Page 77 of Rookie Moves

“Did you ever get nervous playing in front of all those people?” I ask.

“No, not really. I mean, in the beginning, I did. I would worry about messing up the words or playing the wrong chord, but after a while, I learned to shut it out. Kinda like when you step onto the ice. All the noise from the crowd and everything in your head just goes silent.”

“Why didn’t you get involved in anything here?”

His eyes dip to the small patch of grass between us briefly before meeting mine again and moving his hand down to rest on my chest.

“I don’t think I’m good by any means, but it was easy in high school. There wasn’t the same kind of expectation there as it would be at Whilton. Mrs. Carpenter, who put on all the shows at my high school, kept asking us to play in every show, so I couldn’t have been too bad, but then again, there weren’t many others who could sing and play guitar.”

“Can I hear you play one day?”

His mouth tilts in a lopsided smile. “You want me to sing to you, Colbs?”

I laugh, giving him a playful shove. “I don’t need you to serenade me, but I’d like to hear it.” I swallow roughly. “Only if you’re comfortable with that.”

Tyler leans forward, shielding my body with his. His hand travels back up my neck and traces his fingers along my jaw before softly gliding over my lips. I suck in a breath, the featherlight sensation causing pleasure to ripple down my spine.

“There’s no one in this world I’m more comfortable with than you,” he says, sincerity dripping from every word.

It’s like I forget how to breathe as I stare up at him, my heart thundering up a storm in my chest. Words are lost in my throat, because even if I could find them, I don’t think I could explain how I feel the same way about him.

I can only answer him by curling my fingers into his T-shirt and pulling him down, closing the distance between us until his lips collide with mine. His hair falls forward, creating a curtain around our faces. He slips his tongue into my mouth, and I groan.

I thread my fingers into the hair on the back of his head, holding him close as I devour every inch of his mouth. He shifts until he’s lying halfway on top of me, like he’s still protecting me, even though we both know we’re alone aside from some birds.

“What are we doing, Colbs?” Tyler murmurs against my lips.

“I don’t know,” I whisper. “All I know is I don’t want it to stop.”

“Me neither…” He nips my bottom lip, then smooths it over with his tongue. “I just don’t know how this will work.”

“Do we have to talk about it right now? Or can we shelve it for later because we’ve got almost two weeks of catching up to do, and I haven’t had enough of your mouth yet.”

I feel his smirk against my lips. “We can’t avoid it forever. We still have more of your first-time list to complete.” He licks into my mouth before murmuring, “But it’s more than just teaching you now, Colbs. I don’t want to think about anyone else having these moments with you after I’m gone.”

I rear my head back far enough to see him in the dimming light.

“It’s always been you for me, Ty, and I don’t want to give you up or put an end to any of this after you graduate. It’s just a hurdle we’re gonna have to figure out. Together.”

His eyes search mine for a moment, and whatever he finds there must answer his silent question because he smiles and takes my lips in a slow kiss.

“Together,” he murmurs. “I like the sound of that.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

TYLER

“Where is it?” I grumble to myself while digging through my closet, trying to find my guitar case. It’s got to be in here somewhere. I’ve already checked under my bed and the small cupboard in the wall, so the only other place it can be is in here.

After a few minutes of cursing under my breath at how messy it is, I find the case wedged behind a suitcase, but the moment I pull it free, several pieces of clothing fall from the hangers, and I let out a low groan.

Damn, I really need to start thinking about packing soon. There are only ten days before graduation, and I haven’t done a single thing to prepare for what comes after. I haven’t even booked my flight because, in all honesty, I’m avoiding it. Every time I think about heading back home to Arizona, it’s like my stomach turns to lead. I’m overcome with nausea burning my throat, and I get this tight feeling in my chest that makes it hard to breathe.

I know I need to have a difficult conversation with my dad when I get back, and I have a feeling in my gut that says it’s not going to go well. He doesn’t believe in the studies that have proven working remotely increases productivity and mental well-being, so I doubt he will agree to any form of arrangement that sees me moving outside of Arizona.

He likes to be in control. Have everyone around him where he can see them.

But if Colby’s taught me anything over the last couple of months we’ve been getting closer, it’s that I’m the only one who can change the direction of my future.