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Her character fell off a cliff.

“I hate you.”

“No, you don’t.” I leaned in. “What are you gonna do? Hit me? Pinch me? Throw me off the couch?”

She eyed me, and I was hoping for the last one. I was stronger than her, but one of my favorite things to do was let her win in our little play fights.

Instead, she leaned forward and pressed her lips against mine.

I went rigid, and she pulled away with a grin. “That . . . wasn’t one of the options.”

“You know I’ll never do what you expect me to.”

“But I was gearing up for a fight,” I said.

“And you’ll complain about me kissing you?”

I considered it. “Not if you do it more.”

My lips moved against hers, and the living room fell away. All I could do was tug her closer. Jade took the initiative and climbed onto my lap.

She had no idea what she did to me. I’d been thinking of her since I realized I was into the opposite sex. I indulged on nights when I knew she wasn’t about to break through my window.

I never wanted to stop, but the sound of a clearing throat made Jade pull away.

She leaped off my lap when she saw Atticus.

“H-hey,” she said with a laugh.

“Make smart choices.” Atticus’s voice was flat. “And spare my eyes, please.”

Jade nodded, and I rubbed my neck as he walked away.

“Sorry,” I said under my breath.

“At least he didn’t react like my dad would,” she muttered. “Atticus is chill.”

Jade’s dad had something negative to say about everything she did. I was sure she’d love a parent like mine.

I should have too, but there was always the hope for more.

It wouldn’t happen, and I was determined to move out on my own anyway. Once I was out of Strawberry Springs, I wouldn’t need anyone.

“You know where we should go?” she asked.

“Where?”

“The spring. No one will bother us there.”

“And sit where? In the dirt?” I shook my head. “The last time we did that, the mud didn’t come out of my favorite jeans.”

“You’re the one who wore them there.” She rolled her eyes. “They’re black. Black shows mud.”

“Only when we sit in it.”

“Whatever. You don’t have to worry about it. I have a plan.”

I blew out a breath. Jade loved hiking up to the spring, walking the streets of Strawberry Springs, and talking to the backwater people here.