Page 46 of Beyond the Summer

I laughed."He really is."

"Well, why don't you go find him, and tell him how you're feeling.Make sure he knows you're there for him.We'll be here if he needs us to help free himself from his parents’ control.But right now, I'm guessing he needs a hug from his boyfriend, don't you think?"

"He's dealing with his dad, so I gave him his privacy.Was it wrong to leave him alone?"

"Honey, you're processing your stuff too.It's okay to take that time for yourself.Does he know how you feel about him?"

"I mean, I told him I wanted him to be my boyfriend."

She elbowed me, laughing."But did you tell him that you love him?"

"Oh," I whispered, eyes widening.She was right.Right enough that I'm not even sure I said goodbye to my mom as I bolted to my feet and sprinted back to the cabin, suddenly desperate to see him.When I got to the cabin, he was sitting on the bed, looking down at his phone.I kneeled in front of him, taking his hands in mine.

"You okay?"I asked.

He studied me for a moment, smiling."Why are you out of breath?"

"Might've run here."

"Don't worry, this time I wasn't searching up rumors about the sluttiest gay bars in Seattle."

I burst out laughing."I wasn't worried, I just needed to see you."

"You saw me fifteen minutes ago."

"But fifteen minutes ago, I hadn't yet realized I love you."

Sutton stared at me, eyes wide, lips parted.With a choked sob, he surged forward to capture my mouth with his.I met him eagerly, desperate to taste him.One hand slid into his soft hair while the other splayed across his muscular back, holding him close.The kiss was desperate, almost frantic, as if Sutton was pouring every ounce of pent-up longing and frustration into it.

I wanted to infuse the kiss with every tender feeling, every protective instinct, communicating things I couldn't with words.Tilting my head, I deepened it, licking into the hot silk of Sutton's mouth.He yielded control with a shuddering sigh.In that moment, I knew with bone-deep certainty that I was exactly where I was meant to be.That Sutton was who I was meant for.

We kissed for long, drugging minutes, until the need for air forced us apart.Panting, I rested my forehead against his, our breath mingling between us.I stroked his back and hair, trying to soothe him, knowing he must still be shaken after talking to his dad.

"You love me."

"I love you," I said, peppering light kisses all over his face."You're this beautiful, kind, loving soul, and I'm desperate for you to be mine."

"Fuck, I'm glad you said it first," he said.

"Okay, and did I remember to mention that you're a brat?"

He laughed."You love that too."

"I do.I love the whole package."

"Including all the broken parts?"His cocky facade faltered a little.

"I think maybe our broken parts fit together."

He smiled, and nodded."It's been really hard not to blurt out that I'm in love with you, you know.After I made such a big deal out of not being boyfriend material."

Warmth flooded through me, even with his roundabout way of saying it, and I beamed at him, cupping his chin in my hand."I knew that was a lie.You were scared."

"Still, I was pretty sure you were planning to gloat."

"I still might.You never know!"I nipped at his bottom lip, then noticed his eyes were a little red and remembered his call."Was your dad okay?Did he threaten you?"

Sutton exhaled a shaky laugh."No.It went surprisingly well.He thinks I'm staying to build my resume, and he approves.But his fucking ministry is everywhere.If he finds out what you are to me—what you mean to me…" He trailed off, swallowing hard."I'm afraid of what he'll do."

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