It made me laugh. All it took was Chip and Dale to get them acting all girly.

We did a little more exploring, even finding an old cave that Im not afraid to admit freaked me out a little bit. Luckily, it was pretty open so we had enough light to peek around.

Boo! Jaden grabbed Priss waist and she screamed, then proceeded to kick his a.s.s. While they were engaged in World War Five Hundred, I took advantage and snuck Aspen into a dark corner, hoping I didnt get attacked by a killer bat or something.

My hands found their home on her hips and I pulled her toward me. I think Im addicted to you. Now that I know I can kiss you and touch you, I dont want to stop.

I bet you tell all the girls that, she teased.

What girls? There arent any other girls, but you.

Her arms wrapped around my neck. They felt good there. Youre good at this.

Im a natural. I dont know if she was going to reply, because I kissed her again. It was slow, and smooth. Not rushed, but definitely hot. I let my lips slide down her chin, to her neck. Her skin tasted so sweet that it pulled a groan from the back of my throat. Who would have known kissing someone you love was so much better than kissing other girls? Slowly, I slipped my fingers under the bottom of her shirt, brushing my thumb along the smooth skin of her side. I just liked touching her, savoring the little zing that I got from being skin to skin with her.

Dude, if you guys wanted to get busy, all you had to do is ask for some privacy. Now I understood why Aspen and Pris were always telling Jaden to shut up.

I second that.

I stepped away from Aspen. Well at least we found something you two can agree on. I gave both Pris and Jaden hard looks. Lets go get some lunch.

After they started to walk away, I stopped Aspen. It wasnt a line.

I know. I trust you, Bastian.

Her words made me stumble a little bit. That was a heavy burden, someone completely putting their trust in you. But I loved her and that would make everything okay. She could trust me. Id find a way to make sure I earned it.

I lay in the bed with Aspen curled beside me wondering why the h.e.l.l Id ever made fun of guys who were whipped. Okay, so those guys who got whipped over every girl needed to get a life, but when it was the right girl, youd have to be an idiot not get whipped. I mean, I had this great girl. She was funny, smart, hot, gave me s.h.i.t and I could touch her, kiss her, hold her, and lay with her any time I wanted. She looked at me like I hung the friggin moon. It made me feel invincible. Like the luckiest seventeen year-old guy in the world. Why wouldnt I want to do anything for her? Want to be with her all the time? Despite popular belief, I wasnt stupid.

After lunch, wed come back to the house. Jaden and Pris were off at separate ends of the house and I was cuddled up with my girl. If this was being whipped, chain me up, baby!

A couple hours later, I gently rubbed Aspens shoulder. She slept like the dead. I couldnt do more than an hour nap even with her body against mine. Id gone downstairs to hang out with Jaden and Pris for a while. When we got tired of waiting for her, so I offered to go upstairs and wake her up to go swimming. Come on sleepy head. Time to get up. The beach is calling our names.

I changed into my swimming shorts in our room while Aspen and Pris got changed in her room. Id now been sitting downstairs with Jaden for thirty minutes and they still werent out yet. Dont ask me why it took so long to put in a swimming suit, but we were both getting antsy so went ahead and headed out, figuring theyd find us easy enough. On the way out, I made sure to grab both mine and Aspens beach towels because I was sweet like that.

After laying them both out on the sand, fixing the corner so it was just right, I walked over to Jaden who was eyeing me like I had ten heads or something. What?

Dude, you are so messed up.

Okay, so I had two choices right now. I could just blow Jaden off because I knew he was wrong and it didnt really matter what he thought. Or I could give it to him straight. I wasnt really the quiet type. Sure, I knew he was just surprised to see me like this and that a few weeks ago, I would have been the same way if the situation was reversed, butI guess you could say Id been enlightened and I wouldnt be me if I didnt rub that in his face just a little. Id expect the same thing out of him. We were guys and thats just how guys roll.

So I told him what was up. You went to bed alone last night, Jay. I held a girl all night. Ill do it again tonight. She likes it when I kiss her, she kisses me and on top of that, shes a seriously kicka.s.s girl. She doesnt play games, isnt out there making out with a different guy every weekend. Just me. If thats messed up, Im there, bro.

Jaden threw his hat at me. Still trying to figure out why shed want to kiss your ugly mug.

Because I have skills. One day, Ill pa.s.s that knowledge on to you. I threw his hat down and ran out to the water. Jaden was right behind me. As soon as we were waist deep, he splashed my face, so I tackled him and tried to drown his a.s.s. Dont start a fight you cant win.

Please, I can take you! We kept going after each other--we took our compet.i.tions seriously, even if they were just with water--until I heard a whistle from the beach.

Will you guys ever grow up? I turned toward Priss voice. My heart nearly stopped when I saw Aspen standing next to her.

Hol-y s.h.i.t.

You can say that again. Jaden said from beside me.

That snapped me out of my visual pleasure for a minute. Dont look at my girl, a.s.shole.

Im not.

Have they worn bikinis every summer? I asked.

No clue, but Im glad they are now.

Pris and Aspen stood with their feet in the water. I took my eyes off Woodstock just for a second. Red, Pris wore a red bikini, but it was nothing compared to the turquoise gift from G.o.d that Aspen wore. The dark blue was a nice contrast to the creamy white of her skin. It looked like some kind of Hawaiian pattern with white flowers scattered on the blue material. It was the most I ever remembered seeing of her body. I liked the view: a nice stomach, curvy hips and legs, man the girl had nice legs. Humina, humina, humina.

I knew my eyes were probably bulging out of my head, but I didnt care. My whole body, and I do mean whole body, came alive at the sight of her. She was gorgeous.

Still think Im messed up? I asked Jaden as they started walking in the water toward us.

When he didnt reply, I glanced at him. Jadens mouth was still hanging open. I laughed and headed toward Aspen, meeting her halfway.

Playing with Aspen in the water was way better than beating Jaden in a splash contest. We spent hours out there messing around. Im not going to lie and say I didnt dunk her, because whipped or not, I still liked to have a little fun. She loved it though, splashing around and playing like she needed to be rescued after Id pull her under the water. The rescuing was fun Then we floated together, riding the waves and holding onto each other, salt tinged her skin when I kissed her.

Hot.

Building a fire should not be this difficult, guys. Aspen laughed at Jaden and me as we messed around trying to get the fire pit going.

Its not me. Jaden keeps s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g it up. I nudged my friend with my shoulder.

Dude, Im the one who said douse the thing with lighter fluid. That will get it going. Jaden fell onto one of the blankets, obviously handing the reins over to me. Good. Id get it done faster without him anyway. Once I had red flames popping and cracking in the pit, I smirked at Jaden, before joining Aspen on our pallet, pushing my guitar over to give me room to sit down.

You warm enough, baby? I asked her. Funny how one little phrase can ignite reactions faster than my blazing fire. Aspen blushed, Pris sighed, and Jaden snorted. Whatever. I only cared about one response. She nodded as I sat down beside her.

The sun slipped behind the ocean a few minutes later, so we went ahead and roasted some hotdogs on the fire for dinner. It was our last night here, so Aspen and I managed to talk Jaden and Pris into a truce of sorts so we could spend the night together. The beach was dead, leaving nothing but flames, waves, a dark night, and the four of us.

What do you guys want to do? Aspen asked. I sat behind her, with her between my legs, her back against my chest. I squeezed her tighter trying to tell her that I just wanted to be close to her. Pris looked over at Jaden, their blankets were beside each other while Aspen and I shared one.

Hey, remember that time we all went camping with Aspens parents? Pris asked.

Dude, so glad we didnt end up with tofu dogs this time. Jaden laughed.

What was that story her dad told us? Remember the claw man or whatever and this punk over here, Pris tossed a glance at Jaden, decided to try and scare us in the middle in the night.

Try? You screamed like a little girl.

Thats not because we thought you were the claw man! Its because you freaked out when you thought you heard a bear and got tangled in our tent! Try being asleep when your tent falls on top of you, with a screaming boy thrashing around in it! I felt Aspens laugh vibrate my chest as she spoke.

There were bear warnings on the d.a.m.n table! How was I supposed to know Aspens parents were going to be outside being all one with nature, in the woods, in the middle of the night? Her dads big. He could pa.s.s for a bear. Jaden mumbled the last part.

Oh yeah! I laughed. Daddy Peace with his tie-dyed shirts and peace and love att.i.tude could totally pa.s.s for a bear. Scary. You almost p.i.s.sed your pants, Jay.

My life, like, flashed before my eyes and s.h.i.t. You could hear the pout in his voice.

I dont know where it came from, but I felt the urge to keep talking. Jaden was my boy and even though I gave him s.h.i.t like the girls, I also gave props where props were due. He was scared, but as soon as he fought his way through the tent, the first thing he told me was to get the bears attention so we could steer him away from you guys. I kissed Aspen on top of the head. She squeezed my hand in return. Everyone was quiet for a minute, until I spoke again. Would have been a good plan if we didnt accidently run Aspens mom down when we tried to save you girls.

We all started laughing. It felt good, holding my girl and laughing with my friends. I wouldnt trade this minute for anything. Sneaking in girls rooms, making out at parties, flirting and playing games, they had nothing on this moment. d.a.m.n Im sweet, I thought.

What? Aspen asked, turning in my arms to look at me.

What, what?

You chuckled.

I did? Nothing. Just thinking about how cool I am. She rolled her eyes at me. And how lucky.

She leaned up and kissed me. It went straight to my head, making me dizzy and sweaty, and yeah, Ill admit it, h.o.r.n.y.

We sat out there for hours. Lame as it sounds, we made smores and told ghost stories. The girls tried to get a game of truth or dare out of us, but Jaden and I took a stand. There was only so much cheese wed allow in one night. We talked, laughed and the only time I didnt have Aspen in my arms was when I replaced her with my guitar. Apparently, I couldnt deny her anything. I played a few songs, more than Id planned, but girls love music and the way Aspen looked at me when I played? Id play all night for that look. It was like she touched me and Ill tell you, I definitely hungered for her touch.

Around midnight we doused the fire and headed back home. What a perfect night. My three best friends in the world were there and even Pris and Jaden got along. As we got ready for bed, I knew it would only get better. She wore a pair of little flannel shorts and a tank top and I climbed into bed in nothing but my basketball shorts. I put my hand on my cheek, leaning on my elbow and looked down on her.

This weekend has been perfect, she whispered. I felt her breath against my skin and it made me shiver.

Funny, I was just thinking the same thing about tonight.

She sighed. Im happy, Bastian.

The moonlight shined bright enough in the room that I could see her face. Youre beautiful. I told her and meant it more than anything.

You just want to get some. She laughed.

d.a.m.n it. You figured out my plan! We both laughed. Really though, its not about that. I used my free hand to brush the side of her face with my fingers. Okay, so its kind of like I won the lottery, ya know? Youre my best friend. Always have been and always will be, but now I can say youre my girl, too. I just want you to know I shrugged. What did I want her to know? I had no idea what I was saying. That I know how lucky I am and that I think youre pretty amazing.

Youre amazing, too. Her voice was all wobbly. s.h.i.t. The last thing I wanted to do is make her cry. Happy tears or not, girls crying freaked me out. I always felt like I should do something, but half the time never knew what to do.

Well, we knew that. I smiled and then I kissed her. Her arms wrapped around my neck and did that hair thing that I now freakin loved. My mouth pressed to hers harder, not rough, but wanting to get as close to her as possible. Rolling over, I rested on top of her, lost in the feel of her. Did I say it was like I won the lottery? Even that had nothing on the way she made me feel. Our mouths learned each others, molding together, teasing and tasting. I let my hand ghost under her shirt, going slow so I didnt miss any signal if I needed to stop.

Its okay, she whispered so I kept going. Brushing the bottom of her breast. I didnt go any farther. Of course, I would have if shed told me she wanted to, but I was happy just letting my tongue twine with hers and to tease her soft skin.

When I pulled away, still letting my fingers play with her hair like they were the strings on my guitar, I talked to her until she fell asleep. It was so small, that it could feel like nothing to someone else, but to me, it was epic.

I slipped out of Aspens arms and grabbed my vibrating cell phone. My moms number flashed across the screen. Sneaking out of the room, I clicked the talk b.u.t.ton, trying to sound a cool as I could. I definitely wasnt supposed to be sleeping with Aspen hours away from home right now.

Morning, Ma.

Hey, kiddo. Are you having fun with Jaden?

My whole body tensed. Shed been crying. I knew that crack in her voice. The fake, syrupy sweetness that she tried to use to cover her pain. Whats wrong? I asked, going out onto the porch.

Nothing, honey. Just wanted to check on you.

My whole body still felt tight. Ma, I know you better than that. What happened? Funny how your heart could race the same way when youre excited as it did when you were scared.

Its nothing you need to worry about, Bastian. Its justRoger and I broke up. I didnt call to talk about that though. I wanted to check on you.

Id kill him. My hand fisted my phone tightly. How could he go from wanting to propose to her to breaking her heart this quickly? It was always the same thing. Are you okay? This time it was my voice that cracked.

Just tired. She sighed. Tired of s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g up, of hurting. I just want to talk to my boy. You always have been and always will be the best thing in my life.

I squeezed my eyes shut. I didnt want her to hurt. I didnt want to hurt, but it always happened this way, didnt it? I fought tears. I couldnt let myself punk out like that. What did it ever help? So I talked to her, made her laugh the way I always did when she was upset, wondering what made her think this was worth it? Didnt she just say this time was different? And Roger, the a.s.shole. Hed said he loved her. What a joke. And theyd made me fall for it, too. How was this worth it? Hook-ups were so much easier than this.

How did I know I wouldnt be like Roger, or my dad, or all the other guys in the past and just change my mind? I thought I loved Aspen, but what if I didnt? What if I kept this going and hurt her? I hated the crack in my moms voice, the tears she tried to hide behind her words. I wanted to protect her and failed, but I wouldnt with Aspen. Even if I had to protect her from me. One weekend would be easier to get over than if we kept this going. My fists clenched as I felt a weight in my chest.

When I got off the phone, I woke everyone up and told them we had to leave. She kept touching me and trying to talk to me and even though my fingers still p.r.i.c.ked from the feel of her skin beneath mine, I kept my distance.

My whole body hurt, a heavy ache pressing down on my chest the whole drive home. Theyd all stopped asking what was wrong about halfway. I was sick to my stomach and deserved it. I deserved much more than that.

I followed Aspen through her empty house and up to her room when we got back home. I fought the urge to run, but I wasnt a coward. Id man-up and do what was right.

Is everything okay? she asked, trying to pull me into a hug when we got into her room.

I looked down at her, and that s.e.xy blush on my best friends face. I almost told her no, the words begged to fall from my mouth, but I didnt. I was doing this for her. She trusted me and crazy as it sounded, this was my way of deserving that trust by giving us an out before we got in too deep, and it hurt even more when things unraveled. Um, not really. Aspen, I Come on, Hawkins. Do it. Its over.

Chapter Thirteen.

Was it possible for words to singe your tongue? Thats how it felt. Like it burned, and left a gross taste in my mouth. It wasnt over, except, Id just made it that way, hadnt I? And I wouldnt take it back. I couldnt.

Aspen stepped away from me and I crossed my arms so I wouldnt be tempted to pull her close again. What do you mean?

Us. I shrugged. This whole thing. I mean, not our friendship, I quickly tried to clarify. I couldnt lose her completely. The other part though. It wouldnt work, so why prolong it?

Actually, I thought it was working pretty well! Her voice was hard. I hated hearing it directed at me that way. Sorry that our weekend together was too long for you!

I squinted my eyes and rubbed my forehead. I hated this, but I had to do it. This is coming out wrong. I justthe long term thing just never works and if we keep going, then someone is going to get hurt. Couldnt she see I was doing the right thing?

Aspen poked my chest. Too late for that. You promised me I wasnt like the rest of them, Sebastian and I trusted you. The long term thing doesnt work because you dont want it to! She stepped farther away from me, hugging herself. I wanted to pull her closer to me. My arms should be comforting her, not her own, but I knew that would just make it worse.