Carter: never letting Tate use gps again, we’re here btw

Me: door’s unlocked, come find me I exhale, sitting up straighter, my fingers tightening around my phone, my stomach flipping with that same stupid excitement I’ve been trying to ignore all day. It’s one thing to talk to Carter every single night, Tate’s more of a texter, but it’s another to have them actually here, parked outside my house, bringing whatever new chaos they’re about to unload into my life.

“Alright, I gotta go,” I tell Cassie, already pushing off my bed, smoothing down my shirt, ignoring the sudden heat creeping up the back of my neck.

“Oh, no,” she says immediately, her tone full of mischief. “You don’t get to hang up now. I want full play-by-play commentary, I want details, I want to hear—”

“Cass.” “What? I just think it’s funny that you’re freaking out—”

“I’m not freaking out, I love you bye now.” She snorts. “Love you too Havie, have fun.”

Rolling my eyes, turning toward the window, spotting Carter’s car pulling into my driveway. I watch as they park, Tate clearly saying something to Carter, probably some last-minute snide remark before they head inside.

My pulse picking up slightly, my fingers curling into the sheets as I wait, my ears straining for the sound of the front door opening, the weight of their footsteps, the moment this whole thing becomes real.

The second my bedroom door opens, I lay eyes on them, on Carter’s warm brown gaze locking onto mine, on Tate’s cocky smirk, on the pure, unfiltered tension crackling between all three of us I don’t hesitate. I launch myself at Carter, my arms wrapping tight around his shoulders, my legs instinctively hitching around his waist as he catches me with ease, his hands gripping my thighs, his chest pressing against mine, and then my lips are on his, claiming him, tasting him, kissing him like I’ve needed to for weeks.

He groans into my mouth, deep and needy, his grip tightening, his fingers digging into my skin as he pushes into me, matching my energy, giving me everything I demand from him and more, but just as the moment starts to consume us, just as his kiss grows desperate, just as his hands start to wander…

Tate groans behind us. I smile against Carter’s lips, pulling back just enough to glance over my shoulder, meeting Tate’s expectant gaze, catching the way his arms cross over his chest. “You won’t be left out,” I assure him, my voice a little breathless, teasing, as I let my fingers brush over Carter’s jaw one last time before he sets me back down on my feet.