My Next Play by Carrie Ann Ryan

Chapter 22

Miles

Another weekend,another house party, and yet today felt a little different. I sat in an oversized winged-back chair in the corner, sipping my club soda and lime, pretending it was something more potent. I was allowed to drink, but I was doing my best not to yet. My headache lingered, bothering me every once in a while, but I was taking it easy. People milled around, and we seemed a bit quieter than we had even a year ago.

We were all heading into the final semester of our college careers, though some younger people were here, too. Most of us were all over twenty-one and old enough to know better than to indulge too much tonight. We were enjoying ourselves, and I just wanted to get inside my bedroom with a certain somebody and be.

“You are scowling over here,” Tanner stated as he came to my side, water in hand.

I snorted, ignoring the headache. “You’re not drinking tonight? And I’m not scowling.”

“You are, but I know who you’re looking for. And I have to work later, so water it is.”

“I swear I don’t know how you work so many hours a week and still get schoolwork done.”

“It’s a balance. But we’re making do. As always.”

“Anyway, Nessa should be out soon. I think she was in the kitchen with the girls.”

I frowned. “Natalie’s here, too, then? I didn’t know she would be here tonight. Nessa said she was busy.”

Tanner shrugged, frowning. “I don’t know. The other girls are in there. They count as the girls, too.”

I snorted. “True.”

“Anyway, I’m glad to see you up and about. Good job on passing all your classes.”

“Hey, and I still kept my 4.0.”

“Not everybody is as perfect and pretty as you, doll,” he teased, rolling his eyes. He lifted his water in cheers before heading out of the house. I shook my head.

The girls did indeed come out of the kitchen, and Elise went straight to Dillon. My roommate wrapped his arms around her waist, looking as if he’d won the lottery. Pacey stood in another corner, speaking to his friends, all of them laughing when Mackenzie joined them. He held out his arm, and she slipped under it, fitting to his side as if she had always been there. As if Pacey had been waiting for her forever. From the way he relaxed, I knew that was likely the case. They seemed so perfect for each other. Hell, things really had changed in a year.

The scent of honey and jasmine hit my nose, and I looked up as if I’d been waiting for her all night. And, hell, I had been. Nessa came up to me and gently sat on my lap. My cock ached, but I ignored it. There would be time for that later.

“Are you taking care of yourself?” Nessa asked as she kissed my cheek.

I leaned against her and sighed. “Yes, but I’d rather be taking care of you upstairs.”

“You’re fortunate you whispered that,” she said before kissing me.

Knowing that I didn’t want to give everybody a show, I didn’t linger, but I still enjoyed myself.

“You’re feeling good?” I asked, meeting her gaze.

“I am. I’m happy that we all had that party to celebrate my book yesterday. It was nice.” We’d had a roommate-only party to celebrate her book deal and would have another dinner with her dad later.

“Of course, we did. We’re proud of you.”

“It still doesn’t feel real. None of this feels real. And your mom was so gracious about it.”

I cringed. “Mom will want to read your books. I hope there’s no sex in them.”

“I’m not going to tell you if there’s sex in them or not,” she said and then laughed.

“It looks like you’re finally going to let me read them, then. Just saying.”

We’d had dinner with my parents and brother, Nessa bringing her father, as well. It had been awkward as hell at first until Nessa smiled and talked graphic novels with Aaron. The tension had eased immediately, and now it felt as if she and her dad had always been part of the family. Yes, my parents still needed time to change their ways, but I was ready to give them that. They were my parents and they loved me. And they were already in love with Nessa.

Both of us were waiting to hear about the University of Colorado for grad school, but we had high hopes. We’d tried for other schools, but Colorado was our top choice. I could still be in Aaron’s life, and Nessa wouldn’t have to leave her father.

Plus, we could be together.

We still had one more semester in undergrad and weren’t moving in together until after we graduated. Dillon and Pacey were planning the same with their girls. The six of us were on the same path—or at least thinking about our futures that way.

“What do you say we go upstairs?” I asked, my voice a growl.

“I think that’s a perfect idea.”

I kissed her again, and somebody cheered, but I ignored them.

“Stop it,” I growled as I flipped off the rest of the room.

Somebody laughed and yelled, “Get a room!”

I didn’t know who said that, but I grinned. “You’re right. I should.”

“Miles!” Nessa squealed as I lifted her into my arms. “You’re going to hurt yourself. You’re supposed to take it easy.”

“Oh, I’m sure I can.”

Nessa blushed, burying her head against my neck as I carried her upstairs to a chorus of cheers from everyone downstairs.

“I’m going to kill you,” she muttered.

“I love you, too.”

“You’re lucky I love you.” She sighed and relaxed into my hold as we made our way to my room.

“You’d better show me why you think it’s okay for us to go upstairs while everyone’s still down there.”

I closed my door behind us and locked it as I set her on her feet.

“I think that can be arranged.” I pressed my lips to hers and knew this was the first time of many.

I hadn’t expected Nessa to love me back. I hadn’t expected anything.

She was my first love, my first everything. And my next, and my next, and my next.

She was my present, my future, and I sure as hell wouldn’t take that for granted. Never again. So, I kissed her harder, and I breathed.

She was mine.

My next. My forever.