Page 136 of Don't Let Me Go (Don't Let Me 2)

“Yeah, well, I was jealous too,” he counters.

I frown, pausing before hooking my arms around his neck, being careful to keep the cotton candy from touching the back of his head as we sway slightly back and forth. “And what were you jealous about?”

“That I got vacuum beach all the time while your brother got olive juice mixed in.”

“Friends don’t get jealous over olive juice.”

“This friend did,” he says. His swaying slows as his grip around my waist tightens.

I still can’t believe how long we’ve been fighting this. This pull. This attraction. I bite my bottom lip and whisper, “Why?”

“Because I liked you, Blake. Even back then, you managed to get under my skin in a way no one has. Ever.”

The words hit like a strong shot of whiskey, leaving me warm and light. It’ll never get old. Hearing those words. Admitting our childhood feelings. Feeling safe enough and brave enough to admit it out loud. I’m left reeling.

“You managed to get under my skin too,” I breathe out. “And no matter what I tried to do, I couldn’t get you out of my system.”

“I guess you’re stuck with me, huh?”

“I hope so.”

He tilts my head up and kisses me, tasting like cotton candy with a side of Theo. It’s heady and addictive, and the only thing keeping me from having a full-blown make out session in the middle of the arcade is a crying toddler screaming at the top of its lungs for more popcorn.

I pull away and let out a laugh, wiping at the edge of my mouth with my thumb as reality crashes into me.

“Keep it in your pants, Blake,” Theo teases.

“Says the guy who was grabbing my ass.”

“Language,” he scolds, not even bothering to hide his cocky smirk as he tilts his head toward the game in front of us. “We should play.” The game has two basketball hoops set up side by side and is surrounded by nets.

“You looking for another rematch?” I ask.

He grins and puts two coins into the machine. “Nah. I already got what I wanted.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah.”

“And what’s that?”

His smile softens, but the crinkles around his eyes make my heart pitter-patter away. “You.”

44

THEO

After the arcade, we made out in the car for a while, and I drove us to my place where we finally made it to my bedroom. I thought it would’ve been weird. Having Blake stay the night. I wasn’t kidding when I told her I don’t sleep with girls. But it’s Blake. Things have always been different with her.

The morning light filters through the window as she drags her fingers along my bare chest, snuggled against me beneath the gray comforter.

It’s peaceful.

Quiet.

“Is it weird that I’m already going to miss this?” she murmurs.

With a frown, I lift my head from the pillow and look down at her. Her mess of waves frame her freckled face as she stares blankly at the wall, lost in her own thoughts.

---