“I know, but trust me, it was never like this with her,” he said quietly in my ear.
I nodded. With so few kids at one school, someone was bound to get hurt as couples switched around. At least at a larger high school, you could move on and wouldn’t necessarily have to see your crush with someone new so frequently.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m sure she’s happy for us,” he stated, trying to make me feel better.
I snorted at his words. “I doubt that,” I said, smiling at how oblivious guys could be at times.
“Well, it was worth a shot,” he said, shooting me a half smile.
“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” I teased quietly.
All further talk was put on hold while we watched the movie. Max kept his arm around me the entire time. Occasionally he would slide his hand up my arm and toy with my hair lightly, twirling it around his finger. His touch was distracting, and half the movie slid by in a mindless blur as I counted down the seconds until we would be alone again.
“Thank God,” Max said when the movie ended after an action-packed sequence.
I was relieved that I wasn’t the only one that had been suffering.
Karen and Maxwell were reading in the living room in front of the fireplace as we all filed past. They stood up to say their goodbyes, giving everyone hugs as we left.
“You come see us again soon, okay, Katelyn?” Maxwell said, giving me another bear hug.
“Well, she can’t if you crush the life out of her,” Karen teased him as she gave me a much more delicate hug. “But you must come back soon,” she said, smiling at me warmly.
“I will,” I said, touched by their easy acceptance of me.
We called out goodbyes to our crew as we all piled into separate vehicles.
“Well, that was torture,” Max said, cranking the heat.
“What was?” I asked with false innocence.
“Sitting that close to you for two hours after the kiss. It was all I could do not to haul you off for a repeat,” he growled, not buying my innocence.
“Well, I’m glad it wasn't just me,” I said with more honesty than I normally exhibited.
We drove silently for a short time until Max abruptly turned down a narrow dirt road before throwing the car into park.
I looked at him questioningly.
“When I kiss you good night, I don’t want to be interrupted,” he said, undoing his seatbelt.
He leaned in, settling his lips on mine again. Heat flared through me as he gently cupped my face.
After a moment, he slowly pulled back. “Is this okay?” he asked, gazing into my eyes.
My heart clinched as I considered his words. How had something that was supposed to be casual turn serious so quickly? I pulled away and sat heavily back against the seat. Goodbyes had always been painful, but I also had never gotten this close to anyone before. We had never stayed anywhere longer than six or seven months before Lucinda decided she was ready to move on. No matter how hopeful I was that she would change, it would be naïve to think this time would be any different.
“Hey, what did I say?” he asked, concern coloring his voice.
I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak.
Max tugged on my arm, “Katelyn, tell me why you’re so upset,” He pleaded.
I took a moment to search for the right words before answering him. “It wasn’t supposed to get this serious,” I finally whispered.
“What do you mean?”
“I knew if I dated you I needed to keep it casual. I can’t get into a serious relationship.”