Page 50 of Tiny Fractures

“Ronan is just a friend,” I tried to convince my mom earlier today. She studied me for a long moment, her blue eyes filled with love, warmth, and this sort of expression that she knew better.

“Oh yeah, the way you guys looked at each other this morning is exactly how ‘just friends’ look at each other,” she smiled. “They’re not all bad, Kitty,” she said then. “Not all boys are bad. I promise. You’ll learn to trust again.”

I texted Julie about forty times after getting home from lunch with Ronan, and she finally called me, wanting to know what the heck was going on with me. I fessed up that there’s this boy that I’m really attracted to, but that I’m trying to take things slow, not wanting a repeat of what happened with Adam. I told her about my fears, about what happened at the party last weekend, about Ronan stepping in and protecting me—twice.

Julie encouraged me to follow my heart, but be cautious. “Make sure you set those boundaries and don’t let anyone cross them. Remember that every time you let someone cross your boundaries, you’re allowing that person to push them further and further back until they’re nonexistent.”

“You’re so wise,” I chuckled.

“Must be because I turn seventeen next week.”

After my chat with Julie, I decided to do exactly what she had advised, which is to follow my heart but set boundaries. And my heart tells me that I want to see where this thing with Ronan goes. That I want to kiss him again. But I’m also setting my boundaries. Mostly about not going crazy drinking, because that lowers my inhibitions and makes things complicated and dangerous.

I don’t tell Vada or Steve about my lunch date with Ronan, and they don’t bring it up, either, making me think Ronan hasn’t told them yet. That’s absolutely fine with me, because I want to keep this new thing between Ronan and me to myself just a little while longer.

***

By the time we get to the beach house, the party is in full swing. There are so many cars parked on the private road to the house that I’m afraid we’ll have to track about a quarter mile to the house, but Steve maneuvers his car right behind Ronan’s Mustang parked in the driveway that Shane has reserved for his closest friends.

“Looks like Shane spread the word about this party,” Steve notes when we walk into the house. There are people everywhere, and it’s so crowded that I have to apologize to more than one individual for stepping on their toes as we carve our way to the back of the wraparound deck.

I spot Ronan sitting on the outdoor sofa next to Shane and Zack. My pulse speeds up as Ronan’s eyes find me and he gives me a barely noticeable half smile. He doesn’t take his eyes off me as I follow Steve and Vada toward him, Zack, and Shane. I feel like the way Ronan and I look at each other is going to tip people off in no time that there’s something going on between us.

He stands up, and his eyes lazily roam across my body as goose bumps erupt on my skin.

“Happy, happy, happy birthday, Ran!” Vada screeches and gives him a tight bear-hug.

Steve follows Vada’s example and pulls his little brother into a hug, wishing him a happy birthday.

“Thanks guys,” Ronan says.

When it’s my turn, I step close to Ronan and fold my arms around his shoulders, feeling his fingers on my exposed lower back. I’m acutely aware of the warmth of his hands against my skin, my chest pressed against his as I hug him. His head is tipped forward, and I angle my face up, moving my mouth close to his ear.

“I think I have a birthday present for you,” I say, and I feel him chuckle quietly. His warm breath feathers against the skin on my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

“And what’s that?” he asks in a low, gravelly voice that only I can hear.

“You’ll find out in a little while.” My tone is flirty, and I remind myself that my intention is to take it slowly, but also to see where this goes with Ronan. Because I want it to go somewhere.

“Okay, come on. Y’all can’t tell me there’s no sexual tension between Cat and Ran,” Vada says loudly.

Ronan and I immediately, though reluctantly, step back from each other while Ronan shakes his head, smiling. “So damn pushy,” he says to Vada as he offers me his spot on the rattan sectional sofa, and I take a seat.

“If that’s what it takes for you two to get hot and heavy with each other, then I’ll be pushy all day, every day,” Vada laughs.

“You assembled quite the crowd,” Steve interrupts.

I’m grateful for him taking the attention off Ronan and me because Cheyenne, who’s sitting next to Tori and Shane, has been throwing me looks that I swear could kill.

“Wasn’t that hard,” Shane says, taking a sip from his beer. “A few texts to the hockey team and some of the cheerleaders and boom, it’s a rave. Everyone loves Ran, and everyone loves a party.” Shane lifts his bottle toward Ronan and cheers him.

“You mean everyone loves free alcohol,” Ronan corrects, smirking.

“Yeah, that too,” Shane laughs.

“You know, you guys should play later,” Tori chimes in. She’s immediately next to Shane, who allows her to lean her head on his shoulder while his arm drapes around her. I’m honestly not sure how long I can or want to keep this budding relationship between Ronan and me a secret, because right now I would really, really love to do what Tori is doing. I would love to lean against Ronan, feel his warm body, inhale his comforting scent, have him hold me.

“Oh, that’s a great idea,” Vada exclaims, clapping Steve on his leg.

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