Prologue
Blake
The music is pounding, the bass reverberating through the house as bodies sway to the rhythm. The atmosphere is alive with laughter and chatter, a vibrant energy that fills every corner of our home. Olivia and I are hosting a party tonight, taking advantage of the fact that our mom is away on a business trip. It’s a rare opportunity for us to let loose and have a little fun before we leave for college. Our house is packed full of partying teenagers.
As I navigate through the crowd, a red plastic cup in my hand, I catch a glimpse of one of my best friends: Lily Johnson. She looks stunning, dressed up in a way I’ve never seen before. Her normally casual attire has been replaced by something more elegant and alluring. The sight of her takes my breath away, and for a moment, everything around me fades into the background. I’ve liked Lily for a long time, but I haven’t wanted to complicate things with her. She’s best friends with my twin sister too, and I don’t want to risk ruining our friendship. But I realize this will be my last shot with her. I’m leaving in less than a month. I don’t want to have any regrets.
I make my way toward her, my heart pounding in my chest. I can’t help but be drawn to her, like a magnet pulling me closer.
“Blake,” she says, her face lighting up as she sees me.
“Hey,” I say, grinning at her. “You look pretty tonight.”
The compliment feels like an understatement. She’s wearing a staggering, form-fitting black dress that hugs her curves in all the right places, accentuating her slender figure. The dress is adorned with delicate lace details that add a touch of elegance to her ensemble. The transformation is striking. Lily exudes a newfound confidence, her eyes shining with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Her makeup is subtly done, emphasizing her natural beauty without overpowering it. A touch of crimson on her lips draws attention to her radiant smile, which lights up the room.
I watch a blush creep onto her face.
“Thanks,” she replies.
“What to dance?” I ask, grinning at her.
We exchange smiles as she nods, and before I know it, our bodies are pressed together, moving to the music as if we’re the only two people in the room.
It happens among the noise and the dim lights, our lips meet in a kiss that sets my senses on fire. It’s electric, a spark that ignites a torrent of emotions within me. The world around us disappears, and all that exists in this moment is the connection between us.
We both pull away at the same time, looking at each other in surprise. The alcohol has lowered our inhibitions. I know I should stop. I should tell her thank you for the dance and then go and sober up, but she looks up at me with her pretty eyes and I’m lost.
“We shouldn’t do this,” she says, looking around her. “People will see us.” I look around and everyone is oblivious, lost in their own experiences and the drunken mischief that comes with graduating and no adult supervision. No one has noticed a thing.
Lily doesn’t look like she wants to stop, and neither do I.
“Or you can come to my room,” I suggest, desire seeping from my voice.
She looks scandalized for a moment but then nods, making up her mind. I grab her hand and we run up the stairs laughing together as I lead her into my bedroom. The door slams behind us, and I crowd her against the wood, kissing her as I pin her in place.
“Damn, I’ve thought about doing this so many times,” I moan against her lips.
“Yeah, me too,” she agrees between hot kisses.
We grind against each other, hot and heavy, our hands all over each other. Lily’s hands are under my shirt touching my stomach. I grab it and pull it over my head for her, throwing it to the floor. I kiss down her neck, groping her chest through the thin material of her dress. I’ve fantasized about this so many times and I’ve finally got her alone.
It’s wrong. I’m aware but even knowing this, I lead her to my bed, and we kick off our shoes. I pull her into my lap and she settles across my hips. We rock together eagerly, gasping against each other. All logic flies out the window as I feel the scorching heat of her pressing me. It’s hot and heavy and like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
Lost in the intensity of our kisses and tipsy fumbling, I’m oblivious to everything else until I hear a loud knock on my bedroom door.
“Hey, put your bits away!” a voice calls through the door.
Panic courses through me as I realize it’s Olivia. She barges in, completely unaware of what’s transpiring inside. Lily swiftly dives off my bed and hides at the side, her presence concealed from my sister’s view. I grab a pillow and press it against my groin to cover myself.
“You know you’re supposed to wait until I invite you in,” I quip at her, a hint of playful annoyance in my voice as I try to regain my composure.
Olivia smirks mischievously, her eyes sparkling with amusement, and rolls her eyes.
“I feel sorry for whoever’s fallen for your charm,” she teases, oblivious to the fact that it’s our best friend hiding just inches away. “So, do we have any more beer?”
I take a deep breath, trying to compose myself. “Yeah, it’s in the garage,” I reply, my voice betraying a hint of unease. I point at my door, gesturing for her to leave me alone.
She gives me a playful wink before leaving, the door closing behind her.
Turning my attention back to the room, I see Lily emerging sheepishly from her hiding spot, her dress pulled down her thighs to cover her underwear. Our eyes meet, and in that silent exchange, a myriad of emotions pass between us—regret, longing, and the weight of an unspoken agreement.
“This was a mistake,” she says softly, her voice tinged with regret. “We should stop and…uh, forget about this.”
Disappointment washes over me like a crashing wave, but deep down, I know she’s right. The impending reality of college looms before us. Our paths will diverge, and starting something we can’t continue would be unfair to both of us. I nod, a mix of sadness and acceptance swirling within me.
“You’re right,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “We should probably let it go.”
“It can be our little secret,” she suggests, her voice holding a touch of hope. We make an unspoken agreement, a mutual understanding that this connection, intense and electrifying as it may be, will remain nothing more than a fleeting memory. It’s the right decision, even as my heart protests. She takes a seat on the bed beside me, the silence filled with unspoken words and unfulfilled desires.
“Thanks for the kiss,” she says softly, vulnerability shining through her eyes. “No one’s ever kissed me before.”
Her admission sends a jolt through me, my heart fluttering with a mix of joy and longing.
“I’m sure you’ll kiss lots of boys,” I say, my voice laced with bittersweet sincerity. “But remember, you’re really special, Lily.”
She chuckles, a hint of sarcasm in her reply, masking the complexity of her emotions. “Sure.”
To change the atmosphere, I offer a distraction. “You want to play a game instead?” I suggest, gesturing toward the television, hoping to ease the tension that lingers between us.
She nods, accepting the invitation, and together we grab the remotes, feeling a bit less sad. The console springs to life, and the sounds of the game pull us in. Distracted as I am by the immersive game, I still feel a sense of loss. Unspoken desires linger in the room but we can push it aside. We could have had something beautiful, something more than friendship but sometimes, the right choice is also the hardest one to make.