by A. Marie
“It’s not for school. And, yeah, Thursday’s my last day.”
Coty opens his eyes, holding me captive.
“When’s graduation then? This weekend?”
“Saturday.”
“Will your family be there?”
My mouth flattens and I look away. “I don’t know. Maybe?”
“What? Your own family would miss your graduation?”
I type out a website, careful to angle the screen away from those same perceptive eyes I was just drooling over. “It’s not that big of a deal. They’re not really the supportive type.”
Coty looks like he wants to argue but how can he? He doesn’t even know my family. And hopefully it stays that way.
Sighing, I elaborate, telling him about my mom and sister skipping out on the big event. “Drew will be there though. Maybe with his dad since he was my stepdad once upon a time.”
“That’s not your sister’s dad?”
Busy scanning the newest listings, I answer, “no,” absentmindedly.
“You and your sister have the same dad then?”
“Uh, no. You are looking at the product of a one-night stand.” I wink at him before returning to the screen. “A slip-up. I was never meant to be.”
“A happy accident,” Coty corrects.
“I doubt anyone sees it that way.” In fact, I know they don’t.
A hand to my cheek, Coty steals my attention momentarily. “I do.”
My mouth twitches at the cheese factor but his serious expression has my heart picking up speed. He means it. Or at least he thinks he does. Give it time.
I turn my head, placing a kiss to his palm.
He continues asking questions about my past and I fill him in with the bits and pieces I’m willing to share. There’s a fine line between interest and pity when revealing my childhood to others and I’m careful with the details I divulge. Always. Coty listens intently, never rushing me or pressing for answers I’m not ready to give.
At some point, I look over to find Coty fast asleep. One arm above his head, one draped over my thigh, he is the picture of euphoria. My heart squeezes watching his chest rise and fall, so steady, so sure—so fucking beautiful. It would be too easy to fall for this man. To fall for everything I’ve gone without.
I gently move his arm over to his stomach and return his laptop to its original spot. Bending down, I kiss his forehead before quietly letting myself out.
Beckett’s closing the front door just as I enter the main room.
“You sneaking out?”
Am I? “Coty passed out, so I’m heading home.”
Through the dim light from the TV, I watch his eyebrows shoot up. “Damn, Coty’s gonna be pissed when he finds out you ditched him.” He chuckles to himself. “Want to finish the rest of this movie?”
“Can’t.”
“Lame,” he chides. “It’s your last day or some shit, isn’t it?”
“Almost.”
“Come on, don’t make me finish this movie alone. It’s scary.”
I glance at the paused screen and scoff. “Tremors? That movie’s old as hell.”
“So what? It’s scary as hell, too.”
Such a big baby.
“Where’s that girl from earlier? She’ll keep the monster worm-things away.”
He plops on the couch, tsking. “You know better than that, neighbor girl. Remember? No midnight snack for her.”
“Is that an apartment-wide rule or just you?”
“Why? Do you want to spend the night?” He wiggles his eyebrows as I slip my hands inside the hoodie pocket. Then, so low I almost miss it, he says, “It’s just me.”
His tone hints at something deeper but I’m too tired to dig, so I sit on the other side of the couch from him, stretching my legs out along his. He throws a blanket over us while I try not to gawk at how long his legs actually are.
“Can I hold your hand?”
I poke my bare foot out of the blanket in front of Beckett’s face, laughing when he jerks back. He shoves my foot away playfully, mumbling something about taking his chances.
Beckett shares the story of the first time he watched the cult classic with his dad. Listening to him recall the fond memory quiets the stream of thoughts rushing through my mind and I settle in, welcoming the distraction. We fall into comfortable silence after a while. The peace it presents is staggering. Unfamiliar. Extraordinary.
My eyes grow heavy as the blanket’s warmth envelopes me. With the constant heat in my apartment, I forgot how comforting a thick blanket can be.
I’m being pulled under just as I hear a whispered, “can we keep you?” but I don’t remember that line being in the movie. I mean who would want to keep something around that only causes destruction anyway?
Once again, I wake to Coty lifting me. This time, snuggled against his chest, I notice him carrying me down a different hall. I vaguely recognize it as the hall to his room and not the one that leads to my apartment. Everything now dark, it’s hard to be certain but his scent hits me as he swings the door shut with his foot careful not to jostle me, and I know it’s his room.
“What are you doing?” I grumble.
“I fell asleep with you in my arms, I’m going to wake up with you in them, too.”
Positioned in the middle of the bed, Coty follows, climbing in behind me. He wraps his body around mine and, unable to argue—physically or otherwise—I’m already drifting out to a sea of bliss.
“Shh. Sleep. I got you.”
And stupid me, I listen.
For now.
CHAPTER 23
Angela
Coty’s lips coaxing me awake was a pleasant way to start the day and I’ve missed them ever since. He’s held true to his word of being my personal chaperone, taking me to work and picking me up. I didn’t realize what a relief it would be having his car waiting for me at the end of my shifts.
The morning tradition of the boys sending me off to school from their back balcony remains. Some days all three are out, other times only Coty is. Today both Coty and Beckett are sitting at their round patio table, watching me with grins plastered to their good-looking faces.
“Morning, neighbor girl,” Beckett calls.
“Good morning.”
“You got any errands today? I’m all yours.”
Hearing an ‘oof,’ I look up to see Coty pulling his hand back from Beck’s stomach.
“Good morning, Coty.”
“I woke up alone today so I wouldn’t know.” His expression changes to match his glum words.
I smile anyway.
“Dude, you know I’m always up for cuddles.” Beckett stands, winking as he leans his elbows against the banister.
As I cross the street over to school grounds, I can tell the moment they catch sight of the back of my shirt. I’m wearing a black racerback tank with a flowery skull on the front and my hot pink bra showing through the completely see-through lacy back. I chose my shredded white shorts to add more attitude to the already bold outfit. Today being the last day of school, I decided I’d go out with a bang. Judging from the cusses sounding from behind me, it has the desired effect. I also filled all six of my ear piercings with small hoops instead of my usual studs, giving a bit more edge, too.
I peek over my shoulder with a mischievous smirk. The look from Coty, who’s now standing with the banister in a death grip, is full of rage, heat, and, ultimately, powerlessness. I wave innocently, then continue on my way.
Only a few more steps in and I’m suddenly picked up from behind by someone who smells a lot like my favorite neighbor. Before I can react, Coty puts me back on my feet, arms wrapped around my middle.
“Are you trying to kill me with this outfit?” he says into my neck, giving me goose bumps.
“You’ve seen me in a bikini but this is a problem?”
“It’s a problem because you’re going to be surrounded by a bunch of horny teenagers.”
“You’re one to talk.”
“Damn right.”
I scoff, trying to shrug him off but he doesn’t budge.
Spinning in his arms, I catch him off guard as we’re brought face-to-face. My hands come up to rest on his cheeks.
“Don’t you know? I’m just a horny teenager myself.” I lick his lip before kissing him hard.
Close but not close enough, he presses his groin in line with mine and we both groan from the contact.
“Skip. Spend the day with me. I’ll call in sick.”
I push against his shoulders.
“Not happening.”
I’ve never skipped in my life and I’m not going to on the last day of my high school career.
Plus, I’ve always reveled in getting perfect attendance and good grades. I never did it to prove myself to her, she doesn’t deserve that kind of credit, I’ve always done it for myself. I take great pride in being the opposite of what she’s always claimed I am—a fatherless fuck-up of a mistake. I know plenty of fuck-ups that have fathers though, proving her foolish theory wrong yet again.
Coty lets me push his body away this time.
“Do you work today?”
“No, I kept my day open for the parties.”
Coty chuckles. “Sounds about right, party animal.”
I roll my eyes.
He brings his face in close again, his hand smoothing over the lace to find his go-to spot.
“See you later,” he says slyly then steals a quick kiss.
Releasing me, he walks back to the complex with the sexiest swagger I’ve ever seen. I stand here admiring the muscles in his back as they tighten from his hands in his pockets. His triceps flex, showing how strong he is. His walk is slow and relaxed, exactly how my body feels after he showers me with affection.
The fog threatening to overtake me, I spin around and walk a little faster to first period.
* * *
“Will I see you at any festivities this weekend?”
“Probably not.” I shrug.
“Why not? I’d pay money to see you drunk,” Eli, a kid in my chemistry class, teases as we walk through the paper-filled hallway. The stupid tradition of seniors making it rain papers on the last day has left the hall a complete mess. Sheets of all sizes and colors flutter through the air around us. Eli’s asked me to several parties through the years, all to which I declined, so he knows my penchant for avoiding large social gatherings. He places his hand on my lower back as we make our way out the door and into the too-bright sunshine.
I think back to the night with Coty and a bottle of vodka and my cheeks warm. “I drink sometimes.”
He eyeballs me sketchily. Squeezing in closer to fit through the gate together, Eli throws his arm over my shoulder. “Well, if that’s the case, maybe I’ll see you Saturday night.”
“Don’t hold your breath,” I mutter, shrugging him off just as I hear my name.
I lock eyes with Coty leaning against his Camaro, legs crossed at the ankles. His beast of a car is parked front and center at the curb, gaining interest from students and teachers alike. His eyes leave mine to shoot to Eli, who drops his arm awkwardly, before snapping his head back to me.
“Is he your boyfriend? I didn’t think you even liked guys.”
That makes me smile, and I give Eli a shove, then say goodbye. He chuckles as he heads toward the student lot.
Coty pushes off his car, sauntering over. His casual outfit of ripped jeans and a black V-neck tee with aviator glasses and slightly styled hair look too sexy for any sane woman to resist.
A couple feet away he stops.
“Who was that?” His head jerks toward Eli’s retreating form.
My eyes stay on his with a quirk of an eyebrow. “A friend.”
Coty breaks first and reaches for me in the next breath. Arms around my back, he leans in to whisper, “Babe, you don’t have any friends.”
I bark out a laugh. “You’re starting to catch on.”
He pulls back with a panty-dropping smile and grabs my hand, hauling me forward.
“I could’ve just walked home, you know. We live across the street, literally. You didn’t need to leave work for this.”
“It’s your last day, of course I’m picking you up. And we’re not going home.”
“Where are we going then?”
Wordlessly, Coty opens the passenger door, allowing me to climb in before strolling to his side. He starts the car which draws even more attention with the rumble of the throaty exhaust, and revs it a couple more times for his own amusement.
“You’ll see.”
CHAPTER 24
Angela
The overlook in the daylight holds an entirely new quality than it did the last time we were here. For starters, it’s off limits. The cover of night hid the tall PRIVATE ROAD sign paired with a smaller, yet just as serious one saying KEEP OUT. Yeah, Coty didn’t even try to keep the smile from his face when we passed those ‘suggestions’ as he called them on the way up here.
Also, there are huge wind-turbines. Everywhere. The colossal white structures, a stark contrast to the olive green and muted brown terrain, essentially dominate the otherwise desolate rolling hills.
My stomach lurches, not only from the height—which is glaringly noticeable in the daylight—but also the added danger of trespassing. Like the turbines outside churning up unseen energy, unease begins to swell with each charged inhale I take.
Coty interrupts my very own anxiety tempest when he produces a large bag from the back.
“I brought extra this time.”
His wink gives me pause. Extra what exactly?
“Limes. For lunch.” With a face splitting grin, he jostles my tightly clenched hand. “Follow me.”
Loosening my grip on my seat helps unfurl the knot in my chest allowing me to trail after Coty breathing a bit easier.
Evidently, he planned an entire picnic, even picking up food and drinks from the best taco truck in town, Paco’s Tacos. And true to his word, he got me extra limes. And then some.
Blanket tucked under his arm, we wander over to spread it out closer to the ledge.
Once settled, we divide up the different containers and Coty happily digs in. Since I’m too hungry to nitpick about prices, I do, too.
I take in the town below as I chew. I’ve lived here my whole life and never saw it from this perspective. The ability to see further gives the illusion the city is bigger than it is, that it holds more opportunity than it actually does. Seeing buildings, roads—things that seem so large and imposing—appear so small and inferior, it makes me think about the issues in my life. They consume my thoughts and squash my hopes, piling up, making it hard to see past them. But if I change my perspective, maybe I’d be able to see around the problems more clearly.
“What are you thinking about?”
“How different it feels up here.”
“Crazy, huh? I love being here at night but my favorite time is during the day, when I can see everything that I drive right by without ever noticing.”
I glance over to watch as he takes in the scene below.
“Like what?”
He points his finger and I follow its path. “See that mountain? Years ago, when Mount St. Helens erupted, ash blew for miles and miles, even reaching over here. That mountain, standing directly in the debris’ path, took the biggest blast, making it very rich in silt. There was so much ash, of course, that it spread everywhere, but that mountain has more than the rest of this entire region. Nothing’s out there still, so it looks just like the others but it’s not. Not even close.”
Coty’s eyes round as he talks.
“Will they develop it at some point?”
He shrugs a little too nonchalantly. “Probably. This area is growing every day. It’d be stupid not to use that land. The bottom is safe from the harsh winds that are infamous for wreaking havoc here. Hence.” He gestures to the countless turbines spinning above our heads. “That soil’s rich with nutrients you can’t buy. It’s where I would plant c
rops.”
“Do you want to? Plant crops?”
He lies back and covers his face with an arm to block the sun. He pats his chest for me to join him with the other but I lie alongside him instead.
“Someday, I do. A nice piece of land where I can ride and grow things. Rugrats running around.” He peeks out from under his arm at me.
I drop my eyes. I’ve never put much thought into my future long-term, only able to see the obstacles right in front of me. Again, looking at things from a different perspective can reveal things I didn’t know were there. Hopes, dreams, goals I never realized I wanted. The way Coty describes his future makes it sound attainable, not like he just wants to get there but that he plans to. Knowing Coty’s persistent ass, he probably will.
“What about you?”
Voice coarse, I counter, “What about me?”
“Do you want a family?”
Shit.
I squint at the clouds overhead and blow out a breath. “I don’t know. I never really thought about it. Growing up with my mom’s revolving door of men, I spent so much time resenting the pressure she put on her relationships. You know? Like her happiness depended on a man. I learned to stand on my own instead of hinging my well-being on a guy, never considering what genuine love would look like. I’ve never seen a healthy relationship to even want one for myself. I’ve just been content to survive, never bothering to strive for more. If that makes sense.” A blush coats my face. “But your dream sounds nice. I hope you get it. You’d be a great dad.”
I try to blink back the vision that scenario generates but against my better judgement, I don’t. I imagine Coty with another woman—beautiful, happy, loved—standing on their porch together, watching their kids—laughing, ecstatic, loved—play in their expansive country yard.
That freeloader Gale, the one who showed up unannounced the second we arrived, upgrades from a forceful wind to a full-blown fucking cyclone knocking around my chest until the rest of me is rattling in confusion.
Knowing Coty will live out his fantasy, alongside someone that deserves to share it with him, fills me with such agony I rub small circles against my sternum. On the other hand, the thought that he might not get the package deal he so desperately yearns for somehow hurts even worse.