I nodded. “I would be disappointed if you didn’t.”
“And can we sleep right here on the couch? Just wrapped up together like this?”
“Yeah, baby, we can.”
Reed snuggled closer. “Good.” He rested his head on my shoulder for a moment. “What do you think might happen between us when we go back to school? I mean, we’re still going to be boyfriends, right? Even if you get drafted?”
“You want to continue to be my boyfriend?” I was terrified to look at him. What if his face told me the answer I didn’t want to hear? But when Reed didn’t answer, I glanced down to find him watching me, his teeth buried in his bottom lip.
He nodded. “Very much. But if you don’t want that, I completely understand. You have your entire life ahead of you, and I don’t want to stand in your way.”
“Reed—”
He held up his hand. “Don’t say it. I can’t bear to hear you tell me no. Just let me enjoy the rest of the time I have with you, and when we both go our separate ways, that will be a me problem.”
“Baby, I would love to continue to be your boyfriend. I want that more than anything.” His brows lifted, his mouth fell open, and his eyes filled with tears. “Was that not what you wanted me to say? Why are you crying?”
Reed crawled up to straddle my hips. “I’m happy. These are happy tears. I promise.” He kissed my nose. “Long-distance boyfriends. Boston and New York aren’t that far away from one another. Just a few hours’ drive.”
“They’re not.” I pushed the hair from his face. Those three words were on the tip of my tongue, but I pushed them back down. “We’ll be able to see each other often.”
Reed brushed his lips over mine. “I can watch you play.”
“And I can watch you dance.” I wrapped my arms around him when he spread his lean frame over mine, his head against my shoulder. I could introduce him to my friends. I could meet his. And everything would be perfect.
Reed sighed happily. “I’ll cook you breakfast in the morning.” He suddenly sounded tired, and I could feel that. My body felt exhausted.
“I’d like that,” I murmured right before I drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Sixteen
Reed
Iwoke up slowly to the sounds of the birds outside and warm sunshine against my skin. And that delicious burn between my legs that only meant one thing. I had been fucked two ways to Sunday, and it was worth it. I reached for Cole on the couch, but when I realized he wasn’t there, I sat up. Was last night too much for him? We had spoken about what would happen after the summer, and even though he had said he wanted to continue to see me, maybe I came on too strong. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything and just waited to see how everything played out. Maybe...
Cole came around the corner; his phone pressed to his ear and a smile on his face. He gave me a small wave, and I relaxed. Nothing to worry about. Everything was fine.
“It sounds like you’re really having a good time. You’ll have to send me more pictures. It looks beautiful there.” Cole nodded. “I miss you guys, though. It feels weird to be here at this house without you.” His face burned red as he listened to whatever was being said on the other end. “I mean, yeah, we’re spending a lot of time together.”
Oh. That had to be about me, right? Had Maverick told Dean that I had been here for dinner? What if Beau and Dean didn’t like me? Would Cole not want to see me anymore? I started to climb from the couch only for Cole to come sit down next to me.
“He’s my boyfriend. We’re together. And we’re going to continue to see one another once school starts.” He reached formy hand and laced our fingers together. “Yes, I know it can be difficult, but we can do it. I believe in us.”
Warmth spread through my belly and body. Whatever his father was telling him, Cole didn’t care. He shot it down, and that had to mean something. I squeezed his hand as I brought it to my lips to press a kiss to the back. He smiled again and tugged me closer. But I didn’t want to put a wedge between the two of them either. I wanted Beau Whitaker to like me.
“We’re being careful. God, don’t talk about sex stuff right now. It’s bad enough that Maverick took me to buy lube and condoms. Right in the open at the pharmacy, where anyone could have seen us. Don’t laugh, it was mortifying. What if someone recognized him?” Cole huffed, and his cheeks burned pink again.
I chuckled softly and took a moment to take him in. His curls were a mess, flattened on one side, and he still looked half asleep. But Cole looked happy as he spoke with his father. A smile lit up his face like a Christmas tree, and when he laughed, my body grew all warm and tingly. He had put on pants, which was disappointing, but I still got to ogle his chest since he was shirtless. I could never grow hair like that on my body. I wasn’t built that way.
“He’s here now, yes.” My eyes darted up to Cole’s blue ones. “Yes, he spent the night.” His lips curled into another smile. “I’d rather you meet him in person, but okay.” He held out the phone. “My father would like to say hello.”
Was it hot in here? Why was I sweating so much? I pressed the cell to my ear. “He-Hello.”
“Reed Kelly, it’s a pleasure to speak with the man who has been keeping my son occupied these past few weeks.” Beau Whittaker’s deep voice boomed in my ear. Was he mad? He sounded mad. Did he not want us to be together? I mean, I guess I could understand that.
“Beau! Be nice. He’s Cole’s boyfriend. He might end up being our son-in-law someday.” That had to be Dean in the background. “Give me the phone, baby, don’t scare the boy. Hello, Reed? It’s Dean Frost-Whitaker. Ignore my husband. He means well.”
Yep, I was absolutely sweating. And I was having a really hard time finding my voice. “I understand.”