“Gotcha,” Jeremy said, nodding. His throat bobbed as he swallowed. “Um, do you want to come in?”
“Yes,” Caitlin said, surprised at her forwardness. She was even more surprised when she took Jeremy’s hand and let him lead her through the door. The basement smelled like popcorn, and the family’s dog, Scruffy, lay on his bed in the corner. He noticed Caitlin and wagged his tail, then put his head back down.
“Hey, Scruffs,” she said.
Caitlin and Jeremy sat down on the couch together, their knees touching. Jeremy turned down the sound and stared into her eyes.
“I missed you,” Caitlin blurted.
“I’ve been thinking so much about you,” Jeremy said at the same time.
They both sat back and awkwardly laughed. Then Caitlin reached out and touched his smooth cheek. Jeremy shuddered. He lifted his gaze to her again and leaned forward. Their lips touched, and tingles shot up Caitlin’s spine. Oh, how she wanted this, needed this. It immediately washed all her bad feelings away.
She wasn’t sure how long they kissed, the light from the anime film flashing against their faces. Finally, Jeremy pulled back, out of breath.
He grabbed her hands. “Caitlin,” he said softly, “I want to be with you.”
She pressed her lips together. “I know.”
He took a deep breath. “But I get that it’s . . . complicated.”
Caitlin bit her lip. It was obvious what he meant. It was weird, too—here she was, in Josh’s house, Josh’s basement, on a couch where she and Josh had made out hundreds of times. It was so familiar, and yet it was also totally . . . new.
“I mean, you and Josh are still together,” Jeremy said carefully. “But you don’t want to be with him, right?”
Caitlin cleared her throat. “No,” she admitted. “I don’t think so.”
Jeremy’s eyes gleamed. “Are you ready to be with me? To, like, really be with me? Not to hide under bleachers. Not to sneak around in my basement. Because I’m ready to be with you.”
It was such a simple question, but it gave Caitlin pause. She thought about what would happen if she broke up with Josh. What the team would think. The parties she probably wouldn’t be invited to anymore. How uncomfortable it would be next year at UDub.
But all that she could get past. It was the part about their families that tripped her up. Her parents, Josh’s parents—they were so into them being together. Would her moms be disappointed in her?
Then Jeremy leaned forward and kissed her again. Suddenly, all of Caitlin’s doubts faded away. She slid her hands up his tight abs, breathing in his scent.
“Yes,” she whispered. “Jeremy, yes. I’m ready.”
His lips moved tenderly across her neck and jawbone, and she closed her eyes, tilting her head back. That was when she saw the slice of yellow light from the door up the stairs. And that was when she saw a figure standing in the doorway, staring at them.
Caitlin shot back as Josh walked down the stairs, but it was too late. His gaze moved from Caitlin and then to his brother. His lip curled, and his nose wrinkled. His hands became tight fists.
“Josh,” Caitlin blurted worriedly, afraid Josh might punch his younger brother. “It’s not his fault.”
Josh stared at her again. “So it’s yours?” His nostrils flared. “He’s had a crush on you for years, Caitlin. I just never thought you’d fall for it.”
Then the basement door swung open wider. Caitlin turned. Josh and Jeremy’s parents appeared down the stairs. Both of them were in bathrobes and socks.
“What’s going on here?” Mr. Friday said sleepily. Then he noticed Caitlin. “Caitlin?” His voice grew stern. “I didn’t realize you were over.”
“Oh, Caitlin wanted a little alone time with Jeremy.” Josh’s voice was bitter. “Isn’t that right, Caitlin?”
All eyes turned to her. There were all sorts of words jammed in Caitlin’s throat, but she couldn’t quite get them out. She felt Jeremy sitting next to her, waiting for her to tell the truth. To say, It’s right. I’ve chosen Jeremy.
But somehow, even though it was true, she just couldn’t do it.
Instead, she felt herself jump up from the couch and back toward the basement door. “Um, I have to go,” she blurted, fumbling for the knob. “I’m sorry.”
The knob turned in her hands, and she fell through the door and into the garage. Just before she shut the door, she turned back and gave everyone a final look. The fury was clear on Josh’s face. Mr. and Mrs. Friday looked tired and confused. And then there was Jeremy. His mouth hung open. His eyes turned down at the corners. He looked like Caitlin had just slapped him.
But all she could do was stab the button to open the garage door. It growled to life, and she didn’t even wait until it was fully up before slipping outside. No one ran after her as she sprinted to her car. Maybe because no one knew what to make of what had happened.
Or maybe because they did.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE