Page 79 of Bad Crush
I scan our friends. Heath and Ginny, Rhett, and Dakota. All of us sitting here just enjoying the night and each other’s company. My heart squeezes. This group is so much more than just my friends. Before when I was pining away for Adam, it was hard for me to really feel this at peace when we were all together, but now I can’t imagine a group of people that could feel more like family.
“You good?” Adam whispers next to my ear. His arms slide around my waist, holding me protectively.
I turn to look into his hazel eyes. “So good.”
His gaze drops to my mouth, and he kisses me softly. “I’m crazy about you. Can’t seem to get enough, but right now—somehow it feels like enough. Tonight’s been perfect.”
My heart flutters, and I’m putty in his hands. I can’t think of a response. All of my emotions feel too big and overwhelming to put into words. Instead, I nuzzle into him, enjoying the warmth it brings me inside and out.
Dakota’s next to us. She smiles and winks when we make eye contact. She’s been hesitant to trust Adam, afraid he’d break my heart, but I know how happy she is for me.
“I think I’m out,” she says. “I can’t miss my eight o’clock class tomorrow.”
“Good luck getting through the house without going blind,” Heath says as she stands to go inside.
She leans down to hug me. “I’ll survive.”
“I’m out too.” Liam stretches his long legs and then gets to his feet.
“You need a ride?” Adam asks him. I grin up at my considerate boyfriend. Always looking out for his guys.
“Nah, I didn’t drink tonight.”
“You were arguing over butter and margarine stone-cold sober?” Heath shakes his head and takes a drink from his beer, emptying it. Ginny’s on his lap, and he leans forward. “Ready for bed, baby doll?”
Ginny nods, and Heath stands, carrying her with him. I hear him tell her to cover her eyes before they walk in.
“I don’t want to go in yet,” I say. “It’s so nice out.”
“We can stay out here as long as you want.” Adam brushes my hair away from my neck and kisses me. I want to soak up this night, this feeling, as long as possible.
Rhett kicks his feet up on an empty chair. “I’m giving it another thirty minutes before I go in. I do not need to see Mav’s O-face.”
“It’s all clear,” Heath calls from inside.
Rhett doesn’t move. “I’m still not ready to go in yet. Sorry, you two are stuck with me for a little while longer.”
“We’re good,” I say. Adam pulls me closer, wrapping me up in his arms, and I lean my head on his shoulder. “You can stay as long as you want.”
Rhett’s gaze narrows, a slow smile spreads on his face. “You two snuck away and boned earlier, didn’t you?”
Adam chuckles. My face heats.
Rhett sighs. “Man, that must be nice to have your girl here every night. My hand-to-girl ratio is pathetic.”
“Hand-to-girl?” I ask.
“Amount of times I’ve fucked my hand instead of my girl.”
“Oh.” My face flames even hotter. Poor guy. “So, you and Carrie are back together?”
“No,” he says immediately, then. “Yes? Fuck, I don’t know. We’re talking.”
Adam’s quiet, but I can read his silence well.
“Nothing to say?” Rhett grins over his beer. Obviously, he can read Adam well too.
“Nah, man. I just want you to be happy.”
