“What? No!” That was the last thing I wanted to do.
“Bly, don’t be silly. He’s standing there waiting on you. And everyone knows it.” Lilly shoved me again.
Oh, my goodness, she’s right. Glancing around, I saw that Walker and I had become the center of attention with a substantial portion of the student section of the bleachers and all the cheerleaders, who were standing on the track not far from where Walker leaned against the fence- smiling at me with a knowing grin.
I stood up, glaring at him. His grin grew until he let out a laugh.
“Come down here, Bly!” he called, waving at me.
“I am going to kill him!” I murmured as I started to make my way down the steps.
“Give him a good luck kiss, Bly,” Lilly called after me. I shot her a death glare over my shoulder and fought the urge to burst into flames. I wanted to hide my face as I walked along the front of the bleachers on my way to meet Walker.
The closer I got, the more he smiled. Finally, I stood before him.
“Shit, Bly. Do you know how long I’ve imagined you wearing my jersey?” he asked, taking my hand over the top of the fence. “Come over here.” He tugged until we reached the break in the fence. I was in his arms as soon as the barrier between us disappeared.
“Walker!” I whispered anxiously, feeling very much as though we were on stage for the whole school.
“I know, Bly, but damn.” He pulled back so I could see his face. His eyes sparkled with amusement and barely disguised appreciation. “I’m so glad you’re here.” He tugged on the sleeve of his jersey at my shoulder. “You look pretty hot wearing my number.”
My cheeks burned. I was flustered, but excited, too. “Thanks.”
“I have to go.” His grin turned mischievous. “Do I get a good luck kiss?”
“I’m pretty sure my parents are here,” I evaded his eyes, embarrassed and thrilled by the attention.
“Will this help?” he asked, positioning his body so he basically blocked me from the view of the bleachers. “Come on, Bly. You want me to win, right?” He smiled and I knew he was just teasing me. But I also knew under the teasing, he was challenging me to claim him, the way he’d claimed me by giving me his jersey.
Before I could lose my nerve, I gripped the collar of his shoulder pads and pulled his head toward mine. “Good luck,” I whispered just before pressing my lips to his.
He was so stunned, he didn’t react at first, but then his hands came up to frame my face, holding me there when I would have pulled away. I wanted to lose myself in Walker’s kiss, but the sound of cheering reached my ears and I remembered we were not alone.
“Holy crap!” I whispered, hiding my face in his chest, not at all ready to face the crowd that had just witnessed us practically making out.
“No kidding,” Walker laughed. “We’re winning tonight for sure.”
I swatted his arm.
“Back to hitting me, huh?” he teased me.
“You deserve it,” I shot back.
“Maybe,” he nodded, his gaze steady on my face. “I gotta go.”
“I know. Good luck, Walker.” I didn’t want to let him go, but I was also excited to watch him play.
“Thanks. I’ll see you after the game.” With that, he leaned down to plant a quick kiss on my lips before turning to jog back onto the field.
Flustered and so not ready to face people in the stands, I backed up until I was under the bleachers. Reaching up, I placed my palms on my cheeks, hoping to cool them. It seemed more and more that Walker really did like me, that what had started at the beach was something real and not just a figment of my vacation imagination. Walker had been nothing but sweet and fun and well, there all week. And when he was there with me, it appears there was no other place he wanted to be.
By the time I made my way back to the stands, I had calmed my racing heart, but there was no hope for my flaming cheeks. Of course, every one’s attention had returned to the game in progress and their own friends and fun, but I had caught the eye of both my parents. To my everlasting embarrassment, Mom tossed me a grin and a thumbs up and even my Dad winked at me, a little smile on his face. I guess they liked Walker, too.
Lilly’s reaction was the best and the most reassuring. I still didn’t know how I’d attracted the attention of a guy like Walker, but Lilly assured me I had and that the scene down by the track had been very romantic and Walker looked like a boy in love.
Holy.
Crap.
I cheered my heart out for the team and especially for the quarterback. Walker, of course, had an amazing game and the buzz in the stands was that Walker would be gaining the attention of scouts from the local universities and from a few out of state schools, too. The news was as unsettling as it was exciting. I could only imagine how Walker must be feeling knowing he might be able to play football at the next level.
After the game, which we won, Lilly and I made our way over to where my parents sat with Walker’s mom and dad. My mom gave Lilly a hug and introduced her to Becky.
“What a game!” Roger gushed, pride oozing from every pore.
“Walker’s got a future playing college ball if he keeps playing like that,” my dad added, slapping Roger on the shoulder, a proud smile twisting his lips.
“Are you getting a ride with Walker, honey,” mom asked, her eyes twinkling. I couldn’t stop the blush brought on by her question.
“Yeah, if that’s okay with you guys,” I responded.
Dad nodded, still smiling. “Just be home by midnight.”
“That’s Walker’s curfew, too,” Becky added.
“We’ll be home by then.” I grabbed Lilly’s arm and pulled her away from the parents before they could say anything about that kiss before the game.
“Goodness. Could Walker be any more perfect? He’s already got the parent approval. Even from your dad!” Lilly shook her head in amazement as we made our way toward her car in the lot beside the field.
“It seems he is pretty darn perfect. Now, all I have to do is figure out what the heck was going on with him after our vacation.” I still didn’t understand that, but I was coming to realize it had all probably been a huge misunderstanding. There was no way Walker was the jerk I had mistaken him for that first week of school. “Are you sure you don’t want to go to the diner with us?”
Lilly shook her head and opened the driver’s side door of her car. “Nope. I have to get up early tomorrow to help my mom with some stuff at home.”
I nodded. I understood. Lilly’s mom ran a business from their home and she counted on Lilly’s help most Saturday mornings.
“But I expect a full report of all the details!” she exclaimed, jabbing me in the ribs.
“Okay, okay, I promise.” I gave her a quick hug. “Thanks so much for being here for me tonight. You are the bestest best friend.”
Lilly squeezed me tight before pushing me away playfully. “You know it. Now go find your man.”
I shook my head, laughing, because even though it might be true that Walker was going to become my boyfriend, I just couldn’t think of him as ‘my man’. I waved as Lilly pulled out of the parking lot and waited until she was gone before making my way toward the locker room to wait for Walker.
Walker
The team was stoked after whooping our opponents 42-10. Coach said not to count our chickens, but it was hard not to be excited about possibly winning the state championship. Just playing in the stadium in Indianapolis would be amazing. One thing I loved about Indiana was the sports. I’ve rooted for the Colts all my life and I used to love it when my dad would take us to games downtown to watch not just football, but the Pacers and the Indians, too.
“You going to the diner,” Mike asked as he pulled on a pair of jeans in the locker room. We were almost the last ones left.
“Yeah, we’ll be there.” I answered, slipping on my shoes and tossing my bag over my shoulder.
“We. You mean you and Blythe?” he asked with a knowi
ng smile.
I grinned at the mention of her name. “Yeah.”
“She your girl now?” He fell into step beside me and we walked toward the exit.
I shook my head. “Not yet, anyway.”
“I don’t get it. How have I never noticed her before? She’s definitely cute.”
“Hey, don’t get any ideas,” I said, punching him in the shoulder, light enough to not hurt but hard enough to let him know I meant it.
Mike laughed. “Jeez, man. Don’t worry. Like I could compete with you anyway. That girl is crazy about you.”
I considered his words and hoped he was right. I wanted Blythe to be crazy about me, because heaven only knew I was crazy about her. “I knew her before. Our parents are good friends and we used to hang out a lot before I moved to California.”
Mike waggled his eyebrows. “And then you spent a week with her at the beach.”
I grinned. “Yeah, man. It was awesome.”
Mike chuckled and returned my earlier punch with one of his own. “Ha. I knew it! There was a bikini involved, wasn’t there?”
“Dude.” Even though he was right, there was no way I was discussing Blythe in a bikini with Mike.
“That’s fine. I get it.” Mike didn’t say anything else because we reached the doors and were soon outside. Blythe stood waiting for me, leaning against the brick exterior.
“See you soon, man,” he said, holding his hand out for my fist. I gave him a nod and headed toward Blythe.
“Hey, Blythe,” he called out on his way down the sidewalk toward the parking lot.
“Good game, Mike,” she responded. I wanted to tell her not to talk to him, especially after the bikini comment, but I knew I was being silly and a jerk, so I kept my mouth shut.
“Hey.” My eyes drank her in. How had I ever been happy before Blythe? She smiled and my world was complete.
“Hey, you. Jeez, Walker, your game,” her voice trailed off and she shook her head in wonder. It had been a good game. The best of my high school career. Coach had been beside himself, telling me I was even better than the kid who’d graduated last year.
“Thanks,” I replied. I needed to hold her. She looked so cute still wearing my jersey, her cheeks flushed from the cool night air. Without hesitation, I wrapped her in a hug and just breathed.
She didn’t say anything for a while. We stood there holding each other. She was the first to break our silence.
“You smell so good.” She inhaled as if to prove her statement.
I chuckled. “That’s nice, since I just took a shower. I didn’t figure you’d want to hang out if I still smelled like the game.” I nuzzled my lips against her neck where a curtain of her hair fell over my face. “You smell pretty good yourself.”
Her arms tightened around my waist. “I used a new shampoo,” she breathed.
“Hmmm. I like it.” I breathed her in again. “You ready to go?”
She sighed. “I guess.”
I chuckled at her response. In some ways, I just wanted to go somewhere we could hang out alone, but tonight was a big win and the guys were excited to celebrate. I knew there would be a big party out in one of the guy’s barns, but I had no desire to get into all that. Especially, not with Blythe. So, the diner would have to do.
“Come on,” I dropped my arms from around her and picked up her hand in mine. “I believe I owe you a shake.”
Chapter Twenty
Blythe
We stayed at the diner for a couple of hours. The owner’s son played on the team and he said he’d rather everyone hang out there than go party somewhere else. He probably realized some of the kids still did that, but those of us that didn’t appreciated the safe place to go. Walker led me toward the same table we’d sat at before and ordered us both burgers, fries, and shakes. This time Hayden stole fries from my plate. I swear, he was just like a big teddy bear.
I wasn’t as nervous this time walking into the diner holding Walker’s hand. A feeling of belonging settled over me in a way it never had before. I knew in my heart the feeling was because of Walker and not because of any of our classmates. As much as they tolerated me, I knew it was only for Walker’s sake and that if he decided to ditch me, I’d go right back to being the invisible girl I’d always been.
It didn’t bother me.
Walker was a natural in these social situations. He talked about the game with the guys and was gracious in response to praise. He made everyone around him feel included and special. And all the while, he never lost contact with me. He held my hand, he put his arm along the back of my chair, he rested his hand on my knee. He made it a point to whisper in my ear his thoughts about this person or that. He included me in every conversation in such a natural way. Everything about the night reminded me of us at the beach.
Finally, Walker stood up from his chair and stretched. I couldn’t help but admire the strip of bare skin peeking out between the hem of his shirt and the waistband of his jeans. I remembered how it felt to touch him that day as we swam in the ocean. Heat rose in my cheeks.
“Hey, you okay?” Walker asked, pulling me to my feet.
I bit my lip, not wanting to confess to lusting after him in front of half the school. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
He studied me for a second, trying to decide if he believed me. “Okay, well, let’s get out of here.”
I nodded and followed his lead as he threaded his way through the throng of people. He never let go of my hand.
Once we reached his car, Walker opened my door. Before, I could get in, he stopped me with his lips.
“Dude, Walker, let the poor girl breathe!”
I felt Walker’s lips curve into a smile against mine when Mike’s shout reached us.
“You can breathe, right?” Walker asked, his lips only a breath away.
“I’m good,” I reassured him, even though he had made me breathless.
“Yes, you are.” Walker pressed a quick kiss to my lips then pulled away, allowing me to slide into the passenger’s seat of his car.
Whew.
On the way to my house, we made small talk, discussing the game and events from the evening. Walker only let go of my hand when he needed his own to drive. Once he pulled up in front of my house and opened my door, he walked me to the front steps of my house.
“Can you meet me later?” he asked softly, eying me hopefully.
“What? When? Where?” Haven’t we just been hanging out for hours?
My surprise made him laugh. “I still want to talk to you, but I don’t want your dad to get mad at me for keeping you out past curfew.”
“So, you want me to sneak out of the house?” I whisper shouted.
He rolled his eyes. “I just want to meet you in the backyard, Bly, not elope or something.”
“Oh, good, because I’m not even seventeen yet. I’m not ready for marriage.”
“I forgot how young you are, you little junior, you,” Walker teased, hugging me playfully against his chest and patting the top of my head.
“Funny.” I punched him in the ribs.
“Oomph. Hey, you better watch that. If I get hurt and can’t play, your shake supply will dry up.” He framed my face with his hands and tilted it up to meet his. “Will you, though? Meet me in a little bit? I really want to talk to you.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I’ll text you when my dad goes up to bed.”
Walker smiled and kissed me quickly on the lips. “Good. I’ll see you soon. Better get in there before he opens the door.”
I giggled. “I’m surprised he hasn’t already.”
Walker
After dropping off Blythe, I went home and changed into warm sweats and a hoodie. Indiana nights in the fall get cold and I wanted to be ready when Blythe texted me. I hadn’t been able to think of anything else since I left her after the park. I needed to come clean about my feelings for her and find out what had happened after the beach to make things so weird between us. I needed her to know how much I wanted to be with her. How m
uch I wanted her to be my girlfriend. It couldn’t wait another day.
I laid on top of the covers on my bed and messed around on my phone until almost one in the morning before Blythe sent me a text.
Blythe: Are you still awake?
Me: Yep. You ready?
Blythe: Yeah, see you in a sec.
Me: I’ll be right there.
Anticipation built in my chest. I felt confident things were going to go well, but I was still nervous about talking to Blythe. I didn’t want to hear about hurting her feelings, even though I was anxious to fix things and needed to know exactly what had happened to do that.
I grabbed another hoodie out of my closet in case Blythe got cold and then made my way down the stairs. My parents slept with a fan on in their room, they never heard anything. I went out the back door and headed toward the border between the two yards.
Blythe looked adorable. She was no longer wearing jeans and my jersey. Instead, she wore plaid pajama pants and a sweatshirt. Her face had been scrubbed clean of makeup and her hair that had been curled to perfection, was now braided down her back.
“Is your hair wet?” I asked. Was she crazy?
She nodded. “Yeah, I just took a shower.”
“You’re gonna catch cold. Here, wear this. It has a hood.” I gathered up the hoodie and put it over her head before she could object.
“Thanks. That is warmer,” she conceded after slipping her arms through the holes and tucking her braid into the hood.
She looked so cute, so hot, wearing my clothes. I wanted to fill a suitcase with my t-shirts and hoodies and give them to her so she could wear one every day.
“So, what are we doing out here?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
Right.
“Let’s sit down.” I lead her to the swing set in her backyard. I eyed the swings that were made for someone Joy’s age and grinned at her. “Want another under duck?”
Blythe let out a soft laugh. “Tempting, but I don’t think either of us would survive that without serious injury.”
Us at the Beach Page 11