Page 36 of Until We Kiss

“Oh shit, look down there.” Carter grabs my wrist, leaning over like Rory, and my heart gives a panicked lurch. We’re really high, densely green trees thick on both sides of the canyon, the breeze carrying that flowery scent I’m starting to think is unique to this island.

I’ve done this before, but it’s been a long time. Carter hasn’t. A bungee virgin.

“Oh shit!” Carter’s saying as a harnessed person before us launches off. He and Rory lean over the railing, talking to each other. My vagabond eyes slip helplessly over Carter, taking in his other new pair of board shorts.

These have avocados on them. Not all over. Just one half of an avocado on each ass cheek, the swell of his?—

“Hey, man.”

My head whips to the side. Dorian’s standing there, a faint smile on his face, black hair curled over his forehead.

I lick my lips, my nerves popping into my throat.

My mouth seems to be frozen.

You’ve got to do this.

“So…‍” I start, not really sure where I’m going.Just get to the point. “Sorry about my hole.”

He belts out a surprised laugh. “Can’t say it was something I’d expected to see.”

“I bet. I just feel weird that?—‍”

“It’s cool.” His brows rise. “It looked like you two were having… fun.”

I blink at his word choice. “So, we’re good?”

He grabs my shoulder, squeezing it. “Of course. You realize I’m bi, right?”

“Uh, yeah. You’ve mentioned that.”

He blinks at me. “I know what it’s like to be in your own head about shit. But seriously, everything is fine.”

Relief. Big and warm and fuzzy. It hits me, swamps me, builds heat behind my eyes.

Why did I assume they’d look at me like Jason did?

Was it me being in my own head?

Kinda seems like it.

Dorian nods toward Carter. “You guys are together?”

“I don’t really know.”

His dark brown eyes meet mine. “Look, I don’t want to be a dick and say something out of line. And I love you both.” He pauses. “But don’t hurt him.”

I swallow. “Carter?”

He nods. “I mean, you gotta do you. But you know how he is. He’s like this giant golden retriever, just wide open, and I’d hate to see him get hurt. And…‍”

He doesn’t finish, but I can guess what he was gonna say. Cocky Theo. Hot and cold Theo. Obsessed with himself, Theo.

Basically the opposite of Carter. Because guess who wasalwaysat my games? Every single one?

Carter.

Who sat with me after my surgeries and watched episode after episode ofNaked Earthwhile chowing down on cinnamon popcorn?

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