Page 23 of Forever Mine

He frowned. “You could have told my mom no. She wouldn’t have been offended.”

I shook my head. It wasn’t that. “No, she was fine. I like your parents. They’re both really nice.”

Dakota beamed, distracting me from my internal crisis. “They liked you too.”

It seemed like that was true, which was really wild, but I was trying to let myself believe it was possible.

“C’mon, let’s head back home.” The word home made me stutter a step. A few months ago, when I’d said I wasn’t ready to live with Kota permanently, that was the truth. But since it took so damn long to find this apartment, and I’d spent most of the time living with him, my thoughts were starting to change. His place really did kind of feel like home.

Still, I knew it was the right decision to move into the new place. Even if I didn’t ever spend much time there, I needed a space to call my own—my own name on the lease, even if Beck and Riley’s names were on there too. It was important to me, even if it scared the ever-fucking-shit out of me at the same time.

We walked hand-in-hand back to the car. Before Dakota went to the driver’s side, I stopped him. Holding him in place, I gave him a kiss that probably wasn’t appropriate for public, especially with his folks on the other side of the lot. I still did it though.

When I pulled back, Dakota was looking a little hazy and had a dopey smile on his face. “What was that for?”

I shrugged. I had no idea. “Just wanted to.” That was good enough for Dakota, who pecked my lips one last time before going to the other side of the car.

We were quiet for the ride. I was way too lost in my head, but Kota seemed to understand that and didn’t try to chat.

By the time we walked the flights up to his apartment, things started to feel clearer in my mind. All those feelings I’d been having for Dakota, the way it hurt to be away from him, the way I needed him like I needed the air in my lungs, they weren’t going away. And I was okay with that.

I had to find a way to tell him. I wanted him to understand how I felt, that it wasn’t one- sided. How much he consumed me. Could I say it though? I doubted it. But I’d find a way.

I was shaken out of my deep thoughts when my phone vibrated after we got into Kota’s apartment. It was the group text with Kota, Riley, Beck and me. I saw Dakota looking at his phone with a small smile.

Riley: Have you’s ever been to a cookout?

Kota: Yes…

Like one of those backyard parties where some Dad grills and everyone else drinks too many wine coolers?

Kota snorted as he wrapped his arm around me and rested his head against my arm.

“That’s oddly specific.”

I shrugged. That’s what it always looked like on TV, anyway.

Riley responded.Riley: Yeah! I guess like that.

Me: No

Dakota gasped? “Wait for real? Never?”

I swallowed feeling a little embarrassed. He seemed to realize that and kissed my arm in a silent apology. I squeezed him close.

Beck: Yeah, us either. Luca was not amused.

Riley: So all of us are invited to one next month. He wanted to do it, like today, but Wes said we should get settled in first.

Me: Wait, like at Luca’s place? Count me the fuck in.

I was dying to know what Luca’s house looked like. It was probably a fuckin’ bat cave or some shit. Dakota laughed at me, but not in a teasing way. He was curious too.

I put my phone away then and turned my attention to Dakota. I may not be ready to word vomit all my feelings about Kota, but I did have other ways of letting him know I cared.

CHAPTER 10

JAY

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