Thoughts of Ashley continuously run through my head: her smile, her laugh, the epic snowball fight we had in the field, right over there. Our parents can’t be right. We belong together. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I have always known that, but it’s never been clearer than when she was ripped away from me.

Headlights suddenly blare through the dark, and I squeeze my eyes shut to block it out like everything else. Then I hear her voice.

“Todd?”

I open my eyes, but I can’t be sure it’s her. My leg deceived me in the game, now I’m sure my eyes are deceiving me.

“Todd.”

I hear it again, and then I see what looks like the outline of her silhouette through the bright headlights.

“Ashley?”

“Duh. Who else would know to come here?” It is her voice; I’m sure.

The headlights finally shut off, and once the green dots clear, I can make out Ryan’s car and my beautiful girlfriend’s amazing silhouette walking toward me.

“Come here often?” I ask, making her laugh. I love the sound of it.

“Everyone is worried sick about you, you know … especially since they found your car in the school parking lot and couldn’t find you.”

I start to slow myself down as she gets closer.

“Were you worried? You’re the only one I really care about.”

“At first,” she says as she climbs on my lap and straddles me on the swing. This is a much braver Ashley, and I like it. “But then I thought about it and knew where you’d be.”

“Does anyone else know?”

“Not yet. Well, other than Ryan. I needed a ride.” Her lips meet mine.

“Can he see us?” I ask with my lips still connected to hers.

“Doubt it, and trust me, he’s not looking.”

“Good.” I twirl my tongue around hers.

“Something happened at my swim meet today.”

Shit. I forgot she had a meet.

“How’d it go?”

“It was okay,” she says with a blank face, and then her perfect lips turn up into a smile. “I set a personal best.”

“Ashley, that’s amazing.” My kiss is deep. I want her to know how proud I am of her, even though my game was shit. At least one of us killed it.

As she pulls back, her beautiful, brown eyes meet mine. “I heard about your game. I’m sorry.”

I run my hands over her hair then bring them to her jawline so I can study her perfect face. I love everything about this girl, but I hate the concern in her eyes.

“Stop it. It happens. I’m good now that you’re here.”

She leans in and kisses me, which is the best response I could ask for, so I return her response just as deeply.

“I need you.” I breathe in her ear as she pushes into me.

Then she pulls back. “I have to tell you something. My dad—” She stops and looks down at the dirt under our feet.

I glide my thumbs over her cheeks to force her gaze up to meet my eyes again. “What, Ash? You’re dad, what?”

Her eyes finally come up to meet mine. “He told Casey we were broken up, and he said I should go out with a boy like Casey, right in front of him.”

“What? Why?”

She doesn’t answer me, only presses her lips against mine. Through her kisses, she gives me her heart. I feel her stress and tension release as her tears run over my thumbs.

While she starts to tell me the rest, I hear her words and force myself to calm down, to breathe; I know our parents don’t understand.

“What did Casey do?” I finally find the strength to ask without losing it.

She squeezes her eyes shut. I hate the tears that are falling down her cheeks.

“He said he’d change my mind.” Her eyes go straight back to the dirt.

“Look at me, Ashley.” I gently nudge her chin to force her gaze back to mine. “You know that won’t happen. I love you, and you love me. That is all that matters. Even if you have to go out on a date with him to prove to your dad we’re not together, I know your heart will still be with me.”

She nods her head and finally gives me a smile. “It’s true.”

“I know,” I whisper as my thumbs wipe away her tears. “No matter what.”

“No matter what,” she says, still nodding. Her smile melts me.

Suddenly, a blaring horn slices through the silence. We both turn to look at Ryan standing on the driver’s side with the door open and his hand pressed down on the horn.

“Nice!” I shout back to him.

“I wanted to do it ten minutes ago, so you should be thanking me.”

“Guess our party is over.” She gives me her gorgeous smile. “Plus, if you don’t call your parents soon, there will be a search party out for you.” Her smile is enough to give me the strength to get off the swing. Then I lace my fingers through hers as I walk her back to Ryan’s car.

“Dude, a swing? Really?” Ryan says with a shake of his head and a sarcastic smile.

“Don’t knock it till you try it.” I give him a sly smile that I know will drop the subject quickly. After all, Ashley being with me is one of his least favorite subjects.

“Get in. I’ll give you a ride back to school. Nice kick, by the way.”

I turn back to him, ready for a fight. I can’t believe he just said that.

“What? I was talking about on the swing. Calm down.”

I smile and shake my head. “Asshole.”

“You know you love me,” he says, smacking my back as I try to get into the cramped back seat of his classic Mustang. “Awesome. Now I’m a chauffeur? Tonight just gets better and better.” He smiles, sliding into the driver’s seat.

“You know you love me.” I pat his shoulder and then lock my fingers with Ash’s. She’s right where I need her to be—next to me.

Chapter 13: Monday

ASHLEY

I find myself alone in the bathroom with RTS. Could this Monday get any worse?

“Ashley, Ashley, Ashley, this bathroom is reserved for seniors. The freshman bathroom is in the basement. Maybe you forgot?”

“Maybe you forgot I’m not a freshman.”

She rolls her eyes as if my presence is an annoyance. “Well, you’re not a senior.” She looks me up and down quickly. “I guess I should be nicer to you since you are going through a traumatic break up.”

“Don’t do me any favors.” I hate that her of all people thinks we are broken up.

“It’s about time Todd came to his senses. He’s just doing you a favor, really. I mean, he’s always been too good for you.” She rips off a paper towel with extra emphasis. “It’s a miracle you even lasted this long, and I still can’t even believe you’re related to Ryan.”

“You know, you’re right; I’m really lucky.” I continue to wash my hands and think for a second I should just walk away, but I can’t do it. “I guess I’m also lucky that Todd liked me enough to kiss me in public.” I can actually see the red crawling up her face like a vine. It brings me great pleasure. “Guess, you’re right; I have a lot to be thankful for.”

“You’re a real bitch, you know that?” Her face is now as red as the shirt she’s wearing.

“I was just standing here, minding my own business, honestly. And then I agreed with you … How does that make me the bitch?”

“Well, I’ll be the one kissing Todd every afternoon now.”

Don’t let her get to you.

“Is that so?”

“Oh, what, he didn’t tell you? He got the lead in the school play, and guess who got the lead opposite him?” She raises her eyebrows in question.

Why didn’t he tell me? God, I hate her.

“Well, since he’s my ex-boyfriend, as you so graciously pointed out, I don’t really care.”

My phone buzzes, and I’m grateful for the distraction. I take a deep breath to try to calm myself down as I check my phone. I don’t need to get in trouble at school right now, although maybe that will prove to my dad the break up isn’t a good thing. At that thought, I remember what Rebecca and I were talking about—the break up.