Page 191 of Finding Delaware

“Yeah. But I’m dying to be with you more.” He throws me a cheesy grin, which I roll my eyes at, even though I’m secretly pleased with his answer.

Because honestly, I’ve been dying to be with him, too. For a very, very long time.

Taylor

“Fuck yeah! Happy fucking birthday, America!”

Christian makes a run for it after lighting a monster of a firework, barely escaping before it erupts, shooting balls of flame high into the air. They explode above us, blooms of light booming loud enough to echo off the surrounding mountains. Hannah and Christian’s siblings cheer, screaming in laughter while his brother prepares the next one. Huck holds me on his lap as I finish my fourth bowl ofpozole, Matty pressing in next to us, and I sigh contentedly.

This is where I belong. This is my real family.

“I still don’t understand where you put all that food,” Huck laughs, running his hands over my abs until I squirm.

Christian wiggles his brows. “Probably his dick.”

He whispers low enough that no one could possibly hear, but Devon must have superhuman senses because he swings his head our way from where he sits across the lawn withSalem and Xed tucked under both his arms. He sucks his piercing in between his teeth, eyes glinting as he winks, and Huck’s arms tighten around me.

“Dev sure seems to have hit it off with those two,” he comments, and Matty scoffs, scowling in their direction.

“They look ridiculous.”

“I dunno.” Studying them, I watch Devon rub a hand over Xed’s chest while he plays with Salem’s hair. “I think they all look kinda hot together.” Huck grabs my jaw, turning my face to his with a raised brow, and I bite back a grin. “Subjectively speaking, of course. Like, from a purely platonic standpoint.”

“You don’t think it’s a little messed up that Salem’s flirting with her ex’s uncle?”

I shift uncomfortably, not wanting to get in the middle of it. “She’s a big girl, and Logan can handle himself.”

That makes him narrow his eyes. “You are the meddler of all meddlers but you’re choosingnowto turn a blind eye?”

“I mean...yeah. We tried, right? It’s been six months. Maybe we should just let them move on. If it’s meant to be, they’ll find their way back to each other.”

“Like me and you?” He asks softly, lips pressed against mine.

“Yeah, Huck. Like me and you.”

We’re splashed with ice-cold water from the hose a moment later as Christian’s mom sprays us down.

“No besos delante de la mamá, cariño!"

“Aye, friendly fire! I wasn’t involved!” Matty jumps out of the way while I laugh, shaking my damp hair onto Huckslee like a dog.

“Sorry, ma. Won’t happen again.”

Another firework goes off above, brightening the sky as it cracks under the stars.

Huck’s eyes sparkle when he grins and wipes the water from his face. “What did she say?”

“No kissing in front of her,” I pout, batting my lashes.

“I didn’t even know you could speak Spanish.”

“I can understand it from being around Christian my whole life, but I can’t really speak it.”

My best friend snickers, reaching over to ruffle my dark strands. “Yeah, fucker can’t roll his r’s. Sounds like a gringo.”

Hannah gasps, holding her palm face up, and Christian winces when he pulls a dollar bill out of his wallet and hands it to her for swearing.

“Did you guys really jump off that thing?” Devon asks, pointing up to the ramp bolted to the roof we never took down. Christian, Matty, Xed, and I all answeryessimultaneously. He whistles, looking impressed. “I’d like to see you ride.”

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