Stealing for Keeps (Frost Lake High Book 1)
Stealing for Keeps: Chapter 28

It’s a forty-five-minute drive to Whittie Lake from Frost Lake, and the perfect distance for a weekend trip with no parents and no one checking up on us for the next twenty-four hours.

We drive up in a bunch of different vehicles early Saturday morning. I’m in the passenger seat of Lacey’s Bronco. Ashley and Rachel are following us. Ashley is dating one of the twins and Rachel has been talking to Hunter.

We have the windows down even though it’s overcast and chilly. We’re singing along with the radio, sunglasses on, hair blowing, and smiles on our faces.

Austin was riding with Rowan. A text from him lights up my screen, and I wrangle my hair out of my face to read it.

“The guys just got there,” I say, raising my voice over the noise, then return my gaze to keep staring at the selfie he sent along with his text that they had arrived. His dark hair is covered by a white hat that makes it hard to see his eyes, but he’s got that crooked grin aimed at the camera, and the lake is in the background.

My excitement builds with each mile marker we pass. Within fifteen minutes, we’re pulling up behind Rowan’s truck.

Austin is waiting in the open garage. Lacey glances over at me with a smirk but doesn’t say anything. Austin and I haven’t told people we’re…kissing. A lot. Like every possible second we can.

Lacey knows, of course, and I suspect Rowan has his suspicions if Austin hasn’t outright told him, but otherwise it still feels like this new, secret, and exciting thing. I like him more than I’ve ever liked anyone. We’re having a blast together. Vaughn and I understood each other, and we were compatible in a lot of ways, but it was never this fun.

“I’m gonna go scope out the rooms and make sure I get a good one for the night,” Lacey calls, pushing her sunglasses up to the top of her head. “I am not sleeping on the floor.”

“Ooh, us too.” The other two girls hurry after her.

“Disco, use those muscles for something productive and help Claire with the bags?” Lacey winks at him before disappearing into the house with the girls trailing behind her.

Austin shakes his head, laughing softly as I shut the car door and walk toward him.

“She’s something.”

“At least she isn’t calling you New Guy anymore.”

“True.” He links his pinkie finger with mine and squeezes. “Hey.”

“Hi.”

My face warms, and the urge to kiss him is so strong.

“Are there a lot of bags?” he asks.

“What do you think?”

“You know it’s only one night.”

“You’ll be thanking us when you’re hungry later.”

Together, Austin and I get all the grocery bags and take them inside. The boys are all gathered in the kitchen, and as soon as we set the groceries down, they’re digging in and ripping open chip bags.

“Told you,” I say to Austin.

* * *

The day is spent mostly outside. The boys kick a soccer ball around in the grass and alternate trying to push one another into the lake in between. The girls sit on the deck talking, watching them, and occasionally getting involved in the plot to throw people into the lake madness.

As it starts to get dark, more people arrive at the lake house. Some of the football guys couldn’t make it until after practice, same for the hockey team. Suddenly the yard and the deck are filled with people. The music is turned up, and coolers are set up everywhere.

“Bet you’re glad I grabbed us a bed about now,” Lacey says as she quickly pulls her feet in to avoid being trampled by two guys wrestling.

We’re sitting on a towel in the yard. Austin is still playing soccer. They’re mostly just messing around, I think. They stopped playing for real hours ago, but it’s like they just can’t help themselves. There’s a ball, so they’ve got to kick it.

“So, Claire…” Rachel leans over from the other side of Lacey. She has a wicked glint in her eye and a smile that tells me she has something juicy to say. “What’s the deal with Austin?”

My heart rate picks up. “What do you mean?”

“Does he like anyone?”

“How would I know?” My voice is tight as I try to play it off as coolly as possible.

“You two are friends,” Rachel says, leaning farther so I can see the excitement in her eyes as she tries to get the dirt. “Don’t hold out on us. Has he mentioned anything to you? Is he talking to anyone?”

“I heard that he’s into that girl from the hockey cheer team, Jenn something or other.”

The four of us all glance over where Jenn is standing. She and a couple of her friends came with guys from the hockey team. We’re still watching as Austin jogs by them with the ball and Jenn glances up and stares at him with a smile on her lips.

“No.” Lacey shakes her head. “We were sitting with him at the hockey game when the guys asked him, and he said they’re just friends.”

“Are we sure he’s into girls, because he’s friends with her and friends with Claire…” Rachel waves her hand toward me. “They’re, like, the hottest girls at Frost Lake.”

I feel the blush creeping up my neck.

“Disco!” Lacey yells for him.

He stops jogging and looks over at us. My best friend waves him over.

“What are you doing?” I whisper, feeling a slight panic.

She gives me an “it’s no big thing” smile right before Austin comes to a stop in front of us.

“What’s up?” he asks. He’s turned his hat backward, and he’s a little out of breath.

“Sit. Answer some questions for us.”

He cocks one brow but does as she says.

“Keller,” Vaughn calls from the game and then stands there expectantly.

“I’m out for a while,” Austin says. He looks at Lacey. “This is going to take a while, right?”

“Smart guy.” My best friend pats the ground.

I’m still uneasy about whatever she’s going to ask him, but I can’t deny that it feels good to be sitting near him. His gaze drops to my drink.

“Thirsty?” I ask and hold it up to him.

“Thanks.” He chugs it, then makes a face. “What was that?”

“Lacey made it.”

“It’s my secret party drink. Grape soda mixed with a small amount of alcohol so you feel a buzz but not so much that we’re puking before dark.”

He chuckles softly and passes the drink back to me. Our fingers brush during the handoff, and we hold eye contact a beat longer.

“So…Austin,” Lacey starts like she’s about to ask him the most serious of questions. “Blond or brunette?”

His smile remains as he considers the question. “That’s too limiting. There is a rainbow of colors, and I like them all.”

“Okay. Boobs or ass?”

“What is happening right now?” He looks to me for help.

“I have no idea.”

Rachel tosses her hair over one shoulder. “We’re trying to get an idea of your preferences. You’ve been at Frost Lake for a while now, and people are wondering when you’re going to ask someone out. You played the new, mysterious guy for long enough.”

“I didn’t realize I was on the clock.” He steals another quick glance at me. “It’s more about personality for me and having that chemistry.”

“Chemistry…interesting.” Rachel taps a finger against her chin. “So you’re saying it’s someone in your science class.”

Rowan plops down next to him. He has two beers stacked in one hand. He offers one to Austin, and I’m surprised when he takes it.

“What are you guys talking about?” Rowan asks.

“We’re interrogating Austin,” Lacey says.

“Oh yeah.” Rowan’s grin widens, and then his eyes light up. “Ooh, we should play never have I ever!”

Everyone agrees, and we move into a small circle.

It starts out with some easy ones. Never have I ever traveled out of the country. Never have I ever snuck out of the house. Never have I ever gotten a tattoo.

I don’t have to drink at all. I considered it on the sneaking out one, but technically, I’ve only ever snuck people in.

“You have a tattoo?” Lacey asks Rowan when he drinks on the last one.

“Yeah.” He pulls at the hem of his shorts, revealing the tattoo on his thigh. It’s some sort of origami bird. It looks cool.

“How have I never noticed?” She leans forward to get a better look at it.

Everyone giggles as she basically puts her face in his crotch. Rowan gets an almost embarrassed look on his face, and then Lacey realizes what she’s done and sits back on her heels.

“Okay, Austin’s turn,” she says.

He takes a drink while he thinks, then a slow smile spreads across his face. “Never have I ever tried out for the chess team.”

My mouth falls open. I didn’t think he was going to come at me of all people. I drink, and everyone laughs and asks for an explanation, to which I just shrug and say, “I was trying some new things to see if it clicked. It didn’t.”

“Your turn, Claire,” Rowan prompts me to go next when the laughter has died down.

“Never have I ever read the Jude Collins biography,” I say, tossing one right back at Austin.

Austin narrows his gaze on me before putting the cup to his lips. Rowan drinks too.

“You’re the other person who checked it out of the library?” Austin asks Rowan. Then, we all burst into giggles.

More people are gathering around. The soccer game has finally stopped, and people are ready to sit and chill. Eddie and Vaughn build a bonfire, and we move so we’re sitting around it. Austin and I get farther apart as the circle expands, but he’s across from me, and we sneak glances.

The guys use the game to air out one another’s secrets. Like Barrett got caught in a compromising position with his therapist’s daughter, and one of the guys on the football team waxed his butt for fifty bucks.

I’m enjoying the night and being out of Frost Lake and hanging out and even learning things about Austin that we haven’t chatted about yet. He’s not a virgin, but I hadn’t assumed he was.

Vaughn and I came close, but we never went all the way.

Lacey’s party drink has taken the edge off my worries, and I’ve forgotten the purpose of the game and what it feels like to be in the hot seat until Barrett takes his turn. He grins right at Austin and then me. “Never have I ever kissed anyone for a dare.”

Austin flips him off as we both take a drink. But so do several other guys around the circle, which leads to people wanting to know who and when.

I replace Vaughn in the circle. He looks relaxed, beer in his hand, resting on one knee. He isn’t shooting me or Austin daggers at the reminder we kissed, which makes me feel like maybe it’s all going to be okay.

When it gets to his turn, I can tell he’s more than a few beers in. One side of his mouth lifts as he says, “Pass. I can’t think of anything.”

“I got one,” Eli says. “Never have I ever felt up anyone sitting in this circle.”

I have a little rush of panic, because I know when Austin drinks, people are going to be very interested to know who he felt up, but then Lacey drinks, and everyone’s gaze goes to her instead.

“Lacey, babe.” Barrett’s brows rise. “Tell me everything.”

“I feel myself up all the time,” she says, then cups herself over her shirt. “That counts, right?”

Some of the guys boo, and I pull her hands away from her breasts. “No, Lace…just no.”

She grins at me, and I realize this wasn’t Lacey having a ditzy moment. It was Best Friend of the Year in action.

“I knew it!” Hunter points to Austin. “Disco, you stud. Was it…” He trails off, then tips his head not so subtly toward Jenn sitting next to him.

Jenn shoves at his shoulder. “It’s none of your business who feels me up.”

“It’s literally the game,” Hunter says.

Austin just laughs it off, totally at ease except for the slight tightening of his jaw when he thinks everyone has stopped paying attention to him.

Eventually, we run out of questions, and people get bored of playing. Most everyone has headed inside to warm up or to the hot tub on the deck.

It’s cold, even with the heat from the bonfire, but I’m not quite ready to go in yet, and the hot tub is crammed full of couples making out.

I pull the sleeves of my sweatshirt down over my hands and hug my knees. Lacey is doing cheers with Jenn and some of the other cheerleaders from both squads. I’m watching and applauding after each one.

“Here.” Austin drops a blanket down onto the ground in front of me and then takes a seat next to me.

“Thanks.” I drape it over my legs and then hold up the side to offer it to him.

He moves closer until our legs and shoulders touch. We don’t say anything as we stare out toward the lake. The cheerleaders are attempting a pyramid. As Lacey tries to climb up to the top, Jenn shifts, and they all tumble to the ground.

“Did you have a good day?” Austin asks, leaning into me.

“I did, yeah. You?”

“Yeah, this was pretty cool.” His breath is visible in the cold night air. Mine too. “Wish we could have hung out more though.”

“Yeah, me too.” I don’t want to just hang out though. I want him to kiss me again.

He gives me a wicked grin like he can read my thoughts. “Uh-oh. Whatcha thinking there? You’re blushing.”

“Nothing.” I play it off, but he absolutely knows what I’m thinking.

I wonder if I should suggest that we just kiss right here and right now, let people realize we’re hooking up. What would happen if we just stopped hiding? Would Vaughn really be that upset? I wish I knew the answers.

“Yo, Disco!” It’s Rowan’s voice that’s yelling from the deck.

The two of us turn.

“Get your asses into this hot tub before you catch a cold. Tell ’em, Cap. He’ll get pneumonia out there.”

I don’t see or hear Vaughn’s response, but Austin pulls away. “I think I better go keep an eye on him.” He gets up and dusts off the sand from his shorts, then looks down at me. “Meet me later?”

“Meet you where?”

“There’s a small deck off one of the rooms. If you walk around the side of the house, you’ll see it. I’ll be waiting there as soon as everyone goes to sleep.”

“Okay.” My stomach somersaults as he winks, then backs away. He finally turns after he’s put a few feet of distance between us and jogs up to the house.

When Lacey is done attempting cheerleading stunts, we walk up together.

“I’m gonna go change,” I tell her. She already has her bikini on underneath her clothes.

I change into my suit, grab a towel, and am heading out to the hot tub when I spot Vaughn in the living room. I hesitate for only a second before I pull the towel around me and go to him. It feels like my chance to get a gauge on things between us.

He’s alone, head back on the couch, beer in hand. He never used to drink that often, but when he does, he’s the kind of guy who gets quieter and more reserved instead of turning into a party animal like Rowan.

“Everything okay?” I ask as I take a seat next to him.

His head slowly turns, his dark blue eyes locking on me. His lips curve up. “Hey, Claire. Yeah, I’m fine. Just taking a moment. It’s so loud outside.”

I doubt it’s the noise alone that has him in here. He’s used to the chaos of the soccer team.

“You don’t seem fine. What’s up?”

He doesn’t act like he’s going to answer, but then he heaves out a sigh. “I just found out I’m failing Algebra II.”

“Oh.” There’s a part of me that expected it to be about me, and it both relieves me and makes me feel like the most self-centered person for even thinking it. I angle my legs toward him. “I’m so sorry. Does your dad know?”

He huffs a strange, strangled noise—a mixture of a laugh and a groan. “No, not yet, but he’s going to be pissed.”

“Algebra II is no joke. Is there someone in your class who can help?” I’d usually suggest Lacey, but one, she hates tutoring people, and two, I’m not so sure she doesn’t still hate Vaughn.

“Yeah. Probably. I don’t know. I’ll figure it out.” Some of the fog lifts from his eyes. “How are you doing? How’s your foot? School? Your mom? I feel like we haven’t talked in ages.”

“We haven’t.”

“I’m sorry,” he says, dropping his gaze from mine. “I didn’t know how to be around you and not be us. But being apart has been good. It’s given me perspective.”

Sober Vaughn would never have admitted any of this, but I’m glad he is now. It makes me feel good about moving on. And it’s not like I blame him for not talking to me. I made it pretty clear that I wasn’t interested in getting back together. We both needed some space.

“Yeah, me too.” I take his hand and squeeze lightly.

He glances at our fingers and then squeezes back.

I stand. “Are you coming back outside?”

“Nah.” He shifts so he’s looking back at the ceiling. “Think I’m gonna chill here for a while.”

I leave him to brood alone and head back out. My smile feels freer as I aim it at Austin. I feel like everything is going to be okay. He’s playing cornhole with Rowan and some other people, but he replaces me the second I step outside. Lacey and some of the girls are in the hot tub, and I join them.

For the next couple of hours, Austin and I orbit around each other but don’t interact. Each minute feeds into the anticipation of seeing him later.

When people start heading to bed, my heart rate spikes. I go inside with Lacey, change out of my suit into pj’s, and then wait until she falls asleep.

Getting up, I pad through the house quietly. I have the fleeting thought that I can’t imagine how anyone can sleep right now but then realize it’s only because my heart is racing, and adrenaline spreads through my limbs, making me feel shaky and lightheaded like I’ve had too much caffeine.

Outside, the music is still playing, but there’s no one in sight as I walk around the side of the house and locate the deck. Austin stands on the bottom step.

The wind blows his dark hair, and moonlight dances across his face. He holds out a hand, and I slip mine into it. The stairway leads to a small deck. There is an outdoor couch with black cushions and a glass coffee table in front of it. Lit candles are scattered across the top of it, and there’s a blanket draped over the arm of the couch.

I look at him wide-eyed and jaw dropped. “Did you do this?”

“The candles were already here. I found a lighter in the kitchen.” He looks more bashful than I’ve ever seen him.

My gaze flicks to the bedroom beyond the sliding door of the deck. “Who are you rooming with?”

“Rowan, but he’s down on the dock with Sophie’s friend Amanda, stargazing and finishing off a bottle of whisky. He’ll be occupied for at least another hour.”

“I think you will be too.” I step to him and wrap my arms around his neck.

He guides me over to the couch. He sits and then pulls me onto his lap.

My already tingling body heats further as our bodies lock into place. My knees rest on either side of his hips, and our stomachs press together.

“Wanna stargaze?” He tips his head back just enough to ask the question.

“No.” I press my lips to his. In this moment, the stars feel insignificant. I’m vibrating with so many emotions and feelings. My heart is galloping in my chest and warmth spreads through me. Every part of me wants to fuse our bodies closer, to capture him and this moment and hold on to it forever. Kissing Austin is exciting and thrilling in a way I didn’t know it could be.

He groans into my mouth, pulling me tighter against him. The only sound is the quiet rustling of the wind blowing through the trees and the faint sound of the music. His fingers climb up my rib cage and slip under my T-shirt.

My breaths are ragged when he pulls back again. His green eyes have taken on a darker hue. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. I could literally kiss you all night long.”

“But you want to do more?” I ask.

He gives me a look that could easily be interpreted as “Are you serious right now?”

“I haven’t had sex before,” I admit. “Vaughn and I…” I stop myself and give him an apologetic smile for bringing up my ex. “We didn’t.”

His hands settle on the curve of my waist under my shirt, and his gaze locks on my lips. “I didn’t sleep around in Arizona or anything, but I had a girlfriend for a little while.”

White-hot jealousy sweeps through me. I know he didn’t even know me then, but I still hate the idea of him kissing or touching anyone else.

“I’ve never felt this way about anyone,” he says.

I believe him. I haven’t either. I’m falling for him. Have fallen for him.

“I want more too.” I pull my shirt over my head and drop it to the deck floor, then reach behind me to unhook my bra. Austin’s stare drops to my chest as I pull the material from my body and let it fall on top of my shirt.

“So perfect,” he murmurs. His palms are warm against my cool skin as they return to my waist, and heat curls in my lower stomach.

The compliment makes another dizzying rush spiral through me. He kisses me, and we move so we’re lying side by side on the couch, breaking apart only to pull off my shorts and his shirt. Austin pulls a blanket over our heads so we’re hidden in this little fort.

His fingers trail over my stomach and hips. His mouth licks and nibbles down my neck and lower while I explore the hard ridges of his chest and abs. He’s still wearing his jeans, but when I hook a finger into the band, he takes them off for me.

He flings them out of our cozy spot and then shucks off his boxers too. My heart hammers in my chest as I wriggle out of my last piece of clothing.

“I meant what I said earlier.” His fingertips whisper down my stomach and up in lazy strokes. “We don’t have to do anything. Being with you like this is everything I wanted.”

“Everything?”

His mouth quirks up on one side. “It’s enough. Any time I get to spend with you is enough.”

Pressing my lips to his, I climb on top of him. Heat flashes in his eyes.

I don’t know if Austin is falling for me the same way I am him, but I know that I want to be with him in every way.

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to have any regrets or feel like we’re taking things too fast. I’m not going anywhere. We have lots of time.”

The only promise I need from him is that he feels the same way that I do right now. Things change in an instant. I know I’ll regret it more if I hold back than if I don’t. That’s how I feel about skating. I don’t regret one second I spent practicing or competing, only that I didn’t approach each time like it might be my last.

I nod. “I want everything.”

He rolls me off him and goes into the attached bedroom for a moment before returning with a condom. Nerves mixed with excitement pulse over me as he puts it on.

“You and me,” he says, stare so intense that it makes butterflies soar in my stomach. His mouth swipes over mine, and then he drops his forehead against mine. “No regrets.”