We stayed at the party for a couple of hours. Then, night fell and Ash wandered off, and Derek took that as the cue that he could leave without being rude. I told Maya I’d come by in the morning to help with the animals, and I left her starting a climbing race against Rafe, with Daniel and Annie at the top of the ridge, shouting support and spotting them on their ascent.

We’d decided Derek would Change. He usually only does it once a week, but the party gave us an excuse to be out late and Changing added to that, which meant no one would be looking for us back anytime soon. He Changed and we played, and then he Changed back, and we played some more.

Afterwards, I was the one catching my breath, feeling as if I’d gone through my own workout…one a whole lot more fun than Changing shapes. I lay there, snuggled against him, heart still pounding, muscles still quivering, the chill night air freeze-drying my sweaty skin and feeling not one moment’s inclination to reach for the blanket much less my clothes, content to just lie there and enjoy the aftermath. Derek did too, panting softly, until he got his breath, and then nuzzling and kissing me.

A few minutes of that, and then a few more of whispered words and I love yous. That passed too, and I was about to reach for the blanket, knowing the next stage was usually a dozy half-sleep, but Derek got the cover first, pulling it over us and saying, “Can we talk about school?”

My groan answered for me. But I followed it with, “We should.”

I flipped onto my side, facing him.

“I know you think this should be your decision,” he said.

“Shouldn’t it? If I choose to work—”

“—your ass off to get an extra year of school in because your boyfriend whines about not wanting to Change on his own?”

“You don’t whine.”

“Yeah, I kinda do. But that’s just the excuse, and I hope you know that. Sure, I don’t like the idea of Changing without you there, but I don’t like the idea of you not being there a whole lot more. I don’t want to go to school without you because I don’t want to go to school without you. But I can’t say that to my dad, or he’ll start worrying we’re getting too serious.”

“Has he said—?”