Prologue
Tonight’s the night. It’s not just my eighteenth birthday, but also my high school graduation. I’ve been dreaming about this day for six long years. Not only because I am moving on to another chapter in my life, but also because this is the day Bryce Randolph will finally realize I’m an adult.
I fell in love with Bryce the first time my brother brought him home after football practice when I was twelve years old. He was the new guy at school and my brother, Nate, and he hit it off on the first day. As soon as they walked through the back door that afternoon, my world changed. Bryce was the most beautiful guy I’d ever seen. Even at fifteen, he and my brother were more filled out and muscular than the other guys their age.
Bryce became a permanent fixture at our house. Neither of the guys ever treated me as the pesky little sister. Even though they were in high school and I was in middle school, I hung out with them all the time.
My best friend, Quinn Jackson, and I made the varsity cheerleading team in high school as freshmen and traveled with the rest of the squad to all the games. We always got questioned about Nate and Bryce from the other girls, which made me uncomfortable, but there was nothing I could do about it.
Quinn is the only person in the world who knows how I feel about Bryce. She’s known since the first time she saw the goofy grin on my face when we watched him playing catch in our backyard. I think my mom was suspicious, but she never said anything.
The first time Bryce dated a girl more than a few times, I cried myself to sleep for a week. It was a ridiculous reaction, but I was a hormonal teenage girl. Unfortunately, the girl was also on the cheerleading squad and carried animosity towards me when she learned how close he and I were. During one particular game, when he and Nate ran a play that resulted in a touchdown and lead for the team, they both came to me on the sidelines taking turns swinging me around as I screamed.
Bryce was single soon after that because he broke up with her for being a massive bitch to me. It was one of the best days of my life.
I turned fifteen the week Nate and Bryce graduated. Quinn and I concocted this elaborate plan for me to get Bryce alone so I could kiss him. I’d never been really kissed before and I wanted him to be my first. My parents had a party and almost all the newly graduated senior class was there. Bryce hung out with mostly the guys by the pool, but I saw him walk down to the deck and knew it was my chance.
He hears me behind him and when he sees me, his face lights up in a smile. He motions for me to come over and I walk into his arms. The smell of his cologne surrounds us and I inhale deeply.
“You know we’re only a phone call away if you need us, right?” he asks.
“I know.”
“You have a few more years of school left and it kills me and Nate that we won’t be here in case some jackass gets the wrong idea. Or worse, someone fucks with you. I know how guys think, Devon, and I hate that we can’t stop the way they’ll look at you.”
“What do you mean?” I‘m truly confused.
He sighs and pulls me closer. “You’re a beautiful girl, inside and out. Without Nate and me around, I’m scared some guy will try to take advantage of you. Promise me you’ll be careful.”
Boldness takes over and I press him for more. “Is that because I’m like a little sister to you?”
“Yes, no. I don’t know.”
My heart deflates. There’s no way he’ll kiss me if he considers me a little sister. But I decide to take a chance and rotate in front of him, staring into his blue eyes. Not really knowing what I’m doing, my hands go around his neck and I lift up on my toes to reach his mouth. As soon as our lips touch, my nervousness dissolves. He takes over and when my lips part and our tongues swirl, my knees go weak. What started as sweet quickly turns frantic. His hands grip my scalp, holding me hostage. Our mouths move in sync, devouring one another. Lack of oxygen makes me dizzy, but I don’t dare pull away.
His hands go to my hips and squeeze lightly. I’m lost to him and all too soon, he pulls away. His eyes met mine with anger and confusion.
“Jesus Christ, Devon! I’m so sorry. What the fuck?” He steps back and runs his hands through his hair looking around to make sure we are still alone.
Heat runs up my cheeks and tears fill my eyes. “Why are you sorry? I started it. I wanted to kiss you. I’ve been crazy about you since I was twelve years old!” Yep, just blurted it out like a true lovesick teenager.
His face softens and he pulls me in for a hug. “Devon Harris, when you turn eighteen, I hope to God you still feel this way. Come on let’s go back to the party.” He leads us back to where things were getting wild and winks at me before joining the other football players.
As the years went by, we never mentioned the kiss again, but I began to understand what he meant by being eighteen. It wasn’t just an age, it was maturity. I’d grown so much in the last few years. The few boyfriends I had never lasted long because nothing could compare to the men Nate and Bryce had become.
Both joined the ROTC and went to college with the intention of joining as Officer’s in the Navy after graduation. Quinn and I visited them one weekend on our college scouting trip, our minds were made up. We are both going to attend University of Tennessee as well.
My brother’s excited about me following him to school and my parents are thrilled I’m going to be close. Once again, only Quinn knew I’m partly following the love of my young life.
A knock at my door jolts me out of my trip down memory lane. Quinn walks in with an outfit similar to mine.
“We look hot. I can’t wait to see the look on people’s faces when they see our shoes.” She refers to our hot pink heels.
“Me too! Are you guys the first ones here?” I ask, referring to her family.
“Yeah, but a huge truck pulled up behind us. A girl I didn’t recognize was getting out of the passenger’s seat.”
“Huh? Wonder who that is?”
“Okay, let’s get downstairs and get the hundred pictures taken so we can party as soon as this ceremony is over. I’m ready to throw down tonight.”
We head down the stairs to the sound of laughter and greetings. The familiar scent of Bryce fills the room and my stomach does somersaults thinking about seeing him. Even though we’ve spoken a few times, I haven’t physically seen him since Christmas Break.