The comfortable silence I’ve welcomed between us is gone, and in its place is tension. Standing, I walk to where she stands and place my hand on her shoulder, urging her to face me. When she does, I see her eyes dancing, thoughts running through her mind. A small line forms between her brows, a sure sign she does this often. Placing my thumb to the spot, I place a little pressure on her forehead.
“I’m sorry I upset you. If it’s any consolation, I think your taste in movies is pretty spot on. Your choice of favorite country artist leaves a little to be desired, but you can’t win them all.”
With a chuckle, she bats my hand away from her forehead and I tug her to me, wrapping my arms around her. Leaning my head down, I casually inhale the perfect scent that is all Ally. Any tension that was looming between us is gone as she wraps her arms around my waist.
“You didn’t upset me. I think what you said hit a little too close to home is all.”
“What are you doing this weekend?” I ask her as she steps out of my embrace.
“Well, probably the same thing I do every other day. Work a little, spend time with Granny, and fish or nap in the hammock. Why?”
Smiling, I hear the words before my brain processes what I’m saying. “I was thinking we should start hanging out more.”
After we tentatively agree to hang out this weekend, I let her walk me to the door. As we pass the living room, Granny lets out a little snore and we both snicker. Shaking her head, Ally steps aside as I step out onto the porch.
“Thanks again for helping. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem. I’ll touch base with you about this weekend.”
“Sounds good. Drive safe.”
With a small smile, I bid her goodnight and jog down the steps to my truck. As I slide in the cab and close the door, I glance over to the house and see her standing in the doorway. Lifting my hand, she returns the gesture and then closes the door and flips the porch light off.
Making my way home, the long day hits me hard and I can’t wait for a hot shower. The house is dark, Gary’s truck missing from the driveway. Parking against the curb, I make my way inside turning on the porch light for him as I do. Not bothering with inside lights, I beeline for the shower and the comfort of my bed.
Settling onto the cool sheets, I pull the pillow to my chest and roll to my side. Closing my eyes, I don’t bother hiding the smile on my face as the conversation I overheard Ally having replays through my mind. It’s nice to know my opinions of her sexiness are reciprocated.
Chapter 18
Drew
The last few weeks hanging out with Ally have been fun and really helped us both pass the warm days. Her parents will return in a few weeks and, while Granny is doing better, she opted to stay and hang out with her instead of returning home. She wasn’t kidding when she said she could work anywhere.
I finally managed to best her at fishing yesterday and from the way she pouted on our walk home, I wondered if she would still talk to me today. Thankfully she’s sent me random text messages all day. Most have been asking me where we’re going tonight, but I’ve managed to avoid answering her.
Last weekend I saw an ad on the back page of the paper, and my idea was born. Leaving closing duties to him, I bid Gary goodbye and head home to get ready and gather my provisions.
On my drive to the house, my phone dings a few times with text messages, and I don’t have to look to know who they’re from. The ringing that follows doesn’t surprise me so I tap the button on speaker.
“Hello?”
“Don’t hello me, Drew Collins. I need to know where we’re going.”
“No, you want to know where we’re going. I don’t recall you being this pushy when we were kids.”
A loud growl fills the cab and I chuckle as she huffs on the line. When silence replaces her huffs, I quickly glance at the screen to make sure the call hasn’t dropped. There’s no doubt in my mind that if we were standing face to face we’d be in an epic stare off. And she’d win.
“I’m almost to my house and need to get ready. I’ll be by to pick you up within the hour.”
“I’m not going.”
“Yes you are. See you soon, Ally Cat.”
Ending the call with her growling again I smile as I pull into the driveway. Hopping out I rush into the house to grab a quick shower and get changed. I managed to pack a bag of snacks this morning so all I need to do is throw some drinks in a cooler before I leave. I can’t wait until Ally sees what I have planned. That’s assuming she doesn’t kill me on the way.
“I can’t believe this place is still here,” she says, her frown finally a full blown smile.
When we pulled into the drive-in’s line her excitement was palpable. As kids, her parents used to bring us here on Saturday nights. We’d settle into the back of her dad’s pickup truck and eat candy until we thought we’d puke while we watched movies and made memories.
The ad I saw announced the grand reopening after being closed for five years. I knew Ally and I had to come back and visit another thing from our past. The only differences: there are no parents, we’re older, and I’m better prepared. Before I left the house, I pulled cushions from the patio furniture and stuck them in the bed of the truck along with a blanket.
“I don’t even care what movie is playing, this is so cool. Thank you for bringing me.”
“You’re welcome. I told you to trust me.”
Smiling, she hops out of the passenger side, slamming her door as she skips around to the back opening the tailgate. We spend the next few minutes setting up our makeshift seats. Once she’s settled into her spot, I open the bag of snacks and toss her a bag of gummy bears. Her favorite when we were kids.
“Oh! Gummy bears! My favorite.”
“I took a chance.”
“Did you happen—?”
I cut off her question by holding up a can of her favorite soda to which she lets out a loud squeal, eliciting shushes from the people around us. Eyes wide, she covers her mouth and then giggles before taking the can from my hand. The smile on her face trips something inside me, and I want nothing more than to make sure it’s the only expression she ever has.
The speaker crackles, letting us know the movie is beginning. We both sit back in our seats and enjoy the big budget action film on the screen. Halfway through the movie she shifts, and I notice her hands running up and down her arms. Tugging the blanket nestled next to me, I shake it out, covering her in the process.
Instead of taking the blanket, she slides her body over next to mine. I lift my arm and she slips into my side, her head resting on my shoulder.
“Is this okay?” she asks, her voice quiet.
I don’t bother trying to formulate a sentence and simple hum my agreement. There’s no reason to attempt words; it’ll just be gibberish. My mind is racing with how amazing she feels in my arms. Her body’s flush with mine with her hand resting across my abdomen.
When I hear a little snore come from her a little while later, I realize she’s fallen asleep. I should wake her. Take her home to bed. Instead, I pull her closer, loving the way she feels in my arms and watch the rest of the movie. The only time she moves is to nestle in closer, her foot slipping over my leg.
After the credits begin for the first movie, I shift a little, hoping to wake her with the movement. She doesn’t even twitch. Kissing the top of her head, I shake her a little with my hand that rests on her hip.
“Ally, honey. Let me take you home.”
Mumbling to herself, she shifts her hand slipping precariously close to my zipper. I suck in a breath and rotate my leg, which startles her awake. Her head pops up, eyes wide as she looks at me.
“Did I fall asleep?”
“Yeah. Let’s get you home, okay?”
“I missed the movie,” she pouts, disappointment evident.
“We’ll come back,” I promise. She smiles and my heart fills with something I prefer to ignore.
The short intermission allows us e
nough time to quickly pack up and leave with minimal disturbance to the other patrons. As we drive home, Ally sings along with the radio. Whatever tiredness she had earlier is gone, and she’s full of energy as I pull up in front of her house. Turning to face me, her smile lights up the entire cab.
“Thank you for taking me tonight.”
“You’re welcome. Are you going to be able to sleep? Looks like that nap energized you.”
Laughing she says, “I’ll probably be up a few more hours.”
Before I can stop the words, I hear myself say, “Want to see if you’re still the queen lightning bug catcher?”
“Really? You hated chasing lightnin’ bugs when we were kids.”
Shrugging I try to act casual like it’s no big deal. The reality is, I didn’t hate it so much as I sucked at it. I couldn’t catch a damn bug to save my life.
“Give me a few minutes to check on Granny.” Her eyes shine bright, and her smile is wide.
“You’re really pretty when you smile like that,” I say.
“Stop complimenting me or I’ll think you’re flirting,” she says, opening the door and hopping from the cab, the door closing behind her as she makes her way up the porch.
“I think that’s exactly what I’m doing.”
Turns out I still suck at catching lightning bugs while Ally reigns supreme. She’s been teasing and giggling up a storm with her jar of the bright little critters in her hands while mine sits dormant. Dark and empty. If this isn’t some sort of poetic parallel to our spirits, I don’t know what is.
I flop down on the ground letting my empty jar roll an arm’s length away while I watch her stalk her prey. With a swipe of her net, she barely misses a few of the stragglers. After a few more attempts, she finally joins me on the grass and lies flat on her back, holding the jar above her head. I follow suit and join her, staring at her jar of insects.
“I see some things haven’t changed no matter how many years we’ve been gone.”
“What can I say? I’m the best. It’s too bad I couldn’t figure out how to go pro. I could be cleaning up on the professional circuit.”
We both start laughing and she sets the jar down next to her leaving us to lie in the darkness with only the moon and stars for light. Crickets sing to one another in the distance. When Ally sighs, I turn my head and find her staring at me.
“What’s up, Ally Cat?”
“Do you ever think how different your life would have been if you hadn’t moved away? What would have been?”
“I’d be lying if I said I haven’t, but the what ifs aren’t going to change things. I could ‘what if’ myself to death and still end up exactly where I am.”
“And, where’s that?” she asks, flipping to her side, resting her head in the palm of her hand.
I follow suit and this time it’s me who is carefully choosing my words. I could be a smart ass and tell her lying in a field with a pretty girl sucking at catching flying bugs. Then there’s the truth, I’m an ex-con who has no idea what he’s doing or where he’s going in life, but he’s currently crushing hard on the only person who ever cared about him unconditionally.
Because I’m both a chickenshit and enjoy torturing myself, I cup her cheek with my hand, my thumb grazing her skin. Her sharp intake of breath tells me if we weren’t in the dark I would see her pupils dilated. Her tongue dips between her pink lips, and I slowly lean in, brushing my lips across hers. Giving her an out. When she leans in, I pull her to me, deepening the kiss.
To answer her question, I would have fallen head over heels in love with Allyson Honeycutt. I fear it’s something that will still happen if we aren’t careful.
Chapter 19
Ally
His lips on mine are like the strike of a match. The heat between us is a slow burning flame, and as much as I know I shouldn’t touch it, I can’t stop myself. In one swift motion, he pulls me atop him. My chest to his chest, our hearts beating rapidly in sequence.
I’ve watched romantic movies my entire life. A believer in true love, I’ve always wished for an epic kiss. One of those Oscar-worthy, life-changing kisses that leave you breathless. Also a realist, I knew no matter how much I wished for them, those were fictional kisses. The kind written for dramatic effect, to make women swoon and fall in love with the male characters. It’s the same in the books I read. Moments that pause the world from spinning so two people are all that exist.
I was wrong.
They aren’t fictional or only for the movies. Drew Collins has made me a believer. Turning us so my back is on the damp grass, he settles between my legs and pushes the loose tendrils from my face, staring into my eyes. Searching for something.
“I was wrong, Ally Cat.”
Running my hands up his back, I slip them under the hem of his shirt. The moment my hands touch his skin he goes rigid, but as I run my nails across his skin he relaxes, dipping his mouth to my neck.
“What were you wrong about?” I pant because lets be real, I’m not breathing normal at this point.
“You’re beautiful when you laugh, but your gorgeous in this field with the moonlight as your only lighting.”
His words bring tears to my eyes, but they don’t fall, I’m too distracted by the amazing things he’s doing to my body with his featherlight kisses. Letting my legs fall open, I feel his hardness on my belly, and I grab hold of his hair and tug his mouth back to mine. A growl from deep in his throat sends a direct shot to my core. Instinctively, I move my hips, grinding into him seeking some relief. Friction. Anything.
When I do that, he pulls his lips from mine with a pop. The moment he lifts off my body, I feel the loss in more than a physical way. Our heavy breaths turn to giggles on my part and a series of groans and swear words from him.
“It’s not funny.”
“It kind of is. We sound like we either hiked a mountain or had the shit scared out of us.”
“How can you make light of this? We shouldn’t have done that.”
Sitting up I smack his shoulder. “Don’t you dare make a big deal out of this. We are two consenting adults, and we kissed. You act like you deflowered me.”
“Please don’t talk about sex right now. It’s been . . . awhile, and after all that, I need a minute.”
His comment only sends me into another fit of giggles. Rising from the grass, I wipe off the blades stuck to my pants and pick up my net and jar. Shifting to hold them both with one arm, I extend my empty hand to him. When his palm touches mine, I tug him to stand before me.
“Come on, inferior bug catcher, let’s go back to the house.” I begin walking toward the road to my house when I hear him muttering under his breath. A huge grin spreads across my face. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one affected by that kiss.
We walk side by side in silence to the house. I consider taking his hand in mine but by the way he reacted, I don’t know if it’ll be accepted. Or reciprocated. Instead, when I see the porch light in the distance I say, “Don’t think I won’t get you back for your game of a million questions.”
“It was hardly a million,” he scoffs.
When I step onto the porch, he remains standing on the pathway. Setting my jar of lightning bugs and catching net on the railing, I take a single step down so we’re standing eye level. Placing my hands on either side of his face, I leave my eyes open as I lean in and place a soft kiss to his lips. He hesitates, not kissing me back. “Don’t ever make a woman feel bad for kissing you. You’re kind of good at it.”
I spin on my heel and take my jar of beautiful lightning bugs into the house, turning the porch light off in the process. When I walk into the living room, I try not to look out the curtains and see if he’s left but I fail. Peeking through the small space where they don’t touch, I see him standing with his hands in his pockets, head facing the sky. His lips are moving and I wonder what he’s saying.
A guy’s perspective. That’s what I need. Quickly, I check on Granny, who has managed to get herself to bed. Wi
th a kiss goodnight, I go to my room to start getting ready for bed. The grass has my arms itching so I rush through a quick shower before slipping into a pair of sleep shorts and a tank top. When I’m finally settled in my bed, I open my laptop and immediately pull up my e-mail.
Re: I need a guy’s perspective
From: LightningBugCatcher
To: DC1331
I need to run something by you. I know it’s weird but we’re friends, right? You’re the first person I thought of when I realized what I need is a guy’s perspective on a certain situation. I told you I’m back in my hometown for a few weeks while my granny recovers from a fall. Remember how I ran into my childhood best friend?
It’s still so random to me. I haven’t seen him since the day before my eleventh birthday when he moved away, but here he is, back in our small town working with his dad. We’ve hung out a bit and tonight we went lightning bug catching. In case you were wondering, I still rock and maintain my title as the greatest lightning bug catcher in the world.
Anyway, I know, stop rambling, Ally. Here goes—tonight he kissed me. And then said it shouldn’t have happened. I played it off like it was no big deal but the reality is, it was. It was the best kiss of my life. Maybe it’s because we have so much history or because he’s almost like a stranger. A familiar stranger.
He walked me home and before he left, I kissed him. He didn’t pull back or freak out on me, but I did see him standing out front praying or something. Here’s where you come in. Do you think we can just be friends now that we’ve made out under the stars? Are we doomed to be awkward moving forward? Should I tell him I want to kiss him again?
Help your girl out. I have no idea how to handle this.
I hope you’re well and I promise when my life isn’t a telenovela, I’ll have a question for you.
It Was Always You Page 10