Head Over Feels

A gentle smile finally slips into place, and she says, “After what just happened, is it wrong to want you to stay?”

“What does your heart tell you?”

Her smile blooms brighter. “To kiss you again. What do you think I should do?”

“I think you should listen to your heart.” She leans in, and I cup her face. We come closer with only an inch or two between us, and I say, “I need you to make me a promise.”

“Okay.” Her breath is heavy, but her expression is light and playful, intrigued by the suggestion.

“If I stay, you’re going to have to promise you won’t ravage me.”

Already laughing, she rolls her eyes as she pushes away. I catch her hand and pull her to my lap, wrapping my arms around her. She tilts her head as giggles escape her. “You’re ridiculous, Welly. You know that?”

“I do know, but women find me irresistible. What about you?”

Rubbing the back of her hand along my cheek, she says, “Utterly irresistible.” This time, she cups my face and kisses me. When we roll back on the bed with her on top of me, I know. I just know . . . Tealey Bell is going to be the death of me.

23

Rad

The problem with lies is they multiply.

Sneaking out of Tealey’s room just as the sun begins to rise, I almost make it to my room before everyone wakes. Almost . . .

“What are you doing up so early?” I whip around like I’m a burglar busted. Cammie’s eyes are still tired, but her smile–unsuspecting, thank God—is there.

“I, uh, wanted to watch the sunrise.”

Looking down the hall through the window, she says, “It’s just rising.”

“Yeah, it was great . . .” I reach for the doorknob to my room. “I’m going back to bed. Seen one, you’ve seen them all. Good night . . . technically morning.” I slip into the room and shut the door, ashamed of all the lies I’m caught up in. What am I doing?

I have this thing with Marlow hanging over my head that needs to play out. Also, I figured Tealey and I would be taking it slow until we figure out what we’re doing. I know neither wants to alienate us if things don’t work out. That means I need to find some time to talk to her privately today before we get carried away, which I’m finding is way too easy to do.

Until we can have that conversation, is it worth lying to everyone to be able to be with Tealey?

Hell-to-the-fucking-yeah.

Okay, Wellington. Settle the fuck down.

That feels like an entirely impossible task, considering I just spent hours kissing my dream girl until our lips went numb. Not really, but as soon as I had the chance to hold her in my arms, I took it. I don’t think I’ve slept that well in years. The short number of hours don’t matter. I found peace wrapped around her.

After climbing in bed, I toss and turn, the bed feeling colder without Tealey next to me. How can such a small thing take up so much room . . . in bed . . . in me?

It’s just not the same without her, so I finally give up, get dressed for the day, and go downstairs. I see Cammie and Cade are on the back porch through the large windows framing the lawn and ocean in the distance. My mom is in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on platters of fruits and pastries. Glancing up, she smiles. It’s the kind that makes me feel like a kid again—loved—and, although I proved her wrong many times, like I can do no wrong. “Good morning, son.”

“Morning, Mom.”

“How’d you sleep?”

Images of Tealey on top of me, her fingers running through my hair, and our bodies against each other come to mind. Fuck. Don’t get hard. I could have come through my clothes, but we’d stop, she’d giggle, and then we’d kiss again, doing it all over again.

“Like a baby.” Coming around the large island, I kiss her on the cheek. “You?”

“I love having you under my roof again. It gives me a sense of peace, knowing you’re safe.”

“I’m always safe even when I’m not here.”

“You’ll understand one day if you decide to settle down and have kids.”

She’s never pressured me to get married or give her grandkids, but she’s not shy about her dreams of it happening one day.

“I need to accomplish a few things first.”

That gets her attention. “First. I like that. Also, you don’t need to accomplish more. You’re very accomplished already. So, I have a feeling it’s not a need. It’s a want.” She turns to me and holds a honey bun up to my mouth. “I want you to leave your troubles in the city and try to relax this weekend.”