Page 131 of Falling Like This

“Tell me.”

“I gave him a hand job. But I need you to know something.”

“What?”

“Jesse can lift my spirits. He can bring out the troublemaker in me and make me laugh, but he can’t make mefeel. Only one boy has ever been able to do that.You. If I’m honest, I don’t want anyone else to ever make me feel like you do. I don’t even want them to try. You are the only one who has ever owned my heart. And if I have anything to say about it, you’re the only boy who ever will. I wish we would’ve been each other’s firsts, too. It didn’t work out that way, but I think what sounds even better is being each other’s lasts.”

He grabs me and kisses me forcefully. “That’s exactly how I feel. Nothing I did with Caity meant anything to me.” He grazes his fingers over my collarbone, giving me a chill. “Nothing else matters, because nothing else could be as amazing as that. I want to be your last, Rae. I want to be your everything. I want us to have everything. I love you.” He grabs the back of my neck and gives yet another incredible kiss.

When we pull apart, he swats my butt. “Get ready for school. I’ll be back in twenty minutes to pick you up.”

“Aaron?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

A wide smile grows on his face and he shoots me a wink. I stare at the empty window for a second, then remember I need to get ready.

After a quick shower and some help from Sarah in picking out the perfect sexy outfit to wear with my new necklace, I glance down at my phone for the first time. It’s full of birthday wishes from my friends. But as I scroll through the texts, my eyes are drawn to one name.

Jesse: Happy birthday, Rae Rae. I hope today is awesome and I hope my, uh, birthday presents were good enough for you.

Me: They will suffice. Oh, but I’m sorry, I can’t let you take me to prom.

Jesse: Got a hot date already?

Me: He’s definitely hot. ;)

Jesse: Wouldn’t happen to be tall, blond, and have biceps that could crush a skull, would he?

Me: And sinfully perfect bronze eyes.

Jesse: [barfing face]

Jesse: But I’m happy for you. I’m also taking credit for it. If I hadn’t wanted to make him jealous, he wouldn’t have fought so hard.

Me: [eye roll emoji]

Me: Whatever you say. Hope you’re enjoying that bruised eye.

Jesse: Actually, I am very much enjoying it. That girl I told you about, she’s now single. And was very concerned about my eye. She’s taking good care of me. ;)

Me: Cad! LOL. Well, looks like even through the stupidity, it all worked out for us.

Jesse: Call it a win-win. I gotta go. Have a great day.

Me: Thanks, J. Later.

Aaron, Sarah, and I ride to school together. When we get there, we see my locker fully decked out in birthday wrapping paper, which already has some signatures on it.

Sarah looks up at Aaron. “Did you do that?”

He shakes his head, but I already knew it wasn’t him. I look around and then spot the culprit watching from the end of the hall. He grins at me and shoots me a wink. I run over and jump into Joel’s arms. He squeezes me tightly. “Thanks, Joelskies.”

“Happy birthday, Rae Rae. I’m happy you and A are doing better.”

“Me too. But I’m really glad that I have you.”

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