“When do you have to decide about next year?”

He blows out a breath. “End of April, officially, but I need to decide soon so I can get my parents used to the idea if I do skip my senior year.”

He’s quiet and lost in thought for a moment before he looks to me and smiles. I feel the mood go with that smile, but I stay silent hoping he’ll share more about his hopes and dreams. What he wants for his life. Literally anything. He gives so freely and yet holds back so strongly, too. I wait, holding my breath for more words that I’m not even sure matter, but I want all the same.

Joel

“What’s your schedule like today?”

Katrina’s eyes dart around us as we walk through campus toward the English building. “Sorry what?”

I take her backpack that she insisted on carrying herself, from her shoulder and place it on the ground in front of us. Taking her hands, I stop and force her to look at me. “I asked what your schedule was like today? What’s going on with you? You’ve been acting weird since I parked the car. You embarrassed to be seen with me, Kitty?”

Her gaze previously focused past me, snaps to mine. “What? That’s ridiculous. No.”

“Then what is it? You’re practically running to class and looking around like you’re afraid someone is going to see you.”

“People are staring at us,” she says and motions with her head to a group of girls who are indeed looking our way. One of the baseball guys, Clark, passes by and juts his chin up in greeting. “Correction. Everyone is staring at us.”

“They’re not staring at us. They’re staring at me.” I shrug. I’m used to it. I mean, when you’re as tall as I am, you can’t walk around without people staring. Plus, I’m a social guy so most of them I’ve hung out with or talked to – the others just know who I am.

She glances around as if verifying my claim. “God, what a life you live,” she says with a smirk.

Letting go of her hands, I wrap mine around her back and pull her closer. “Not gonna lie, it’s a good life, Kitty. Better when you stay the night and I get to walk you to class.”

I have to bend down to place my lips on hers. She hesitates and the idea that she might not be into PDA crosses my mind until I hear her sigh and she presses her body to mine. I have zero problem with public displays of anything, so I let my hands travel down to her ass and I pull her hard against me while I sweep my tongue into her mouth.

When she finally breaks contact, she’s heavy-lidded and breathless. “I’m gonna be late.”

She doesn’t move and I chuckle as she stares at my lips. Her tongue darts out to wet her lips and instead of doing what I want to do – continue to kiss her senseless – I pick up her bag.