Page 102

Apologize with them.

I love how many firsts he gets to be.

The only thing I love more than him being the first is the idea of him being the last.

Only.

“We now need to have a makeup ride on Nigel,” Hogan firmly declares.

“Is that…like…a bike club thing?”

“You make it sound like an activity on The Backyardigans.”

“My first graders love when I make Backyardigans references!”

“Adult,” he teasingly reminds on a point inward. “And you and I are about to go do a very adult thing…in a very adult place…in a very, very adult way…”

Chapter 18

Hogan

“Dock”

Emaline folds her arms firmly across her black, faux leather, oversized bomber jacket I’m convinced she went and thrifted after our first night together. “You can’t be serious.”

I immediately let my boxers drop to the ground. “I am.”

“You can’t really expect us to go skinny dipping.”

An impish smirk precedes me backing up towards the edge of the lake dock. “I do.”

There isn’t time for another verbal response due to my back flip off the platform.

The giant splash severs whatever her rebuttal could’ve been, and my momentary disappearance underneath the cool water leaves no real need to speak until I return for air. Happy hums flow through me as familiar waves cradle my frame up to the surface, clearly grateful for the connection much like I am.

This is home.

And it always will be.

Just like Avallone.

The club.

Emmerz.

Fuckme, how is it all the shit that’s come to mean the most to me seems to have happened overnight?

I plant my feet on the smooth rocks underneath them and wipe my face clean to meet her noticeably hungry gaze. “Want me, Teach?” My hands casually wave themselves down my torso. “I’m right here.” The corner of my lips kick up towards the dark, night sky. “Ready.”

“You’re like that apple that tempted Eve.”

“Wasn’t it a snake?”

“Depends on what you read.”

It’s impossible not to grin a bit wider. “I like that you read all sorts of shit.”

An innocent smile threatens her lips.