I wish he had told me that.
“Good,” Ruby says on a breath. “A lot.”
I smile when her dad grunts and leans back. He lets Ruby call the shots, so I know that means I’ll get to see her more than I thought I would.
“Knew you loved me,” I joke, even though three days ago I never thought I’d smile again. She came too close to dying this time.
“I do love you, even if you are an ass face.”
Her dad mumbles something about her not using “ass,” but I don’t pay much attention. My smile only spreads as I stare at my best friend, wishing she’d open her eyes.
“Don’t look at them like that, hun,” Wanda says, laughing lightly. “It’s not even started yet.”
I look up to see her father glaring at me, even though I don’t know why. Shrugging it off, my attention turns back to Ruby just as those blue eyes open up to meet mine.
Nothing will ever come between us. She’ll always be my best friend.
***
Fifteen years old…
RUBY
“Why’ve you been crying?” Corbin asks as he comes to drop down beside me.
He thumbs my tears away, and I lean against him.
“I’m not crying. Dirt got in my eyes.”
His rumble of laughter soothes me, and I lean against him more, enjoying the way he smells and feels. It’s like I’m trying to imprint everything to memory as much as possible.
“You’re crying because I’m leaving tomorrow and you know it. I can’t help it that you’re going to miss the hell out of me,” he says playfully, trying to lighten the heavy situation. “I’d triple dare you to cheer up, but that would be wasteful, especially since you just had me skinny dip in front of an entire crowd of people. No, my next triple dare will be epic payback.”
I try to force a smile, but it doesn’t work, despite his best attempts to cheer me up.
Two weeks just hasn’t been enough time. One day Corbin Sterling is going to forget all about me. We live in two very different worlds now.
Every time he leaves from a visit, my heart hurts a little more, wondering if it’s going to be the last.
“Yeah. I’m going to miss the hell out of you,” I say honestly around a sniffle, ignoring the triple dare comment.
He pulls me back, letting me see that seriousness has taken over his eyes.
“I’ll be back at Christmas break. My mom and dad are going to Paris. I told them I want to come here instead of joining them.”
As much as I want to smile, I still don’t let myself. “You can’t do that. Your mom won’t let you. Besides, you should be with your family on Christmas.”
He runs his fingers through my hair, tilting my head back more, and my heart almost stops when his lips come down on mine without any warning. I’m shocked, to say the least, especially when he slips his tongue in.
What the hell do I do with that?
My eyes are wide open, his are closed, and it has to be the most awkward but incredible kiss in the history of all kisses. Instinct finally takes over; my hands go to his long hair, tangling in the thick locks, as my eyes close and I kiss him back.
Corbin Sterling is actually kissing me. It’s not a dream. It’s not a hallucination—I don’t think.
It’s real. And it’s so good.
He groans as he pulls away, breaking the first kiss we’ve had—the first kiss I’ve ever had—and I’m left reeling. My cheeks have to be red, because they feel like they’re burning off right now.
He slowly opens his eyes, and he grins at me.
“You’re my family, Ruby. Always have been. I’ll see you at Christmas. Then next summer I’m talking my parents into letting me stay the entire time.”
My stomach clenches at the thought.
***
RUBY
Sixteen years old…
Breaths and moans are exchanged as I grind on Corbin’s lap. My entire body is on fire, and I’m very nearly going crazy. He grabs my hips, pulling me closer as he ravages my lips with his.
Christmas came and went, and I swore I’d never talk to him again when he broke up with me. But here I am, enjoying his touch like I can’t live without it. Just as I’ve done all summer long.
The kiss is hungry, savage, and my motions in his lap are frenzied. I silently curse our clothes for being in the way. This time I’m not going to let it end with just a hot make-out session.
The summer is getting close to ending, and Corbin hasn’t made the first move. I guess that means it’s up to me, because he’s not leaving without us taking this to the next level. He’ll never want to break up with me again.
As hard as it is to do, I break away from the kiss, but he immediately grabs me and pulls me back down, kissing me again. I smile against his lips, but manage to push away once more.