After the near-kiss with Hunter in the bathroom, I couldn’t sleep. My body buzzed with excitement and my heart pounded in my head. I replayed everything over and over again, taking the encounter to the conclusion that had almost happened.
Kissing Hunter in the bathroom.
Taking off his shirt.
Wrapping my legs around him and feeling his body against mine.
Was Hunter thinking about me the same way?
The light in the bathroom turned on, and for three long seconds I felt a rush of excitement as I waited for the door to open. But then the shower began to run.
I closed my eyes and pictured his tan body underneath the water. Rinsing away the grime from the fight he’d had with Derek, a fight that he had initiated to protectme.
I slid my fingers underneath the covers and between my legs while imagining it. Within seconds, I gasped and trembled in my bed as my body surged upward.
Afterwards, a deep and peaceful sleep claimed me.
My parents came home from the nursing conference the next morning. Brad and I were eating cereal in the kitchen when they came in through the garage.
“Wow,” Dad said while looking around. “This place is surprisingly clean, considering there’s no more beer in the garage fridge.”
He gave Brad an exaggerated wink.
“How many friends did you have over?” Mom asked.
“A few,” Brad said simply.
“Oh, I bet it was more than afew,” Mom insisted with a big grin. “Ronda Peterson across the street said it was quite the rager!”
“Come on, Mom, don’t make a big deal about it,” Brad said. “We were safe and nobody drove, just like you asked.”
Mom squeezed both of his cheeks. “I’m just so proud of my recent graduates!”
“Where’s Hunter?” Dad asked. “I hope he’s not too hungover for the big cookout we’re having today.”
Footsteps came down the stairs moments later. “Not too hungover at all, Mr. P.”
Dad snapped his fingers and pointed at him. “Atta boy.”
Hunter glanced at me for a second, then quickly looked away. The swelling was totally gone from his face, and his dark hair was tussled from sleep.
I wonder if he dreamed about me.
“Do we have to have a cookout?” Brad complained.
Mom gave him a no-nonsense look. “Of course we do. All my friends want to celebrate your graduation. You’re going to get a lot of gifts, and most of them will probably be money.”
Brad stood up a little straighter. “Really?”
“I’m excited for the cookout, Mrs. P,” Hunter said. “Actually, I was wondering if I can invite someone.”
“Well of course you can!” Mom said. “Is it a friend from the lacrosse team?”
Hunter ran a hand through his messy hair. “It’s actually, uh, a lady friend.”
I froze with my spoonful of cereal halfway to my mouth.
“Oh! A girl!” Mom grinned. “That’s wonderful, Hunter. I think that’s justwonderful.”