119. 16 Kisses

Avery, now 16, stood beside Tanner, overseeing the training session as it wound down to its final moments. The routine was familiar, a dance they had perfected over time, yet today felt distinctly different.

Avery's perception shifted as Tanner made his way to the water table. He casually removed his shirt to dab away the sweat from his face before drenching himself with water, the droplets cascading down his defined chest and stomach.

In that instant, she realized the depth of her attraction to him. It was a revelation, striking and profound.

She was irrevocably in love with him.

This moment, though unexpected, was not entirely unforeseen. They had treaded the path of their growing closeness with maximum caution, Tanner even requesting Avery refrain from specific actions, like kissing him on the lips.

His intentions were clear.

To delay the inevitable awakening of deeper feelings. To postpone the inevitable.

He had hinted at the complexities their bond might entail if their emoti