Boys Like You(62)

But I had to be good. Her parents weren’t 100 percent sure of me and I got that, but I didn’t want anything to interfere with our plans. Tonight was our last one together, and I had to make it count. I needed to make this girl so crazy about me she would never forget this summer, or me.

254

BoysLikeYou.indd 254

11/19/13 10:02 AM

BOYS LIKE YOU

Because I knew I wouldn’t. She was burned into my skin like a tattoo, and I would carry her with me forever.

255

BoysLikeYou.indd 255

11/19/13 10:02 AM

BoysLikeYou.indd 256

11/19/13 10:02 AM





Chapter Thirty


Monroe


I changed my clothes at least seven times before settling on a pair of dark navy skinny jeans, ballet slippers, and a green halter top that made my eyes pop. Or at least that’s what the saleslady said when Gram had taken me shopping in New Orleans a few weeks back.

The top was on the skimpy side— most of my stomach was bare and the jeans rode low— but I couldn’t wait for Nate to see me. I had plans for tonight. For me and him.

I grabbed my purse from the table beside my bed and fumbled inside the hidden pocket until my fingers closed around the small foil packet.

I’d bought condoms when I was in New Orleans. My cheeks burned at the thought— I still couldn’t believe I’d had enough balls to do it. It had been hard, slipping away from Gram, and then, well, who knew there were so many different kinds?

Ribbed. Glow in the dark. Stuff that vibrated.

God, there were different sizes!

BoysLikeYou.indd 257

11/19/13 10:02 AM

Juliana Ston e

I’d bought the plainest, smallest box I could find and prayed that Gram wouldn’t be able to tell. You know, in case there was some invisible sign on my forehead that said, “Monroe is going to have sex and she has a box of condoms in her bag.”

I’d been thinking about this for days. No. Weeks. I’d been thinking about it ever since Nathan had kissed me at Baker’s Landing. And tonight was my last chance. My last chance to be with Nathan. Really be with Nathan.

Outside, there in the maze that was ours, we’d spent most nights under the stars until he had to go home. We’d kissed. A lot. And we’d touched. I’d explored his hard, muscled body that was so different from mine, and he’d kissed his way down my chest, but he’d always held back, didn’t go further. And when I wanted to do more, he stopped us.

Said we needed to move slow. That he needed to move slow.

So I hadn’t touched him. Or seen him there.

Even though I’d wanted to.

I knew that Nate had had sex before. I’d asked him and he’d been honest with me. He’d told me that he and Rachel had been doing it since the tenth grade. When I pushed him, he’d admitted that there had been others.

Of course there had been others. Nathan Everets was hot.

And it wasn’t just that physically he was smoking. He was the deepest, sweetest guy I’d ever met. Who wouldn’t want to be with him?

So why didn’t he want me?

258

BoysLikeYou.indd 258

11/19/13 10:02 AM

BOYS LIKE YOU

I shoved the condom into the front pocket of my jeans and glanced at myself in the mirror. For a moment, I didn’t recognize the face that stared back at me.

Who was this girl with eyes that sparkled and skin that glowed? This girl who looked…happy. Excited. And scared.

“Monroe, Nathan is here!”

Gram’s voice made me jump, and I grabbed my jean jacket. I shut the door and didn’t stop until I was at the front door when I nearly tripped over my feet.

Holy. Hell.

Nathan smiled, a slow, soft grin that could seriously melt anyone’s heart. His eyes were soft and I noticed that he’d shaved.

I loved it when he didn’t shave— it gave him that edge that I really liked— but tonight, with that smile? My hands were itching to touch all that smooth, tanned skin.

He wore a plain white Henley, his golden skin and burnished hair a contrast that could make any girl lose her head and— I smiled— he wore my favorite jeans. They were old and faded, but they looked amazing on him, and I exhaled shakily as I snuck a look at my mom.

She leaned against the staircase, and I could tell that Nate’s charm was working overtime because she smiled at him. She smiled at him in a way I recognized. God, he was good.

“So,” she cleared her throat. “You kids won’t be too late?”

“Mom, it’s my last night here, and I promise I won’t be out all night, but can I stay out later than midnight?”

259

BoysLikeYou.indd 259

11/19/13 10:02 AM

Juliana Ston e

I saw the indecision in her eyes.

“I mean, I just haven’t felt so good about things in so long, I kinda want to hold on to it as long as I can, you know?”

Okay, that was low, but I didn’t care. I was willing to work any angle in order to spend as much time with Nathan as I could.

“I promise, I’ll be good.”

Gram and Dad walked up from the kitchen. “You take care of my granddaughter, Nathan.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he answered.

I gave my mom a quick hug, but she held me for a second longer. “Roe,” she said shakily. “I…”