Page 27

27

Maya

A fter our ridiculously hot bath, Christian and I dried off but didn’t dress before climbing into bed to pick up where we left off.

It’s the first time we’ve both been completely naked together since we started fooling around weeks ago. The only other time was the night I was supposed to lose my virginity.

As we kiss, my thighs bracket Christian’s hips with his erection poking me insistently. Tonight is the night we’ll have a redo.

I want Christian, all of him.

Based on his low groan between kisses to my neck, I’m pretty sure he feels the same.

Reaching down between our bodies, I fist his shaft and line it up…only for Christian to grab my hand and peel my fingers off him.

“You…don’t want to?” I ask, holding my breath to brace for the rejection.

“Oh, baby. I want you. So damn bad. But I think I should tell you this first.”

“What?”

“I’m…well, I-I’ve been meaning to tell you,” he stammers hesitantly, making me worry. I brace myself for the worst, for him to admit that he has been picking up women since the night I told him it would be our last time, before I went on a date with Spencer. Not that I could blame him, but still, I hate the thought of my Christian with anyone else.

“Just tell me,” I nearly scream at him.

Exhaling a breath, he does in a rush. “Practice starts Monday morning.”

Practice? He’s been putting off telling me about practice? Oh, right.

“You have to leave us?”

Wincing, he says, “I’ve got to head back Sunday afternoon. And I don’t want us to finally do this tonight after waiting for a redo for so long, and then have you regret it once there’s distance between us…”

Dammit. He’s right. All the heat from earlier instantly cools inside of me.

He’s leaving.

Again.

And while I know it’s different, I’ve known all summer he was just visiting temporarily, I had tried not to think about when that time would end.

Our time, his time with Finley this summer, now has an official expiration date.

Sunday.

“Have you…have you told Finley?” I ask while trying to pull myself together and not burst into tears.

“I was going to tell him tomorrow morning. Hopefully, during breakfast if you’ll let me stay and help make it?”

“Yeah. Sure,” I agree. Lowering my eyes, I notice that while he’s still hovering above me naked, I’m not the only one who is no longer aroused.

It’s a sad sight to see his perfect cock so unenthusiastic.

While I know I could probably use my hand or mouth to get Christian in the mood again, I’m glad he stopped us before taking that final step tonight.

“How soon can you and Finley come visit?” he asks from above me.

“I-I don’t know. I guess, any time before school starts. I’m sure he’ll be happy to visit Preston, too.” The truth is, I should’ve gone down to visit my brother before now. I think I’ve been putting it off because I’m afraid I’ll love his new town so much I’ll never want to leave, losing out on making my own decision.

“Good. Maybe next weekend? We should have Saturdays and Sundays off.”

“I’ll have to think about it and talk to Preston, so don’t tell Finley yet?”

“I won’t,” he assures me as he rolls off me, climbing off the bed to grab his clothes. Or at least his navy-blue boxer briefs. “Can I still spend the night?”

“Yes,” I easily agree.

God, I should’ve let him stay all the other nights too, now that I know he’s leaving so soon…

That familiar ache in my chest makes me want to cry. I already miss Christian and he’s still here, in my bedroom. Once he’s gone, the longing for him is going to be so much worse.

And the doubt, well, it’s inevitable. I can feel it already setting in.

Everything is about to change again.

I fucking hate change.

Christian

I wake up early the next morning, a sense of anticipation and sadness bubbling in my chest. Today’s the last day I get to spend with Finley before I leave, and I’m not going to waste a second of it.

Maya, well, I’m trying not to think about leaving Maya, or about how I was the one who put the brakes on to stop things last night after waiting for so long to be with her again.

It just didn’t feel right. Physically, yes, the night was perfect, but emotionally, I know Maya’s not ready yet, even if I weren’t about to leave.

By the time the pancakes are sizzling in the pan, Finley comes bounding down the stairs, still in his pajamas, his hair a wild mess. “Morning, Dad! What’s that smell?” he asks, waking right up.

“Pancakes,” I say with a grin, flipping one of the golden-brown discs. “You ready for our big day?”

Finley nods enthusiastically, practically bouncing on his toes. “Yeah! Where are we going?”

“I was thinking we could go to the arcade first,” I suggest, plating the pancakes. “And then maybe grab some lunch, go to the park, then hit the community pool once it’s smoldering hot outside. What do you think?”

His face lights up. “Yes! Can we play the racing games at the arcade?”

“Of course,” I say, ruffling his hair as I set the plate of pancakes down in front of him. “We’ll play whatever you want.”

Maya comes downstairs just as we’re finishing breakfast, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, freshly showered and in a red, sleeveless cotton dress. She gives me an easy smile, leaning against the counter as she watches Finley devour his pancakes. “You two ready for an exciting day?” she asks.

“Yep,” Finley says through a mouthful of food. “We’re going to the arcade and park and pool! Dad said I can play the racing games!”

Maya smiles, her eyes flicking to mine. “Sounds like you’ve got a full day planned.”

I return her smile. “Yeah. We’re going to have the best day ever.”

I’m torn between wanting to invite Maya and wanting to make the day solely about Finley. As if understanding that, she leans down and kisses the top of Finley’s head before turning to me. “I’ll go pack up a bag for him with his swimsuit. Have a good time today. I’ll be here tonight when you get home.”