I showed her no mercy. She begged for release. I had her quite breathless when my door suddenly flew open. The distraction was all it took. She got her legs under me and launched me off the bed. I landed with a thud on the other side.

"Careful there, Brynn. He's on the mend. We're hoping he can play ball again," I hear my Dad say.

"Gotcha, Mr. Nash. Loud and clear," Brynn said immediately sitting up and giggling some more when my head pops up from the other side of the bed.

"Finn, I'm already in trouble with your Mom. Door wide open, okay?"

"Yeah," I say as I get to my feet, trying to do the manly thing of acting like that didn't hurt, but it soooo did. I know I'll be bruised tomorrow.

She smirks at me once my Dad walks out of sight. Sticks out her tongue and then says, "Serves you right."

"Don't think with the door open that you're any safer," I warn her.

"Finn?!"

She must have seen the look in my eyes. She was quicker than I thought as I pounced once more but she somehow got up and to my door before I could reach her.

"Where do you think you are going?" I tease.

She suddenly frowns. "Well, truth is I can't stay."

"What? But you just got here. I thought..."

"I know. I just came by to let you know I was home in person to end your misery, but I promised Gran a debriefing of the week and to take her to run some errands."

I couldn't avoid the groan that escaped my lips as I rolled over on my back, lying across my bed. "Well, this sucks."

She dared to come closer, and now stood at the side of my bed, looking down at me with a grin.

"Cheer up little buckaroo. There's always tomorrow."

I leaned up on my elbows. Tomorrow. That's right! We still have Sunday! Fearing to get my hopes up I say, "How much time do you have?"

"Well, if I get everything done today with Gran... all day."

All Day! She said all day! An entire day of Brynn. My heart wanted to leap through my chest, but I played it cool.

"So, want to do something tomorrow?"

She smiles in that way that says she isn't fooled. "I don't know. Maybe?"

I sit up, squinting my eyes at her while biting the inside of my cheek to avoid smiling. "Well, if you're too busy I guess I can always call up Jessica and ..."

She tackles me on the bed. "Don't you DARE finish that sentence," she warns.

I laugh. "Alright, you win. Tomorrow it's just you and me for as long as you can stand me."

"Oh, I can stand you all right," she said and to prove it she gave me a kiss I could feel right down to my toes.

"Ahem!"

I roll my eyes. Brynn immediately backs away, so suddenly it's almost as if Brynn believes if she were caught kissing me my Mom might give her a detention or a demerit or something.

What do my parents have against my happiness... seriously?

She has that look that I know means we're going to have "a talk" later and looks over at Brynn. "Your Grandmother called. She's looking for you."

"I was uh..." Brynn still looks nervous and points to me then to the door. "I was just leaving," she says and tries to skirt past my Mom who graciously stands aside to allow her to pass.

I stand up and go to follow them both down the hall, to the steps to and stop at the front door. My progress is much slower than theirs.

My Mom detours to the kitchen allowing me to say good-bye without her watchful eye.

"She's not mad is she?" Brynn looks worried.

"My mom doesn't get mad, she gets even. I'm sure I'm in for a talking to but I can handle it. I'm a tough guy," I say flexing my bicep to prove my point.

Brynn chuckles. "Please, you are many things Finn Nash but a tough guy isn't one of them."

"Hey!" I admonish, although not really insulted.

"It's true." she says matter-of-factly.

"Uh-huh. What time tomorrow?" I say changing the subject.

"I'll text you when I'm free."

"Look at you getting all cozy with the technology. Welcome to the 21st century!"

She gives me a shove but I grab hold of her and pull her in close.

"For what it's worth Brynn, I really am glad you're back. I've missed you."

She takes a moment to look into my eyes and gives me that smile I adore. "See you tomorrow, Loveface."

"That reminds me..."

But I don't get to finish my sentence as she is kissing me again.

She breaks free and skips down the walk. Turns and gives me the little hands heart like she did that first day before blowing me a kiss and getting on the bus only this time she's getting into a car. I laugh at her antics. She makes me feel so good. She makes me feel alive.

Funny though, I didn't even know she drives. It strikes me hard as I watch her drive away just how little I know about Brynn and yet...

"Finn Dashiell Nash! Kitchen! NOW!"

I slowly close the door, leaning my head against it only for a moment, before hobbling to the kitchen. There are not one but both parents standing together. Looks like the Axis found an Ally and have formed a united front. Okay, here we go.

"Have a seat, kiddo," my dad says pulling out a chair.

Okay, he's still good cop. Which means...

"I set certain rules, rules not guidelines, which I expect to be followed," my mom begins.

Yep, bad cop.

"Look before you both get yourselves all fired up, there is nothing of note going on between me and Brynn. We've had one date and if the fates are kind I may get a second chance to make a better impression tomorrow. So, simmer down, guys. It's not that serious."

Both the 'rents stare at one another. Sometimes I swear they can communicate through telepathy. My mom actually nods like something was said and agreed upon, and to my surprise chose to leave the room.

"Take a seat, Finn," Dad says, again pointing to the chair.

I reluctantly take it.

"Dad..."

He holds up a hand to stop what I was about to say.

"If you honestly believe you aren't in deep with Brynn. Then we have an even bigger issue here."

I feel myself frown and I look away.

"Okay, yes I like her... a lot, but Brynn is...well, she's nowhere near ready for anything serious. She sure as hell is not the kind of girl to jump into bed with any guy and I ain't that kind of guy either."

My dad smiles at me. "Never thought you were. Your Mom and I are aware we raised you better than that, or well at least that was our hope. You and Brynn however..." He gave this long pause looking for the right words. I wondered what he was struggling with.

"If you remain together, it obvious there may come a time where..."

My eyebrows raised, my head tilted. I felt like I wanted to have the ability to pull the words out of him. "Dad are you worried about me using protection or some such nonsense?"

My dad runs a palm over his face. "As much as I'd love to be a grandparent someday... I'm just not ready for that event to take place anytime soon. Your mother isn't either."

"Not going to happen," I try and reassure him.

"Make sure it doesn't," he says with that dad voice that gives it a note of finality that you know the discussion has ended and if you dare not heed his warning, you'll be in a heap of trouble.

I stand up to my full height. I look him square in the eye. I'm taller than him by several inches, he has to look up to me and I say again, "Not.. going... to happen."

He nods and has a look of respect I haven't seen before. I can tell he's proud of me on a whole new level and I suddenly feel older.

My mom circles back to the kitchen.

I look over at her. "Don't think your getting off that easy, miss," I say in that tone that she uses with her students.

She innocently looks up. I know she was listening to every word. "Mind telling me what you showed Brynn in that album you stashed under the counter?"

"Who me?" she questions innocently.

"Yes, you... I'm getting together with her tomorrow and the one thing I have learned with Brynn is forewarned is forearmed. Tell me what you know woman!"

She laughs. "Okay, fine."

Everything was back to normal or as normal as it was going to be. My mom and I spent the rest of the day together. Dad had to get back to work but he joined us for dinner and was just in time for Mom to torture us both by making us watch the Hallmark Channel... AGAIN and then it was off to bed.

I could not wait until tomorrow. I fell asleep, as I have most nights, thinking of Brynn.