Between Us (all of us #1)

F O U R T E E N

T R E N T O N

It's been a wild month. I've gotten quite a few wicked cases of blue balls from all the alone time I've had with Aubree, but it's all worth it because in just a few weeks, my fantasies will finally come to life.

In order to keep the suspicion down to a minimum, I've spent more time away, meaning after school I head to work and then home instead of straight to the Cooper house like I had been for the past ten years. Diesel's too wrapped up in Chloe to notice, but I've honestly missed all the time I used to spend at their house. My room at home is small, bleak. The house is quiet besides Joselyn's television constantly playing marathons of teen mom—as if we all don't get enough of that around here. My mom's always coming or going. Unless she's going to bed or cooking, I only see her in her scrubs these days, but she seems happier now that I've been home more, even if it's just a little bit.

Diesel: Come to Gio's.

I squint from the brightness of the screen. It's fucking nine o' clock at night and we have school tomorrow morning. Now, that never used to be an issue for me. But it's like ever since I've turned eighteen and can now see the light at the end of the tunnel, I've lost interest in that. Maybe it's just the fact that the void I had has finally been filled, but I couldn't care less about partying straight through the night. It's not worth the risk of being expelled from school for showing up hungover.

Me: nah. It's late. Catch you guys on the weekend.

Diesel: Stop being a fucking lame ass.

Diesel: Come on, fucker.

I roll my eyes, taking in a breath as I stare up at the popcorn ceiling right above my bed.

Me: Can't man.

Diesel: I miss you bro. Please.

I frown at my phone, sitting up. "He's fucking shit faced," I mutter.

There are two things Diesel would never tell me unless he were drunk: I miss you or I love you. And that's not only exclusive to me, he won't even say the words to his parents unless he's had too much to drink.

Me: Fine. Don't go anywhere. I'm coming.

I call a Lyft and get down there in less than fifteen minutes. All the way from the driveway, I can hear his voice belting out as I get out of the car and I know this night is going to suck. I'm going to be out late as hell, dragging this idiot home—or trying to. Aubree's going to be pissed, but fuck, best case scenario is me sleeping in her bed tonight with my face buried in her tits.

Diesel's shouting slurred obscenities and all the usual suspects are here cheering him on with their drunken laughter as I come through Gio's back gate.

And to think, this was once my idea of a fun night. I'd sit here with these guys, one of us would get crazy and break something, Gio's mom would run out, screaming at us in both Spanish and broken English until she realized Gio's dad was out here drinking with us. Sometimes Diesel would start fist fights because he's such an asshole when he's drunk and I'm just easy to trigger. It's a wonder how we're all still friends. And alive.

"Finally!" Diesel spots me, taking another big swig from a bottle of clear liquid.

"Dees, what the fuck, dude. You're fucking gone."

"Yeah I am. Gone from that bitch Chloe's house." He sets his heavy, clammy hand on my shoulder. "And I'm not going back. Fuck her. She thinks she can break me? Nope."