Danny offered to host the barbecue. The house his apartment resides in has a wide space out back to relax. It's a night of Dominoes and beer as we gather around an outdoor patio table. It's nice to hang out with just the guys again. Being older though, there's this funny feeling inside my stomach that makes me uneasy. I can't shake the fact that I'll forever be "one of the guys" and that's all anyone, even outsiders will ever see me as.

"I think Strippers are out of the question," Danny says, as my mind slowly floats back into the conversation.

"What does the lady think?" Everett jokes.

"I'm impartial. It's Bennett's night and if he wants a woman to shake what she's got in front of him so be it. I'm not here to complain."

"Really?" Bennett asks.

I shrug. "Your night, Ben. What do you want to do?"

In the corner of my eye Danny's brow lifts with a teasing glare, and I find it easy to smile at him.

"Oh - what about paintball?" Everett asks.

Bennett's face lights up at that idea. I'm not opposed, even though I'll probably get my ass whooped, and end up with bruises, it's something to do. As the guys get loud talking about the different options, I find myself staring off at the large, enclosed space. The yard itself is empty, but well-maintained and has beautiful landscaping. Bushes lining the newly stained fence are all trimmed properly. I don't know why I'm spacing out.

Thing's kind of feel like they are falling back into place. Being back here with the guys is nice. It feels the same, yet it's different all at the same time. After my trip to the beach with Bennett, part of me is still wishing the one walking down that aisle to greet him would be me, the other half see's someone different. We've drifted, and the boy I left two summers ago is not the same, nor is the relationship between us. It's strained more than usual, but I hope it's not broken for good.

My phone vibrates in the pocket of my jean shorts. Slipping it out I see a message from Danny. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and when I glance up, he's watching me with a timid grin on his face. Diving back into the message there's a picture of his living room and a large empty entertainment center. When I came over, I went through the side gate, so I haven't been inside yet, but this makes me want to go in.

I find myself looking up again. His brows wiggle, and my heart does an unexpected flop at the sight of him. Something happened that day in the car. If Bennett hadn't shown up, would he have kissed me? It sure felt like it. Would I have stopped him? I'm not so sure.

He nods his head in the direction of the house, and I'm up and out of my seat before him.

"I'll be right back."

Everett and Bennett are deep in conversation, they don't acknowledge my words. Even when Danny gets up and follows behind me, they are so wrapped up in what's happening between them that they don't notice.

I race for the door, Danny at my heels. My hand slips on the sliding glass door. His laughter hangs over me as he presses his body against mine to reach for the handle. I stumble inside through the small dining room and straight to the living room, which is all one space.

Against the wall is a beautiful open shelf TV unit made of perfectly stained wood. I gasp at the sight of it, and at the piles of DVDs stacked in front. He's so close behind me that when I spin, I fall right into his grasp, and he catches me.

"For me?" I ask wide eyed.

"Well, I was going to save it for after, but I saw the look on your face when they started discussing all the technical aspects of paintball, so I thought you might want to get started?"

"I do, but...," I say, grabbing hold of his hands.

I tug him over to the piles of DVDs and sit cross legged on the floor. Then I glance up and pat the spot beside me. "You're helping this time."

He's easily convinced to do it with me.

I'm not sure how long we're in here before the other two finally come searching for us. The shelves are already halfway full.

"What on earth is happening?" Bennett asks, as he walks through the threshold of the living room space.

"Fallon is teaching me the art of alphabetizing my DVDs."

"Dude, we're supposed to be discussing my bachelor party, not organizing your house."

"Sorry, Ben. Danny knows I can't refuse an empty shelf of things that could be set in ABC order. I did his bookshelf already, so now we're working on - oh my god." I pause, staring down at the movie in my hand. "Holes? You still have this? Oh - we are so watching it."

I stand and dust off my shorts. I'm excited to find Danny's DVD player.

"Holes! Shia was actually awesome in that," Everett says.

"I'll make the popcorn?" Bennett asks.

"So, you're in then?" I turn to him, smiling.

"Of course, you know I can't pass up that movie."

This was supposed to be a planning party, but it's turned into movie night with the boys. We all squeeze onto Danny's comfortable tan couch. Danny on my left, Bennett on my right, and Everett on the other side of him.

While the last few weeks have not gone as planned, and things are forever going to change, I can't think of a better moment than sitting here with my best friends doing what we always loved to do together.

Halfway through the movie Danny covers my hand with his. I'm not expecting it, and release a soft gasp, one I hope the other guys don't hear. I turn my hand over slowly, allowing his fingertips to dance along my skin. I spread my fingers open just enough so that his slip through mine. It feels strangely intimate the way he's holding on. My body reacts by scooting closer. Without a care in the world, I lean and rest my head on his shoulder. He wraps an arm over me, allowing me to sink lower into his chest.

Knowing the other two are here doesn't bother me, not as his fingers skim along the hem of my shirt right where there's a tiny inch of exposed skin, and not as I fall further into his arms and catch my eyelids falling heavy with sleep.

I woke up early today because of a job interview. I promised myself the summer to make a steady plan, but I need the money. Getting out of my parent's house sooner than later is better, so I don't fall into a trap of being stuck. Between the searching, the disappointment with Bennett, and these crazy new feelings, I've been more exhausted than usual.

I'm not sure how long I've been out. Danny stirs under me, waking me a bit. Quiet surrounds us. When I open my eyes, we're in the darkness of his living room. The two spots beside me are bare, the only ones here are Danny and me. A blanket is draped over us. His breathing is slow like he's asleep too. I wonder if we fell asleep together and the other two let themselves out. Either way, I know I should get home, but I'm not sure I want to move.

"Hey," he whispers.

"Hey."

"Everyone left."

He adjusts a little. "Well would you look at that. Wow, it's late," he says, squinting towards the cable box inside the TV unit.

2:16AM, it reads.

"Shit. I should get home."

"Nah. It's really late or early," he chuckles. "Stay. Here, let's do this. Get up."

He nudges me and I move. Danny throws all the decorative pillows from the couch, removes the cushions, and pulls out the bed underneath. I help him find some sheets, a comforter, and extra pillows.

"Are you sure it's okay that I stay?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" he asks, as we crawl in under the same navy blue down comforter together.

"My feet are cold," I say, sticking them on his leg.

He jumps with a yelp. Laughing hard, I spin and face him. It's hard to see in the darkness, but I don't need the light to tell that he's smiling too.

"Don't you sleep with socks, woman?" he questions.

"Nope, drives me crazy."

I spin back so that my back is to him. His body moves a little closer until his arm drapes over me.

"So, what should we do for our first slumber party? Should we have a pillow fight?" he asks, his breath tickling my ear as he speaks.

"No. We sleep."

"But we did that already," he whines.

"Is this how you are at all your sleepovers with girls?"

"Oh, a cucumber facial mask?" He teases.

His arm tightens around me as he shakes the bed with his laughter. I'd almost forgotten how easy it is just being with Danny. He's always been the carefree spirit that I needed in my life.

"What about manicures?" I ask. "I could polish your nails - hmmm pink maybe."

"What do you know about nail polish? The only time I've ever seen you wear it was prom."

I laugh, squeezing my hand around his strong forearm. "You're right. How about we just do this."

"Didn't realize you were such a cuddler, Fal," he chuckles.

"I'm not usually, but a lot has happened recently, maybe I'm craving comfort."

With that confession he holds on tighter. "You don't mind that it's from me, and not him?"

His question catches me off guard. Glancing over my shoulder it's hard to see his expression. He rests his chin against my shoulder, our faces only inches apart like in the truck.

"Confession?"

"Go ahead," he whispers.

"This feels a hundred times more real than what I feel for him."

I'm not sure where that came from, but its true. Being here with Danny I'm more relaxed than I ever was with Bennett. I always felt the need to impress him or get his attention. With Danny it's just natural to fall into his touch and be here with him. I like it. A lot.

He's quiet. Too quiet. I'm afraid I've ruined everything. Even I'm blown away by my confession, but I've truly never felt so at home until now with Danny.

"Fallon?" His voice comes out gruff and quiet in my ear.

"Yeah?" My own voice is weak.

"It's real for me too."

And just like that my heart swells with warmth. Not just my heart, but my whole body. There's no more talking as our breathing falls in line with each other, they are soft gentle breaths that eventually push me to the verge of sleep. A sleep I'd rather forgo, so I can bask in the way he holds me. It almost makes me forget why I liked Bennett in the first place, because with him, our connection was never like this. It never felt real, only one sided, but this, this is what love should feel like. Safe, easy, passionate, and felt by both parties.