“Amazing,” we both say in unison.
Madison links her arm into mine, leaving Andy to walk behind us. “You know, Austin is here.”
“I figured, since he said he’d come.”
Madison leans in, her perfume stronger than usual. “No one is allowed upstairs but say the word, and it’s all yours.”
I’m about to switch the topic with a nervous smile when thankfully, Madison gets pulled outside. Bouncing in her pink heels, she joins a group of boys and begins to dance in the middle of a circle, basking in all the attention.
“Let’s go get something to eat,” I suggest to Andy.
We head outside, hovering near a table spread out with catered food. I have to hand it to Madison, she went all out, not that anyone else cares. Most of the teenagers here are self-absorbed, eager to get laid by some jock or cheerleader.
The music blares from a DJ booth stationed near the large swimming pool. A few people jump in the pool on a dare—the goofy boys—who I often enjoy spending time with when I need a good laugh.
Andy nods his head, spotting a few of his friends by the drinks.
“Will you be okay?” he asks, though his eyes are fixated on Skylar Fischer, a girl he’s crushed on since middle school.
“I do know how to socialize,” I remind him with a pat on his shoulder. “Will you just go and have fun? And when are you going to ask Skylar out? It’s senior year. You’ve got nothing left to lose.”
“Um… my ego? Besides, she out of my league.”
“Just because she’s a cheerleader doesn’t mean she’s out of your league. You’re a good-looking guy, your mom is a top fashion designer, and your dad is one of America’s well-known journalists. You come from a good family. Why wouldn’t she like you?”
“You’re just saying all this because you’re my cousin. But I’ll agree with you, it’s my senior year and time to get my shit together.”
He takes a deep breath, his blue eyes widening with slight fear until the usually confident boy I love so dearly walks away toward his crush. When it comes to girls, they often throw themselves at Andy. It’s hard for me to look at him in any other way, but I guess, if I’m honest, his dark blond hair and bright blue eyes along with his tall and toned physique, make him extremely handsome. Yet unlike all the arrogant jocks in our year, Andy isn’t the type of guy to sleep around and use girls for the sake of being macho. I’m just glad he broke up with Giselle Monaghan after she acted like a maniac. If luck is on his side, she won’t be here tonight to ruin his life again.
I watch from across the pool until arms wrap around my waist as the familiar masculine scent invades the air around me, radiating warmth throughout my chest.
“My girl,” his voice whispers in my ear.
Unable to hide my smile, I turn around and wrap my arms around Austin’s neck. In his eyes, the warm honey hues mixed with caramel reflect a hazel color I’ve only ever seen
when he gazes upon me. Austin is dressed in a hoodie, blue jeans, and sneakers—looking deliciously handsome as always.
“You’re here.”
“I said I would be.” His smile is so wide, baring his perfectly straight white teeth. “Besides, I’m kind of fond of you.”
I smack his chest softly, his face pained, though only momentarily.
We’ve dated all through senior year. In terms of relationships in high school, this is considered long-term. Being the gentlemen he is, Austin offered to meet my father, and much to my surprise, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be. It started off shaky, my father, of course, interrogating poor Austin. But when Austin mentioned med school, it all shifted. There was somewhat of a respectful exchange of conversation. I recall Mom telling me that my father studied to be a doctor, though never really elaborated on why he changed professions.
There is, however, one rule. We’re never to be alone. Andy or Ava chaperoned us on more than one occasion, but both of them would abandon us enough to spend time making out or fool around. We just never had sex, something I know Austin wants.
“I love this song,” I say as the music continues to blast. “Let’s dance.”
We dance beside the pool, his hands never leaving my waist. He spends most of his time buried in my neck until he suggests we go somewhere quieter.
My eyes scan the area surrounding us. “Like where?”
“I thought you were a daredevil,” he muses, still with his hands on my hips. “That’s how your mom described you.”
“Was,” I reiterate. “Past tense. But seriously, we can’t just disappear.”
“Stop overthinking things, it’s time to have some fun.”