to make sure you were serious.”

  He shook his head. “You’re such a brat.”

  “I know,” I smiled. “But now I’m your brat.”

  “Hmmm,” he pulled me closer. “That sounds good to me.”

  Running my hand from his neck down to his chest, I tilted my chin up, giving him access to my mouth. His soft wet lips were instantly on mine. My lips parted, giving his tongue an entrance, and the kiss deepened. Through heavy breaths, our hands traveled across each other, exploring where we had always wanted to go.

  Unfastening the clasp on my bra, he removed one of the few pieces of fabric separating us. I let out a soft whimper as his hand found my breast. Moving between my legs, he climbed on top of me. The only thing separating us were his boxers and my thin lace panties. Kissing my lips, then down my neck and to my breasts, Ty licked and kissed until I was panting beyond control.