Page 22 of Caden & Theo
We’re so close now I can feel the heat coming off his skin. I slide my free hand up his chest, fingers skimming the damp cotton of his T-shirt.
He leans down, just a little, and I meet him halfway.
The kiss is slow, deep, and unhurried—like we’re making up for lost time even though we know we’ll never have enough. Hishands settle on my waist, mine on his shoulders, and everything else fades.
When we finally pull back, I keep my forehead pressed to his. “I’m gonna miss this.”
His grip tightens just a little. “Me too.”
“I hate how fast it’s going.”
“I know.”
We stay this way, quiet in the dark, the sounds of summer a low background hum. A dog barks somewhere down the street. Crickets sing. My pulse refuses to slow.
I shift, pulling him a little closer. My mouth brushes just under his jaw. “You know… we’ve got a few more weeks.”
“Yeah.” His voice is rougher now. “But we’re not doingthathere.”
I smirk against his skin. “Didn’t say we would.”
“You’re thinking about it.”
“I’malwaysthinking about it.”
He groans. “Theo.”
I look up. “Come on. It’s not like I haven’t earned it.”
“You’ve earned a medal for self-control.”
I grin. “You know my birthday’s at the end of September, right?” Eighteen and I can’t fucking wait.
“I’m aware.”
“I’ve… been thinking,” I say carefully. “Maybe I could visit. For the weekend. To celebrate. I’m already figuring out a way to make it happen.”
His eyes widen slightly. “You’d come all the way to Kentucky?”
“I would if you wanted me to.”
He nods, eyes dark. “I do.”
Something about the way he says it makes my chest tighten all over again. “Good,” I whisper. “Because I plan to celebrate properly.”
He kisses me again—quick, hard, like he needs it.
Then he pulls back with a shaky breath. “We should head home before someone decides to come out this way.”
“Let them,” I say, but I know he’s right.
We walk back slowly, hands brushing, eyes heavy. And even though it hurts knowing the countdown is real, I also know one thing for sure: We’ll make it work. Wehaveto.
SIX
CADEN
A heavy lumpclogs my throat. I knew it was going to be hard, but saying goodbye to Theo is something I’ve been quietly dreading all summer. I just didn’t realize how much it would feel like pressing pause on the best part of my life.
