Page 96 of Stealing for Keeps
My lips part, and I have a sudden rush of defensiveness.
She continues, “You’re not telling people because it’s what is good for him. What about what’s good for you?”
“Do I want to hold his hand walking down the hall? Yes, of course. But it’s not forever. He’s going to tell Vaughn when the time is right. Besides, it’s kind of fun keeping it hidden from everyone. Secret looks, brushes of hands, kisses in dark corners.” Heat pools low in my stomach.
“Forbidden love.” She sighs dramatically. “Promise me that you’ll really think about it before sleeping with him? It should be what you want.”
“I promise.”
“And one other thing.” A hint of insecurity flashes in her eyes, and her voice loses the usual spark as she says, “Promise me we’ll still hang out even if you and Austin start banging and spending all your free time together? I can’t protect you if I don’t know what’s happening.”
“Are you kidding me? You’re never getting rid of me. I will always make time for you. Always,” I vow. “But I’m okay. Better than I’ve been in months.”
“Claire!” my mom yells from downstairs. “That boy is here.”
“She means Austin,” I say, getting to my feet. A smile stretches wide across my face. “He’s dropping by to get his sketchbook.”
Lacey snorts a laugh. “I see your mom is really starting to warm up to him.”
I hear Austin’s low voice greeting my mom and then his footsteps as he comes up the stairs.
My door is cracked open, but I fling it wider as he comes into sight. My stomach flips, and my pulse races. His dark hair is still wet from a shower after practice, and I can smell his familiar body wash.
“Hi,” I say, voice breathy with excitement.
“Hey.” He leans in to kiss me. After his lips swipe over mine, he looks to Lacey. “Hey, Lacey.”
“New Guy.” She stands and gathers her stuff into her backpack.
“You don’t have to go,” I tell her.
“I should check on my dad anyway. Make sure he eats dinner.” Glancing at Austin, she explains, “He has a tendency to get so wrapped up in his work he loses track of everything else.”
If I didn’t know it was true, I’d think she was exaggerating.
Austin links our pinkie fingers, and once Lacey has all her stuff, she walks over, stepping into his space. Both of his brows lift, but he doesn’t move back or say anything.
“If you hurt her, I will glitter bomb you every day until graduation.”
“Always with the glitter,” he mutters, then nods. “I won’t hurt her.”
“Good.” Lacey smiles brightly, like she didn’t just threaten my boyfriend. “See you guys tomorrow!”
As soon as she’s gone, Austin turns to me with an amused grin that looks maybe a hint nervous.
“I’m a little afraid of her.”
“I think that’s her plan.”
He circles an arm around my waist and pulls me to him. His head drops so he can press his mouth to mine. I melt into him, kissing him back and losing myself to his touch and the warmth spreading through me.
When he pulls back, my head is light and fuzzy. He takes my hand and pulls me to the bed.
He leans back, resting on his elbow and foot hanging off the bed. “How was the rest of your day?”
“Good.” I get his sketchbook from my desk. His face lights up as I walk toward him with it in hand. As soon as I give it to him, he flips to the last used page.
His head falls back, and he laughs. I glance at the rough drawing. I’m not nearly as talented as him when it comes to sketching, but I managed to draw a decent-looking scene with a boy (him) and girl (me) playing chess, in which I’m winning. I even drew a bubble over my head that says “Checkmate!”
