Be in love with some like me?

And her lips, so perfect

I can’t taste enough of them.

And when she touches me,

It’s too fucking complicated to breathe.

“I’ll try for both of us,” I tell her. “Just as long as you do something for me.”

“And what’s that?”

“Kiss me—”

She crashes her lips to mine before I can even get the words out. Our tongues tangle as we sink into the pit. My hand skates down her side to her thigh and I lift her leg up and hitch it over my hip. She moans against my mouth as she grinds against me. I knot my fingers through her hair, feeling so comfortable being with her it’s mind blowing. Just like the other night when she put her hands on me. It was the first time I ever allowed someone to touch me like that, and it was terrifying and incredible at the same time.

“Mom, Lyric and Ayden are making out in the ball pit!” Fiona announces as she steps up to the edge of the pit and points at us.

I softly toss a plastic ball at her, and she laughs, skittering out of the way.

“One day, when you’re making out with your boyfriend,” I tell her, “I’m going to get you back for that.”

Fiona sticks out her tongue then skips off toward the game machines.

I spot Ethan and Mr. Scott heading our way. I don’t think they’re coming to yell at us for making out, but I’m not about to keep kissing Lyric when her dad could see us.

I sigh. “I guess that puts an end to our ball pit fun.”

“You know they know we kiss, right?” Her brows arch. “In fact, I’m pretty sure they think we’re having sex already, since my mom found that safe sex pamphlet in my nightstand drawer.”

My lips part in shock. “She—You didn’t—You told her we weren’t having sex, didn’t you?”

“I told her we weren’t yet,” she says. “But I’ve always been pretty close with my family, and I felt like I needed to tell her,” she shrugs, “That we’re getting really close to that point. At least I think we are.”

I cast an unnerved glance at her dad as he busts up laughing at something Ethan says. “Does your dad know too?”

“My mom and dad tell each other everything, so maybe.” She tosses a ball aside then lines her chest with mine. “Would you relax? They know we’re in love, and that we aren’t just two teenagers getting their freak on.”

“You told them we’re in love?” I whisper, a mixture of fear and nerves.

“Not yet. But I’m sure they can tell. I should probably tell them, though.” Her head angles to the side as she muses over something. “It’s actually my secret wish. That I could shout it out right now and everyone could celebrate the love with us.” She jumps up and presses a kiss to my lips.

She hasn’t smiled like this in a while, and it makes me so fucking relieved to see her happy like this.

My lips turn upward. “Well, how can I argue with that?”

“Really?” she asks, her eyes light up.

I nod, a knot twisting in my gut. “Yeah, go ahead.”

“Hey everyone!” She shouts with laughter ringing in her voice. “I love this beautiful boy right here. And guess what? He loves me too!”

I can’t bring myself to look in the direction of Ethan and Mr. Scott. “I feel sick,” I mutter.

“My declaration of our love is no reason to get sick,” she says, playfully pinching my arm. “Now cheer up. This is a good thing.”

“Do they look mad?” I whisper with my head ducked.

She stands on her tiptoes and peers over my shoulder. “No, but they’re headed over here.” Lyric’s eyes sparkle mischievously as she returns her gaze to me. “We could always sink to the bottom and hide from them.”

I nod. “Yes, please.”

She takes my hand. “Ready. One . . . Two . . . Three . . .”

We jump up then dive down, pressing our lips together.

THE ENTIRE NEXT DAY I’M so nervous and twitchy, people probably think I’m a spazz. But I can’t help it. Today is an exciting day for everyone in my band. I just wish we didn’t have that giant cloud constantly hovering over our heads, reminding us that a rainstorm could come at any moment.

Around two o’clock I head off to record my first album, and spend the next few hours with Ayden and my band at Infinitely Studio, my dad’s recording studio, starting our career. We don’t record every song that’ll be on our album in one night, but we are planning to return within the next week to finish. Before we clock out for the day, I make sure Ayden and I do a duet, because, in my opinion, it’s the best part.