Page 45 of Fine, Dork

“Hell. Yes.” I nibbled on her ear. “And your heart, and your mind.”

“Aw, baby, that was the perfect answer.” Kinley turned to face me. “One more picture.” She kissed me slow and sweet and held her camera out to take a selfie while we kissed. “Now we can go.”

We headed back to her rental for a quick dinner and more sex before I had to leave. A couple of hours later, I reluctantly pried myself from my girlfriend’s gorgeous naked body, but only after she promised me a long list of sexual favors as soon as she got home.

I loved my weekend in Ireland, but I was pretty sure I could be anywhere in the world with Kinley and love it. When you were with the right people, it didn’t matter where you were.

???

Fifteen Years Old

I took a deep breath. I should just ask. I mean, when was I going to be in Italy again? I cleared my throat and asked, “Can we go to Pompeii tomorrow?”

My father stood and left the dinner table without even acknowledging that I’d spoken. “I need to make a call.”

“Of course, dear.” My mom’s smile looked tight and angry like a spring wound up for attack. After my father left the hotel dining room, she cast her cold gaze on me. “Did you win the science fair this year? Were you the valedictorian at your school?”

My stomach dropped, and my mouth felt dry. “No,” I almost whispered.

“Then you didn’t earn the reward of choosing any of our destinations.” She turned to Tyson next with a smile. “Tyson gets to choose. He got into Harvard, didn’t he?”

My brother swallowed and straightened in his chair. I caught his gaze and silently pleaded with him. Tyson looked away and turned to our mom. “Let’s do the Colosseum tomorrow.”

I let out the breath I’d been holding. “Asshole,” I muttered. He could never be on my side, could he?

“Jaxon,” my mother’s voice was quiet but dangerous. “We don’t use language like that in this family. Are you a part of this family?”

Tyson snorted. “He doesn’t care about this family. He’s too worried about hanging out with the popular kids and chasing a pipe dream.” He leaned forward and smirked at me. “Kinley’s never going to want you. She just started dating another older guy.”

I gripped the tablecloth and glared at my brother.

My mother rolled her eyes. “Kinley? Good Lord. Put some big breasts on some skinny legs, and men lose their minds, don’t they?” She shook her head and sipped her white wine. “Woods are better than that, Jaxon. Maybe you shouldn’t be spending so much time with her.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “Give me your phone. You’re taking a break from Kinley Summers and all of your other little friends.”

“Mom, seriously?” I gaped at her. Texting Kinley was the only thing keeping me sane during this trip.

“Seriously.” She held out her hand and raised both eyebrows at me, daring me to defy her.

My heart pounded, and my palms sweated. I could do it, right? I could stand up to her. I met her gaze with determination but felt it melting away with each passing second. Finally, I stood and slammed my phone down on the table. My mother gave me a satisfied smile, and I stalked out of the dining room without dessert.

I was pissed at my parents for being shitty people. I was pissed at my brother for being an asshole, but more than anything, I was pissed at myself for being a coward.

25

Kinley

A week after I got home from Ireland —home, god, I loved calling Jaxon’s condo that— Beckett called J while we cuddled in bed. Jaxon answered his phone but kept one arm wrapped around me.

“How’s it going, dude?” He paused while he listened to Beckett’s response, then he smiled and sat up a little straighter. “Yeah. That sounds great. Can I bring my new girlfriend?” After another pause, Jaxon’s smile grew, then he pinched my ass and said, “Kinley.”

I heard Beckett’s loud, deep voice through the phone. “WHAT?” The rest of his words were muffled, and I couldn’t make them out.

Jaxon laughed. “Yeah, dude. Hawaii started something, and we kept it going.”

He tried to use a cool no-big-deal voice, but I saw J’s smile and heard the pride in his words. Ugh. Gooey heart love mess again. It was nauseating how often that happened to me lately.

Beckett insisted on a double date the same night, so we made plans to meet for dinner.

A few hours later, Jaxon and I walked into the trendy San Fransisco steakhouse and spotted Beckett and Lyla already seated at a table in the back. While Lyla perused the menu, Beckett snuck sips of red wine from her glass.

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