Chapter Thirteen

"All things end, but that also means all things begin, right?"—August Wellington

August

"More." I'd egged her on. I was desperate for more. I didn't even remember stripping us down as I thrust into her and rolled my hips, needing her more than anything in my life.

She didn't complain, just clung to me like she knew I needed the connection—as if she'd known the entire time, just like I did.

The fear.

The terror of finding a person you knew you could be with. A person you could also lose.

It was over almost before it began, and then, an hour later, she was on top of me again, moving her hips this time, gripping me by the hair and kissing down my chest. "Mmmmm, need more."

I met her movements. "I don't think I want to stop."

"Then don't."

So, we didn't.

Something beautiful was happening, something strange, something I was afraid to say out loud.

And the next day, when we both woke up to text messages from our families, it was an actual disaster.

Are you alive? Dad texted. You left the tile from your keys at the campsite, huge storm.

Hazel jolted awake and looked over at me. "Is your phone going off like crazy?"

"Shit." I scrambled naked out of bed, but my legs got tangled in the sheets. "I mean, it's not like we aren't consenting adults. Everything is fine, totally fine."

"Yeah." Her eyes roamed down my body. "So fine."

The sheet fell from her chest.

I gulped and tossed my phone. "They can wait, right?"

"Oh, please let them wait."

"I needed you," I admitted. "Mom's dying, and that's the worst lean-in as far as a conversation starter for more sex, but I've just been so—"

"August,"—she pressed a finger to my mouth—"I'll take this to my deathbed. But I know you. You can't just take it all on and hope that because you're strong it makes her body less weak."

Tears welled in my eyes. "I feel so damn selfish for wanting something for myself."

"What is it you want?" She pulled me under the sheet and wrapped her body around me. "Maybe I can give it to you."

Another tear slid down my cheek. "I think you already did, Hazel."

"My virginity?" she deadpanned.

I froze. "What!?"

She burst out laughing. "Oh my gosh, you should see your face."

"One." I started counting. "Two."

She scrambled out of bed and ran naked toward the shower. I joined her immediately and pushed her against the tile, kissing her senseless before pulling away.

Her hands gripped my biceps, pieces of blond hair sticking to her wet cheeks. "I really like you, August, you know, despite how argumentative you are. And weird. And how everything is just a big deal. I mean, who cares if it was a hole?"

I grinned. "Keep going."

"I know." She looked down. "I know you're going through a lot. Your mom's sick, and I know you've been taking on so much. I'm sorry I never said anything. I just didn't want it to be weird, so I figured a distraction was the best way. Immature?"

"Hazardous, but no." I laughed. "I needed a distraction. I don't think I've ever been so thankful to see my enemy graduate and throw a party."

Hazel took a deep breath. "I had a crush on you and thought you hated me."

"I had a crush on you and thought the only way to get your attention was to be annoying."

"Stupid, immature boys."

"Stupid, beautiful girls who climb trees."

I kissed her again when a knock sounded at the door.

We ignored it.

The knocking got louder, and voices were heard.

Finally, I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around my hips, then went to the door and jerked it open. "What the hell is so important that—oh shit. Hi, Mr. Titus. I was just, um…"

"Who is it?" Hazel ran around the corner in a towel and gaped. "Oh. Hi, Daddy, we were just…cleaning."

My dad stood behind him, arms crossed, then shook his head and whispered, "Told you they just needed some time together. Classic Nadine. Put them in a tough spot and… look, now we have grandkids."

Hazel gasped. "That is…certainly not—"

"Happening." Was I passing out? I had tunnel vision, then gripped her. "I mean, we're obviously dating now, but it wasn't because of you. It's not like you can control nature."

Mr. Titus handed over a crisp one-hundred-dollar bill to my dad and continued shaking his head. "I think I need a beer. I hate being wrong," Hazel's dad said.

"My wife called it," Dad replied. "She and Grandma bet three days before Grandma's passing."

"I'm sorry, what?" Hazel asked. "Bet what?"

Mr. Titus looked over his shoulder at Hazel. "I can't really make eye contact with you right now, but part of her will, and part of her bet with this one's mom"—he pointed at me—"was that when things got tense between you, all we needed to do was send you on a trip. Force you together. Grandma Nadine was convinced that you guys were in love, and so was your mom." Mr. Titus nodded his chin at me. "I mean, I still might kill you later, and for the love of God, put on some clothes, but it looks like I was wrong in this scenario. Grandma's matchmaking magic lives on. After all, she did matchmake almost everyone in this family." He shared a look with my dad. "Friends included."

Dad smiled. "Wouldn't change a thing. Now, let's go have that beer while we give them some privacy."

Both dads still looked like they wanted to ground us like we were twelve.

Instead, they walked off.

I closed the door.

It clicked shut.

Hazel stood still next to me. "They set us up."

"I can't decide if it's weird or if I should profusely thank them, which makes it even weirder."

Hazel dropped her towel. "Maybe we just focus on the present and go from there? Fill in some of those damaged emotional cracks, date, and get crazy. After all, Great-Grandma's never wrong."

I thought about my dad, about his marriage with my mom, about the good times despite the sadness, and I knew she was right. Maybe I wouldn't have a lot more time with my mom, but the moments she was given, wow…how spectacular.

"You're right." I pulled Hazel into my arms. "We all have our spiritual gifts. Hers was matchmaking."

"And mine?" Hazel asked.

"Digging holes."

"And yours?" She laughed.

"Standing by your side," I whispered. "For as long as you'll let me."