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  “Nate, fuck, Nate, wait,” Buster said.

  He didn’t stop, and he made his way toward his car, passing Shawna’s friends as he did.

  Grabbing his keys out of his pocket, he was opening his door when Buster grabbed him. “Jeez, man, what the fuck?”

  “I don’t want to be here. I never wanted to come to the fucking bonfire, okay? I don’t like Amanda. I can’t stand to be around her.”

  “Fine. What is really going on?”

  Silence fell between them.

  “Tell me, does this have to do with Shawna?”

  Nate gritted his teeth, thinking about what he’d said to Shawna all those weeks ago. “Yeah, it does.”

  “Is it serious?”

  “I don’t know if it’s serious. I just know that I feel amazing when I’m around her. Don’t say anything, okay?”

  “Are you going to start hanging around her a lot more?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t even know where this is going. I only know what I want, and it’s not here.”

  Buster grabbed his hand, pulled him close, and slapped him on the back. “I know I’m an asshole. I get it, but you can talk to me whenever you need.”

  “Got it.”

  He climbed into his car, and drove back toward his home where he found Shawna curled up on the sofa watching some romantic comedy.

  “Hey,” he said.

  She glanced over at him, frowning. “I thought you were staying at the bonfire.”

  “I was, and then I thought to myself, why? Why the fuck would I stay there when I can be here with you?”

  “That doesn’t make any sense,” she said.

  Nate smiled, and dropped down on the sofa. “Every second I was there, all I wanted to do was be here with you.” He pushed some of her hair off her shoulder. “This is where I want to be.”

  “I don’t mind.”

  “That’s what I love so much, you don’t mind at all. I adore you.” He stroked her cheek, and watched them heat.

  “You adore me?” she asked.

  “Yeah, I do. I also want to apologize for being an asshole to you. In the beginning.”

  “I think as a jock you’re allowed some leeway. Aren’t you all supposed to be assholes?”

  “Stereotypical jock?”

  “Pretty much.” She giggled. “I did miss you, and I care about you as well.”

  “Do you forgive me?”

  “For what?”

  “For being a total asshole, and wanting us to remain a secret.”

  “Of course.” He watched as she licked her lips.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “I was just wondering why? Shouldn’t a guy be really happy about having the reputation as a stud?”

  “I should probably be really happy about it, but the truth is, I’m not. I hate that I care so much about what people think of me.”

  “It’s fine,” she said.

  “I don’t think it is. I hope you can forgive me.”

  “There’s nothing to forgive. People at school will drive us crazy, and it’s easier for us both to keep this a secret. Besides, I don’t know what my mom would think, not yet. I’ve never brought a boy home, and now I’m living with him. I’m not ashamed of being with you, Nate. I want you to know that.”

  He kissed her head. “I know that, and I’m not ashamed either. I don’t want anyone to hurt you because you’re sleeping with me.”

  “It’s fine.” She touched his cheek this time and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Everything will be fine.”

  Chapter Nine

  “Do you really think I wouldn’t find out the truth?”

  Nate glanced at his mother, who was now standing in their dining room, spitting curses and shit.

  Darleen was a mean piece of work, and seeing her again with Shawna close to him made him sick to his core.

  “I didn’t keep it a secret. We’ve been divorced for years. If I’m being honest, Darleen, I didn’t think you’d come around. Let me guess, you’re out of money?” Daniel asked.

  “How dare you talk to me like that in front of my own son!” Darleen went to move toward him, but Nate took a step back. The last thing he wanted was her near him. She was like a poison, and he hadn’t wanted her in his life forever. “I bet that little slut there has turned you against me. Made you think crap that is not the truth.”

  “Oh, shut up, Darleen,” Daniel said. “The only person who got him to think worse things about him is yourself. He can’t stand you. Belle had nothing to do with that, and you know it.”

  “Belle, that’s your name. You think you can take my son away from me, is that it?”

  Nate was grateful when Shawna placed her hand inside his. He had forgotten how mean his mother could be. Right now he was seeing right through her. All the lies she had woven over the years, and now she was trying to ruin what happiness his father had created with Belle.

  Their parents were happy, and they were united as one. He was thrilled about it. Seeing his father finally content meant everything to him. Belle calmed his father, and for the first time in eighteen years, Daniel looked really happy.

  “You’re not going to get away with this. I’ll get custody of Nate. His young eyes don’t even need to see the kind of tramps you’re bringing through.”

  Belle gasped. “How old do you think Nate is?” she asked.

  Darleen flicked hair over her shoulder, and rolled her eyes. “I know how old my son is, whore.”

  “Listen here, Darleen. You’re allowed inside this house because you are Nate’s mother, but don’t for a second think I won’t throw you out. I owe you nothing.”

  “Please, I’m the mother of your child. I ruined my body for him. You fucking owe me.”

  “How old am I, Mom?” Nate asked.

  She turned toward him. “Excuse me?”

  “How old am I? I ruined your body, you should be able to tell me how old you think I am.”

  She sighed. “I see they’re polluting your mind.”

  “Mom, one of your little outbursts left me in the mall for six hours before a security guard realized that I was alone, and no one was coming to get me. That was you, no one else.” He shrugged. “You’ve left me at bus shelters, in shops, fairs, malls. The moment you got your transfer of money, you’ve been gone without giving me a second thought. Now, how old am I?” he asked.

  “Fine! Fine! You’re fourteen. There, see. That wasn’t hard.”

  Nate didn’t want her complete lack of interest to matter to him.

  “You know nothing about my son, and I demand that he come home with me,” Darleen said.

  “He’s eighteen years old,” Belle said, getting to her feet. “He hates coffee in the mornings, and he prefers pasta that allows him to get messy even though he’s old enough to know better. He hates getting up early in the mornings, but he does it to train. He wants to be someone, and not play ball for the rest of his life. It’s fun at school, but nothing else. He likes reading, murder mysteries mostly, and he has an issue with keeping time. He will never hurt anyone in his life, and he cares a lot. I also know that even though he won’t admit to it, seeing you like this, is embarrassing to him. He doesn’t need to be embarrassed.” Belle gripped his shoulder. “You know nothing about him, and right now, you’re hurting my family.”

  “What do you want, Darleen?” Daniel asked.

  “Money. I need lots of it.” Darleen flicked her hair once again. “You owe me.”

  “He owes you jack shit. You owe him more than what he’ll ever owe you. He’s put up with you coming in and out of our lives, and I did because I thought in time you would change. You’ve never changed. You’ve only gotten worse, and I want nothing to do with you.” Nate turned toward his father. “You don’t need to pay her anymore for me. It’s time she got herself a job or stood on her own two feet. She’s no mother of mine.”

  Nate went to his room without looking back. Lying on his bed, he stared up at the ceiling, wondering what the hell he was t
hinking. His mother was never going to change, and he had been a fool to think it was even possible.

  “Knock, knock,” Shawna said.

  He smiled, and rose up on his elbows looking toward the door. “Who’s there?” he asked.

  “Oh, crap, I don’t know any jokes. I was just letting you know it was me in case you thought the viper was here. She’s not gone, though. She is arguing with your father downstairs. I think she’s even crying now, saying that she loves you, and she always wanted to be a mother to you.”

  “Yeah, well, her tears will come, and then anger, and then she’ll start to panic. It’s the same old crap every single year. This lasted a little longer, though.” He patted the bed beside him. “You can come inside.”

  “She’s so horrible,” Shawna said, taking a seat. “I thought you were exaggerating when you said how bad she was.”

  “I really wasn’t. She’s a nasty piece of work, and I hope I never have to see her again. I never want to.”

  “I can understand that. I’m so sorry,” she said, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Yay for my mom, though. She knows you, and she does care. You mean a lot to her.”

  Nate nodded. “I didn’t think she paid all that much attention to me, to be honest. It’s nice to know that someone cares.”

  She tucked some hair behind her ear. “I care, Nate.” She leaned down, pressing a kiss to his lips. “I care a lot.”

  “I know you do.” He stroked the back of her head. “I’m done hiding this, Shawna. I don’t want to pretend that we’re not a couple anymore.”

  “I know. I think before we do anything crazy at school, our parents need to know.”

  He winced.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “I told my dad.”

  “What?”

  “I told him, and he was okay with it. He warned me, though. He didn’t want me to hurt you, and I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  “So Daniel knows about the two of us?”

  “Yeah.”

  “My mom is going to be so disappointed in me,” she said.

  “How about I get my dad to tell her?”

  “No, this is something I’ve got to do. This has been the longest I’ve kept anything from her.”

  He gripped the back of her head. “Okay. I’ll do whatever you need me to.”

  She smiled. “You’re a good guy, Nate.” She kissed his lips, and then straddled his waist, rubbing her pussy against his now-hard cock.

  He had been getting hard from the moment she entered his room. “I feel really sad.” He pouted, and she giggled.

  “Are you trying to make me pity you?”

  “I could use a pity fuck.”

  She burst out laughing, and started to thrust against his cock. “Like that. You want me to pity you.”

  “Would it get me anal?” he asked, laughing, gripping her hips, and driving against her.

  “You are bad, Nate. Really bad.”

  He reached up, grabbing a condom. “Why don’t I show you how bad I can be?”

  This time, she took the condom from him. “I think it’s my turn to show you what I’ve learned.”

  He was more than ready to take a ride with her.

  * * *

  “What do you get a guy that has everything?” Belle asked.

  Shawna cleaned her glasses and put them back on. She needed to get a new supply of contacts, but so far she was more than happy with her glasses.

  “A tie?” Shawna asked.

  “I don’t know. He has an entire wardrobe.”

  “I think whatever you get him he’s going to love. Don’t worry about it.”

  Belle squeezed her hand. “You’re the best daughter in the whole world, Shawna. I was worried you’d be angry with me for moving on.”

  “I’m not angry with you. I was angry with Dad.” She hadn’t stayed with her father, but had gone to dinner with him a few times. Fortunately, Sandy hadn’t been there.

  “It was hard on all of us, sweetie. I know that. Your father and I, we were going through a rough patch. He’s moved on, and so have I.”

  “I know. Daniel’s great.” She needed to just come out and say it. Say that she had feelings for Nate, and that they had been together for a lot longer than those feelings. “Mom, there’s something I want to talk to you about, and it is really important to me.”

  “What’s the matter, honey?”

  They headed into a shop devoted to stationery.

  “Nothing is the matter, but there’s something I want to tell you. I’m hoping you won’t be angry with me because I just want to remind you that I’ve been pretty perfect. The perfect daughter, and you know, a lot of stuff going on here.”

  “Shawna, what is it?” Belle asked, holding her hands.

  “I’m sleeping with Nate.” The words just slipped out, and after they were out, she felt so much better but then a little worried. “It happened before we knew about you and Daniel, and I care about him. We’ve been careful as well, so you don’t need to worry about that.” She held her mother’s hands tightly, trying with all her might to make everything okay.

  Seconds passed.

  Maybe even minutes. She didn’t know how much time passed before Belle nodded. “Do you like him?”

  “Yeah, I do, Mom, and I don’t want you to be angry with me, or with us.”

  “I like Nate. He’s a good kid, Shawna. I’m a little shocked that you have just sprung this upon me, but I guess. Are you happy?”

  “Yes, I’m really, really happy.” She nodded, sucking in her lips, trying to keep her mouth shut. “I don’t want you to be angry, and it was really good.” Her cheeks heated when she realized what that could mean to her mother. “I mean, that’s not what I mean. We’re good for each other. There’s no bad play or anything. I’m not making this sound good, am I?”

  She tried not to cringe, but that didn’t work either.

  “I’m going to have to talk with Daniel about this.”

  “He knows, I think. Nate said that he told his father, and the only reason I didn’t tell you was because I didn’t want you to stress out. You don’t need to. I’m not going to do anything immature or stupid, I promise.”

  “Shawna, I trust you, and I trust Nate. This is all a little surreal right now. I didn’t even think you liked Nate.”

  “We’ve gotten close the past couple of months. He’s really sweet, and I think, I er, I think I might love him. I know I care about him a lot.”

  “Care and love are worlds apart, Shawna.”

  “I know. I know. We’ve got college and other commitments. We both know that.”

  “Wow, you’ve got a boyfriend.”

  “Yes, my first.” She nodded. “You’re not mad?”

  “I’m not overly happy that I seem to be the last person to know, but I’m not angry.” Belle pulled her in for a hug. “This is going to make dinners a little interesting.”

  “I know.” She closed her eyes.

  “Shawna?”

  “Yeah, Mom?”

  “Don’t tell your father. He won’t be pleased about this at all.”

  Shawna laughed. “I won’t tell him. I promise.” She had no intention of telling her father. He had a hard time dealing with her living in another man’s house.

  At lunch time they met up with Daniel and Nate, who carried several bags.

  She moved toward Nate’s side and leaned against him. “You tell her?” he asked.

  “Yeah, I did. She seems fine with it, I think.” She looked up at him, and smiled. “I think we’re going to get the long, conversational talk. Birds and bees, and all that.”

  “We’ve done far worse than the birds and bees,” he said, kissing the top of her head.

  She couldn’t agree more.

  * * *

  Later that evening, once they had put away their purchases, Daniel and Belle demanded that they both take a seat at the dining room table. She and Nate sat on one side while their parents sat on the oth
er.

  “Daniel and I have been talking about what has happened between the two of you.”

  Shawna felt Nate tense beside her, and glanced over to see him frowning. “Nothing happened. It’s not a problem.”

  “We’re not saying that it is. Far from it, son,” Daniel said.

  “What we want is for the two of you to respect that this is our family home, and that we don’t want, erm, any—ugh, this is useless. We want you to both be careful, and not hurt each other in the process. There, I said it,” Belle said, looking at her. “I didn’t think it would be this difficult raising a teenager.”

  “I’ve been okay. I don’t do drugs, and I don’t drink. I’m a model kid for you.”

  Belle covered her face. “Your father is going to go crazy when he finds out.”

  “Yeah, well, I’ve seen him having actual sex with a woman not my mom, so I think I’ll be fine with that.” Even though her mother had said not to tell her father, they both knew it was going to come up.

  “I care about her very much, Belle. I won’t do anything more to hurt her, I promise.”

  “You better not. She may not be on best terms with her father at the moment, but he will still hurt you for hurting his little girl.”

  “Are you coming out in school as well?” Daniel asked. “I know this has been going on a lot longer than the past couple of weeks.”

  Shawna looked toward Nate.

  “Yeah, we are,” Nate said. “I don’t want to hide who we are.”

  Belle leaned forward. “Have you talked about the future? Your plans for college? What you hope to do?”

  “Mom, that’s a long way off.”

  “It’s not, Shawna,” Daniel said. “College starts next year. Both of you are planning to go to places hours apart.”

  “Long distance, then,” Nate said. “I can handle that.”

  “And I can as well.”

  Daniel and Belle shared a look before returning their gazes to them. “We’re not trying to make this difficult for you. Not at all. We just want you to understand that this isn’t going to be easy for all of us if this goes wrong.”

  “It’s not going to go wrong,” Nate said. “I know we’re just kids, but I know what I feel, and I know that I’m not going to back out of this without a fight. I care about Shawna. I care about her a lot. We’ll make it work.”