Page 136 of Damaged Boys Don't Fall For Bubbly Girls

The song changes, and for a second I’m worried it’ll be a fast song. But it’s another slow one. Lexi keeps her head on my chest. I don’t think she even paid attention to the song change.

I hope it stays like this throughout the entire night. I wish we could remain in each other’s arms like this forever.

I don’t want this moment to end, even though at the back of my mind I know it has to. Time doesn’t stand still, even in this Lexi/Brock bubble.

“Your heart’s pounding,” she whispers.

I laugh awkwardly. “Yeah, uh…”

She snuggles closer to me. “It’s very soothing.”

“Soothing? More like it feels like a hammer.”

She shakes her head. “Nope. Soothing. I feel like nothing can harm me.”

I smooth my hand down her hair. “I’d never let anyone hurt you.”

“I know. Thanks.”

As she continues to snuggle on my chest, my eyes roam around the gym. Most of the kids who were watching us are busy with their own things. The guys are still looking at us, Dean especially. When our eyes connect, he gives me an encouraging smile. I return a small one, still not sure this means anything. It’s kind of obvious that Lexi wants to be with me, but I don’t want to assume and possibly have my hopes crushed.

I shut my eyes, telling myself not to think about it. Because it would seriously kill me if…

Lexi lifts her head. “Are you okay? You just got stiff.”

My lips shake a little as I muster a smile. “I’m perfect.”

She scans my eyes. “Are you sure? You know you can talk to me about anything.”

Shaking my head, my arms come around her and I press my cheek to hers. “Not tonight, remember? We’re enjoying this moment together.”

She turns her head and her lips sweep across my cheek. I’m tempted to move a few centimeters so our lips would fuse together. As much as I’d like to kiss this amazing girl, now is not the time. And I’m not sure she’d want to.

She draws back, staring into my eyes. I stare into hers, my chest heaving and my heart thumping so loud I know they can hear it on the moon.

I’m not sure how long we gaze at each other before the music changes to a fast-paced song. The entire gym lights up with kids dancing.

Lexi’s eyes break from mine. She smiles shyly as she tries to tuck some curls behind her ear, but they pop back out.

I return the smile as I attempt to tame the curls. They also pop back out.

“Sorry, my hair went through a tornado tonight.”

I twirl a curl around my index finger, tugging gently. “Your hair is perfect.”

Her cheeks redden again. Before she can say anything, we’re pushed and pulled as the kids go crazy dancing. Lexi is shoved away from me, vanishing in the sea of students.

I weed through the mass until I find her, wrap my arms around her waist, and gently yank her to me. “I got you.”

She holds onto me. “Thanks.”

“Like I said, I’ll never let you go. Let’s get away from the crowd.”

I keep one arm around her waist and reach for her other hand with my free one. Lexi squeezes it tightly.

We make our way through the throng of kids to our friends, who are standing on the side.

“Sheesh,” Lexi says, hand still clutching mine. “We almost died in there. Well, I almost did. My hero saved me.”