Heat surrounds me. The fuzzy swirls of everything bright and harmonious buzzing in mystical waves. Last night was absolutely everything. From Cam's slow kisses to the way he held me securely in his arms to the way he took his time, peppering kisses along my cheek as he made sure I was okay.

I've imagined how that moment would play out. Who I'd give that vulnerable piece of me to. Would I enjoy it? Would I truly be ready? But everything about last night is beyond what I could have ever imagined. And the way Cam's arm drapes over my hip as his heavy breaths inhale and exhale, pitter-patters elegantly along my heart.

"Happy birthday," he whispers.

I smile, sliding my hand along his perfectly grooved abs and shifting my cheek to get a look at those eyes I love. "It's not my birthday."

"Weekend. Happy birthday weekend."

"As much as I know you love to make that a thing, it's not."

He leans forward to press a kiss along the top of my head. "You deserve more than one day, Kenze."

"Your charm is relentless."

"My charm is sexy."

"And cocky."

"No. That would be my ego," he counters. I laugh, falling helplessly for that adorable smile. "So," he continues, his voice dropping to one of sincerity and warmth. "How are you feeling this morning?"

I sit up just enough to place a hand along his cheek. "I'm happy."

His smile brings a light to his eyes. It's one that cascades across my chest, wrapping its arms around my heart. "I'm happy, too. Really freaking happy, Kenze."

Heat floods my cheeks, dancing along the distant buzz of insecurity. I know how last night was for me. It was this bubble of fantasy, of everything perfect. But for him...this isn't something new and whimsical.

"Was it...okay for you?"

His brows pulls together, creating the cutest little crease between his eyes. When my question clicks into place, his gaze softens and his hand slides up my arm. "Last night was everything. You are everything. It was...fuck Kenze, last night was more than anything I've ever felt before."

I bring my lips to his, feeling that melting ache of home as he opens up for me. He's that giddy feeling on Christmas morning, the fresh soothing smell of first rain, the peaceful beauty of sunset. He's everything happy.

The sudden sound of something clunking around—what sounds like the kitchen—has me jumping.

Cam smiles against my lips, his arms holding me close. "It's just my uncle."

Just his uncle. It's just his uncle walking around while I'm wearing only a t-shirt. A t-shirt that belongs to Cam. While I'm wrapped up in his arms...in his bed.

"Cam!" I push away from him only for him to pull me back against his chest.

"It's okay. He always goes for a morning run. He'll be gone in like two minutes."

"But what if he comes in to check on you? What if he decides he doesn't want to run today? What if–"

His lips meet mine, and I helplessly swallow my frantic ramble. I relax into him as my body melts into his.

"He always goes for a run," he says. "And even if he doesn't, my uncle loves you."

"He might love me a little less if he knew I'm lying half naked in your bed."

He smiles, his fingers reaching for my face and sliding my hair behind my ear. "You know, we could always just tell him. It would be kind of nice to share this with him. To show him how happy you've made me."

Why does he have to be so cute? "Cam, telling your uncle means telling my dad. And telling my dad means..."

"Telling your brothers," he finishes for me.

I nod. "I don't know about you, but I'm not exactly ready for that door to be swung open."

He's quiet, the tension laced across his jaw as the thoughts spin circles along his face. "What are you ready for, Kenze?"

I think about his question, about the million different answers I could give. I know what telling my brothers means...what telling Jare means. The overbearing, protective brother thing takes its toll, and if I'm being completely honest, I want to live in this carefree bubble as long as possible. One where I get to bask in Cam's warm embrace. One where I'm not going to be asked a million questions or one where Cam's going to be thrown in a difficult spot of questioning and hounding.

But as my stomach rumbles, I say the only thing taking the top concern at the moment. "I think I'm ready for breakfast."

He smiles, the tension leaving his chest as he pulls me into him. "Mel's?"

My mouth waters at the mere mention of a fresh stack of pancakes. "Definitely yes. I just need to stop home for clothes. I don't think showing up in last night's dress sends the most subtle message."

"You can borrow some clothes. I have it on good authority you look hot as hell in my shirt."

"I don't think prancing around town the morning after homecoming draped in your clothes is any less subtle."

"Fine. Your house it is. And then pancakes."

"With extra syrup."

He kisses me. "All the syrup."

"And a side of bacon."

Another kiss, this one longer as his tongue grazes mine. "I love bacon."

"And a chai latte."

He pulls me in, deepening the kiss as my chest meets his and he moans into my mouth.

"After," I breathe out, lifting myself on top of him.

"After," he agrees, clinging to my hips and pulling me into him.

I guess breakfast can wait.

——

The short drive back to my house is filled with stolen glances and playful laughter. It's kissing at every red light and hands tangled together. It's easy conversation and butterflies.

As we pull into my driveway and Cam puts the car in park, he brings my hand to his mouth, pressing a soft kiss along the inside of my wrist. His eyes meet mine in the quiet of his car.

"I'm pretty sure," he whispers almost so quietly that I'm not sure he actually spoke, but the tingle of his breath along my wrist has me clinging to every word. His gaze holds mine as he takes another breath, as if he's thinking about how to say the next set of words. "I'm pretty sure this is what it feels like to be falling."

My heart leaps in my chest, the swarm of butterflies spinning in indescribable circles. Heat floods my system and ignites every piece of me, consuming my veins and bringing that giddy warmth to every extremity. "I think this is exactly how it feels," I whisper back.

His forehead falls to mine, a smile igniting across his face as he brings his lips to mine.

"It's been a pretty good birthday," I say against his mouth.

His smile hits his eyes as he brings his hand to my cheek. "I thought birthday weekends weren't a thing."

I shrug. "It's growing on me."

He laughs, pressing another quick kiss to my lips. "Come on, birthday girl, let's get you a change of clothes so we can get those pancakes you were talking about."

We walk up to my door, his hand still in mine. Though I've thrown my dress back on, I'm still reveling in the warmth of his sweatshirt, in the comforting smell of everything him.

I reach for my keys, his chest against my back as I fumble to open the lock. He brings his lips to my neck, peppering kisses along my exposed skin. Missing the lock a few times on purpose, he smiles against me, brushing my hair from my shoulder and tugging at the collar of my sweatshirt to get a better taste.

When I finally get the door open, I spin to face him. He reaches for the pocket of my sweatshirt, trying to pull me back to him, but I take a swift step back, offering him a playful smile. He cocks a brow, challenging my sly move.

I take another step back. "I thought you were fast on your feet," I challenge.

His smile widens as he takes a step forward. With a small scream, I take off around the corner, running straight to the kitchen. As I turn through the small opening, I come to a sudden stop. Cam, chasing close behind, nearly topples over me but catches himself at the last second.

"Happy birthday, sis!" Jare announces, his arms spread out from side to side.

The kitchen is lined in balloons, streamers draping from the ceiling. Jare's eyes drift from mine to Cam's, holding for a brief second before they drop to the dress I'm wearing from last night, to the Vista High baseball sweatshirt draped three sizes too big across my torso.

"Jare," I finally speak. "What are you doing here?"

His eyes roll back to mine, his smile turning to a question. "It's your birthday tomorrow. We always spend your birthday together."

Right. Except I assumed this birthday would be different, seeing as he's not in the same area code.

"I kinda thought you'd be a little more excited to see me, though," he adds.

Shit. I smile, taking three quick steps forward and throwing my arms around him. "I am excited, Jare. I'm just in shock. I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too, Mack." He holds me for a moment. It feels really good to have him home. But the way he nearly collapses into me, like he's scared to let go, has me squeezing him a bit tighter.

"Hey," I whisper. "Is everything—"

"So," he pulls back, brushing me off with that Jare-infused smile. So, I guess we're not talking about the reason for the long hug. That or my sister-senses are clearly off. He glances back down at my morning-after wardrobe. "I take it you stayed on the beach last night?"

The beach?

"Yeah," Cam jumps in from behind me. "We both went to the homecoming bonfire, spent the night on the beach, and I offered to take her home this morning."

Jared's eyes flash to Cam's, holding for a moment before they come back to mine. "You went to the bonfire? And slept on the beach all night?"

I nod. "Yeah. I wanted to see what all the hype was about."

"And?" he questions. "What did you think?"

I hesitate, searching for the right set of words that won't give me away. "It was freezing."

He laughs. "Yeah. I froze my ass off last year. It was worth it though."

"Yeah," I agree. "Thankfully Cam had an extra sweatshirt in his car," I add, giving myself a high five for adding in that tiny detail.

"I'm glad he was there to look out for you. If I had known you were going to go, I would have shown up last night."

"I was fine, Jare."

He glances back at Cam, looking for some sense of reassurance to my statement, as if my words are not enough of validation. I turn back to look at Cam, his eyes set on my brother's as the two of them have some silent conversation.

"To be honest," I speak up, catching both of their attention. "It was the best night of my life."

I don't miss the way Cam fights back a smile, or the subtle shade of pink that hits his cheeks.

"Well," Jare says, "I can't wait to hear all about it over breakfast. I don't know about you two, but I'm starving."

Cam clears his throat. "We were actually going to head to Mel's after Kenze got dressed."

"Perfect," Jare responds as he claps his hands together. "I have missed a good French toast."

Perfect. I reach for a glass, pouring myself a quick cup of water to soothe the wave of heat that's suddenly taking over me. "Great," I smile.

"I also want to hear about your night," Jare adds, looking at Cam.

"I'd have to second what Kenze said. Best night of my life."

Smiling behind my glass with heated cheeks, I take a sip of water.

"Oh yeah?" Jare asks, his own cocky smile lighting up as he wiggles his eyebrows. "Can't wait to hear who made it the best night of your life."

I choke on a gulp of water, coughing frantically as I hit my chest. My brother turns to face me. I hold up a hand to wave him off. "Wrong pipe," I stutter, still fighting back a cough.

My brother nods, shifting his eyes back to Cam. "But please don't tell me it was Porcia, man."

Cam's cocky eyes meet mine. "It wasn't Porcia," he answers, holding my gaze.

"Thank fuck," my brother answers. "I know she's into you and all, but she's in it for the wrong reasons. You know that just as well as I do."

"Trust me," Cam says. "I have no interest in Porcia."

I smile, placing my glass in the sink. I slowly walk out of the kitchen and give the two of them some space.

As I make my way to my bedroom, that ping of doubt hits my chest. My brother is here for the weekend. And now we're both lying to his face. But telling him the truth means losing a bit of that whimsical bubble Cam and I have been living in. Telling my brother means changing everything.

I'm not ready to let go of blissful giddiness.

I don't know what the hell I'm supposed to do now.