Our potential opponent for the next round of playoffs hadn't been determined yet. Which gave us all the opportunity to unwind and enjoy a peaceful night. At least that had been my plan. Staying in and working on some homework. With midterms coming up, I was in desperate need of some studying. Finn volunteered to help me, but got dragged into some game the others were playing.

Heather would have been a decent back up study buddy. The problem was that she had been suckered in to keeping Joseph company when he wasn't playing. I had finally ventured from my room for something to drink and found Finn entering the kitchen from the dining room.

"So much for helping me," I teased. He reached around me to grab a beer from the fridge, pressing his body against mine.

"Sorry, Laine." His voice was low as he whispered in my ear. I rolled my eyes and bit my lip to hide the shiver he caused. Shutting the fridge, I spun around to face him.

"It's fine. I have been hogging you."

"Why don't you come hang out for a little bit?"

"Because we are going out later and I really want to get some studying in."

"We can skip the field party," he offered with a shrug.

"I haven't been to a party in weeks. I want to go."

"Then come cheer me on until we leave. I'll crash here tonight and we can study all day tomorrow."

"Is that a promise?" He held up a pinky and I could fight off the grin. I hooked my little finger around his, sealing the deal. Taking it a step further, Finn's lips crashed into mine. His fingers tangled in my hair as he cupped the back of my head, deepening the kiss.

"What is with you two and kitchens?"

"Go away," Finn growled, pulling away just enough to spit out the demand.

"You do realize that people eat in these rooms, right? So unsanitary," Joseph teased before stealing the unopened bottle of beer from his friend. He gave me a wink, gave Finn a once over then spoke loud enough for everyone in the other room to hear. "Do you think it's a good idea to have your hands there while Luke's right around the corner?"

"Whose hands are where," my brother's voice boomed while the others laughed. Gripping tightly to Finn's shirt, I kept him in place while Joseph backed away to the living room. The goofy grin on his face only egged on the boy I was determined to keep from going after him.

"He's baiting you," I whispered before kissing his jaw. "All you're going to do is give him more ammo."

"I know," he grumbled, his eyes still fixed on the doorway. I'm not sure if he was focusing on where Joseph had been standing or waiting for my brother to make his grand entrance.

"So, who's winning this mini tourney of yours?"

"Joe and Heather."

"Both of them?" He shrugged.

"She flirts with him until he's distracted then steals the controller."

"Let's show them how a real couple plays Madden."

"I forget how terrifying you can be sometimes." He rested his forehead against mine smiling. "I love it."

He took my hand and guided me to the living room. He fell into the corner seat of the sectional and held his arm open to me. I fell into place beside him, snuggling closer to him. With his arm wrapping around me, he shifted the controller to settle between us. He kissed my cheek as the timer began ticking down on the screen.

The four letter word from earlier lingered in my brain as we played against Lucas as a team. He was in control during offensive plays and I ruled the defensive plays. Staying focused on the game was becoming more difficult as I searched my memory for that word used differently.

He loved my competitiveness. He loved my stubbornness. He loved so many things about me that I had no idea why he hadn't said those three little words yet. I had never said them to anyone, but I could feel them clawing their way up my throat every time I was with Finn. A part of me felt it was too soon to feel this way. Saying it could scare him away. Not saying it could make me go mad.

We'd known each other for years before we started dating. It wasn't as if we were strangers still learning about each other. He knew every embarrassing thing I'd done since I was ten. Just like I knew each of his. There was still so much more that I wanted to know about him. There was stuff that I wanted to tell him. The confession that was eating me from the inside out for starters.

If I had learned anything the past few months it was that there would be no right time. We tried that when we started seeing each other. We waited until we had talked out all the obstacles and the perks. Then again when we told my brother that we were dating. We had thought that Lucas would be understanding after he and I discussed it. There was also the time he stood up for me when Owen said those awful things. The intentions were good, but it wasn't the time or the place to do it.

"Lainy," Heather cooed after a few more rounds. She waggled her brows at me from her place on Joseph's lap. "I think it's time to go get ready for the party."

"Really," Lucas groaned as my friend slid to her feet. She offered me her hand while giving my brother a look that begged him to challenge her. He threw up his hands in defeat and Shane took advantage of his unprotected side. My brother winced then returned the elbow. Shane chuckled as he blocked it.

"Come on," Heather persisted when I didn't budge from my place. When Finn released his hold on me, I knew I was done for. My best friend hauled me to my feet then dragged my upstairs.

"Why do we have to get ready for another stupid field party?"

"To remind people that you are a girl."

"Because the boobs and feminine features aren't enough? Besides, I've got no one to impress."

"You're one of the guys now, Laine. They have gotten too comfortable with you all suited up and taking charge. You have to remind them that you aren't going to be involved in burping contests and keg stands."

"When was the last time you saw anyone do a keg stand?"

As if we were in my room back at my former home, she headed straight for the closet. There wasn't much there, but knowing how determined she was she'd find something worth the wow factor she wanted. I sat in defeat on my bed as I listened to the hangers sliding back and forth.

"Never, but you little Lester are well on your way to being the first."

"Little Lester? The person you should worry about becoming a part of the boys club is you."

"Shut up." She tossed a few things on the bed beside me. "Try these on."

I looked over her choices and frowned. It was late October and she thinks a skirt is acceptable. At least she was kind enough to offer a long sleeved top to go with it. With a final sigh, I changed out of my pajama pants and tank. Heather squealed in approval before clapping excitedly.

"Perfect. Now, we need to make those womanly features pop."

**~~**

The urge to beat my friend as she slipped on a pair of skin tight jeans and an off the shoulder sweater was slowly disappearing. She'd provided me with the first two rounds of drinks. Shane brought me the third and fourth. Lucas brought the silent scolding. I didn't care though. Not about his disapproving scowl, or the ridiculous outfit.

The skirt was annoying, but quickly forgotten when I had convinced Finn to dance with me. The long sleeved shirt, that left my shoulders bare, encouraged Finn to give me his flannel. Which I had no idea he owned until tonight. When we weren't dancing or swarmed with watchful eyes, we were able to breathe.

Sitting in the back of Lucas' truck, I was sitting between Finn's legs with his arms wrapped around me. I watched the scene before us for the first time ever. All the cliques and sports teams were all mingling. A sight I never thought would come to life. Then again, I was buzzed and it could all be an illusion. The harmony I wished could be found beyond this field.

Cam and Keegan seemed to be enjoying themselves, too. They weren't out to the world yet. There was an obvious friendship between the two, but as far as anyone outside our little circle was concerned that's all it was. A pair of guys having drinks on a Friday night alongside their classmates. I was happy for them. Cam had been burned more than me, and Keegan was new to the whole thing.

"Miss matchmaker watching her latest relationship," Finn whispered into my hair. He planted a kiss on my temple as I eased into him. The warmth rolling off of him was comforting and surprising.

"Is it wrong," I asked.

"Not at all. I think it's pretty amazing the things you've done for others."

"Is it something else you love about me?" His arms loosened for a split second before squeezing me tightly again.

"What's going on in that head of yours, Lainy?" I was shaking my head and getting dizzy.

"Nothing." I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder. I started to take a sip from the bottle in my hand. It disappeared before I could and I frowned.

"You've got a nice buzz going. Let's keep it that way."

"Finn," I whined, making myself cringe at the same time. I had never been the type of girl to whine. It was degrading and childlike. Two things I had always prided myself on avoiding.

"Keep that up and I'm taking you home," I teased. "Now, tell me what's going on."

"You keep saying all these things and I'm not sure if I'm supposed to read into them. If there is another reason for them."

"What things?"

"Picking a back up school instead of your first or second choice. Saying that you love this about me or that." I felt the rambling starting to take over. Finn must have, too. He shifted so that he could look at me. His fingers combed through my hair, pushing it out of my face and tucking behind an ear.

"I think we should go and get pancakes."

"I'm serious, Finn. Are you trying to say something without actually saying it? I'm fine with that, but I need to know. I need to know they are hints and that I'm not losing my mind."

His rough hands cupped my face and the corner of his mouth tugged upwards. Those amazing green eyes locked on me, holding all the attention that I had left to give. The cinnamon scent that I'd fallen in love with consumed me as he leaned closer. The familiar touch of his nose as it brushed against mine.

"I want to say it, but not yet. Not until I'm a hundred percent certain."

"A hundred percent about what exactly?"

"How serious you are."

"I'm not saying it first," I mumbled.

"I don't expect you to." His words tickled my face. "In the meantime, don't rush it. We've got plenty of time to get there."

"And the other thing?"

"Plenty of time to get there, too."

"Good." I pressed my lips to his. There was kissing to simply kiss. There was even kissing to pass time. Then there was kissing Finnagin James. It was the best way to pass time, to find a sliver of happiness after a long day and, most importantly, to show how much we loved each other.

He had been right when he'd said we had time. If this was only until he went away to school, then we had nine months. If we survived the long distance, it would be twenty months. Making it out to West to watch him succeed on the collegiate level we'd have three and half years. After that came forever. Beating the odds would be my goal. It didn't matter what I wanted to do after high school. So long as I had Finn, I wouldn't need to worry about it.