Page 63 of How We Loved

He takes my hand and guides me to the living room, where we both sit on the couch.

“It’s not often we get the place to ourselves like this. Do you want to just hang out and watch a movie?” he asks.

I curl into his side, feeling like that’s the perfect way to end a perfect meal.

“Sounds great.”

He reaches for the remote and clicks it on, scrolling through Netflix, then putting on a rom-com, which makes me laugh.

“You don’t have to watch this just because I’m here,” I tease.

“Shh.” He brings his finger up to his lips. “I secretly like these movies, but don’t tell anyone. You being here just gives me an excuse to watch them even more.”

I giggle as I get more comfortable, leaning against him as we watch the latest rom-com.

Right as the movie is over, Lisa comes into the living room to join us. “Sorry to have to end this short, but your dad is on his way home and says he needs your help with the fence out back.”

Trevor sighs, placing his head on mine one more time, then motions for us to get up. “Back to reality,” he says.

Lisa leaves the room as I gather my things, and he walks me to the front door. I peek in the kitchen and see Lisa sitting at the dining room table with bills laid out in front of her.

“It was so nice meeting you,” I say. “Thank you for lunch.”

She stands and comes to give me a hug. “It was great meeting you too. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get together again soon.”

“I’d like that,” I respond.

We wave goodbye, and Trevor walks me to my car.

“This was fun,” I say as I turn to face him with my back to the driver’s door.

He nods his head. “It was actually. I don’t remember the last time I got to just hang out at my house like that. Glad it was with you.” He leans in and kisses me.

It’s not a passionate kiss or a quick kiss. It’s a meaningful kiss with the way he’s slow with his movements as he presses softly against me.

“Bye,” he whispers. “Drive safely.”

I grin up at him. “I will. Thanks again for having me.”

“It’s only the beginning for us,” he says with a grin, melting my heart.

This is exactly the day I needed with him, and I’m really starting to think we might have a future together. What that means for my life back home makes my heart ache, but I push those thoughts out of my mind for a little while longer, wanting to live in this happiness for just a few minutes more.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Ben

Sorry, I can’t make it today. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.

This is the text from Maya I woke up to this morning. Nothing explaining why she can’t come over, just a quick and simple text, blowing me off for yet another day. I texted her a few times last night, and she never even bothered to respond—again.

I throw off my covers, pissed off before I even get out of bed.

She can date all she wants, but why does that mean she has to cut me out of her life? Because that’s exactly what I feel is happening. I already know this guy isn’t who he comes off to be, but now, it feels like he’s keeping her away from me on purpose.

That’s the only explanation as to why she would act this way.

Not wanting to be around anyone, for fear they’ll see how upset I am and call me on my bullshit, I get dressed and head down to the park to shoot some hoops.

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