Page 132 of Never Will I Ever

“Colton. Dayton,” I greet my boyfriend’s brothers with a smile.“Good to see you guys.”

“Hey, Avery! I didn’t know you’d be here this summer,” Dayton says brightly, a big grin on his face in return.

He’s been a lot easier to convince of my intentions, both with Kaleb and in general, so I’m not surprised by his warm response to my presence.

“You really came back,” Colton notes, studying my face.

I cock my head to the side, narrowing my eyes inquisitively. “Of course I did. I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather spend the summer.”

Okay, maybe that’s not entirely true. The location itself wasn’t what brought me back—that was all Kaleb. I’m happiest wherever he is.

“Did you leave your boat shoes at home this time?” Colton asks almost immediately.

Even if it’s meant to be a dig more than a joke, I don’t let myself get perturbed by it. After all, I knew I’d have to put in some work with him, and that’s one of my main goals this summer. So I just smirk and reply, “I left the boat shoes at home. Figured they’d be better use to me after camp.”

“After camp?” Dayton asks, slipping back into the conversation.

I glance between the twins, weighing my options for a moment before dropping my voice. “Well, as long as you can keep a secret…I’m planning to take Kaleb sailing once we head back to the city.”

Dayton’s eyes bug out, but it’s Colton’s head that cocks to the side, studying me skeptically. “You have a sailboat?”

“What do you think the boat shoes are for?”

Colton shrugs. “Being a douchey prep boy?”

“Colton Thomas!” Kaleb’s father calls, drawing all our attention over to the truck. “That’s uncalled for.”

When I glance back at the twin in question, I find his gaze castdown at the ground, and he mutters a disgruntled “I’m sorry”under his breath.

Dayton, on the other hand, is completely enamored by this new information, eyes lighting up when he asks, “Can we go sailing when you take Kaleb?”

“You’d want to?”

“Uh, duh. Cole’s more into boats than me; I prefer planes.” He pauses, eyes becoming two hazel saucers before he asks, “Wait, do you have a plane too?”

I let out a sharp laugh. “Uh, no. Sorry to disappoint.”

He simply shrugs. “Boats are still cool.”

“Well, I’ll tell you what.” My attention shifts between the two of them, a smile pulling at my lips. “I’ll take you guys out in August. But you’re not allowed to say anything to Kaleb about me taking him. Deal?”

Dayton’s all for it before he’s hustling off to find Kaleb, meanwhile Colton doesn’t do more than nod slightly before joining his twin.

Into boats, my ass.

I don’t have more than a second to linger on the thought, though, because their father is rounding the truck and handing off one of the duffles.

“Avery. Sorry about Cole,” Mr. LaMothe greets, offering me his hand. I slide my palm into his, but I’m not prepared for the quick half-hug he pulls me into. “It’s good to see you.”

Mr. LaMothe has been nothing but kind to me since Kaleb brought me to Bend over spring break. Both of his parents were welcoming, actually—despite their knowledge of my and Kaleb’s rocky past—and I couldn’t be more grateful for it.

“Nice to see you too, Mr. LaMothe.”

“Eric,” he corrects with a knowing grin as he hands me the other bag. “Give Cole some time; he’ll come around.”

Both Kaleb’s parents, as well as Kaleb, keep saying the samething, and while I’m going to give it my all, I’ll admit, things aren’t exactly off to the best start. But rather than being a Debbie Downer, I nod and give him a tight smile.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

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