Page 89 of Fireworks

“I think I can live with that.”

Nate looked back at me through the rear-view mirror, smirking before shaking his head.

“Here, I thought you two would get along for once.”

Nate dropped us off at my parents’ house before mentioning he was going to visit his mom. Keeping my eyes forward as I walked inside the house, it was hard to not look over my shoulder. They stayed in the truck talking and bubbles of hope started to form in my stomach. Maybe Nate was finally telling my brother that we were… Well, I wasn’t sure what we were. I only knew he had feelings for me.

Asher being told that we were sleeping together didn’t need to be said right now. I could admit that was a bit more than he needed to be ambushed with. I wasn’t stupid. He was going to freak out no matter who it was that took my virginity. Part of me had hoped that he would be glad that it was Nate. At least he knew that his best friend was a good guy and that he would not be touching me and throwing me to the curb once he got what he wanted.

Our first kiss was a dare that neither of us could have ever imagined would have turned into this. That was something that I hoped Asher could understand and accept. The memory of how it felt when he kissed me that first time never faded. The kiss itself didn’t disappoint. Most of my friends had described theirs as less than desirable, so I considered myself lucky in that respect. It wasn’t sloppy. He didn’t shove his tongue down my throat, and it was just what I had read so many times in my books about what a perfect first kiss should be.

“Katie, please make sure you sign the card, okay?”

My mom popped her head into my room, leaning against the door frame. Looking up from my phone, I smiled at her, nodding.

“Don’t worry, I won’t forget. Can you believe they’re going to be five?”

Crossing the room and settling onto the end of my bed, my mom smoothed out her dress.

“I feel like it was just yesterday that you were turning five. Now they are a big brother and sister. I just can’t believe it sometimes”

Every time we had a birthday for the twins, she did this. Reminiscing about the past and how much we had all grown up. She had a point. It seemed like time was moving so fast.

When Landon and Becca announced they were pregnant with the twins, we were all over the moon for them. Becca was the best mom and loved Serena and Mikey with all her heart. We were all shocked two weeks after my graduation when they announced they were expecting again. We didn’t know they wanted to expand their family. Especially since her first pregnancy wasn’t easy on her.

“I know, mom. Time goes fast, doesn’t it? We should get going soon though, shouldn’t we?”

Peering down at her watch, she stood up.

“You’re right. I’ll go get your brother. I think he’s still outside with Nate.”

The corners of my mouth rose just at the sound of his name, something I hoped my mother didn’t notice.

Walking into the backyard, the laughter and commotion of the family was in full swing. There was a large banner hanging between two trees with happy birthday written across it. Becca always put together a board of photos of the kids through the past year, highlighting all that they had done and accomplished. I stood scanning each of the photos, finding a handful that I had taken myself when I had babysat.

Knocking into the back of my leg, I felt a firm tug around my thigh.

“Katie!”

I didn’t need to turn around to know exactly who was ambushing me.

“Is that the birthday girl I feel?”

Spinning around, I scooped her up off the ground, rubbing my nose against hers as she giggled.

“Mama said that you could help with the face paint.”

“Of course I can. What would you like me to do? A butterfly, a kitty, maybe make you a masked superhero?”

Tapping her tiny finger on her chin, she pursed her lips, deep in thought.

“Hmm, I want to be a puppy this time.”

Smiling as I placed her back down on the ground, I grabbed onto her hand.

“You got it, kiddo. One puppy coming right up, but first, let’s find the paint.”

Leading me to a table with face painting supplies among all the other crafts and activities were, I picked up the black crayon and began my work.