I hid inside Dane’s truck, listening to music on my phone. Party scenes were never really my thing. I liked hanging out with the team back home, especially at our beach parties. But it was with people I liked and nothing like this. Underage drinking with half-naked teens practically having sex around a large bonfire out in a cornfield.

Why did I let Dane and Sadie talk me into this?

Of course they got me with the whole ‘you need to get to know people’ thing. But I did know people. I loved the Shaw’s, Dane, Sadie, and the guys on the team. I really didn’t need to make any more friends.

I jumped when something flew into the window next to me. I saw beer foam all over the window. I turned the music up and laid my head back against the seat. I pulled up Zach’s messages.

Me: Remind me to never take part in another one of these ridiculous high-school ritual parties.

Zach: Not going well?

Me: This is so stupid. Everyone is drunk and making out. I’m hiding in Dane’s truck. I really feel like I should go around handing out condoms

Zach: Don’t go handing out our stuff. lol. I’d come rescue you, but I’m stuck doing books. I’d rather be with you.

Me: Dane is making out with this girl named Gwen. It’s so weird seeing him like this.

Zach: I could pull the big brother card and show up, break that shit up.

Me: LOL! NO! Maybe I’ll go have a few beers and get drunk so nothing will bother me.

Zach: Umm... no.

Me: Kidding. Oh shit, gotta go. Dane and his girl-toy are coming over.

I set the phone beside me and rolled down the window.

“You should come out here! We are all having so much fun,” Gwen said with a sloppy smile as she leaned on Dane for support.

I raised a brow at her and then looked at Dane. “I’m fine. Where’s Sadie?”

Dane looked around. “Her and Trevor ran off somewhere.”

I motioned toward Gwen with my head. “What’s going on here?” I asked him.

Gwen giggled and started kissing Dane’s neck, distracting him from the question. I laughed and shook my head. “Go have fun. I’ll just be here hiding.”

“Do you want me to take you home?” he asked, ignoring Gwen.

I looked past him and saw Sadie waving me over. “No. Maybe I’ll brave it and come out.” I laughed and got out of the truck. I walked over to Sadie, Gwen and Dane following behind me.

Sadie looped her arm in mine, and thankfully, she seemed sober. She walked me over to a group of girls hanging out. She introduced me to everyone and then sat down, patting the spot on a tailgate next to her.

I sat down, feeling completely out of my element. I listened to the girls talk about teachers to hope for and teachers to hope like hell I didn’t get. They talked about boys and how they were excited for their senior year.

To be honest, I really wasn’t listening. I was too busy watching everyone and wishing I was with Zach.

“So, how is it being the only girl on an all-boys baseball team?” One of the girls asked. She had on so much makeup; she’d probably have to use a chisel to get it off. Her hair was also perfectly fixed.

“What was your name again? Sorry, I suck at remembering names.”

She laughed and took a drink of some fruity looking drink in a glass bottle.

“Heather.”

I smiled kindly. “It’s not bad. I mean, they’re all so awesome, and they challenge me which I appreciate.”

“You sure are brave,” Heather said with a giggle and a hiccup, making all the other girls laugh. “We saw you strip down at practice the other day. How many of the guys have you slept with?”

Sadie grabbed my arm. “Heather is drunk. You have to ignore her.” Sadie’s brown eyes silently begged me not to say something mean.

She let go of my arm when I nodded, assuring her I was okay. I looked at Heather. “That’s a very rude thing for you to assume.”

Heather covered her mouth as she cracked up. “Sorry! I guess that was a horrible thing to say. So, how do you like the Shaws’ coaching? Those brothers are hot.”

I smirked a little. “Oh yeah? I didn’t notice.”

Sadie laughed from beside me.

“The older one, Zach, he’s like this sex god. That’s what we’ve all heard anyway. I think he slept with like all of Stockbridge. My older cousin has told me some crazy stories about parties at his house. I think everyone is shocked to see him helping his younger brother coach and running a successful restaurant.” Heather looked beside her at a girl with red hair that was speaking.

“I’d let him do whatever he wants to me,” the redhead said with a grin. “Maybe I should learn to play baseball.”

I had to sit on my hands because I was so pissed they were shaking. I looked around the crowd of people for Dane. I couldn’t say anything to anyone here. No one knew. I tried not to listen to them all go on and on about Zach and Coach Elliot, but it was hard to tune out. If I stormed off or said something, I’d give everything I was hiding away.

Dane was talking to some guys. He looked toward me, and his smile faded when he saw the look on my face. He left the group and came over to me.

“Hales, can I talk to you for a sec?”

I grabbed his hand and walked with him away from everyone.

“What’s going on?” he asked once we made it to his truck.

“I need to leave. Now.”

He pulled his keys out and opened the door for me. Once we were both in, he started the truck.

“What happened?”

“Dane—” Tears filled my eyes. “Please tell me Zach was not as bad as—” I stopped talking and looked out the window. Of course, Zach wasn’t. Or at least he wasn’t now. I felt sick. “Tell me I’m not going to regret pursuing things with Zach. Tell me he’s not playing me.”

“He’s not playing with you, Hales. I’m not going to tell you that you won’t regret things. I don’t know the future. You’ve seen a side of him that very few people have ever seen.”

“We had sex. Apparently, I’m girl number one thousand. Actually, he probably lost count.”

Dane put his blinker on and pulled over to the side of the road. He parked the truck and looked at me.

“Has he stopped seeing you since you had sex?”

“No.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “I know I’m overthinking this.” I wiped my eyes. “Why the fuck am I crying?”

Dane wiped a tear that I missed. “This is a conversation you need to have with Zach. Hales, if he was just after sex with you, he would have stopped talking to you. He wouldn’t have bought you a phone or let you have that Braves hat I’ve seen in your bag. I’ve never seen that hat anywhere but on Zach’s head or in his truck.”

I smiled so big it hurt my cheeks. “Dane, he means so much to me already. I’m so scared.”

“I know. And it’s okay to be scared. Just talk to Zach about this. If you don’t, it’ll keep bothering you.”

I nodded. “So what’s up with Gwen? You like her?”

“Yeah. Well, when she’s not wasted.”

I laughed. “Can you take me to Quinn’s?”

He nodded. “Sure thing.” He pulled back on the road and drove me straight to Quinn’s. He pulled around the back and parked. “Text or call lover boy so he comes and opens the back door.”

I looked around and saw that Zach’s truck was the only one in the parking lot.

“Thanks for getting me out of there.”

I hugged him and then called Zach as I got out of the truck. It was almost 11:00 pm. The back of the restaurant was so creepy at night.

“Did you decide I needed to save you?”

“Actually, I’m at Quinn’s. I need you to open the back door.”

“I’ll be there in a second.” He hung up then a few moments later, the door opened. Once the door was open, Dane drove away.

“What are you doing here?” He kissed me as he let me in.

“I needed to see you.”

He led me into his office where he had a laptop and a few books out. He sat down and pulled my hand until I was sitting on his lap. I wanted to forget all the things those girls said tonight, but I couldn’t.

“I need to ask you something. Well, a lot of something’s.”

“Alright.” His smile left his face as he looked at how serious I was. “Ask me whatever you want.”

“How many women have you been with?”

“Had sex with, made out with, or did something in between with?” he asked, not meeting my eyes. He focused on a picture of his family instead.

“Tell me it doesn’t matter because it’s different with me. That’s all I need to hear, Zach.”

He looked back at me, and shame filled his eyes. “Hales, you are different, but you wouldn’t have asked if it didn’t matter to you. If I could erase the past and make it where you are the only one I’ve ever been with, I would, in a heartbeat. But I can’t make the past disappear. I’ve tried to forget it, but the people here make that impossible.” His forehead creased, and he looked at his computer. “I told you I didn’t deserve you.”

“Do you see a future with me? You’re twenty-six, and I’m eighteen. We haven’t really talked about that. What are you honestly doing with me, Zach?”

“I’m doing something I’ve never done before.”

“Promise me something.” I waited for him to look at me. “If this isn’t working, tell me. Don’t you dare lead me on.”

“I promise.” He kept his eyes locked on mine. “I have never lead anyone on, Hales. I might be an asshole, but I’m an upfront asshole. I always made what I wanted clear.”

I leaned into his touch when his hand cupped my cheek.

“I’m being so stupid. Look at me crying and babbling like a fool.” I laughed a little.

He used his thumb to wipe a tear. “You’re not a fool. I wouldn’t trust me either. Not with the reputation I have.”

“I just want to be all you need me to be.” I looked at him. “But I still need to be me, and I really don’t even know who that is yet. I love baseball, and that’s all I’m sure of.”

“Hales, you’re everything I need or want. I don’t want you to change for me.” He gave me a small smile. “You’re a sexy, fun, hardworking, baseball-playing woman.”

“I told you I want to go pro in the MLB, right?”

“Yes, and I plan on helping that dream come true.”

I put my forehead to his and rested my hands on the back of his neck. “You’re amazing, Zach.”

He chuckled a little. “You’re the first person to think that.”

“And you’re the first guy to not be completely intimidated by me. Guys tried to date me, but then they figured out I was too focused and too much to handle. Plus, everyone at my school back home knew how scary my dad could be.”

“I like your spunkiness.” He pulled back some to look at me. “Hales?”

“Hmmm?”

“After you graduate and go to college, and after you decide to tell your parents about us, what are we going to do about your dad? Your dad doesn’t scare me, but I’m pretty sure he hates my guts.”

“You switched over to Coke, so that’s a plus.” I laughed. “We will figure it all out when the time comes.”

He nodded. “I wish I could take you on a real date.”

“One day.” I kissed him.

He smiled against my lips. “When do you have to be home?”

“I don’t. I’m staying the night with ‘Sadie’.” I said making air quotes with my fingers.

His grin spread until I saw a hint of dimple. “You want to stay the night with me?”

“Our first real sleepover?”

He nodded. “If you say no, I’ll understand.”

I laughed. “Of course I want to.”

He moved his hand to close his laptop. “I’ll finish up work tomorrow.”

I stood, and we went out to his truck.

I WOKE UP to the smell of bacon cooking. I kept the blanket to me as I sat up and looked around. Zach wasn’t in bed with me. I was looking around for my clothes when Zach walked in, in only his boxers, with a tray in his hand. He smiled as he came over to the bed.

“Morning. I fixed you breakfast.” He smiled down at me as he placed the tray on my lap.

I smiled up at him as I held the blanket to my chest. “I’ve never had breakfast in bed before.”

He moved around the bed and got in next to me. “Did you sleep well?” he asked, kissing the side of my head.

“Like a baby.” I looked at the food. “Is this a first for you?”

“Yes.” He leaned back against the headboard that made a noise every time you moved. “I think I need to get a new bed.”

I laughed. “Yeah, probably. So are you gonna eat with me?”

“I ate while I was cooking it.” He tucked a piece of hair behind my ears. “I’m not much into eating in the morning. When do you have to head home?’

I looked at my cellphone and smiled. “Not until lunch. So I have another few hours to spend with you. Do you have to go to Quinn’s today?”

“I have to tonight, but my morning is free to spend with you.” He laid down, putting his arms behind his head. “What do you want to do?”

I started eating as I thought. I took a drink of my orange juice and smiled.

“Swim?”

“Sounds good.” His eyebrows scrunched for a second. “Do you have a suit with you?”

I chewed on my bottom lip and grinned before taking another bite of my bacon. I didn’t answer.

“I’m guessing by that look that’s a no.” He grinned at me and got out of bed quickly. “I have a place to show you.” He sounded like a little kid.

“Do I get to finish eating first?” I laughed.

“Yeah, I guess I’ll let you.” He went into the bathroom that was connected to the room and came out carrying two towels. He grabbed one of his t-shirts. “You can wear this until we get there.”

I finished eating, and Zach took my tray while I put on the shirt and grabbed the towels he left on the bed. He was cleaning my dishes when I came into the kitchen.

“I’m almost done.”

I walked over and wrapped my arms around his waist and kissed his shoulder.

“Want my help?”

“No. I plan on you not doing anything when you’re with me. I like spoiling you.” He finished up then turned and wrapped his arms around me. “You ready to see my favorite place?”

“Yup.”

He took my hand in his and led me outside. We followed the path that leads to his private beach, but then he veered off to follow a path of large stones that I had never really paid attention to before. Trees covered it. This part of the beach was more hidden in a little man-made cove. There was a wall that could be seen right under the water, allowing water to come in, but nothing else.

“I’ve never brought anyone here before.”

I sunk my toes into the sand. “It’s perfect, Zach.”

“I want to do more to it, but I haven’t decided what else it needs.” He wrapped his arms around me and put his chin on my shoulder.

“Maybe an area for a fire pit with some chairs around it. Oh, and a place where you could put a small outdoor kitchen. It’s the perfect camping spot. We should set up a tent out here one night.” My smile grew.

I loved having future ideas with Zach because I wanted so badly for there to be a future.

“That sounds like a great idea. I’ll go buy the stuff for camping, and we can set a date to do that.” He sounded so excited.

I wiggled out of his arms and grinned at him before lifting his shirt over my head and running into the water. He ran after me, grabbing me by the waist and pulling us both under the water. We both came up laughing.

This was the perfect way to end my summer break. I was a nervous wreck, but Zach’s touch was like Novacane. He numbed all my worries, and I felt so at ease about all the uncertainty that was ahead.