Just Roll With It: a Just Us novel by Niki Hager

hand.
    "That was interesting," he muses.
    "Always is."
    "So, do you want to talk about it?" he asks, whispering almost.
    "Talk about what?" I respond absently, even though I know exactly what he is referring to.
    "The boyfriend comment. I saw your face when he said it. You freaked."
    "Me? Freaked? No. I was more concerned about you. I didn't want you to think I told him you were my boyfriend, because I swear I didn't. I think he said it to explain his whole roommate dilemma."
    "True. So it wasn't that word specifically you panicked about?"
    What is he getting at? I really don't like how he used the word panic.
    "No, of course not."
    "Then … what do you say?" His voice cracks nervously. "You wanna do it?" He draws his lower lip between his teeth, and his eyes burn with intention and apprehension.
    "Do it? Do what?"
    Then it hits me smack in the face what he's asking.
    "Like, be your girlfriend?" I shriek in a high pitch and almost unintelligible manner.
    "It's too soon. Fuck. Isn't it? I'm sorry, I just … I was thinking maybe …" He's fidgeting all over the place now.
    "No." I shake my head out. "Yes. I mean, yes. Okay, let’s do it. Why not?"
    I have been dreaming about him, literally, since I saw him for the first time so I can't fully comprehend what is actually happening. It would be ridiculous for me to turn him down. We could get to know each other and learn as we go, right?
    He exhales and looks to the ceiling. "Thank God. Wait, should I say thank Thor? What's all that about?"
    "Oh, I have this thing for Thor, like a really big thing. Enzo knows about my comic book crush and jokes with me about him being my god. Lately, he's been replacing the word god in his sentences with Thor as joke. It's become normal now, and I even find myself saying it. It gets catchy, you'll see."
    "So, what you're saying is I already have another man in your life to compete with, huh?" He gently elbows me.
    "A very ripped god of a man, with a magic hammer," I tease.
    "'You know how to deplete a man’s ego quick," he quips.
    "Oh, I'm sure your hammer is magic too."
    We end our project for the night and decide to watch a movie. He's behind me on my bed, cuddling. My head's lying on his arm, with his other arm thrown across my middle. The whole thing feels good. No thinking about panic attacks, or worrying about Roman finding me too fragile and having to tip-toe around me. I feel comfortable around him, and as far as he knows, I'm just a regular girl. For now. It feels nice to feel normal, and normal is exactly how I feel in his arms.
    I look over my shoulder to the guy who has completely stolen my heart, to find him already staring at me. Studying me, not the movie. He leans in and his lips part slightly. I feel my body move to meet him halfway out of pure reflex. My face and body heats from the core. My chest flutters like my heart did a line of cocaine, pounding so strong I can hear the rhythm in my ears. A sudden tingle spreads from my cheek bones to my toes when I feel his finger brush a piece of hair from my face. His hands now resting on each side of my face pull me forward to close the small gap and his lips finally meet mine. He kisses me slow, soft, and sensual. Lips move against lips, using less tongue. His finger traces down my jaw, taking hold of my chin. With my hands now resting on his chest, I can physically feel him when he breathes out a low groan.
    I bust out laughing. 

Fucking Gnarly
I Don't Wanna Know-New Found Glory
Roman

    In some moments, the only appropriate thing to say is WTF. Now would be one of them. 

Rigbee
    Uh-oh, he doesn't look thrilled that I laughed, I was so nervous, and come on, everybody knows first kisses are awkward as hell.
    "First kisses are funny," I say apologetically.
    I still have the biggest smile on my face so he seems to relax a little bit. He rolls to his back, throws an arm over his face, and begins to laugh with me. As our relentless laughter dies down, he peeks over at me from under