Page 51 of Never Say Never

“Just one kiss.” I grab her by her hips and grind my cock against her center. She’s fighting a smile as her arms move to my chest, playfully pushing me away.

“Behave,” she warns.

“What if I don’t want to?”

She shakes her head, linking her pinky finger softly in mine. Quietly, so only I can hear, she whispers against my cheek, “Make it quick, Tuck.”

Her eyes settle on mine, and I stare into them before taking her cheek in my hand leaning in to kiss her. I groan against her mouth as I’m backing away. “Night, rebel.”

“Night, coach.”

I watch her walk across the lawn making sure she gets home then I walk upstairs to my bedroom. For a minute, it feels a lot like it did when we were kids.

I strip out of my clothes, brush my teeth and climb into my old bed, lying under the blue and black buffalo plaid comforter staring up at the ceiling in the dark. Everything in the room seems to remind me of Daisy. Leaning against the wall is the surfboard I taught her how to surf on. In a frame next to a few of my high school trophies is a picture of a sunset I took in Hawaii; Daisy was sitting on the beach next to me when I pulled out my phone and focused on the orange and red sky. And then there’s the window where I used to sneak out and meet her by the pool.

Looking around, I’m reminded that so many of my memories involve Daisy. So much of my life belongs to her. So does my heart. How did I ever last 10 years without talking to her? It seems impossible.

I sit up in bed, my heart jackhammering beneath my ribcage as I reach for my phone.

I need to see Daisy.

Me: Are you still up?

Daisy: Can’t sleep either?

Me: Nah. What are you doing?

Daisy: Staring at the clock on the wall. It’s forty-three seconds to Christmas.

I look at the time on the screen of my phone and wait until the numbers change to 12 o’clock.

Me: Merry Christmas, beautiful. Meet me by the pool.

I smile when she messages me back within seconds.

Daisy: Merry Christmas!

Daisy: We can’t be seen together, and it’s freezing out.

I know she’s right, and I hate it. I hate that it feels like Daisy is some sort of filthy secret, but I have to be honest: I like having her as only mine. What we have is all ours.

Me: Be a good girl for me, rebel. Put a jacket on and meet me at the side of the pool house. 5 minutes.

When she doesn’t respond, I know she’ll be there, so I throw on my new pajama pants and a sweatshirt and my jacket. I step into my slides and grab my baseball hat from my dresser. Before I quietly leave my bedroom, I stuff the gift I bought Daisy last week inside of my jacket, then I slip out the back door and wait for her like old times.

Daisy

Tucker is standing outsidein a black puffer jacket and the pajama pants I bought him, his hands stuffed into the front pockets of hiscoat to keep them warm. It’s freezing outside, the concrete patio sparkling like diamonds under a layer of frost that is illumined by the string of Edison lights his parents left on. It’s beautiful. The night feels magical. When he notices me, his blue eyes sparkle and a small smile curves at his lips.

My eyes flicker to the pool, a place that holds so many memories for me as I cross the yard. When I stop in front of him, my heart takes flight, but I try not to let it show. When heleans in, brushing his lips over the corner of my mouth, I think I may spontaneously combust. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined I would be standing here being kissed by Tucker Collins at midnight on Christmas morning. Tingles run up my spine.

But then I remember none of this real. It’s just a pact. Nothing more.

“Hi. Nice pajama pants.”

“I told you I’m never taking them off.” Tucker smirks. “I’m going to need you to order me three more pairs, so I have a rotation.”

“Oh my God.” I roll my eyes, but inwardly I’m a mess for this man.

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