Now or Never ⇀ John B Routledge [1]

xxvi. i'll be there for you

The light of the full moon reflected off the murky canal water as John B and Ashtyn tied the Carolina Skiff to the dock outside of the Chateau. Neither teen spoke while doing so, accepting the calm atmosphere that had surrounded them with open arms. For the first time that week they felt content, grateful for each other's presence and the calmness it brought them.

Every so often, Ashtyn would sneak a glance at John though, a cheeky grin on her face from their sinful actions on the floor of the Pogue an hour earlier. While John attempted to relay his plan to her, Ashtyn did everything in her power to distract the older male with wandering hands, earning her a slap on the ass and a noticeable hickey on the side of her neck that Luke would no doubt complain about later.

She didn't mind though.

John B eventually caught her, smirking at the sight of his girlfriend's bruised neck and shallow breathing. He did that, made her so flustered that she couldn't tear her eyes away, and that alone was an ego boost.

"You're beautiful." He whispered, skillfully tying the final knot around his boat cleat before stepping over to help her. The taller mans body curled around her smaller one, no doubt shielding her from any wandering eyes at the house. His fingertips gently grazed the skin on her upper arms, causing goosebumps to rise, before finding her hands. "Like this."

Their close proximity and the feeling of his hot breath against her ear caused Ashtyn's body to shudder, earning an amused chuckle from John B as held her from behind. He loved the effect he had and intended to take advantage of it from here on out. Ashtyn deserved to feel loved in every way possible, and he was determined to be the person who gave that to her.

Without saying a word, John expertly tied the rope around the second boat cleat, confusing Ashtyn along the way before mumbling, 'You have the rest of your life to get this right.'

Their little moment on the water had set the young couple down the right path. They could care less about what happened tomorrow as long as they were solving those problems together.

Ashtyn turned around in her boyfriends arms, smile growing when she brushed a few flyaway strands of hair from his face. The bruise around his eye had almost faded back to his normal skin color by now, a small ring of yellow being the only indication that there was one there in the first place. "Don't get all sappy with me, Routledge. What happened to Mr. Tough Guy?"

"He was a dick." John muttered, pulling her body flush against his. "I like this version more, he's much happier."

Hearing that her presence made him happy caused Ashtyn's lips to curl up, bashfully tearing her eyes away from his to look at the old wood below her vans. Whatever this heavy feeling in her chest was, she never wanted it to end. "Hey, I love you John B."

"I love you Ashtyn." His face inched forward, closing the distance between them as their lips connected in a sweet kiss. They couldn't hide their smiles when Ashtyn's fingers weaved through the ends of John's hair, laughing at the groan that followed her light tug. When they broke apart, another blush fanned over her cheeks, something John would never get tired of.