"And I wake with your memory over me. That's a real fucking legacy to leave." -T.S.
The night carried on with food, laughter, and the kind of mesmerizing performances that made it easy to forget everything else. I tried to focus on the show, on the firelight, the smiles around me, pushing aside any lingering thoughts of what Justin and I might do.
By the time dinner ended, I felt lighter. We all piled into the cars and headed back to the rentals. The drive was full of casual chatter, but my mind was quiet for once. I'd finally stopped overthinking, letting myself just be.
When we pulled into the house, a calm settled over me. Maybe I could let the night end without unraveling.
Allie, Jacob, and Nancy made their way back to their house, while Erik walked me to the door. We were both tired so we called it a night. I hesitated before leaning in to kiss him goodnight. It was nice, soft, familiar despite being new, but my mind betrayed me as it wandered elsewhere.
I watched him disappear into the darkness, then stepped inside. Dani, Hannah, and Justin were in the kitchen, mid-conversation.
"Hi! Come join us. Where's Erik?" Dani waved me over.
"He just left. We were both exhausted." I forced a smile, untying the strap to my heel. "I just wanna get out of this dress and lie down." I glanced at Justin for half a second, just long enough to catch the smirk forming at the corner of his mouth. Hannah noticed too, her head turning toward him, and before she could follow his gaze to me, I looked back at Dani, pretending that smirk wasn't meant for me.
"Hmm, okay. Well, have a drink with us before you head up to your room." Dani shook her drink lightly. Part of me didn't want to, but I gave in. I pulled out a chair and sat beside her and Hannah. Justin handed me a drink, casual as ever, and the four of us fell into easy chatter about the luau.
Then my phone vibrated in my lap. I peeked down and felt heat rush to my face.
Justin: "I want you so bad, I might not even wait to help you out of that dress. Just need to lift it up enough."
I quickly locked my phone, but the smile that crept across my face was impossible to hide.
Dani caught the look on my face and raised an eyebrow. "What's that about? You're all smiley, like you've got a secret."
I forced a chuckle, trying to play it off. "Nothing, just, uh thinking about the luau." I stretched, covering a yawn. " That and I'm just ready for bed, honestly." I waved it off, hoping Dani would drop it.
"Uh-huh," Hannah said, grinning into her drink. "I'm sure Erik just texted her. I saw them making out by the fence earlier."
I turned to look at Justin who was looking at me, biting the side of his cheek.
"We weren't making out!" I defended myself playfully but I could feel the discomfort creeping in me. I hadn't realized anybody caught us. I also didn't think Hannah would say anything. Justin's reaction though was making me uneasy. I couldn't read what he was thinking. That bothered me more than I wanted to admit.
Dani must've sensed it. "Well y'all, my man is waiting for me to get to bed so August you're officially relieved, go get your beauty sleep." She stood and hugged me tight. "Don't forget to text him back though," she teased with a wink before heading off.
"Yeah, I'm probably gonna turn in too," Justin said, standing. "I'll walk you to the other house."
Hannah hesitated, disappointment flickering before she smiled at me. "Goodnight, August. See you tomorrow." She gave me a quick hug.
"Night, you guys," I said, my voice a little too soft. I didn't look at Justin as I headed upstairs, I didn't need to. I could feel his eyes on me the whole way.
As I opened my door, my phone vibrated again. Justin's name lit up the screen. My stomach fluttered. After earlier, after the Erik makeout thing… his reaction could be anything.
I slipped off my heels before unlocking the message.
Justin: "I won't take long , but you can decide if you want to stay in the dress… or nothing at all."
I let out a long sigh, torn between sleep and every thought I'd had since his first text. Anticipation pressed heavy against my chest. I flopped back on the edge of the bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to figure out if I could wait.
Minutes passed. My mind was buzzing, my body awake, even as exhaustion was winning me over. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, brushed my hair and yet I was still in the dress. I didn't want to take it off. Somehow, the thought of him doing it first weighed too heavily on me.
Finally, I gave up, I grabbed my pajamas from the chair by the vanity, laying them out on the bed. Just as I started unzipping the top of the dress, the door opened, slowly.
Justin walked in and locked the door behind him.
"Oh. Good you're still in the dress." He whispered as he approached me.
I still hadn't said anything at this point, just closely watching his every move. He stepped close enough to me that I had to tilt my head up.
"Took you long enough, I was starting to think I'd have to do it myself." I pressed my chest against his.
"Impatient, aren't you? That's cute." He said as he pulled me in closer. His fingers found the zipper and I could feel him unzipping the dress but abruptly stopping midway. "If you really want me to take my time…I can."
I felt my stomach bubble with anticipation. He leaned down just enough for our noses to touch. I kissed him, soft at first, then harder, more urgent. He kissed me back with the same desperation.
Two seconds later, he scooped me up over his shoulder. I laughed as he carried me to the bed, laying me down gently but firmly beneath him.
"Wait, it's still not off," I managed between kisses.
"You're so impatient, August. Now it's starting to turn me on." He slid his hand up my dress and wrapped his fingers around my thong. His touch left a trail of heat down my thighs as he took them off.
His lips traveled down my jaw, along my neck, like he was pulsing electricity through me. Making me feel even more hungry for the inevitable. I cupped his face, forcing his eyes to meet mine.
"It's only fair if you take something off too." I whispered. "I'm…pretty much naked under this dress."
His eyebrow lifted, a challenge and a grin all at once. He leaned up, unbuttoning his shirt with a slowness, tossing it aside.
"Better?"
I shook my head and pointed at his jeans.
"Whatever you say, August."
He slid from the bed to strip off his pants, leaving only boxers, then returned to straddle my legs. His hands gripped my ankles, holding me close, teasing, testing. Lips to thigh, slow, deep kisses that sent me arching, gasping, wild.
He paused at the edge of my dress, and I lifted it just enough to expose myself. A sharp breath escaped him and he muttered a soft "fuck" under his breath.
His eyes met mine, his gaze consuming, before he returned to the inside of my thigh once more. Nibbling enough to make me moan. And now there was no doubt how I got the hickey down there the first night.
He moved lower, and my entire body tensed as his tongue finally found me.
"Oh God," the words slipped out of me as my eyes fluttered closed. One hand gripped the bedsheet beside me, the other threading through his hair, urging him closer as I lost myself in the feeling.
He lifted his head for a brief second, eyes glossed over with excitement. "I think getting you off is my new favorite kink," he said as his hands spread my legs a little wider. His words sent a spark up my spine, as he went back down on me.
It's like he knows exactly what to do to me, and it surprises me every time. But this time it's… different. There's something raw in the way he's touching me.
His grip tightened, holding me there, keeping me exactly where he wanted me. Every movement is precise but teetering into being frantic. Like he couldn't get enough, like he's chasing something just as much as I am. And when he felt me start to slip, when my fingers tightened in his hair, he groaned against me like the sound of it was wrecking him too.
His eyes flicked up to mine, and for a split second, he just watched, completely captivated.
"That's it," he murmured, voice low, almost reverent. Like he needed to see me fall apart. And it was sending me over the edge.
Finally, the release I'd been suppressing ripped through me. A loud, quivering moan escaped before I could stop it. His grip stayed firm, like he wanted to hold me in that moment just a little longer. Letting go wasn't an option.
His eyes darkened as he watched me finish, something hungry and almost awed flickering beneath the surface. And somehow, that only turned me on more, knowing he enjoyed this just as much as me, maybe even more.
He didn't move right away. He just stayed there, lingering, letting his lips brush on my skin like if he wasn't ready to pull away. And then, he pushed himself up and moved over me, his body pressing against mine like he needed to feel me beneath him. Like this wasn't enough. He wasn't done with me. My entire body shook underneath his.
He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. "I think it's time to finally take that dress off."
Any exhaustion I'd felt before melted away, replaced by something electric. I sat up, and he followed, watching me like he didn't want to miss a single moment. His fingers found the zipper again, finishing what he'd started earlier, and slowly he pulled the dress down my body.
I reached behind me, unclasping my bra, and threw it to the side.
Justin didn't move or speak. His expression was unreadable except for the unmistakable heat burning behind it. His eyes trailed over my naked body, sending goosebumps everywhere. We sat there for a second just staring at each other. Neither one of us saying a word or making a move.
Until finally, he reached over and grabbed me by my hips, pulling me down. Skin to skin. He rested his forehead against mine, his breath warm on my lips. We're so close I can almost feel his mouth on mine, but we still didn't move. Like we're waiting for gravity to take its course.
Then, something in him seemed to snap.
His hands slid up my waist, fingers pressing into my skin, firm, needing. He pressed so hard I almost squealed. Seconds later his mouth found my neck, his lips trailing desperate, open-mouthed kisses along my skin. His teeth grazed my pulse, sucking just enough until I shivered. I gripped his arms, pulled him closer instead of pushing him away.
When he looked back, his eyes were darker. I didn't wait for him to make the next move. I grabbed his face, my fingers threading into his hair, and kissed him. Deep, unrelenting, I needed him just as badly as he needed me.
And then I heard him whisper, "Don't pull away."
The words hit me like a lightning strike, kissing him harder, my body pressing against his.
I whispered, my voice low and breathy, "I'm not going anywhere."
He groaned against my mouth, his grip tightening once more. I felt the way his body reacted. The way he let me take what I wanted before flipping the control back in his favor. A battle neither of us were willing to lose.
His hot, shallow breaths pressed against me. Each movement sinking deeper into me. Every touch, every press of his body sent tingles racing through me.
I gasped, barely catching my breath as the sensation of him inside me intensified. But it felt different this time. Better. Every shift of his body, every touch of his skin against mine, sending sparks through my veins.
"Fuck," I murmured between breaths, my hands gripping his shoulders as he went deeper.
"You feel so good..." He groaned. And then his pace faltered, a momentary hesitation. His eyes searched mine, shock flashing across his face. For a second, I thought he might stop. He looked almost uncertain, like he was holding back.
I tugged him closer, meeting him halfway, my body craving him more than anything. Even if we had forgotten a condom, nothing could stop this feeling that was consuming us until we both finished.
"Don't stop," I whispered, my voice barely more than a breath. "Just… don't finish in me."
The words were out before I could stop them. And for a second, I saw his jaw tighten, his grip on me stiffen, but he didn't stop. Instead, he kissed me harder, his hands pushing me deeper into the mattress. His hips thrusted hard and fast. There was no more hesitation, no more thought, just the rhythm of us.
The world outside us felt miles away, insignificant. We were wrapped up in everything but the consequences.
He groaned against my neck, as if to remind me of how much power he had over this moment and how much he didn't want to let go.
And for a moment, neither of us did.
His pace quickened, his breaths growing more shallow. The rhythm was frantic now, and then, finally, with one last groan, he reached the edge.
I felt him pull out and shudder against me, his body locking in place as he finished, his eyes still fixed on mine, intense and searching. It was the first time I'd seen that side of him. The raw vulnerability of him letting go without holding anything back. His breath left him in uneven gasps as he collapsed beside me, his chest heaving.
We lay there for a second, the room quiet except for the sound of our breaths. Until I felt the warmth on me and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Please for the love of all that is good… get a towel." I said, still catching my breath.
"Oh God, you're right I'm so sorry!" He said. After a second, he reached for the towel beside the bed, his fingers brushing against my skin as he cleaned up. I half-smiled, watching him move.
"We didn't think it through this time huh?" I teased lightly, trying to break the tension.
He glanced over at me, a half-smirk tugging at his lips.
"Guess I got a little caught up in the moment," he muttered, wiping himself off before tossing the towel aside. "Should've known better, though. You always keep me on my toes."
I laughed softly, heart still racing, both from what just happened and the strange shift in our dynamic. "I'll be back, I'm gonna go to the bathroom."
I stood up and I could see him in the reflection of the mirror, putting his boxers back on. I went to the bathroom and washed my hands on the way out. Justin was still sitting at the edge of the bed with my underwear next to him now. I slipped them on and before I could go for the pajamas that were now on the ground he grabbed me by my wrist and pulled me into him.
"What?" I asked him, letting out a small laugh.
"Nothing, I just wanted to apologize again. I would've been totally cool stopping to put one on." He dropped his head. I lifted his chin with my fingers to meet his eyes. His hands met my waist pulling me an inch closer.
"I know. And it's okay but you don't need to apologize. I promise." I nudged him lightly. He loosened his grip on my waist, then pulled me on top of him again. I couldn't help but silently scream and laugh as we collapsed back on the bed.
We laid there for a second, exchanging soft kisses until I shifted over on the bed to sit up against the headboard. He followed and pulled the blankets over us. Then a thought slipped in, awkward but necessary.
"This is uh probably the worst time to ask but you don't have anything right? Like anything that I could…catch?" I stiffened slightly, letting out an uncomfortable laugh. His eyebrows furrowed for a second. Then… a soft smile.
"I don't blame you for asking. No, I haven't had sex with anyone in a long time. But even then I get tested regularly."
"You do?" More curious then I led on.
He shifted, facing me. "I started having sex really young. My therapist said it was my way of coping from my dads abuse. When my mom found out, instead of getting mad, she took me to get tested. Told me if I wanted to do adult things, I had to be responsible. It kinda stuck. I tested a month before we left, and I didn't sleep with anyone since I got tested. Hailey doesn't count, cause.. well you know why." His laugh was sharp, but his face was soft.
For a moment, I didn't know what to say. I just looked at him, at the way he said it so casually, like it wasn't a big deal. Like it wasn't a little heartbreaking.
I thought about his mom taking him to get tested, making sure he was responsible instead of scolding him. It was… good. A kind of good that felt foreign to me. My own mother never would have done that. She would have weaponized it, twisted it into something ugly and shameful. But Justin's mom? She had let him take ownership of his choices without making him feel small for them. I wondered what that felt like. To have a parent who didn't control, but actually cared.
And then there was the other part of it, of him having to take care of himself in ways most people never had to think about. He was just a kid, but he had already learned how to survive, how to cope, how to carry things no one should have to carry alone.
I felt the words slip out before I could stop them.
"That must've been… a lot." My voice was quieter than I meant it to be, careful in a way I wasn't used to with him. "Growing up that fast."
His expression flickered, like maybe I had caught him off guard. But instead of letting the moment sit, he let out a breath and smirked. "Yeah, well. Look how well-adjusted I turned out."
I rolled my eyes, but my lips twitched into a reluctant smile. "Oh, totally. A picture of emotional stability."
"You're just mad because I handle my trauma with charm and good hair." He leaned back against the headboard, smirking like he hadn't just laid something heavy between us. Like he hadn't let me see him, even if just for a second.
I yawned and couldn't help but laugh at the sound that came out of me. "I am even more exhausted now."
His eyebrow raised, his lips curling into a smirk. "So round two's out of the question?"
I gave him a playful push and rolled my eyes. "You still have enough energy for that?"
"Just the thought of it is giving me enough energy to go for a run. You have no idea what you do to me." He joked, but there was that glimmer in his eyes that made me feel like he might actually be serious.
"You're insufferable, Justin!" I leaned into him for a second before pulling myself away, but his arms shot around me, pulling me back in.
"I think you mean irresistible, August!" He grinned, tightening his hold. I laughed as I tried slipping away from his grip, but he was determined. We rolled around for a moment, a tangled mess of limbs, until we ended up fully lying down. His arms settled around my shoulder, and I leaned into his chest, my head resting gently against him.
I could hear his heart pounding in steady beats beneath my ear, like it was trying to keep up with the chaos we'd just created. The playful energy faded, replaced by warmth and quiet intimacy.
After a moment, Justin shifted beneath me. I lifted just enough to meet his eyes. His smirk had softened into a gentle smile, and a long, drawn-out yawn escaped him.
"What happened to having enough energy for round two, huh?" I teased, placing a hand on his chest.
"Don't threaten me with another good time," he replied, voice playful, raising both eyebrows. "I'll go get us energy drinks right now." He laughed, chest rumbling under my hand.
We lingered, exchanging quiet touches, soft laughter, and playful jokes. It was easy, like the kind of 3 a.m. conversation where the world outside doesn't exist.
I stretched my arms above my head with a sigh. "So, energy drinks for round two huh?"
Justin grinned, rolling his eyes. "You'll see. I'm a man of my word."
And just like that, we were back at it, tangled in each other, driven by the chemistry that made time irrelevant. We didn't need words; every movement said more than conversation ever could.
Eventually, laughter faded. I found myself curled into him again, warmth settling over me. His arms were a shield, his heartbeat steady against mine.
"August," he murmured, voice low and tired, "you really have no idea what you do to me."
"I think I might," I replied with a grin, eyes fluttering closed. "Clearly, I'm the irresistible one."
His quiet laugh filled the air, and before I realized it, I was half-asleep, head tucked into the crook of his shoulder. His arms pulled me deeper into comfort, like a lullaby I didn't want to end.