Page 25 of Sunshine

A warm hand covers my own, squeezing gently. “I’m here for you,” he says in a low voice. “For anything you might need. Let me be here for you.”

I chance a look at him and find him watching me in earnest, his vulnerability on full display, and I can’t bear it a second longer. Pulling my hand away from his, I push open the door and climb out with a mumbled, “Thanks.” I drag my feet up the front walkway to the porch and look back to catch Wells’s gaze through the window, watching as he shakes his head and rolls his truck away from the curb.

And then I let out a deep sigh of relief.

But that relief is short-lived because I open the door to find my mother waiting for me inside the foyer. Her gaze is sharp as she cuts me with it. “What is Wells Bennett doing dropping you off after youfailedto come home last night?”

I roll my eyes. “Mom, drop it.”

But there’s that look in her eye, like she’s readying for battle. “Does it have anything to do with the scene you caused last night?Pukingon some poor girl, Layla?” She tilts her headas she looks me up and down. “You were drunk, weren’t you?”

The bone-deep urge to pick up the porcelain vase at my side and smash it against the wall nearly overcomes me. “No, I wasn’t drunk,” I grind out. “That ‘poor girl’ was Jason’sothergirlfriend, the one he’s beencheatingon me with at school for the past month.”

The blow lands how I expect it to. Mom’s beautifully arched brows rise in shock as her mouth drops open. “What?!” she exclaims. “How is that possible?” She attempts to gather herself, clutching at her chest as she thinks through the implication of it all. “Jason would never do that to you . . . there must be some mistake.”

I close my eyes, willing the tears to stand down. The crushing chaos in my chest I felt when I woke up this morning is quietly disappearing as I feel myself slip back into an icy numbness. “No mistake. Wells confirmed it.”

Silence falls between us, and I open my eyes to her heavy stare. I can’t help but wonder what she’s thinking, how Lynette Perkins—the woman who’s raised me with the single expectation that I find a good man to marry and have lots of children with—might feel now. Eventually, she lets out a sad sigh. “I’m so sorry, bug. I can’t imagine the heartbreak you must be feeling on top of everything else. But I promise you, this will pass. You’re still young, sweetheart—you’ll find a man who will treat you right and give you everything you deserve?—”

“I can givemyselfwhat I deserve,” I interrupt. “I don’t need a man to be happy, Mom . . . I’m notyou.” I hear the gasp she sucks in, but I’ve already torn my gaze away from her to stomp up the stairs. As soon as I make it into the confinesof my room, I slam my door shut and sink to the floor as silent sobs rack my body.

CHAPTER TWELVE

THEN

On a chilly Friday in November, Jason tells me that he wants to take me somewhere to celebrate our three-month anniversary—somewhere out of Saddlebrook Falls and far enough away that I’ll have to ask my mom if I can push my curfew to midnight. He won’t tell me where he wants to go, and though I feign a teasing annoyance at the lack of details, I’m secretly thrilled.

It’s a bye week—a much-needed break for the team who have played their hearts out all season long. With only a few weeks left in the regular season, the Mustangs are expected to clinch their first perfect record in nearly twenty years. Jason has started in every game since that first one against the Titans and continues to dominate on the field with his steadying calm and one hell of an arm.

Scouts have even been at a few of the more recent home games, sending Jason into a tailspin. On the field, he leads a strong offense, but the second he steps off theturf, those nerves take root and poke at his confidence, driving him to practice till ten, eleven o’clock most nights. If he’s not practicing, he’s locked inside the school’s weight room. Even on the rare nights that we all hang out at Wells’s, Jason spends the majority of our time together throwing balls through a tire swing near the rec room.

Needless to say, spending a little quality time with him sounds like perfection, and I can’t wait. “What should I wear?” I ask from the passenger’s seat of his car as he takes me home after school.

“Boots and a jacket.” The corners of his mouth lift as the implication settles over me.

“We’ll be outside?”

He nods. “I’d probably put a little sunscreen on your face.” He looks at me with a sly grin. “Wouldn’t want you to burn.”

I laugh as my mind rolls through the possibilities. The beach? It’s only a half-hour drive away—but that wouldn’t explain a need for boots. Maybe a hike? “What kind of pants should I wear?”

This time he laughs. “You can skip the pants altogether, Layla. Trust me, I wouldn’t mind.”

My ears burn hot at the suggestion. We’re three months into our relationship, but I haven’t even let him take my shirt off yet despite his continued attempts. It’s not that I’mnotinterested in taking things more physical, because I am. Very much so, actually. But I think being eager is part of the problem because I’m not sure where that eagerness is coming from.

Even when Jason and I are just making out in his car I become intensely aware of my body and the fact that I’m not sure what todowith it. It’s an insecurity that leaves me feelingboth terrified about fumbling through any attempt atmoreand also just ready to dive in and get it all over with in hopes it settles some of these bone-deep nerves.

Jason’s definitely not a virgin, and I guess when it comes down to it, I’m a little scared that my inexperience might bore him or disappoint him. And I know in my heart that’s not enough of a reason to give myself up, but I’m also not sure how else to feel more confident about it all.

“I’m serious!” I scold, hoping he doesn’t notice my flush. “Are jeans safe?”

His smile lingers as he wraps a warm hand around the top of my bent knee. “Jeans are perfect.”

The next day, he shows up at my house around noon with three bundles of flowers in hand—one for me, and the others for Mom and Annie. Annie just about topples over with excitement at her beautiful bouquet, and Mom gives me a look that confirms everything I already know about how she feels about him. And while the gesture is nice, I know it’s to sweeten her up before asking if he can bring me home later than usual tonight.

“Where are you two off to, anyway?” she counters when he eventually asks.

His eyes move to mine before they jump back to her. “I was kind of hoping I could keep it a surprise, but I promise it’s somewhere safe and that I’ll take great care of her.”

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