Page 77 of The Chemistry of Us

I didn’t know which way was up, down, left, or right. Everything felt like it was going around in a slow but fast circle, with my impending doom suffocating me.

Before I said something I’d regret, I stated, “I’m going to go for a drive. I need to think. I need to…” I shook my head and walked off disappointed, making every step heavier than the last.

I loved her.

That much I did know.

CHAPTER 29

VAUGHN

Now

I’d never stoppedat just one kiss—not when I really thought about it. I always kissed twice or got greedy and wanted more, so why was that one stolen kiss in the dark the only thing I could think about for the next twelve hours? Brady nearly gave me another concussion because I wasn’t paying attention during practice, and twice, I forgot my helmet.

What the hell sort of witchcraft happened last night?

Her lips were so soft.

Perfect, actually.

“Yo.” Brady ran up beside me and grabbed his water bottle. “Is it that time of the month or something? You look ready to cry.”

I smacked him on the back of the head. “That’s offensive.”

His jaw dropped. “Are you serious right now?”

I tossed my water bottle back onto the grass. “Some might say it’s an honor to be compared to a woman—I mean, could you give birth?”

He leaned in. “Bro, you can’t get high before practice. They’ll kick you off the team.”

I shoved him away. “I’m not high. I’m just in my feelings.”

“You need to get laid.”

That was true. “Whatever. I’m thinking a lot of thoughts.”

He snorted out, then sobered a bit. “Did you fix things with Tru?”

I couldn’t help the stupid-ass smile that spread across my face. “I kissed her.”

Brady slammed his hand down on my shoulder. “Wow. Did you hold hands before or after class? Ask her to skate night? Go to the movies and order only one soda and one popcorn? I bet your hands grazed each other too.”

“Eat shit.” I shoved him away. “I’m trying to make amends, turning over a new leaf and all that. Plus, what I did was the dickest of dickest moves. It doesn’t matter that I was wasted.”

“Yeah, I kind of wanted to kick your ass out of the house.”

“I would have deserved it.”

“But,” he continued, “you kind of own it, so that wouldn’t have worked.”

Coach blew his whistle. “Are you two done gossiping?”

“Never!” Brady announced while Coach just cursed under his breath. He was losing hair faster this season—I needed to look no further than Brady and my own reflection in the mirror.

“Vaughan!” Coach yelled.

“Sorry, Coach. Coming, Coach.”

---