Page 34 of Don’t Be A Stranger

Our laughter slowly dies and now we’re kind of just standing here in the parking lot and I’m starting to think that maybe this wasn’t a good idea. Maybe we’ve officially just made things so far past awkward. But how else was I supposed to fix us?

“Okay…” I rock back and forth on my heels again. I really didn’t think through what would happen after this conversation. I was kind of just running off adrenaline. “I guess I’ll see you back at the apartment.”

“No.” River shakes his head and pushes off the car. “I’ve waited too damn long for this.”

Before I can even ask him what that means, his hands find my hips and pull me flush against him. Now we’re chest to chest.

My hands shake as my breathing quickens. We’ve done this part before. Twice. It should be easy. The beating of my heart shouldn’t be this rapid.

River’s eyes are almost black but his breath is shaky, telling me he’s nervous too. His hand comes up to rest on the side of my neck, his thumb lightly tracing my jaw. “Are you sure?”

I shouldn’t be but I am, so I nod without thinking of reasoning or consequences. Our lips gently meet. It’s small pecks at first, both of us testing the waters. We pull back and when we both seem to realize that the world hasn’t come crashing down on us, any hesitation between us cracks. What floods through is years of built-up anticipation. This time when our lips touch, it’s no longer about testing the lines we can cross. Now, it’s trying to bring each other as close as we possibly can.

It’s sloppy at first. Both of us trying to find our footing. Where our hands should be. Where they’re allowed to be. But when we do match each other’s rhythm, it’s not at all what I expected. Not from River. Not from my best friend.

No. I have to catch myself. That’s not what we are right now.

“What about Mario?” I try to catch my breath.

“Forget about Mario. I’m sure he’ll figure it out.” River nips at my bottom lip and tangles his hands in my hair.

My own hands begin to search around River’s waist. Not for his zipper but the keychain clipped on his belt loop.

I unclasp it, not breaking away from his lips. At least not until he pulls away and looks around the parking lot.

“Are you sure you’re okay doing this here?” He swallows.

“You’re not the only one who’s been thinking about this.” I give him a quick peck before turning to unlock the door to the backseat.

I pull River into the cramped space, not giving him much time to adjust—hardly any time to even close the door—before I’m climbing into his lap, my knees resting on either side of his hips. His skateboard digs into my thigh and I want to ask him why it’s even in here, but he’s already chucking it to the front seat and mumbling an apology against my lips. I can’t help but smile against his lips but that doesn’t stop me from grinding down onto him. River whines, his own hips bucking up into mine.

When I begin to nibble at the skin on his neck, River can’t seem to help but toss his head back against the headrest.

“Summer?” he calls out to me, breathing rapidly.

I hum against his skin. His grip on my hips tightens and he’s calling out to me again. “I have a confession to make.”

I whine but pull away regardless.

He looks up at me, looking unsure and now I’m worried he’s decided that this isn’t a good idea after all.

But what comes out of his mouth is somehow worse. “Do you remember Vivianna?”

My entire body freezes at the mention of his ex. I don’t care that they only dated for two months in high school. I’ve never liked her. She was always too controlling. Too worried about River’s every move.

“Remember how I said that she was the first person I had sex with?”

River’s really making me want to cover my mouth with his, hoping to erase the sound of another girl’s name at this very moment.

I groan. “I swear to god if you’re about to tell me about every single person you’ve had sex with, I’m—”

“I lied,” he blurts out. “I never slept with Vivianna. Or…anyone for that matter.”

Oh my god.

Oh. My. God.

Is he really going to let me take his virginity?