Page 94 of Becoming Us
“It’s kind of silly,” I said, swallowing around the lump in my throat. “But…I don’t know. Maybe it’s necessary?”
Atty’s fingers found my cheek, caressing it gently. “Ask me.”
I braced myself again—like I always had. It was a reflex at this point.
“Do you want to be my boyfriend?” My voice was far smaller than I meant it to be. I cleared my throat. “You know. Again?”
His lips curved into a dashing smile—dimples and all—as he started to nod. “Yes, Noah. I want to be your boyfriend. Again.”
My grin was unstoppable, the rush of emotion overwhelming in the best way.
So maybe thiswasmine.
“Get back in here.”
He turned off the lights and crawled back into the creaky bed, wrapping himself around me as I looped my arms around his neck and gave him a million kisses wherever I could reach.
“I love you, Atty,” I said against his skin.
“I love you too.”
I closed my eyes, sinking into the warmth of him. The weight of him. The quiet that settled around us like a blanket.
Because this—this right here—was probably the happiest I’d ever been.
And I wanted it to last forever.
CHAPTER
FOURTEEN
BEFORE
“Ihave a list of reasons, actually.” I sat cross-legged on the floor in front of him.
My dad took a drag from the joint, chuckling. “You do?”
“Yes, I fucking do.”
“Let’s hear it, then.” He passed it back to me.
I inhaled deep and held up a hand, counting on my fingers. “First off, he played onNevermind, which is one of the most influential rock albums of all time.”
“Mmhmm.”
“Second, he played every instrument—everyfuckinginstrument—on the Foo Fighters’ debut. He’s been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He’s directed and produced documentaries. He’s played with Paul McCartney and Queens of the Stone Age. I could go on forever.”
“And that makes him a better drummer than Phil Collins?” My dad cocked a brow. “Because so far, all I’ve heard is a guy’s résumé, not a reason. Phil shaped the sound of a decade.”
I scoffed. “David created grunge.Smells Like Teen Spiritwouldn’t have hit that hard without him. Plus, he’s an amazing vocalist.”
“Yeah, but could he sing and drum at the same time?”
“Probably!” I said, a little too loudly.
My dad’s throaty laugh filled the room.
“He just doesn’tneedto. He’s too busy doingeverything—drums, guitar, vocals, producing, directing… Your guy made sad ballads for Disney.”
