worth the risk • dean portman

chapter thirty

morgan

I want to believe that my dad is joking with me right now.

I want to believe the boy who almost ruined my relationship isn't standing in my kitchen, with a huge grin on his face now that he's seen me. And I want to believe that his parents aren't standing right in front of him, completely oblivious to all of the damage their son has caused me.

The anger that's running through my body right now is crazy. I genuinely don't understand why I can't be left alone by this kid. I think I should take him to the hospital and have them check his hearing, because I remember telling him to stay away from me more times than I should've had to.

"Well, um, this is a surprise!" I say to my dad, trying my hardest to keep my voice as calm as possible.

Mrs. Kennedy gives me a toothy grin, and it takes everything in me not to roll my eyes at her. "It's our last day here before we fly back to New York, so we thought we'd come over and celebrate another wonderful few months spent together!"

Shit, I completely forgot they were leaving today. Although, I can't deny that I'm not extremely relieved once Mrs. K breaks the news to me. Because it means that after today, Jake will be gone and there will be no more issues. I'll finally be free.

I plaster on my best fake smile and clap my hands together. "Let's not keep you three waiting then! I'm sure you're starving. I'll be right back with the chairs. Dean, can you help me with them?"

He practically launches himself out of his seat and grabs my hand, dragging me with him down to the basement. When we get to the closet that stores the folding chairs, Dean breathes out a huge sigh of relief. "I could fucking kill him. Why does he just keep showing up?

"I wish I could tell you." I answer with a shrug. "Also, killing him isn't a good idea whatsoever. You know that."

The smirk he gives me is downright devilish. "Yeah, but it would be fun."

I reach behind him and smack his head, which makes him grab it immediately "Stop that. As horrible as he is, don't say things like that. I'll break up with you right now if you even think about saying shit like that again."

"Sorry." he mumbles, avoiding my gaze. "He just makes me so angry. I almost lost you because of him, and I can't look at him without wanting to smash his face in."

"Hey, look at me." I demand, watching as he slowly meets my eyes. "I'm not going anywhere, okay? You're not losing me. You're stuck with me forever."

"I don't mind that." he responds with a grin, leaning in as he does. The kiss he gives me is soft and sweet, and I find myself becoming lost in it until I remember that we're down here to get chairs. We've already been gone for a good few minutes, and I don't want anyone becoming suspicious.

I reluctantly pull away, and fight back a laugh when he tries to lean in again. "Dean, we can't. We're down here for chairs, remember?"

"Fuck the chairs." he whispers against my lips, and that's all it takes for me to fold.

I let him open the closet door and gently push me inside, our lips locked the entire time. Everything becomes pitch black as the door closes, and all I feel is him. His arms around my waist, mine around his neck, his lips on mine, all of my senses are filled with him.

I don't know how long we're in the closet, but my mom's voice snaps me out of the trance I'm in. "Morgan? Morgan? Hello? Are you okay?"

The speed of me pulling away from Dean and opening the door is scarily impressive, and I honestly shock myself with it. "We're fine!" I call back, clearing my throat slightly.

"Are you sure?" she questions. "You guys have been down there for ten minutes. What's going on."

"Nothing, I promise!" I insist, hoping that I sound somewhat convincing. "The chairs are just a little stuck, and we haven't been able to get them out."

"Huh, that's really odd. I could've sworn I made sure they were at the front of the closet this morning." she says, laughing to herself. "Do you guys need any help?"

"Nope, we're perfectly fine!" I answer immediately. "Dean basically has them out."

I hear her sigh, but it's not until she speaks that I become relaxed. "Okay, but hurry up. Your food's getting cold."

Her footsteps become quiet after a few seconds, which gives me the opportunity to sprint back to the closet. I throw it open and look at Dean, then at the chairs right next to him. We both grab them without saying a word and make our way upstairs, quickly adjusting our appearances as we do so.

I put on my best smile as I walk into the dining room and unfold the chair in my arms. As soon as I set it down, Jake wastes no time sitting and making himself comfortable. I roll my eyes at the grin he flashes me, and I don't miss the way his face falls when I don't reciprocate the affection he's showing me.

Breakfast goes by somewhat smoothly, and there's shockingly no breaks in the conversation. Mrs. Kennedy goes on a tangent for ten minutes about how bittersweet it is to be going home for Jake's senior lacrosse season, and I'm honestly thankful for the opportunity to not be involved in the conversation. It gives me an opportunity to listen, which I honestly like doing more than talking.

The topic of spring break gets brought up, and it immediately brings a smile to my face. My whole friend group and our families are staying at the famous huts in Bora Bora, which are the ones where the Kardashians stayed. It's going to be me, Ella, Sadie, Lily, Addison, Faith, Adam, Charlie, Dean, Guy, Connie, Julie, and the rest of the Ducks, all in Bora Bora together, for an entire week. Talk about an insane spring break.

The only thing is, Dean doesn't know about this. We've been planning everything since he was back in Chicago, and he has absolutely no idea that we're leaving tomorrow morning. This is about to be a surprise for the ages.

"Wait, you're going away?" Dean asks when I ...accidentally mention it. "I thought we were hanging out."

"We are." I answer with a huge smile. "But in Bora Bora. Surprise!"

"In Bora Bora?" he yells, the pure shock and excitement evident in his eyes. "What the fuck do you mean in Bora Bora?"

I can't stop the laugh that escapes, but it doesn't even matter. Seeing how pure he's being right now is priceless. "I mean on an all-expenses paid trip to Bora Bora. Get home and start packing my love, because we're leaving here at three sharp for the airport."

"Are you fucking kidding?" Jake yells, anger displayed all over his face. "Dave, you actually approve of this loser?"

My dad shrugs casually and takes a sip of his coffee. "He's a good kid. What more do I have to say about it?"

"This is fucking ridiculous." Jake mutters, moving his chair back and leaving the table. We all stare at him as he walks down the hallway, into the foyer, and out the door. I honestly don't even feel the slightest bit of regret, because my attention is focused on Dean.

It's always been him, and only him. And that's the way I plan on keeping it, forever and ever.

**a/n**
okay hi i'm sorry this sucks BUT i needed one last filler chapter before the last two. i also don't know how to write intimacy at all so i'm sorry if it's so awkward HAHA i tried. i genuinely can't believe i'm almost done with this book and i'm so thankful for all of your support. love you all and get ready for senior year book, because it's going to be a wild one. see you all very very soon <3
xoxo,
-c