I do the only logical thing I can think of, I slip out of his arms, open my door the rest of the way, and stumble out of his truck. I’m already halfway up the wooden staircase to my apartment by the time Rhett’s out of the truck, calling after me.
I have to be the biggest fool on the planet for running, but I don’t stop. I can’t stop. Not until I’m safely inside the apartment. I hit the light switch and yelp when I find Carson sitting in the living room, in the dark. “What are you doing? You scared me.”
“I was waiting for you to get home before I went to bed.”
“Oh, you didn’t have to wait up. I’m always home late on work nights.” I hurry by him, in desperate need of a shower, and a chill pill.
“What did you do,” I whisper to myself, over and over.
“I’m wondering the same thing.”
I spin around with my shirt in my hands, startled. “Jesus, Carson. Stop doing that.” I’m not used to him being here. There was a two week period after Wyatt left for school where I was all alone. I’m not used to having company after so many nights by myself.
Carson’s eyes travel the length of me, and when he does nothing, other than take me in, I realize I’m standing in front of him in my bra and work pants. Once my mind catches up with my hormones, I reach for the door, shutting it in his face.
Within the span of ten minutes, I had my first kiss with my first boyfriend before running like a bat out of hell away from him. Shortly after, a guy saw me in my bra for the first time—who wasn’t my boyfriend. This day needs to be over before it gets any crazier.
I let the warm water cascade over my tired body, praying at any point I’ll stop feeling like the biggest fool on the planet. But the water runs cold before that happens, so I get out, and dry off. After pulling on a pair of boxers and a tank top, I slide under my covers. I reach for the plug to charge my phone, and see I have a waiting text—from Rhett.
Rhett: Why did you run?
How do I explain to him that I’ve never kissed a guy before, and that I’m pretty sure I was terrible at it? Before I start typing an answer to his first question, a second follows. There’s no time to read it, when Carson knocks on my door. “Come in.”
The knob turns, and he stands in the doorway doing his best to look me in the eye instead of at my chest. “I’m sorry about before. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
I wave my hand in the air, dismissively, like it was no big deal. Right now, compared to my Rhett drama, it’s not so bad. “I have to be more careful. I’m the one who’s sorry.”
Carson walks closer, stopping next to my bed.
“Can I sit for a second?”
I scoot over, giving him a little space on the edge of my bed. “What is it?”
He exhales, running his hand over his face. “I saw you with that kid in the truck.”
“What did you see, exactly?”
“I saw him with his tongue down your throat.”
I sit up, pulling my blankets up to cover my chest. “You were spying on me?”
He shakes his head. “I was waiting for you to get home. I saw the head lights pull in, and when they didn’t turn off right away, I got up and looked. I saw him kiss you.”
“You were spying.”
“Who is he?”
“My boyfriend.”
Carson recoils like I smacked him. “You were busy today.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. I’m just surprised.”
“Why? Please don’t tell Wyatt. You have to promise me, Carson. He’ll start shit. Do you know he told all the guys not to touch me? I’m the one that should get to yell at him.”
The way Carson stares at me, he almost looks disappointed. It was two tiny kisses. It’s not a big deal.
“Just be careful, Kinsley.”
“I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time. I know what I’m doing.”
Carson stands up. “I won’t tell Wyatt if you promise to tell him yourself the next time you talk to him. I don’t want to be put in the middle.”
“Thank you. I’ll tell Wyatt soon. Things with Rhett are brand new. I don’t want to mess them up before we even get started.”
“I understand. Goodnight, Kinsley.” He turns and walks out of my room, but I can’t shake the strange feeling that comes over me. Like something isn’t right. Like I made a mistake even when I don’t think I did. In fact, I know I didn’t.
I swipe the lock button on my screen and read my next text.
Rhett: Am I still picking you up in the morning?
I answer that question easily. Even if I am an idiot, I still want him to take me to school.
Kinsley: Yes, please.
He responds right away, just like I thought he would.
Rhett: Was it that bad?
Kinsley: ???
Rhett: The kiss. Was it that awful for you?
Kinsley: No!
Rhett: Are you sure?
Kinsley: Positive. I was nervous.
Rhett: I’m glad I wasn’t the only one.
I never would have thought a guy like him would get nervous. He’s the one who knows what he’s doing.
Kinsley: I’m not good at this stuff. I’m sorry.
Rhett: Stop worrying. It’s not like you’ve never kissed a dude before.
I’m too embarrassed to admit that I haven’t, so I don’t. I’ll keep my secret to myself.
Kinsley: G’nite.
Rhett: Nite babe.
IF I WASN’T so tired, I’m sure I would have been up half the night rereading the texts from Rhett, and remembering the way his lips felt when they touched mine. Both definitely make getting out of bed a lot easier this morning. Not only do I have a day with Rhett, but I have his football game tonight to look forward to.
Football’s a big deal in this town. It’s a way of life that begins as soon as kids are strong enough to keep the helmet on their head without falling over. It may seem like an exaggeration, but it’s not. Wyatt started playing on a team when he was only six. Before that, it was flag football. It’s why year after year, our high school is one of the top in the state—if not the best.
“Kinsley, are you eating breakfast this morning?” Kate yells from the kitchen. On mornings she works third shift, she tries to eat with me before going to sleep. It’s nice to see her for a few minutes, even if it isn’t much.
“I’m coming.” I take one last look in the mirror. It’s nothing fancy, jeans and a school pride T-shirt, the customary attire on game days, but today, it feels a little different. Today, I’m supporting Rhett.
“Hurry up,” Kate yells a little louder this time.
“Sorry, I took another shower when I got up, but I used body wash instead of shampoo by mistake. Now my hair feels weird. Then, the wire in my favorite bra broke when I was putting it on.”
“Um, Kins.”
I look up from my bag, the one I’m mindlessly digging through as I spew my problems to my sister. Only she’s not the only one listening. “Rhett?” I glance at my watch wondering if I’m running late, but I wouldn’t normally leave for at least fifteen more minutes. “What are you doing here?”