“Not dodging. Just been busy,” I say as I drop a kiss on Kensington’s temple.

“All right, I hear ya.” He laughs. “Listen, the reason I’ve been trying to get ahold of you is next weekend we are getting a group together out at the farm. I haven’t been there in years and it’s been forever since I’ve seen you. I have Mark and his girl Tabby, Rick and his girl, I don’t know her name, it’s a new one each week, and me and this girl Angie I’ve been seeing. You and Bright should come,” he says.

Kensi settles against my chest. I run my fingers though her hair. “Yeah, man, let me check with Bright and our girls and see what they say.”

“Girls? You’ve both been caught?” he asks, shocked.

“More than caught, but yes, we both have girlfriends. Besides, you’re one to talk. It’s been what, high school since you’ve had a serious relationship?” I ask him. JT was dating a girl he seemed to really like, but then his brother got into some shit and went to jail. JT was never quite the same after that. I never knew the specifics and figured it was none of my business unless he wanted it to be.

“Yeah, well, when shit went down with Joe, it was a while before I was willing to dive into anything more than casual. Angie’s a great girl.”

“You deserve to be happy, man. Listen, the girls are here, so let me talk to them and I’ll send you a text tonight and let you know if we’re in or not. Sound good?”

“Sounds like a plan. Hope you all can make it. It’s been forever since we’ve gotten together and I want to meet this girl.”

I laugh. “Sounds good, happy Thanksgiving, man.” He says goodbye and I end the call.

“JT?” Bright asks.

“Yeah, he said a group is getting together out at his parents’ farm; he invited us up.” Kens sits up to look at me. “JT is a friend from way back. Our parents were friends back in the day and we would vacation together when I was younger. It stopped once I got into high school. By then, Mom was already cheating on Dad and the vacations stopped. She said he worked too much and there still wasn’t enough money. In reality, she would take weekend girls’ trips and meet with her lover.” It’s not until the words are out that I realize that Nicole just heard the story. Bright knows and Kens knows a little, and, well, now Nic knows. It’s not like it’s some big secret. I just hate thinking or talking about it. However, that’s really the exact opposite when Kens is around. Words fall out of my mouth and I feel lighter, better. Just like I told her, she makes me better.

“His parents own a farm about two hours away. It’s about a hundred acres or so. No one lives there, but they keep the place because JT and his brother loved it. We go there and spend the weekend, take the quads. It’s a good time.” I turn to Bright. “He said Mark and Rick are going. All three of them are bringing dates.”

“What do you think, Nic? You up for a weekend trip?” Bright asks. I don’t hear her reply because all my focus is on Kens.

She’s snuggled back into my chest, her head resting on my shoulder. My fingers find their way through her silky soft hair. “You up for a trip, baby girl?” I ask her.

Without missing a beat, she replies, “If you’re there, that’s where I want to be.”

It’s on the tip of my fucking tongue. I love you. I want to tell her. I want to shout it from the fucking rooftops. Every damn day this girl burrows her way further inside my heart. I don’t want it to be a blurted confession. I want it to be something she will always remember. She deserves nothing but the best.

“We’re in if you are.” Bright’s booming voice catches my attention.

“Kensi, babe, are you sure?”

She raises her head and smiles. “A weekend away with my three favorite people? Count me in. Besides, I can sleep anywhere in your arms.”

She does too. Every damn night I make sure we are in the same bed. I don’t care who’s but she needs to be beside me. It’s been that way since the beginning. I want it that way forever.

“We’re in,” I tell him.

“I have class Friday until one,” Nicole groans.

“Why don’t you guys leave Friday morning and Nic and I will come Friday afternoon. It’ll give you time to catch up before we get there,” Kens suggests.

“No, we can wait,” I tell her.

“Dude, it’s not a bad idea. It will still be daylight when they get there, so they won’t be traveling at night,” Bright chimes in.

“Really, it’s a two hour drive, that’s what you said. We’ll be there by five for sure,” Kens says.

“All right,” I sigh. Kens wraps her arms around my neck and hugs me. I hold her tight against my chest. “Babe, you better not change your mind. I can’t sleep without you,” I whisper in her ear. “If you decide you don’t want to go, call me and I’ll come to you. You’re what matters, Kensington,” I tell her.

I don’t know why, but I just feel like I need for her to ride with me. Irrational I know, but it’s just a feeling I have. Like I need to stay close to her.

“I won’t back out on you. I don’t sleep without you wrapped around me, Cooper.” She winks at me. It does little to alleviate my concern. I can’t shake this feeling.

“It’s settled. I’m excited for a weekend away. Then a week to study for finals and we’re out of classes until January,” Nicole says. I feel Kens slightly stiffen in my arms at Nicole’s words. I chalk it up to me being panicked for some unknown reason. I need to relax.

Needing a distraction, I tickle her ribs. She squeals with laughter and all is right in the world. She wiggles around and ends up straddling my hips. Her hands are clasped behind my neck and my arms are around her waist, holding her against me. “You want to go take a nap?” I ask, low enough for her only to hear. She rests her forehead against mine.

“Yes.”

I stand with her still in my lap. She immediately wraps her legs around my waist. Her hands cup my cheeks and she presses her lips to mine. Never breaking the kiss, I carry her to my room. Luckily, neither one of us are injured in the process.

Being in a serious relationship is the shit. So is birth control. I slowly undress her and make sweet love to my girl. Bare, nothing between us. Making love is something that we both enjoy, that’s obvious. Loving her, being in love with her that’s all me. I have to tell her soon. If I don’t, I’m going to end up blurting it out. I drift off to sleep thinking about how Dad was right. I wish he were here to meet her.

“MAX, GO. IT’S fine. Nicole’s class lets out at one and we’re leaving right after.” I’ve told him this at least ten times since last night.

“Okay. Promise you will text me as soon as you leave. I can’t shake this feeling, Kens,” he tells me.

I take his face into the palms of my hands. “Maxton Cooper, I’m fine; look at me. I’m okay. Nicole is fine. If something does happen, you can be back in two hours tops. Go, catch up with your friends and we will see you this afternoon,” I try to reassure him.

He pulls me into his chest and holds me. “I hate this feeling. I can’t explain it; all I know is that nothing can happen to you. I need you in my life, Kens,” he says. His voice is sincere and I can tell how serious he is.

“Hey, it’s me and you, right? I agreed to be yours a long time ago, Maxton.”

“It’s not that; I know we’re solid. I just can’t shake this feeling that I need to stay with you. Please be alert and lock your doors, fill up the tank before you leave, and make sure you take your car charger for your cell. You are taking your car, right? I looked it over, changed the oil, and checked the tires earlier this week,” he says.

I smile at his worry over me. “Yes, we are taking my car. I already have my bags packed. I cleaned out the fridge at the apartment and I’m going to do that here at your place once you leave to drop Nic off at school. Then I’m going to pick her up and drive straight to you.”