Page 14 of One Spicy Summer

Just as I start to drown in it, She pulls away.

Breathless. Stunning. Swollen lips and stunned eyes.

“Fuck, Rygaard… I’m sorry,” she whispers, touching her mouth.

“Prez, you have nothing to be sorry for.” I reach for her face again. “I’ve wanted that kiss for years. I enjoyed it more than you’ll ever know.”

Her eyes brighten like sunrise through stained glass.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Then I lean in, one corner of my mouth tilted up.

“Now tell me, who’s the boy you’ve got a crush on?”

Chapter Seven

Presley

Why the hell did you kiss him, Presley?I mentally facepalm, dragging myself for making such a reckless move.

That was really fucking stupid. Now he’s gonna know.Nobody’s gonna know.I don’t care if nobody knows, just him.

These are the conversations I have with myself when I spiral too far into my own head.

"Little Hellion, I’m not a broken record. This is the LAST time I'm asking: who is your crush?" Rygaard’s voice cuts through my thoughts like a blade, pulling me back to the now.

I blink, re-centering on the boy sitting in front of me. My best friend. The boy I want to share all my firsts with.

When did he get like this?

Like…this.

He looks like he just rolled out of bed, not like he’s been grinding through football practice for hours. That dark hair of his falls messily around his ears, his emerald-green eyes darker than usual, like a storm’s rolling through them. His cheekbones? So unfairly sharp. And don’t even get me started on his arms in that damn tank top. Defined, tattooed, everything I shouldn't be staring at, and yet, here I am.

Drowning.

He clears his throat. Right. He asked me a question.

Welp. Now or never.

I square my shoulders and take a breath, letting the truth fly free. “You.”

His brows shoot up. “Me?”

“You’re my crush. And the reason I’ve been driving Rafe crazy with my wardrobe. I’ve been trying to get your attention, Ry Ry.”

It feels like unloading a thousand-pound weight. Terrifying, but freeing. Like taking that first leap off a cliff and hoping the water catches you.

What if this ruins everything? What if he stops coming over? What if he can’t unsee Rafe’s annoying, too-young sister pining after him?

No. Don’t do that. Don’t spiral.I said what I said. I’m not backing down. Not this time.

Rygaard justwatchesme. Silent. Unreadable. And the wait? Agonizing. Until finally, A wicked smirk tugs at his lips. “Me? I’m your crush?”

I nod, trying not to spontaneously combust.

---