7. Ass Over Tits
7
Ass Over Tits
Trevor
Today hasn’t been what I expected. Somehow, it’s been better—more. It’s been more than I thought it could be.
When I planned our all-day date, I was hoping we’d connect, but I wasn’t expecting to tell her about my dad. I wasn’t ruling it out because I never want to hide what he means to me or how his death shaped me, but getting that heavy on our first date wasn’t part of my plan. But then she asked about him. Not only for herself, but for me. Because she knew I wanted to talk about it.
In the same way, I’ve gotten to see more sides of her than I was expecting. It’s clear we’re both holding back some things—like the reasons we left Syracuse. Talk about a mindfuck that we went to the same college and never knew each other.
Like I camped at her family’s campground.
Growing up in Ida meant I knew all my friends from a young age. Now all of a sudden, my dream girl walks into my life like something out of an actual dream because I feel like there’s some piece of me she found. Like it had been locked away and now that we’ve finally connected, I can touch it and feel it again… and that all sounds crazy.
But what’s crazier than this tether between us? Years of missed connections leading us together now.
Were we supposed to find each other sooner?
I’m trying not to dwell on that because the answer doesn’t do me any good.
We’re here now, and I intend to enjoy every second, savor every smile, and memorize every laugh. And all the ways to her heart. Definitely adding chocolate right to the top of that list. She was bouncing with excitement from the second we walked inside the chocolatier, and she’d have bought the whole store if she could have. I spent double what I was planning to there, but it was totally worth it to watch her eyes light up as the cashier added chocolate after chocolate to her bag.
“Tell me one thing you couldn’t live without.”
We’re on our way back to Old Lake Town now. Both on the drive to the chocolatier and now on the way back, we’ve been asking each other random questions to get to know each other better.
The first response that jumps into my brain is baseball, but I don’t want to go there today. I don’t want to bring up all the shit I went through. I’m having a good time, and if her response earlier is any indication, she doesn’t want to talk about what she’s been through yet, either.
The thing is, besides my mom and Hyla, which is kind of duh and not the point of the question, I don’t know what else to say.
So when I open my mouth, what comes out?
“Sarcasm.”
She laughs and turns to look at me. “Sarcasm. Seriously?”
I double down. “Yes. Why is that bad? Sarcasm is essential to my daily life.”
“It’s not bad. But it’s either a copout answer—we all thrive on sarcasm. It’s the curse of the chaos of this world. Or it’s a serious answer, in which case I need to know more.”
Her response gives me pause, mostly because I would’ve said it was the first, which is a little shitty of me. But when I think about it… why was that my response?
“Oh no. You’ve gone quiet. Did I break you?”
“No—maybe? I’ve never thought about it that seriously before. I said it as a copout answer, but I’m not sure it was. I use sarcasm to change the subject, shift the focus from anything that hurts me, keep a wall up. Fuck, am I just sad and broken? What have you done to me?”
She laughs. Laughs .
“You’re dramatic. And no. I don’t think you’re sad and broken. Most people use humor or sarcasm or self-deprecation—hi, it’s me—to avoid their feelings or deflect. The fact that you’re self-aware enough to realize it means you’re anything but broken. Plus, I see that vulnerability in you. It might protect you, but it also makes you smile—probably makes other people smile—and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
I glance at her, wishing there was a pull-off here so I could stop the car and really look at her. Am I that obvious or does she just see me? My heart flares, beating erratically.
I’ve never felt like this before.
I loved Sarah. It was real. Not puppy love or anything else. We cared deeply for each other and were a big part of each other’s lives. When she broke up with me, I was crushed. But a part of me knew it was right. I didn’t know how right until today. Until Chelsea smiled at me and laughed at my stupid jokes and saw me. Not the grumpy exterior. Not my sarcasm. Not the kid who’s still mourning his dad after all this time. Me. Just me. The real me. Whoever that is. I’m not entirely sure I know anymore. But she does. And somehow, she hasn’t run screaming yet.
I drag my hand back to the steering wheel and clear my throat. “Same question. What could you not live without?”
“Hmm…” She looks out the window, then she gets that stunning, vibrant smile that makes my heart feel all warm and gooey. “Can you roll down the windows?”
“Uh, sure.”
I roll them all down a bit, but she grins at me and says, “All the way.”
So I do it. Then she turns the radio on, messing with the buttons until she finds a station. Before I can even process what song it is, she cranks the volume up.
“Holy shit. What—why?”
“This is it. This is what I can’t live without,” she yells over the music.
“Party in the U.S.A?” I ask when my brain finally comprehends what song it is.
She laughs, all sweet and sultry. “No. Not the song. Blasting music with the windows down. I swear it heals a little piece of my soul every time.”
She throws one arm out the window and sings along with the song, and damn if I don’t fall a little harder watching her.
When the song is done, she pulls her arm back inside and turns down the music.
“We’re almost to our next stop, so hit me with another question,” I tell her.
She thinks for a moment, then a wicked smile crosses her face. “The other night, I called you adorable, and you said you had plenty of different words you’d use to describe me. What are they?”
Damn, she’s good.
“Okay, for that, you’re waiting until we get to the parking lot.”
I navigate through downtown Old Lake Town until we get to the large parking lot on the main strip.
Once I’m parked, I turn to her.
“If we’re being honest, I don’t remember what all the words I was thinking that night were, but I’ve got plenty more words now. Better ones, because in only a day, I know you better. So let’s start with adorable. That’s what you asked me, and you are, but that’s the tip of the iceberg. You’re kind, thoughtful, funny, drop-dead sexy, hurting, strong, compassionate, and the kind of person I want to spend more time with and know in every way. You captivate me, Chelsea. I want more. So much more.”
She stares at me for a long moment, exhaling a shuddery breath. “That was…” She clears her throat. “A really good answer. And I want to know you better too.” She gazes at me, her eyes locking with mine for a moment, then she leans in and kisses my cheek. “Today hasn’t been at all what I was expecting, but this is my best first date ever.”
Good, because it’s your last one.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to say it, but I don’t. There’s no question I see an epic future with this girl. She sees me in a way I’m not sure anyone else ever has before. Besides maybe my mom or Hyla, but still, something about this is different.
It’s right .
That’s all I wanted from today, and so far, so good.
Chelsea
Trevor Matteny is the sexiest man alive.
I said what I said.
It’s not the perfectly floppy curls or his star-flecked, raven-colored eyes. Not the grumpy exterior that’s always betrayed by his gorgeous smile. It’s him . His thoughtfulness, compassion, and big heart. He’s the squishiest marshmallow on the inside, and I love whenever I see that side of him. Seeing the vulnerable, aching side of him—while hard because I hate knowing he’s hurting—draws me to him even more. It’s so earnest and a rare glimpse of the real him.
The voices in the back of my head saying it’s too good to be true have been beaten to a bloody pulp. Because I’ve seen his nuances. He’s not perfect, but he might be perfect for me.
It’s hard to think anything but that when we’re standing in the bookstore so we can pick a romantasy book series to read together.
When he told me he wanted to do this, I almost melted on the spot. Technically, we’re just picking which series I already own but haven’t read yet that we want to read together so he can buy them too, but the idea alone is so damn swoony.
As fun as it is to buddy read with Robbie, reading a series like this with Trevor might make me spontaneously combust.
It’d be totally worth it, though.
This is stop number three-point-five on our date, and I’m kind of hoping it never ends. I don’t want my sparkly perfect date to turn back into a pumpkin.
Or something like that.
Maybe I should look for some fairytale retellings.
“You’ve got a wandering eye,” Trevor says, voice way too husky for this small-town bookstore.
I turn to him with my sweetest smile. “You brought me to a bookstore. I don’t know what else you’d expect.”
He nods toward the books I was looking at. “Go pick one. And grab a copy for me too.”
I pop a kiss on his cheek. “Keep treating me like this and you’ll never get rid of me.”
His smoldering eyes tell me that’s the plan.
And if it is… I think I like it.
After buying all the books, he leads me back out onto Old Lake Town’s main street.
It’s not far from my apartment building, and there are views of the lake in the distance.
“So, what’s next?”
He smiles and looks down the street. “Dinner, but it’s not just one stop. On this strip, there are two food trucks and three restaurants with walk-up windows. We’re doing a food tour and stopping at all of them.”
“Books and street food? You know the way to my heart.”
“Figuring it out, at least. C’mon.”
He takes the bag of books in one hand and grabs my hand with the other. Something about the way he tugs on my arm makes me feel like a little kid running off to find the best ride at a carnival.
“Okay, so, we have a walk-up window at the Mexican restaurant, the noodle place, and the Italian restaurant with the grilled pizzas. Then there’s a Korean food truck and Burgers and Sh!t, which is a food truck from Ida. Where are we going first?”
I laugh at that. “We’re going to need our own truck to put all the food in.”
“Nah, we’ll take it slow.”
“Okay, I’m thinking noodles first. Good appetizer. Then maybe tacos?”
“Perfect. Let’s get started.”
We don’t take it slow. We order something from each place and try to balance it all in our hands. Burgers and Sh!t is our last stop, and when we get to the window to order, the man in the truck gets a huge smile on his face. “Trevor Matteny. How many of you kids are up here these days?”
“The whole friend group practically. How are you, Benny?”
“I’m doing well. Expanding out to some of the college towns has been great for our business. How about you? Since the accident?”
I almost laugh. Somehow, the small-town charm of Ida has landed here in the middle of Old Lake Town.
“I’m okay. By the way, this is Chelsea. Consider her an extension of the friend group.”
Benny gives Trevor a knowing smile. “So always give her extra fries. Got it.” He winks at us. “What’ll you have?”
Gesturing to the rest of the food, Trevor orders the mixed sliders appetizer and some fries. Somehow, I don’t think we were getting away without fries.
With all our food in hand, we find a picnic table in the small park and splay out all the food.
“This looks incredible. I have to say, you’re pretty good at this whole date-planning thing.”
He shrugs. “Sometimes getting dressed up for a fancy dinner is nice, but spending the day together seemed like a better way to get to know each other.”
“It has been.” I take a bite of the chicken tacos and almost groan in happiness. So good. “Is it weird that I already feel like I’ve known you forever?”
“I felt that way the second we met. It’s stronger now, though.” His thigh presses against mine. “Especially finding another connection between us. And talking. I know we didn’t go too deep, but I liked learning more about you. The bigger things and the tiny ones.”
“Me too. Especially the little things.”
His eyes lock with mine and a blush creeps into my cheeks. I’m about to turn away, break the intense gaze, and focus on the food in front of me, but he catches my cheek, cupping it with his palm. The softest smile appears on his face, like he’s in awe of me.
“Can we keep doing this? Talking, spending time together, dating? I don’t want to push, but every second I spend with you makes me want another.”
I’m nodding before he’s even finished speaking, but it takes my mouth a second to catch up. “Yes. I know I’ve been cautious about this, but please don’t take my hesitance for disinterest. I’m enjoying spending time with you too. That sounds stupid and too simple for what we’ve been doing, but—”
“Not stupid.”
He stares at me for a moment longer, then his gaze drifts down to my lips. I hold my breath, lips tingling as I wait for him to kiss me, but true to how he’s been all day, he holds off, sliding his hand down my cheek and into my hair, giving one of the strands a playful tug before turning back to his food.
I do the same, even though my heart is beating so hard, I’m struggling to catch my breath.
Shoving more taco into my mouth will help, obviously. And when I do, I groan out loud this time, and Trevor laughs.
“That good?”
“They remind me of taco nights growing up. My grandma has the best taco recipes. We’d do a whole taco bar. Her, my dad, and Robbie.”
“Family recipe?” he asks.
I laugh. “Nope. As my grandma says, she’s an English bastardess.”
Trevor chokes on his taco. “What?”
“Her words. She’s a mix of British, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish.”
“She sounds like a character.”
“Most definitely. She’s where I got my love of spicy romance books from.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Seriously?”
“Yep. Don’t act so surprised. Think about it. One day your mom is going to be the spicy romance reading grandma.”
His face scrunches. “I don’t ever want to think about it like that again.” I can’t help but laugh at his wounded puppy expression. “Subject change, please.”
“Fine…” I take another bite of my taco, then ask, “Do you cook?”
He nods. “Yep. My parents were always in the kitchen together cooking. After my dad died, my mom had me in the kitchen with her to keep that tradition alive. Every year, we cook up a whole Thanksgiving feast, even though it’s usually just us and sometimes Hyla.”
“That’s really cool. Special.”
“Yeah. What about you? You cook?”
“I’m decent, but I get bored with anything longhand. I can do basic baked goods and one-pot meals, but beyond that, I lose interest and burn things.”
“So, not a hobby then?”
I laugh. “Not quite. As you might’ve noticed, I’d rather be reading.”
“Just not reading recipes.”
“Hey, I’ll read the recipe to you if you cook it for me.”
“Sounds like a good plan for a future date.”
“There you go assuming things again,” I tease. But since I don’t want him to think I’m not interested, I quickly add, “Although if there’s food involved, I’d be hard pressed to say no.”
He laughs and looks at the spread around him. “Glad I’m still a growing boy and need all kinds of calories.”
“Thank God. It would’ve been horrible if you were one of those meatheads counting your grams of protein at every meal. Life is way too short to count calories. It sucks all the joy out of life, and being joyful and having fun is important to me right now.”
He taps his taco against mine, nodding to the spread in front of us. “I think we’re off to a good start.”
“We are.” But I’m not talking about food or even finding joy again. I’m talking about us, because no matter how slow we take this, I’m not delusional enough to believe this is anything but the beginning of us . As scary as it is, it’s exciting, and I’m already dreaming about more.
We took our time eating, then wandered around town more. Both of us dragged our feet and tried to find any excuse not to walk back to his car. The drive back to my apartment has gone too quickly, and it takes everything inside me not to pout when I see its brick facade.
When Trevor pulls up to the curb by my building, it feels like another lifetime ago that I left it.
“Is it weird that I don’t want this to end?” I turn to him. “I’d invite you in, but—”
“No buts. We’re taking this slow. I’m good with that.” Then he opens his door and climbs out, hustling around the front of his car to open my door for me.
He holds out his hand to help me out, and I take it, smiling like a schoolgirl with a crush.
Like the perfect gentleman he’s proven himself to be, he walks me to the front porch of the building, stopping and turning to face me. He grabs my hands, holding them tightly as he looks into my eyes.
“Thanks for taking a chance on me today. This was the best day I’ve had in a long time.”
“Same,” I breathe. “Thank you for being patient with me. For still wanting to do this after the night we met. I had an amazing time with you.”
He drags his teeth over his bottom lip. “Good. Does that mean we can see each other again? Maybe soon?”
I bite back my laugh. “Definitely. But I’m planning the next date.”
His brows lift, but then he breaks into that gorgeous smile. “Sounds perfect.”
I brush my thumbs over his as that breath-stealing tension seeps in again.
There’s a tiny hitch in his breath as he unfurls our hands and cups my face, his fingers wrapping around the back of my neck as his thumbs brush my cheeks.
Kiss me .
I scream it internally. Even though I shouldn’t because it’d be moving too fast again, I want to claw at him and drag him to my lips.
I don’t, but I’m hanging on by a thread.
He rests his forehead against mine, his labored breaths tickling my lips until finally he closes the gap between us.
Sparks shoot everywhere as his lips touch mine, and I lean in, hands fisting the back of his shirt because I want him closer.
I leaped into our first kiss and was in over my head.
As much as I wanted him then, this is different.
It’s chaste but still passionate. There’s not even a whisper of his tongue against my lips and yet, I don’t need more. This is perfect. Wild, but not unhinged.
My body hums with desire, and a contented moan slips out. His fingers curl into my hair at the sound. He drags the kiss out, lighting a fire inside me, and when he finally pulls away, it’s like the burst of water that douses a fire, and I’m desperate for more flames—more warmth.
He smiles down at me. “Slow,” he whispers.
Something else deep inside me relaxes. Some fear calmed by that one word. Even though I want to rush past where I’m comfortable, he keeps us in this safe space so I won’t do something I’m not ready for.
I bite back the urge to thank him again and nod.
We stare at each other again, neither of us wanting to break the intensity of the moment, but slowly, his hands slide out of my hair and down my arms.
“Text or call me if you need anything.” He gives me a sheepish smile. “Or you just want to talk.”
I twine my fingers with his again. “I will.” If anything, it’ll be a feat not to text him as soon as I get inside. But I can wait until tomorrow. Let myself miss him a little. If I ever manage to let go of his hands.
I wait for him to let go, make a move to walk away, but he doesn’t.
Then he leans in, that smooth voice sending a chill up my spine. “If you think I’m leaving before you’re safely inside, you haven’t been paying attention.”
I laugh at that. He’s right. After today, I should’ve been expecting that.
Since we can’t stand here all night, I reluctantly pull my hands from his.
“Today was amazing.” I press my lips against his cheek. “Get home safe.”
“I will. Have a good night.” I squeeze his hand and turn toward the door, only for his velvety voice to wash over me one last time. “Sweet dreams.”
And then he smiles like he knows just how sweet they’ll be.
I pause for half a second, smiling to myself, then go inside, hurrying up the stairs and into my apartment. Once I’m inside, I run to the window and watch him walk back to his car. Before he gets in, he looks up at my window and smiles.
I fall back onto the couch, kicking my feet and squealing.
Meeting Trevor wasn’t on my bingo card. Neither was how easily I’m falling head over heels for him.
No, that’s not right.
Head over heels is too smooth and delicate for the wild and chaotic chemistry flowing between us.
I need something that matches that. Something less graceful.
What’s less graceful than head over heels?
Ass over tits.
Yep. That’s right.
I’m falling ass over tits for Trevor Matteny.
Trevor
I’m on cloud nine when I get out of my car at the lake house.
I don’t know who came up with that saying, but it’s woefully inaccurate. After today I’m on cloud ninety-nine. One hundred. A thousand.
Chelsea is… everything. Looking at her, she’s my dream girl. But in getting to know her, she’s so much more than I ever knew I wanted. She single-handedly turned my world upside down and knocked me on my ass.
I’m loving every second.
I’m like Gene Kelly hanging off that streetlight in Singing in the Rain.
When I walk into the lake house, I’m whistling . I can’t remember the last time I was this happy. Which must be why I walk straight upstairs, ignoring the stares from half of my housemates, and come to a stop outside of the master bedroom.
Sarah’s inside, standing by the bed, folding clothes.
I quickly knock and her head snaps toward the doorway.
“Hey.”
“Can I come in?”
“Of course. What’s up?”
“Thank you,” I blurt.
Her brows shoot up. “What?”
“Thank you. For breaking up with me.”
“Oh.” The surprise on her face morphs into a wicked, knowing smile that, despite not being genetically related, she got from her grandmother. “Today was your date with Chelsea.”
“Yep.”
“I take it things went well.”
“Definitely.” Is calling it the best day of my life too dramatic? “It was…” I’m struggling to find the words. Perfect still seems wrong. Right sounds too weak. “Everything.”
Her smile grows. “That’s adorable. I love it.”
I run a hand through my hair. “So anyway, thank you for ending things when you did. I’m sure that sounds stupid, but I would’ve held on too tightly for too long, and even if I’d realized it felt wrong eventually, I would’ve tried to force it, and we both would’ve ended up unhappy. And missed out on something better. Because what I feel with Chelsea is—”
“Right.”
She looks down at the clothes she’s folding. Not just hers. Joel’s too.
“Yeah.”
“I’m glad you’re happy.”
“Are you happy?”
She looks around the room, a smile of wonder on her face. “Yeah. I am. I’m still scared to screw it up, but I feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”
Me too.
“Good. Well, I’ll leave you to it. Have a good night.”
“Yeah. You too.” I turn to leave, but she calls after me. “Try to keep the noise down in there.”
I laugh and throw my middle finger up as I walk away.
I’m too happy to even jerk off tonight.
When I get to my room, I strip down to my boxers, throw on an undershirt, and flop down on my bed. And despite how early it is, as I replay today like a rom-com in my mind, I fall asleep with a smile on my face.