by L A Cotton
But Caz… she was something more.
I looked at her and imagined all kinds of scary, intense shit.
“Bryan?” Her brows knitted.
“Yeah?” I stuttered over the word, unfamiliar with the tidal wave of emotion rising inside me.
“You dragged me around here to tell me you want me but not yet?”
“No, I mean… yes. No. Kind of.”
Smooth, Brymeister. Real fucking smooth.
“I just wanted to check in before we head inside. Make sure you’re okay with all of… this.”
“This?”
“Yeah? Me and you, together.”
“Like boyfriend and girlfriend?”
“Yeah, like boyfriend and girlfriend.”
God, she was adorable.
“I’m okay.”
“And about what Pacey said…”
“Pacey who?” She grinned, leaning up to kiss me. Her fingers scraped my jaw, sending heady bolts of need through me. Shit, today was going to be hard going.
Literally.
Carrie-Anne’s tongue gently licked at the seam of my mouth, demanding entrance, only ramping up my need for this girl.
“Fuck, Kitty Cat, you need to stop doing that.”
“I-I do?” She blinked at me, pulling away.
“Yeah. Before I pounce on you and do very unseemly things to you.”
“Unseemly things?” She giggled. “No one says that, Bryan.”
“I do. Just did.” I grinned. “You good?”
She nodded. “We have math together today.”
Don’t remind me. I swallowed the words. Part of me wanted to follow her to every class she had, but the other part knew it would be sweet torture being so close and unable to do anything about it.
Christ, she had me tied up in knots.
And I liked it.
More than liked it. I fucking loved it.
“What are you doing after school today?” I blurted out.
“I think Miss Denton wants me to help with the installation.”
“And after that?”
“Nothing, why?”
“Come hang out at my house again?”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I slung my arm around her neck and guided us back around the building. Nearly all the kids had disappeared inside which meant we were late, and I knew Carrie-Anne wouldn’t appreciate being tardy. But I couldn’t seem to let her go.
“Bryan?” she whispered as we approached the doors.
“Yeah?”
Stopping, she pressed into my side and leaned up on her tiptoes. “Will you do that thing to me again… with your tongue?”
Staring at her wide-eyed, I nodded like a fool.
“Good, I’ll look forward to it. See you later.”
Carrie-Anne kissed my cheek and skipped off down the hall as if she hadn’t just made things ten times more difficult for me.
Carrie-Anne
“You’ve done an incredible job, Carrie-Anne, you should feel very proud.” Miss Denton smiled at me as we stepped back to take in the finished installation.
Covering the entire wall next to the administration office, the tree stood proud. Painted in bright oranges and greens and browns, the wooden leaves depicted the legacies of my classmates. She was right, it had turned out better than I ever could have imagined.
“It looks great,” I replied, feeling my chest swell.
“Are you excited for the unveiling?”
“I…”
That was a whole other story.
Sorcha and Joe had made sure to voice their disapproval about the project, turning the entire yearbook committee against me. It wasn’t like I needed them to validate the success of the project, but I didn’t doubt they would find a way to ruin the unveiling.
“Hey.” Bryan appeared around the corner, a little breathless as if he’d run to get here. “Holy shit, babe, that looks incredible.”
I probably should have swooned at his compliment, but my heart was doing little somersaults at hearing the word babe roll off his tongue.
God, I had it bad for this boy.
All day, I’d been imagining being alone with him tonight. So much so, I hadn’t heard half of my classes.
I was smitten, completely smitten.
And he was here, grinning at me with pride and things I had no right to be thinking yet.
“Mr. Hughes, what a surprise.” Miss Denton smiled at us.
“Hey, Miss D. My girl did good, huh?” Bryan slung his arm around me.
“Your girl?” Her brow arched.
“Carrie-Anne didn’t tell you? She agreed to be my girl.” He pulled me closer into his side as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Bryan,” I hissed, cheeks burning.
“Relax, Kitty Cat,” he whispered. “Miss D. is cool, right?”
He was too charming for his own good and although it melted my heart, it also made me question what the hell he was doing standing here with me when he could have almost any girl at Rixon High he wanted.
Self-doubt was such a killjoy.
“Right, well.” Miss Denton chuckled. “I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it. See you bright and early tomorrow, Carrie-Anne, for your big moment.”
“Yeah.” I grimaced, barely meeting her eyes as she walked off.
“You ready?” Bryan asked, frowning when my gaze met his. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Did I… come on too strong? I just thought—”
“No, it’s not you. I’m just nervous—about tomorrow,” I quickly added.
Snagging his other arm around my waist he pulled me flush to his chest. “You have absolutely nothing to be worried about. The installation is amazing. You’re amazing.” He dropped a kiss on the end of my nose. “Let’s get out of here so I can kiss you properly.”
How did he know exactly the right thing to say every time I start doubting this?
Us.
I grinned back at him. “I think that sounds like the best idea I’ve heard all day.”
Bryan’s house was like something out of a magazine. I’d noticed last night, of course I had, but I’d also been preoccupied with the gorgeous guy asking me for things no guy had ever asked of me before.
“I still can’t believe you live here,” I said as he led me to the kitchen.
“Like I said before, it’s just bricks and mortar, babe.”
“Yeah, but still… it’s beautiful.”
“I guess it depends on your definition of beauty.” Bryan leaned back against the counter, watching me as I ran my fingers over the glittering marble surface. Everything was expensive. High end. Nothing but the best.
“Where are your parents?” I asked.
“Out of town on business.”
“You said before they’re away a lot?”
He shrugged, folding his arms over his chest. “I barely even notice anymore.”
“I bet this house has seen some killer parties.” I moved to the French doors, gazing out over the huge yard with its ridiculously big swimming pool and decked area.
Bryan stepped up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and dropping his chin to my shoulder. “Party boy, player, goofball… it’s not who I am,” he said quietly, tightening his hold on me.
I felt so safe in his arms. Adored and cherished. Being close to Bryan like this made my heart soar. Everything was new and exciting. I never wanted it to end.
Letting out a soft sigh, I glanced back at him. “Who are you then, Bryan Hughes?” Because I wanted to know him—I wanted to know all of him.
“I’m just a guy falling for a girl,” he whispered, brushing his lips over mine in a featherlight touch.
“Hmm.” I sighed again, relishing the feel of his mouth on mine.
“Do you have any idea what you do to me, Kitty Cat? Feel this.” Bryan took my hand and turned me in his arms, then he pressed my hand to his chest. The quickened beat of his heart thrummed beneath my palm. “That�
��s all for you, Carrie-Anne.”
“Have your lines always been so smooth?” I smiled.
“Is it working?”
Laughter spilled out of me but quickly subsided when his eyes locked on mine. “What?” I said.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too… but I seem to remember you promised something about a repeat of last night’s lesson.”
“I’m a man of my word, but before I eat…” He smirked, sending a shiver down my spine. “I should probably feed you.”
Bryan dropped a kiss on my head and left me standing there…
Gawking after him.
Bryan
I loved watching Carrie-Anne eat. I loved the way she sighed after every bite of pasta, repeatedly complimenting me on my cooking skills. I loved the way she talked over her food, opening up to me about her life, her hopes and dreams. She was blossoming in front of my eyes, and I fell a little bit deeper with every new piece of information I gleaned about Carrie-Anne Trombley.
“That was… so good. But I couldn’t eat another thing.”
“Not even a slice of chocolate cake?”
“You did not make chocolate cake.”
“I wish I could take the credit.” I chuckled. “But no, there’s a bakery downtown that does this amazing chocolate mud cake. I get one every now and again because I’m a total girl like that.”
“Buying your favorite chocolate cake does not make you a girl, Bryan.”
“Yeah? Try telling the guys that. They never let me live it down when they found out.”
She rolled her eyes. “Typical guys. I think it’s sweet, and I would love to try a slice… later, when I have room.”
“Want to watch a movie? The home theater is pretty sweet.”
“Bryan?”
“Yeah, Kitty Cat?”
“I don’t want to watch a movie…” Heat blazed in her eyes.
“You don’t?” I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry. I didn’t want to fuck this up. I wanted to do it right. Take my time and make sure she knew there was no pressure. But she was looking at me like I was dessert, and I was having a real difficult time not dragging her across the table and onto my lap so I could show her exactly what I was thinking.
“Take me upstairs, please.”
“I have a better idea. Come on.” Standing, I held out my hand to Carrie-Anne, still startled at how much her simple touch affected me.
“Where are we going?” she asked as I led her across the yard to the pool house. It was one of my favorite places.
“You’ll see.” I grabbed the spare key from inside the plant pot and unlocked it, pulling her inside.
“What is—wow, this is… wow.” Carrie-Anne slipped past me, her eyes instantly going to the skylight in the roof, bathing the whole room in a stream of moonlight.
“It’s beautiful.”
But I wasn’t interested in the beauty of the moonlight, because I couldn’t take my eyes off Carrie.
She looked like an ethereal being standing there under the canvas of stars with the moon shining down on her.
“If I lived here, I think I’d want this room.”
“I stay out here sometimes.”
“Alone?”
“Yes, alone.” A strange sensation filled my chest. “I don’t make a habit of bringing just any girl out here, you know.”
“I should probably feel special then.” A faint smile played on her lips.
“You should definitely feel special.” I approached her slowly, raking my eyes down her body.
“Bryan.” Her breath caught, and I reached out, settling my hand against the curve of her neck.
“We go at your pace.”
“I-I want this… I want you.”
“There’s no rush, Carrie-Anne.” I drew her closer. “We have all the time in the world.”
“Kiss me,” she murmured, her eyes fluttering.
I didn’t need asking twice. Dipping down, I captured her lips in a bruising kiss. Our tongues tangled with easy familiarity as I ran my other hand down her spine and over the curve of her ass, pressing her closer into me.
“More.”
Our kisses turned frantic, my hands moving over her body, desperate to map her curves, to feel her skin beneath my fingers. Clothes began coming off, her t-shirt and my hoodie.
Scooping Carrie-Anne up, I walked us toward the bed and laid her down. She pulled me down with her, spreading her thighs to accommodate me.
“Kiss me, Bryan. I need you to kiss me.”
Her pleas were my undoing, making my body surge forward. We both groaned, even with too many layers separating us it was so easy to imagine.
“Fuck, Kitty Cat,” I breathed as she wound her legs around my hips, forcing me closer.
We kissed and kissed and kissed some more, our bodies seeking friction, hips rolling, and legs tangling.
“Bryan, I want—”
“Ssh.” I silenced her with a kiss. “I know what you need.” Pushing up on my elbows, I began teasing a path down her stomach, tracing my tongue over her silky-smooth skin, kissing every freckle and blemish.
Carrie-Anne’s fingers sunk into my hair as she let me explore her body, her curves and untouched places.
“I’m going to kiss you now.” I grinned, my fingers working the waistband of her jeans open. “Right here. And then I’m going to make you come under the stars.”
And I did.
More than once.
Chapter Six
Carrie-Anne
“Carrie-Anne, over here.” Lily and Ashleigh waved me over and I moved gingerly through the growing crowd.
I hadn’t expected such a turn out for the unveiling. It was a lot to process.
“Hey,” I said, reaching them. “Thanks for coming.”
“Of course.” Lily beamed. “This is your big moment.”
“Besides, Bryan ordered us all to—”
“Leigh,” Lily scolded.
“What? I didn’t mean it like that. Carrie is one of us now.” Ashleigh grinned. “Of course we were going to be here. I was merely pointing out that Bryan—”
“It’s okay.” I chuckled nervously. “I’m happy you’re here.” I scanned the crowd.
“He’ll be here,” Lily said, as if sensing my thoughts.
“I know.”
Bryan had already texted me three times to tell me he wouldn’t miss it, but his parents had turned up this morning and he was dealing with them.
Whatever that meant.
“Ah, Carrie-Anne, there you are.” Mr. Keefer waved, weaving his way toward us. “Ready to get the show on the road?”
“I… uh, I guess.” My stomach churned at his enthusiasm.
“Come on now, this is your big moment.” He gently took my elbow, steering me toward the front of the crowd. Miss Denton was already there, smiling at Principal Kiln.
Oh God.
Principal Kiln was here along with the school paper photographer, Niall Fulton.
I knew the unveiling was a big deal, but I hadn’t anticipated… this. And there was still no sign of Bryan.
My eyes frantically scanned the crowd, the knot in my stomach growing tighter with every passing second. I wasn’t cut out for this: the attention, the spotlight. I’d wanted to leave my mark, some small reminder of my time at Rixon High, but I had never expected this.
“Okay, okay, everyone, let’s quiet down,” Principal Kiln ushered everyone into silence. “We’re here this morning to unveil this year’s legacy project. Carrie-Anne, if you’d like to step up here and say a few words before you unveil it.” He stared at me expectantly.
But I couldn’t move, the stares of my classmates like hundreds of roots anchoring me in place.
“Oh my God, she’s totally freaking out. Someone pass her a sick bucket.” Sorcha made no attempt to keep her voice, or her snickers down.
Joe and a couple of the yearbook committee members joined her, pointing discreetly and jostling each other at my stage fright.
“Carrie-Anne?” Principal Kiln smiled encouragingly, grasping the velvet cord that controlled the temporary curtain concealing the installation.
“Maybe someone else should give the speech, Principal Kiln?” Sorcha’s voice was saccharine. “Carrie-Anne doesn’t look so good.”
My stomach churned as I searched the crowd again. Where was Bryan?
Where the hell was—
He burst through the crowd, breathless and red-faced. The second his eyes found me, he grinned. “Hi,” he mouthed.
“Hi.” I breathed, the knot inside me slowly unravelling.
“You’ve got this,” he said, slipping closer to Lily and Ashleigh. I hadn’t even realized Kaiden and Gav were with him until they both waved.
“Carrie-Anne.”
I took a deep breath and nodded. “Thanks, Principal Kiln. I can take it from here.”
“Attagirl.” Bryan cheered and everyone broke out into laughter.
My cheeks burned, but I couldn’t stop smiling. He was here—for me—and it meant everything.
“When we were asked to pitch ideas for this year’s legacy project, Mr. Keefer prompted us to think about what our legacy would be after we graduated high school. And honestly, when I thought about it, I couldn’t think of a single thing that I would be remembered for.”
My eyes locked on Bryan’s as I sucked in a calming breath, forcing myself to continue. “I’m not pretty or popular. I don’t get straight A’s or have any amazing talent. I’m perfectly average and I’m okay with that. And I wanted to tell other kids—kids like me—that it’s okay to be the invisible one. It’s okay to be the one who doesn’t get invited to all the cool parties or the one who goes to prom stag. Because it’s only high school and we’re not done growing yet.
“We’re not supposed to have all the answers right now. Not when there’s still a whole world out there we haven’t even begun to uncover. The legacy tree isn’t about what makes us different, it’s about what makes us the same. We survived high school. All of us, and this is our chance to leave a small mark for the generations of kids who will come after us.”
Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, the emotion rising inside me catching me off guard. I hadn’t expected to say all of that, but it had poured out, like a dam breaking somewhere deep inside me.