“I’m in. Just let me know when.” She stops, looking over at Emery’s empty bed. “If I ever see that as**ole again, I’m going to kill him.”

“That’s harsh,” I say, thinking back to that day in January when Emery’s heart was ripped from her chest, stomped on, and thrown against the wall. Maybe he deserves it …

“It’s nothing compared to what he did to her.” She’s right, but there’s nothing we can do to him that will fix Emery’s problems.

I watch as she glances around the bare room with a hint of sadness in her eyes. “It might sound silly, but I’m really going to miss you this summer. I mean, like, really miss you.”

I’m going to miss her, too. Rachel’s the complete opposite of what I expected when I first met her. I’d unfairly lumped her in with every other girl our age who’d done me wrong, but Rachel’s always there when I need her.

“Hey, you can come visit, or I can come visit you. And you know I’m going to call you at least three times a day.”

“I’d like that.” Her smile returns, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Are you okay?” It always seems like everything is perfect with her, but underneath it all, I see her unraveling.

She studies me for a second before speaking. “I don’t know. Cory’s been distant, and I know going back home is just going to compound our problems. There’s no where to hide in a small town, but I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that.”

A few months ago, I told her everything. It was my way engraving our friendship in stone … I let her in to my life completely. “Have you talked to him about it?”

She shrugs. “It’s hard to talk to Cory about this kind of stuff. He doesn’t take anything too seriously, you know?”

“I know, but if it’s bothering you this much, you should try.”

“Yeah, maybe you’re right, but I think a part of me is scared about what he’ll say.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. Maybe his feelings toward me have changed. Maybe he’s just as scared as I am to not be together. He’s all I know.”

“Do you think you’re holding on to something that isn’t there anymore?” It escapes my lips before I even have time to think about it.

Rachel’s the best person to go to when I need relationship advice. I just wish she would put her advice to work for herself. I think she’s clutching what used to be with Cory, and she deserves so much more than that. I’m hoping the summer will give her a chance to re-evaluate, and she can start over fresh in the fall. I like Cory, but I don’t think he’s the one for Rachel. She deserves someone who treats her better; I think she loves him, but she’s afraid that if she lets him go, she’ll never find that with someone else.

“Are you guys driving home together?” I ask.

“I’m going to follow him. He should be ready to leave soon, I hope.”

Pulling her into a hug, I whisper, “Let me know if you need anything, okay? I’m here for you.”

“Thank you. Who knows … maybe it’s all in my head and spending some extra time together this summer will fix it.”

I squeeze her tightly without replying. Her problems aren’t going to go away on their own, but she needs to figure that out for herself.

The door opens suddenly, and Beau walks in. He doesn’t bother knocking anymore; I gave him a key months ago, after Emery left.

Rachel pulls back. “I should get going. Cory’s probably waiting for me.”

“Call me when you get home, okay?”

“I will. Drive safe.” She walks toward the door, turning around before she opens it. “Take care of her, Beau.”

He winks. “You don’t have to worry about Kate when she’s with me.”

Rachel’s lips curl up, genuinely this time. “Yeah, I know.” She waves. “I’ll talk to you guys later.”

“Bye,” we say simultaneously. It already feels like I’ve lost a part of myself when she disappears from view, but it’s only temporary. Rachel’s only a phone call away, and I’ll see her again soon.

Some of the weight on my chest eases as I glance over and see Beau’s playful expression. It tells me he’s happy that we’re alone and promises of some fun that is yet to come.

“Hey.” I smile, waiting for him to make the first move.

His eyes do all the talking as he steps toward me and puts his hands behind my thighs to lift me up. I have no choice but to wrap my legs around his waist. “Are you ready for your punishment?” he whispers in my ear. His breath against my skin causes the hair on the back of my neck to stand up.

“Yes. I’ve been waiting for almost thirty minutes,” I say breathlessly.

He backs me against the wall and dips his head to my neck, running his tongue against my skin. One of his hands is braced against the wall while the other caresses my thigh. “I think you’re the only person I know who would move in a dress. I love that you’re making things so easy for me.”

I look down at my emerald green sundress and smile. “Maybe I planned it that way.”

His tongue finds my skin again until his mouth is right under my ear. “Let’s see if your little plan worked then.”

I nod, ready for whatever. His hard length is pressed against me, making it almost impossible to hold onto my self-control. Beau and I did soft and sweet for a while until we got to the point where I was more comfortable with our sexual relationship. One night, I could sense his alpha male boiling to the surface, but he kept holding back. When I asked him to let go, he was hesitant, but it ended up being some of the best sex we’ve ever had.

It’s all about achieving a balance. Sometimes we need to feel the sweet, loving emotions that come to the surface when our bodies connect, but other times, we just need to feel the raw, uncensored passion that exists between us.

He moves my panties to the side and slowly enters me with two fingers. “God, Kate, you’re already wet.”

“I was wet talking to you on the phone,” I say before kissing him hard on the lips.

It doesn’t take much before I feel my orgasm building, but before my body completely lets go, he pulls his fingers from my body and frees himself from his shorts. He slowly pushes into me, and after only a few thrusts, my body squeezes him over and over. One of the hardest things I’ve had to do this year is have sex in my dorm room without screaming.

He makes it almost impossible as he moves in and out of me while his mouth explores every exposed part of my upper body. My body starts to build again as he speeds up his motions. He’s close, and I’m going to try to hold on so I can come right along with him. I’ve learned not to close my eyes; we always do this together.

“You feel so f**king good,” he growls in my ear. “So good, Kate.”

I feel myself coming hard and fast, causing me to bury my head in his neck. Beau comes with me, groaning as his head rests against the wall behind me. Our hearts beat between us saying things that words couldn’t right now. When he finally stands back, looking down at me, his eyes say just as much.

“Do you know how much I love you?” he whispers.

I nod, placing my palm on his cheek.

He wraps his fingers around my wrist, halting any further movement. “No, do you know how much I really love you?” he asks. The look on his face is one I’ll never forget. At that moment I know … he doesn’t have to say anything more. “I love you more than I love life, because if it weren’t for you, there wouldn’t be as much in it for me.”

Reaching my hand behind his neck, I bring his lips down to mine. “I love you more.”

“Never,” he whispers, kissing me again until my lips are swollen and numb.

I guess it’s a good sign when the only thing we have to fight about is who loves the other more.

I’m dying to get home to see my mom. I thought I’d go home at least once a month, but I only made it back for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring break. Between my classes, Beau, and all of the new friends I’d made, it was hard to find a whole weekend to sneak home.

It feels like we’ve been driving all day when Beau finally pulls down our road with me close behind. I’m ecstatic when I pull into the driveway and see my mom peeking through the window. For the first time in a long time, this really feels like home. It’s a place I want to be, a place that feels relaxing and makes me happy rather than sad.

I hurriedly put my car in park and leave everything behind to meet my mom and Daniel at the front door. “I missed you so much,” my mom says, wrapping me tightly in her arms.

“I missed you, too.”

“How have you been?” Daniel asks as he stands beside my mom.

Looking over my shoulder at Beau, I smile before facing her again. “Great. How about you guys?”

Daniel wraps his arm around my mom’s shoulders. “Things couldn’t be better.”

My mom smiles up at him and then looks back at me. “It will be nice to have you back this summer. Ms. Carter has been asking about you.”

I laugh. “I missed her, too. You’ll have to let her know I’ll be in on Monday.”

“She’ll be happy to hear it. By the way, I talked to Beau’s parents. We’re all having a barbeque in the backyard tonight to welcome you guys home.”

“Thank you, Mom,” I say, pulling her in for a hug. “I’m going to go over and talk to Beau for a minute.”

“Okay, let me know when you’re ready, and I’ll come out and help you.” As they disappear back into the house, I walk down the steps and through the grass to Beau’s driveway. He’s standing with his back resting against the side of his truck and his hands tucked in the front pockets of his khaki shorts.

Shielding my eyes from the sun, I take in the huge grin that forms on his face as I get closer. “Are you spying on me, Bennett?” I tease.