Chapter 1
Lennox
Six years ago
My brothers are making bets again.
I knew before I came on this date. My first date, to be exact. Now I’m standing on the front porch under the dim light with Lucas Shaw, waiting for him to kiss me, yet terrified he’ll actually do it. Because we have an audience.
He doesn’t know that, of course.
But I do. The light on the video doorbell keeps flickering and I can almost see their eager faces hovering over a phone screen.
Micheal, a senior, will try to get everyone to up their bets because he always needs more gas money. The twins, Trent and Sean, are juniors and will fight over who made the correct bet first. And Grant, Trent and Sean’s best friend, will just be watching, patiently waiting, ready to laugh at the outcome.
Will he like the outcome tonight? Or will he be jealous? I’d like him to be?
Shivers race down my spine, and I take a step away from Lucas. I should probably let him down now. It will be easier that way.
“I had a really great time tonight.” I smile. I’d been crushing on Lucas since he drew a self-portrait in our freshman art class a month ago. It was an eagle engulfed in flames. Obviously, it was completely symbolic and perfect.
“Me too.” Lucas swipes his long black bangs back from his face and takes a step closer.
Oh no. He’s going to do it.
And Ireallywant him to. But he can’t. Not here.
“You want to take a walk?” I blurt.
His eyebrows furrow. “Sure.”
I grab his hand before he can change his mind and start walking down the street. There is a little park with a gazebo four houses down. I’ve dreamt of having my first kiss there for years. Usually, I’m picturing a different guy, but Lucas has all my attention now.
“I was super nervous to ask you out,” Lucas says as we pass the first house.
I look up to see if he’s kidding. “Really? Why?” He’s the only guy who has even flirted with me this year. Every other guy I’m interested in practically runs the other direction.
He lifts his shoulder, then drops it. “Your brothers are kind of intimidating.”
I study the porch railing of the next house. “They’re harmless.” The biggest lie I’ve ever told in my life.
“I know that now.” His thumb rubs the back of my hand and tingles shoot up my arm. “Having three big brothers probably makes dating difficult.”
Try impossible. He’s forgetting Grant. He practically lives at our house and is just as annoying as the other three.
“Ha. Yeah.” I swallow. I wasn’t about to admit this was my first date and my brothers had all freaked when I told them.
Michael had wanted to know what we were doing, probably so they could all spy on me. Thankfully, none of them were in the back of the theater when Lucas had put his arm around my shoulders. I know this solely based on the fact that he still has two arms, and that one wasn’t ripped from his body by four wannabe bodybuilders. Only one of them has muscles worth mentioning or appreciating. And thankfully, we do not share the same last name.
Enough about my brothers and Grant. This is my first kiss.
That thought doesn’t calm my nerves. Do I really want my first kiss to be with Lucas?
The park is only one house away now, and I fight everything in me to not pull my hand back and wipe my clammy palms on my jeans.
What am I supposed to do with my lips when he kisses me? Oh gosh. My armpits are sweaty. What if I’m a terrible kisser and he tells everyone at school?
We reach the gazebo and I freeze despite the warm Phoenix night. The butterflies in my stomach have turned to ping pongs, ricocheting around and I think I’m going to be sick. Is this what everyone feels like before their first kiss?
