Page 61 of Boys Like You

After our hot and heavy, extra-quick make-out session, Mercer drives us to Rocky’s house. There are cars lined up in his driveway and down the street.

“JD, you’re here!” Rocky shouts. As soon as we step foot in the front door, he makes a run for me, insisting we go meet everyone.

He wasn’t joking when he said everyone. I met his mum, who seems really nice, his grandparents, aunts and uncles. It’s all a little overwhelming. He must notice my discomfort and pulls me into the laundry room.

With my back pushed to the door and his arms either side of my head, his clear blue eyes look down at me. “Hi,” he whispers.

“Happy birthday,” I whisper back. “I have another gift for you.” His face lights up, and I slap his arm playfully. “Not one like that.” He makes a sad pouty face. “Here.” I put the gift bag between our bodies. He takes a step back and pulls out the photo frame. His face lights up as he studies it.

“This really does come in as a close second to your other gift. I don’t think anyone can top this.” He places the frame back in the bag and carefully places it on the floor. Closing the gap between us, he doesn’t hesitate. His lips touch mine, rushed, hard. When my lips part, his tongue fills the empty space and mine follows suit.

“Guys, you have parents looking for you.” Rory is on the other side of the door. Rocky steps back, allowing me to fix my hair while he grabs his gift bag.

I open the door and Rory has a smirk on his face.

“Explaining this to Savannah is one thing, but parents? I think we need more time.” Rory is right, I don’t know how the adults will deal with our current dating situation.

I follow the guys back out into the kitchen as Rocky’s parents walk in.

“Finally, I found you two. We’ve been looking everywhere,” Carmen says with a smile, while Rick looks at us as if he knows exactly what we were doing.

“JD had anxiety, she just needed a minute. She gave me my present.” He holds out the bag to his mum and she takes it, pulling out the frame.

“This is so sweet, JD, you did an amazing job.” She tilts the frame to show Rick.

“Are you two dating?” Rocky and I both look at her, unsure what to say. Rory saves the day.

“They’re not. Your son is a big baby and likes to be the little spoon while we watch movies, even though JD can’t see anything over him.”

“Isn’t that sweet of JD, Rick,” Carmen asks her husband.

“Very.” I get the distinct feeling he is wary of me, and why wouldn’t he be? He knows nothing about me.

“It’s time for our present now,” Carmen announces. We all gather in the living room. Rick blindfolds Rocky, who is bouncing with excitement. He’s led outside. A car is in the driveway that wasn’t there when we came in; a red Holden Commodore. My eyes see the huge red bow wrapped around the car and I instantly blush when I see Rory, Levi, Mercer and Maximus all staring at me. Obviously they had the same thought as me.

“Surprise!” Carmen yells, and I look over at Rocky, who first asks his parents if they’re serious, then he looks at the bow and laughs.

“JD, look how big this bow is.” I walk over to his side, and he whispers, “I could wrap this around your whole body.” I elbow him in the ribs and he just laughs and gets in his new car.

Rick tells him he has an appointment at the Department of Transport to take his driving test tomorrow.

“Can we at least take it for a quick spin around the block?” Rick nods and holds out his yellow L plates. Rocky has them on in two seconds flat. “Can JD come?” He looks at his father, unaware he has an issue with me.

“Why not? You only turn seventeen once,” Rick says, even though his smile is tight.

We end up doing three trips around their block. I turn my attention back to Rocky, my chest filling with joy purely because of how happy he is and the fact that for the moment, he is mine.

Rocky aced his driving test. He’s been picking me up all week, but Rick put a stop to that after a few days because he had to go back to doing his training every morning, leaving him no time to do the trip to me and back to school.

Rory picked me up early today.

Making out in his car in the school car park may not be the smartest idea, but I’ve felt like he’s been a little distant lately. I don’t want any of them to feel left out.

“Your uniform has wrinkles now.”

“Worth it.” I giggle as his hands slide up my waist and under my shirt. The heat from his skin leaves a fiery trail.

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