Page 112 of Spencer and the Younger Girl
Separate, they were two imperfect parts of a storm.
Together, they were a hurricane.
A cheer came from the still open doorway to their left and Hadley pulled away.
Spencer’s entire face went red, but an audience had never bothered her.
Roman continued to cheer while the rest of the small class joined him.
Stepping out of Spencer’s arms, Hadley curtsied before Spencer pulled her back to him, turning them out of view of the doorway.
He pressed her up against a row of lockers, his gaze burning into her.
Hadley released a laugh.
Mr. Thompson stuck his head out the door and scowled at them. “Go see the principal, Ms. Gibson.” He stepped back inside. The slamming of the door reverberated down the hall.
Spencer pressed his face into Hadley’s neck, his entire body shaking with laughter.
“Can we rewind to the beginning of your suuuuper long-winded speech?”
“Long-winded?” he protested. “I spoke from the heart.”
“And your heart enjoys hearing itself.” She smiled up at him at the joke. “But seriously, the beginning. Right after you tried to call your horse mean.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Hadley.” He pushed away from the locker and patted his leg so Stammer would follow him down the hall.
Hadley ran after him. “Liar.”
He winked.
“You said you loved me.”
Spencer’s shrugged. “I did, didn’t I?”
“Was it true?”
“Was what true?” His voice rang with laughter.
Hadley stopped walking, letting the distance between them widen. “I love you too, you know.”
His entire body stilled for a moment before he turned on his heel, marched back to her and pulled her into his arms. “It’s true. I’m standing in a high school right now.” His face screwed up in disgust. “And yet, that doesn’t matter. I don’t care how old you are. Well, I do. I’m not a creep. But I don’t see you as the younger girl, not anymore. You’ve changed everything for me, Hadley.”
She reached up to touch his face, needing to make sure he was real. Stretching up, she pressed her lips to his. This kiss held more than passion, more than desire.
It was a promise.
“Thanks for giving me space,” she whispered against his lips. She hadn’t realized until that moment how hard it must have been for him or how much she needed it. This gesture would have completely overwhelmed her at the hospital. “But, I think you got me into more trouble bringing Stammer to the school.”
Spencer’s lips stretched into a grin. “Taken care of.”
She leaned away. “How?”
“Roman called those two who helped with the prank.”
“Brayden and Bailey Madison?”
Spencer nodded. “They got their mom to give me permission. I didn’t want to do anything that would hurt you. I’ve done that enough.”
