"Clay, can I please ask you something?" Misty asked from where she was laying against Clay on his couch after they finished their breakfast. 

      "Sure, hon, anything." Clay responded, rubbing a finger over the back of Misty's hand he was holding. 

     "What is this? Are we boyfriend and girlfriend, or how does this work?" Misty finally asked the question that had been bothering her since their second date. 

     Misty's head rose and fell on Clay's chest as he took in a deep breath. "Misty, I-"

     "And are you sure that you have to ask my dad for permission?" Misty interrupted, turning her head to look up at Clay. 

     Clay chuckled, looking down at Misty's pleading eyes.  "I'm positive." He stroked her hand.

     "Why?" Misty asked, sitting up on the couch. "I'm not makin' us official because you kissed Jace. And I want to ask your dad for 'permission' just to find out if he knew y'all kissed." Misty could almost hear Clay respond. 

     "Because, this is your first relationship. I want to be your boyfriend. I want to show you what it's like to be in a good relationship. I want to be the best first boyfriend you could ever have." He paused to reach a hand up, tucking some hair behind Misty's ear. "I want to do this relationship right." Clay smiled at Misty, dropping his hand from her face to let it rest on her leg. 

      "Okay." Misty said quietly. Slowly, Misty leaned in, expecting Clay to drop a kiss on her lips, but he pulled back. 

     "Why do you not want me to talk to your dad?" Clay asked, his hand still on Misty's thigh.

     "What? Huh? Oh. N-no reason." Misty looked away. She wondered what she had gotten herself into by asking Clay if he considered her his girlfriend. Two fingers under Misty's chin brought her eyes back up to look at Clay. "It's stupid." Misty swatted her hand in the air as if to say, "It's no big deal." She put two hands on either side of her on the couch, about to stand up, but Clay's hand on her wrist made her freeze.

     "What is it?" Clay's voice asked in a concerned tone. He let go of Misty's wrist, putting both his hands on his knees.  

     Misty sighed, slouching back against the couch. "It's just that my dad can be a hardball. He's used to tellin' folks what to do and not folks askin' him if they can do something. And I'm his little girl. He always tells me he wants the best for me and it's not that I don't think that you're the best for me. I just think that...I'm just worried about..."

     "Misty, sweetheart-" Clay started, reaching a hand out to her cheek. 

     "No, clay. Let me finish." Misty said, putting a hand up in front of Clay; Clay retreated his hand back to his leg. "Clay, I like you. I like you a lot. I'm just scared of what my dad could say and what might result of it." Misty knew at some point in this conversation she would need to tell him about Jace since she was in the mood to be completely and utterly honest. It was not fair to Clay to have her continue beating around the bush, playing him any longer. 

     Clay wrapped an arm around Misty's shoulder. "Darlin, nothing is going to happen. I promise. We shouldn't speculate. Just let me talk to your dad, okay?" Clay pulled Misty tighter against him when she didn't reply. "Okay?" Clay asked, placing a kiss on Misty's down turned lips. 

     Misty sighed, then smiled. "Okay," She replied, giving Clay another quick kiss; she knew that he was right.  

     "I really do not think you have anything to worry about. I understand that you're concerned, but don't be. I have worked closely with your dad for over two years. He knows I'm a good worker, and he definitely knows that I take good care of you. I just want to talk to him to assure him that my intentions with you are honorable and I want to ask for permission to date you. Call me old fashioned, but I want to do things right. Plus, your parents and I really seemed to have bonded the night of your accident." Clay smiled, but when he saw that Misty wasn't looking at him, he frowned. "What's wrong?" Clay asked. 

     Misty scoffed, pulling back from Clay. "That's all great stuff, but what I have a problem with is the part about asking permission. We are adults, we do not need to ask permission to do hardly anything." The mention of her accident that was a result of her screwing up royally really set Misty on edge. 

     "Whoa, Misty...where is this coming from?" Clay asked, holding out a hand. He gave Misty a confused look.

     "Why can't we decided when we want to make it official? Why do we need other people's approval?" Misty was surprised at the frustration in her own voice. She really didn't have a reason to be upset at Clay; he was doing everything right, it was herself that she should be mad at.

     Clay hesitated. He was set back by Misty's sudden mood change. "Misty, sweetheart...why are you trying to rush us into making our relationship official?" Clay asked in a calm voice; he reached out, but Misty pulled back, putting her hands up.

     "Because, Clay, I want a relationship with you. It was almost a month ago that you kissed me on the roundup...I thought that that meant you want a relationship with me, but now I'm not sure that's what you want. Call me impatient, but I have waited for you to ask me out on a date since the day I met you and now it's happening and I just..." Misty groaned, putting her hands on her head, pushing back her hair. "I feel like we have moved so fast up to this point and I'm just...I'm new to all of this and I don't know what to think or how to react. And I'm never sure what to say. Clearly, I said the wrong thing just a few minutes ago because now here we are fighting about why you don't want us to be official. We aren't even a couple and we are already fighting." Misty dropped her hands, turning from Clay. "This is just all so new and confusing for me." Misty said, shaking her head.

     Clay shifted his position on the couch so he was better facing Misty. Reaching out another time, Clay placed his hands on Misty's shoulders, softly rubbing them when Misty accepted his hands. "Darlin', where did you get the idea that I don't want a relationship with you?" Clay placed a kiss on the top of Misty's head as she finally let him hold her. "That's exactly what I'm sayin' I want. Mist, I want a relationship with you. And sweetie, we aren't fightin'."

     Misty looked up at Clay, her eyes sad. "I'm sorry..." Her voice was quiet.

     "Sweetheart..." Clay's voice was sympathetic. He held out his arms, welcoming Misty to a hug.

     Falling against Clay's strong body, Misty wrapped her arms tightly around his middle, her head resting on his chest. "Is there something else goin' on?" Clay asked, now concerned.

      "You're going to hate me..." The statement came out just above a whisper. 

     "Misty, I could never hate you. Please, just tell me what is bothering you." Clay said, stroking Misty's hair.

     Misty turned so she was fully facing Clay. Reaching out, Misty grabbed Clay's hand, interlacing their fingers. Misty was quiet for a few seconds as she gathered her thoughts and contemplated how she wanted to tell Clay. "I guess why I'm so hesitant to have you talk to my dad is because when we were growing up, everyone was sure that Jace and I would get together and date...our parents kind of teased, but were also serious that they could see Jace and I getting married. I think that my parents, my dad especially, still kind of expects that Jace will be my first boyfriend. And...I think that..." Misty hesitated. She really wanted to tell Clay what happened, but she was unsure how. "Never mind. It's stupid." Misty retreated her hand. Standing up from the couch, Misty dropped the subject that she thought she was ready to talk about. Picking up their breakfast plates, Misty was about to walk into the kitchen when Clay stood up in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. 

      Clay took the plates from Misty's hands, setting them back down on the coffee table. He grabbed both of Misty's hands in his own when he asked, "What is it, Mist?"

     "I just think that...I don't know...maybe Jace likes the idea of him and I dating, too?" Misty said in more of a question, looking at Clay.

     Clay shifted in his spot. "Why do you say that? Did Jace say somethin' to make you think that?"

      "Um...he...it's kinda more than that..." Why was Misty having such a hard time telling the truth to Clay? Was she worried he would be mad? Of course he would be upset. Anyone in their right mind would be upset about something like this. 

     "Okay?" Clay pulled Misty closer to him. "Misty, you can tell me anything." He added when Misty didn't say anything in response. 

     Pulling back from the hug, Misty sat back down on the couch. "Um...well...the other day...Jace kind of...kissed me?" Misty said, her voice going up at the end of the sentence, making it sound more like a question. Looking up at Clay to see his reaction, Misty saw several emotions pass across Clay's face. Clay took a seat on the couch next to Misty. 

      "The other day? Wh-when did this happen, Misty?" Clay asked, his voice low. The blue in Clay's eyes was replaced with hurt, turning his eyes almost gray. 

     Misty just wanted to feel him next to her, so she reached out, grabbing his hand hoping that would make him stay with her when she knew he would just want to leave. "The day of my accident." Misty's voice was too quiet to be considered a whisper, but in her ears it sounded like she was shouting. When Clay scoffed in disbelief, Misty closed her eyes. "I'm sorry." It came out in a whisper. She felt Clay's hand leaving hers, then felt the couch moving, signifying that he stood up. Clay walked around behind the couch, letting out a breath he didn't know he had been holding. A couple seconds later, Misty heard a thud that made her jump. She assumed that Clay had slammed his hand into the table based on the clanging sound of metal which Misty figured was silverware. Clay was upset, just what she expected of him. Turning slightly, Misty looked behind her. She saw Clay with one hand on his hip, the other rubbing his face; his eyes were closed, and he was facing Misty. 

     Taking a deep breath, Clay opened his eyes and came back over and sat down next to Misty on the couch. Without looking at Misty, Clay leaned over, resting his elbows on his knees. In a low voice rigged with frustration, Clay demanded, "Start from the beginning and tell me exactly what happened, please." He talked with his hands, his words choppy. Misty sensed that he was doing everything that he could to not blow up on her. 

     Misty took in a shaky breath, then dove into the story, not leaving out a single detail. "But Clay, what I'm tryin' to tell you is that I felt nothing. And I'm not just saying that. I truly felt nothing. And that surprised me. That's why I kept rejecting you last week. I knew this would upset you, and I was scared out of my mind of what would happen as a result. I was afraid that you wouldn't believe me what I said that I truly did not feel a thing. I do not have any feelings for Jace at all beyond just friendship." Misty took a breath, looking at Clay. She felt tears rising in her eyes as she saw the evident hurt in Clay's body language; pain that was the result of her irresponsible actions. "I really do not want to lose you. Clay, please tell me you believe me." She reached a hand across her legs to rest on Clay's. 

      "I want to, Mist." Clay said, raising his eyes to look at her for the first time since they sat back down on the couch. "I really want to, but you said that you kissed him twice. You must've felt something the first time if you kissed him again." Clay's voice now held more hurt than anger. 

     "What can I do to make you believe that I felt nothing, and that the only feelings I have for anyone are the feelings I have for you?" Misty asked, her voice surprisingly calm.

     "Misty, I really like you, but this is a big deal...a huge deal, in fact." Clay took a deep breath. "You can start by not kissin' any other guy besides me. I believe that-"

     Misty shut Clay up real quick and followed his advice by leaning forward, capturing his lips in her own. When she kissed him, she didn't care that it sent shooting pain through her side. She had never kissed Clay so deeply before. The first one was a long kiss as Misty waited for Clay to pull back, kissing her again. Sure enough, he did. His hands reached up, finding Misty's hair, and running his fingers through it, kissing her again.

     "Do you believe me now?" Misty asked, pulling back, a smile replacing where Clay's lips were just seconds before.

     Clay nodded. "I believed you before you kissed me." He added a smile.

     Misty chuckled before turning serious. "Clay, I never meant to hurt you. I do not know why I kissed Jace back, but I know for sure that it was not because I had feelings for him. At one point, when we were much younger and before I met you, I might have thought I did, but I don't. I promise you that. I would tell you, Clay." 

     Clay grabbed Misty's hands in his own. "I know, Misty. I know. I just...this still doesn't make sense to me, but I want to trust you. And I certainly do not want our first fight to be about a kiss shared between you and your best friend." Clay rubbed a finger over Misty's hand. "I know that when a guy and girl are as close as you and Jace are, you can feel like you have feelings for each other, and sometimes it takes an interaction between you two, such as the one that you and Jace shared, to prove that there are no feelings between y'all." Clay let out a chuckle followed by, "I just wish that y'all didn't have to kiss." 

     "Thank you for understanding." Misty smiled, honestly surprised how understanding Clay was being, and how quickly he got over being mad.

     "You're welcome. Just promise me you won't do it again." There was a look in Clay's eyes.

     "Of course not, Clay. I never want to cause you hurt ever again." Misty reached a hand up to Clay's cheek. Clay looked away for a few seconds. Misty gave him a concerned look. "Is there something else you wanted to say, Clay?"

     Clay's eyes met Misty's. "I think we should make it official." It was as if a light bulb lit up in Clay's eyes.

     "Make what official?" Misty asked, still hung up on the fact that Clay seemed like he truly believed Misty and that he honestly forgave her.

     "Us, Misty. I want you to be my girlfriend, officially." Clay's eyes sparkled. "I'm talkin' to your dad tonight, but I know he will approve. I really want you to be my girlfriend, Misty. Will you?"

     "Of course, Clay. Of course!" Misty beamed.

     "One more thing." Clay started. "I want us to be exclusive. You only go on dates with me and you're the only one I take out. That also means you're not allowed to kiss other guys." Clay added a wink, a double meaning to his last statement.

     Misty turned serious. "Absolutely. And, Clay, I really am sorry about what happened. It will not happen again, I promise." 

     "I know, baby. I know." Clay replied, leaning forward to place a kiss on Misty's cheek. "And Misty, I'm still goin' to ask your dad tonight, just to make sure that he is okay with us being together." Rubbing Misty's hand, he asked, "Do you want to tell him about you and Jace, or do you want me to? Because, Mist, he's gonna find out one way or the other. It's better to hear it coming from you or me." 

      Misty let out a sigh. "I want to be the one to tell my dad, if that's okay." Misty wrapped her other hand around Clay's bicep, snuggling a little closer to him. 

     "Of course that's okay." Clay gave up a smile.

     Tracing her finger up and down Clay's arm, Misty added in a quieter voice, "And, I want to talk to Jace again, as well." Looking up at Clay, Misty wanted to see his reaction. 

      Letting out a sigh, Clay shifted in is spot slightly. "Misty, I..." He looked over at her. "Okay." Clay surrendered. 

      "Thank you. Don't worry, I won't kiss him." Misty chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. Seeing the glare in Clay's eyes, Misty asked, "Too soon?" 

      Clay held up two fingers about an inch apart. "Just a little too soon." The gesture was followed by a smile. 

     Misty rested her head against Clay's shoulder. "I know that this isn't how you wanted to spend your afternoon, I apologize."

     "What do you mean?" Clay gave Misty a questioning look. 

      "Clay, we almost had a fight because I screwed up and kissed Jace." Misty hoped she wasn't rehashing anything when she made the remark. 

      "I know, darlin', but I asked you to be my girlfriend, so that's a good thing that happened, right?" Clay pulled Misty closer to him, so her face was just a couple inches from his. 

     A large smile broke out on Misty's face. "That's a great thing that happened."  Misty reached up and stroked Clay's jawline, wanting to kiss him. 

       Clay, leaning forward, placed a possessive kiss on Misty's forehead. "You're all mine." Clay thought to himself. And he was never going to give her up.