Page 48 of Major Love

Our feelings didn’t go away. They stood their ground and endured.

And it doesn’t feel like over a decade since I last messed around with her, teasing her in the passenger seat of my car as I brought her back to her mom’s. It’s the same situation only we’re not in high school anymore, meaning that we’ve finally developed the sense to open up about what’s important.

We’ve done our hard rites of passage, where we moved away and built lives that we were proud of. But, at least for me, my time out of Phoenix Falls is over, and I know exactly what I want now that I can live how I choose.

I like the slow pace, the steady job, and the fulfilment that comes with doing winter search-and-rescue.

And I like that everything feels even sweeter when my time off work is spent with Sunday.

I grab my phone from the bench and head to the back of the bar, where we’re currently storing the electricals.

It’s just over a week until Valentine’s Day, which means that I need to get on with propositioning Sunday about us going to the outdoor cinema screening.

Back when we were in high school, she talked about that thing nonstop for months, only to end up not being able to go when we found out that it was eighteen-plus entry.

She’d almost burst into tears when Case told her in the cafeteria one lunchtime, those beautiful eyes growingwide before she turned one-eighty and sprinted to the girls’ bathroom.

I waited outside for her almost ten minutes into class, and, when she finally emerged, she looked so sad it made my chest ache. So we bunked off school for the rest of the day, and I took her up one of the trails to take her mind off it.

And when I finally got her home Casey practically broke my jaw, but I’d taken it with secret pride because his sister liked me – alot.

I dip inside the back office, leaning against the dark wood desk as I unlock my cell.

My chest heaves steadily as I look over our messages, undeniably satisfied with the progress we’ve been making.

And when a new text suddenly comes through my heart lurches behind my ribs.

SUNDAY:Hey! Just letting you know I might do the Alpine Trail with Haven on Saturday morning. Don’t know if you’ve got plans, but feel free to join x

I stare at that little kiss for about twenty seconds straight.

Until I’m suddenly thinking,shit – Idohave plans Saturday morning.

To head over to Casey’s place, so that I have an excuse to see Sunday.

And now they’re plans that I can’t change because I already ordered the fixtures for Casey’s yard. Meaning that, especially if the weather forecast about Saturday afternoon is correct, I need to be fast as fuck when it comes to the installation.

Hanging out with Haven and Tuck means that it isn’t a date, but, when I think about it, that means it’s so much more. That Sunday wants me to spend time with her closest family.

And I’m going to have to fuckingdecline.

“Jesus Christ,” I rasp, knee bouncing up and down like a sledgehammer.

Fuck it, I’m just going to be honest with her.

JASON:Wish I could, but I’m busy ’til midday Saturday. Meet up after? x

I press send.

And wait.

For five minutes.

To no response.

Great. Fucking A. Of course I’ve just blown my shot with Sunday.

The hottest woman in the state just gave me an excuse to see her – and I had to turn her down.

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