Measuring Up

“Aw, you don’t have to stick up for my brother. You must be just as in looove as he is.”

There’s a part of me that wants to reply to that, but I’m pretty sure I’ve lost the ability to use my vocal cords. I’m not in love and Tegan isn’t either. That’s just ridiculous.

“And she’s never going to want to come over again now. Leave her be, Timothy. It’s between Tegan and A

or he got it from her. “Though it is good to see him like someone enough to have some fun. He needs to have more fun. And lucky for us, we love you too.”

Nope. Definitely don’t have a voice anymore. Might not have a heartbeat either. The sound of the front door opening saves me.

“Speak of the devil.” Dana stands up and straightens out her uniform.

“That’s me.” Tegan closes the door behind him.

Dana smiles. Tegan steps up behind my chair, leans over and kisses me. There’s no tongue, just touch of our lips, but it sears me just the same. “Hey, you,” he

says.

Wondering if my voice will ever come back, I smile.

“You picked up an extra shift today?” he’s talking to his mom now.

“Yeah. The extra money doesn’t hurt.” Tegan shakes his head and his jaw is tense. He hates that his mom has to work so hard. “Did you?” she asks, but he

ignores it. “That’s not important though. What are you guys up to tonight?”

“Of course it’s not. Ru

“Tegan…”

“We’re going for a jog, then heading out to a party.”

“Timmy’s staying with a friend and I won’t be home until late. I know you’re eighteen, but I’m still your mama and I’m sure I don’t have to tell you two to be

good, right? No drinking and driving. No other things that will make me a grandma at way too young an age.”

Oh. My. God. I think I’m about to die. Is his mom giving us a sex talk?

“A

KISSING part with him.

“You’re such a twerp.” Tegan punches Tim in the arm and they start playing around like they did before the basketball practice.

“That’s enough boys. I have to go. Timmy, come on. Tegan, I’m serious. Be good.”

Yep, I’m dying. Dying!

“We’ll try.” Tegan winks at me and I want to evaporate into thin air.

“Bye, baby.” She leans forward and kisses Tegan on the forehead and then to my surprise she does the same to me. “Be good, sweetie. Sorry if I embarrassed

you.”

I wave her off and they’re out the door.

As soon as we’re alone, Tegan grabs me and pulls me close. “So…wa

Chapter Fifteen

LET’S PARTY

I freeze. Is he talking about what I think he’s talking about? My body perks at the thought, but my head is pulling on the reigns for me to slow down. What if his mom comes home? What if I make a fool of myself? What if I’m not ready?

“I’m kidding, A

I try and pull away from him, hoping to find someplace to hide.

“No, don’t do that. I’m glad you’re thinking about it. It’s obvious I think about it. It’s just not what I meant right now.”

Laughter dances in his eyes, his lips quirked up in a smile like only Tegan can do. The way he always does, he wipes any tension from the room. I wonder if he

knows how good he is at that. If it comes from all the practice he gets trying to make everything perfect for his family. Playfully, I push at his chest, finding it difficult to keep with my original train of thought, because his chest…nice. “So you’re conceited and perverted!”

He pulls me closer. “I’m multi-talented. What can I say?”

“Ugh! You’re a sick, sick person.” Wiggling, I try to break free of his arms, but he holds me tight.

“You can’t get away from me unless I want you too.”

I fight him harder, laughter pouring from my mouth and vibrating us both. Tegan’s laughing too, easily pulling me along with him as I try to get away. Then,

we’re going down. My heart lurches a little, scared we’re going to go boom, but he’s only dropping back onto the couch and pulling me with him. This is my favorite side of him… when he’s just happy. Not working, worried about his mom or feeling guilty over his brother’s life. When he doesn’t have to hide because he knows

there’s no pity from me.

“Let me up!” More laughter. “No, I hate to be tickled. Don’t tickle me.” His hands are at my sides and I’m squirming, but not as much as I could. He feels good.

This feels good and even though I could pee my pants right now, I want it to last.

“You didn’t say the magic word.” Tegan’s on top of me, tickling. Through my giggles, I look up, his blond hair is hanging down in his face. I can’t help but take him in. He’s so beautiful. Not perfect like I first thought. There’s the little chip in his tooth, a scar on his face. Gorgeous, yes, but not perfect and that makes me like him all the more.

Suddenly he stills. There’s no more tickling and he’s looking down at me, the way I’m looking up at him. There’s a distinct switch in the air from playful to if-I-don’t-kiss-you-right-now-I-will-combust. He feels it too. I know it by the way he leans toward me.

“You’re kind of addicting, do you know that? I don’t know what it is about you, but you’re different.”

If you could really die from joy, my poor parents would be pla

He kisses the corner of my mouth, my neck, down my throat and then back up to my mouth again. His mom’s words start playing through my head. I see her too

which is a total buzz kill, making me still.

“What’s wrong?” he says, his lips on my collarbone.

“We should slow down… Your mom. The party…” I wish I could pick a sentence and go with it.

He kisses me again, this one quick. “Fine, ruin my fun.” Even without the wink, I know he is only teasing me. Tegan stands up, grabs my hand and pulls me up

too. “Come on. Let’s go work out some of this pent up energy in a less fun, but more productive…Nah, just a less fun way.”

***

We head out to our usual jogging spot, stretch and then take the familiar loop. I can jog the whole thing by now. We take it slow, I’m sure he runs much faster

without me, but it’s still pretty cool that I’ve passed the point where I have to walk some of it. We do it enough that I know each step now, each turn and I welcome the burn in my legs and lungs. Like Tegan has said before, they’re my war wounds, proving to myself that I’m doing what I set out to do. How awesome is that?

And today, I need it. I have a feeling he knows which is why he suggested the run before we go to the party. I’ve never met his friends and I’m scared to death

they’re going to take one look at me and wonder what the heck he’s thinking. Then, I mentally yell at myself for thinking that way because no matter what, there is nothing wrong with me.

We drive back to Tegan’s apartment. I take the shower in his mom’s room while he takes the one in the hallway, which let me tell you, it’s strange showering in

his mom’s bathroom. He assured me he okay’d it, but still. The strangeness has nothing on the fact of knowing we’re both naked in the same house though, only a

wall separating us.

Looks like Tegan isn’t the only pervert.

Soon, we’re sitting in Tegan’s little car on our way to the party. I’m wearing black capris, and a red button-up, summery shirt. The tag said it’s slimming, I’m not sure. Tegan’s gorgeous as always in his signature shorts, not too baggy, but enough that you can see the edge of his boxer-briefs when he doesn’t have a shirt on. I know, because he came out of the bathroom without one. How lucky am I? I’d watched as he pulled a t-shirt over his head, and another short sleeve, button up, over it, left open.