Seeing Autumn every single day. But if we can survive this—and we have so far—I believe we can survive anything. She is my go-to, my ride or die, and I know I’m the same for her.
“Do you think we can get away with a quickie?” she asks, her fingers starting to stroke me.
I settle my hand over hers, stopping her. “In about five minutes Beck will come barging through that door. Or Jake will knock on it, asking what we’re doing. Or worse, your mom will start knocking, asking if we want a snack or whatever.”
Autumn slumps against me, pressing her forehead to mine. “You’re so right. It’s impossible to find privacy around here.”
“Besides, it’s early. I can’t strip you naked and expect them to leave us alone.” I pull away slightly so I can look into her eyes. “Later tonight. After everyone’s asleep.”
She makes a little face. “When we have to be quiet so no one will hear us.”
My girlfriend can be a screamer when she wants to be. Sweet, perfect Autumn Callahan can get pretty wild in bed.
Lucky me.
I start kissing her again, though I shouldn’t. I’ll just drive us both out of our minds with lust, yet we won’t do anything about it. We’ll wait until everyone’s gone to their rooms, and then she’ll sneak down into mine, and we’ll have sex. Quiet, urgent sex.
This is why I got that cabin tomorrow. This is why the day after Christmas, Autumn is coming down to my apartment with me and we can do whatever the hell we want. I may have a roommate, but that dude went home for the holidays so we have the place all to ourselves. The only reason we’re here is for her family.
The moment I start kissing Autumn’s neck is when Beck barges right into the room, just as I predicted. He comes to a full stop at the foot of the bed, making a disgusted noise, and when I lift my head, I see he’s watching us as if he’s seeing the worst, goriest horror movie of all time.
“You two are so gross,” he says, shaking his head, his gaze landing on mine. “I was hoping you’d come to my room and play Madden with me.”
I frown. “Don’t you play that with Jake?”
Beck makes a dismissive noise. “I kick his ass on the daily.”
“Beck, you shouldn’t say that,” Autumn chastises, but he doesn’t even blink.
“How about Eli?” I suggest.
“He was a worthy opponent, but in the end, I destroyed him,” Beck says with utmost sincerity. “Come on, Ash. Please? Do you play it?”
I lift myself away from Autumn and sit up, running a hand through my hair. “You know I do. I live for that game.”
Beck nods eagerly. “Same! So let’s go play. Come on, meet me in my room.”
I watch as he runs out before I turn to look at Autumn. She’s sitting up as well, her lips swollen, her hair mussed thanks to my hands. Reaching out, I touch her cheek. Her mouth. She smiles. “Go play with him.”
“You don’t mind?”
“No.” She smiles. Sighs. “I have you for the next few weeks. I don’t have to be so greedy. I’m sure he’s bored with winter break already anyway, and is looking for any distraction.”
“Meet me here around eleven-thirty or so?” I raise my brows.
“Of course.”
We kiss. Whisper I love you’s before we part.
Damn, I have the best girlfriend ever.
Chapter Three
Autumn
I didn’t meet Ash in his room at eleven-thirty last night. I went up to my room around ten-thirty, and I could hear all of the boys—Ash, Jake and Eli—in Beck’s room, yelling and carrying on while they played video games. I draped myself across the bed and thought I would rest for a bit.
Turns out I fell asleep and didn’t wake up until early the next morning. Figures, am I right? I’ve been dying to see my boyfriend for what feels like forever, and somehow I fall asleep and bail on our secret date.
Lame.
I make my way down the stairs and to the kitchen only to find everyone’s already there, including Ash. I’m the last to wake up, which is unusual. Eli and Ava are fully dressed, wearing boots and heavy coats and scarves, and they’re standing close to the door that leads out to the garage, like they’re about to leave.
“Where are you two going?” I ask them.
“Up to the snow,” Ava says, smiling when Eli slings his arm around her shoulders and pulls her in close. “We want to make a snowman.”
“She wants to make a snowman,” Eli stresses. “I want to have a snowball fight.”
“Oh, did it snow last night?” I glance toward the giant window that faces the backyard to find it’s patchy with snow, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to stick, thanks to the rain that is still falling.
“Nope, but it’s still forecasted to snow. Possibly tonight,” Mom says to me. “You want coffee?”
“Sure,” I say absently as everyone yells their goodbyes to Ava and Eli. It feels chaotic around here, and it’s not even nine in the morning yet. Aren’t teenagers supposed to sleep in during school breaks? Why is everyone bright and cheery? Even Jake is sitting at the table talking with Dad, wearing a smile on his face.
What in the world is happening right now?
“Hey.” Hands settle on my waist and I glance over my shoulder to find Ash standing behind me, his lips formed into a barely there curve. “I missed you last night.”
I turn to face him, and also so it’s easier for me to talk barely above a whisper. “I’m so sorry. I fell asleep.”
“It’s okay. I figured. You had a long drive yesterday and you seemed really tired.” He kisses my forehead, his lips lingering and I close my eyes, savoring the sensation. “I have a surprise for you today.”
“Really?” I pull away so I can look into his dark brown eyes. “What is it?”
“I can’t tell you, or it wouldn’t be a surprise,” he says, sounding perfectly logical and I sort of hate him for it.
I mock pout, too curious to let it go. “But I want to know now.”
“I can’t tell you now. It’s going to happen later. And you’re going to love it, I promise. Now come on cranky, let’s get some coffee in you so you’re more alert and acting like yourself.” He taps my nose with his index finger before taking my hand. “You’re moving slow, like a zombie.”
I don’t even take his comment as an insult. I do feel like a zombie. It’s like I’m moving, yet I’m still not awake. And Ash is right. I need coffee.
Right now.
Mom made me a special holiday blend with the Keurig and once I’ve dumped some peppermint creamer in there, I sip on it happily, settled in at the table in the kitchen and stare out the window while everyone talks around me. This feels so normal. Jake and Dad talking. Beck begging Ash to play more Madden and Ash kindly telling him no, but maybe later. Mom settles in the chair next to me, and when I glance over at her, I find she’s already watching me with a concerned expression.
“You all right, honey?”
I nod. Reach for my coffee and take another sip. It’s so hot, but so delicious. “Still sleepy I guess.”