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My heart thumps loudly in the space between us, the space that he closes with one step

"My dad died when I was three," he says gruffly "It was a car accident I have alher face when she couldn’t get ahhousing in the living rooh the television She reaood for that" His expression is rueful rather than angry "She worked two jobs toI’ to take her away from all that hard work But I also knoant someone to share my life with My mom’s lonely I don’t want that for me And I don’t want that for you either"

When he kisseslike our previous encounters Those were rough, hot, and sexually charged This kiss is petal-soft and sweet as the syrup he ladles onto his words It feels like he’s pouring tenderness over ainstmore than what I ask for

And it’s this kiss This sweet, tender, thoughtful kiss that scaresI’ve ever felt

11

Tucker

A couple days after my talk with Sabrina in the quad, I heave et ready for a brutally earlyat his place last night, but our video game session lasted until two a home e had to wake up at five-thirty for a six o’clock practice

Fitzy lives alone in a shoebox-sized apart roo to the tiny bathroo tattooed hockey player is sprawled on his sto like the dead, so I not so nicely smack his ass as I head for the bathroorunt

He ible and rolls over

I find a spare toothbrush in a drawer next to the sink and tear it open As I brush h my phone to see if Sabrina texted when ht

She didn’t Daht’ve changed her uess it didn’t

I do, however, find the roup chat I have with ht, and they’re bizarre as fuck

Garrett: The hells, D?!

Dean: It’s not what you think!!

Logan: It’s hard to ! In ur ass!

Dean: It wasn’t into ask where it was

Dean: I had a girl over!

Garrett: Suuuuuuuuure

Logan: Suuuuuuuuure

Dean: I hate you guys

Garrett: <3

Logan: <3