by Jacob Chance
“Why?”
“Think of me like your real estate agent… nobody’s going to turn the front door knob if they get stuck in the hedges.”
I’m not a hairy person, am I? Leaning forward I squint at the image and take a closer look. “Where the fuck did the giant red handprint on my ass come from?” I seethe, narrowing my eyes at Clancy.
“Flynn,” he hoots, his lips rolling inward to hold in the laughter. He pinches them together so forcefully, a white outline shows around his mouth. Clancy sputters like a gasoline deprived engine and tries to clamp his lips tight again. But it’s no use. He explodes, cackling like an old lady, holding onto his stomach.
Watching his reaction, my nostrils flare with anger as I look between Clancy and the offensive picture. The more times I see the image, the more ridiculous it seems. It’s only another minute before the anger melts away and is replaced by humor. This entire situation is beyond absurd and just when I think it can’t get any worse, it always does. I begin to chuckle along with Clancy until I’m laughing as much as he is, both of us clutching our stomachs.
Finally settling down, we wipe our cheeks clear of the remnants of our humor. Clancy scrolls down and shows the names of the bidders and the amounts they’re offering.
“Five hundred dollars?” I yelp.
“Not too shabby, eh?” Clancy nudges me with his elbow.
“Wow, some of these girls are really hot and popular too.”
“I know. Now it doesn’t seem like such a bad idea does it?” Clancy boasts.
I point to a name. “This one is in one of my classes. And this one is a cheerleader. Why would they want to place a bid?”
“Why wouldn’t they want to? You’re a good looking guy and a member of the football team.”
It’s great that attractive girls are bidding on my virginity, but there’s only one who I’m interested in sharing that moment with. And as of right now she’s not even willing to text me back.
“Bro, the pizza’s here,” Donovan announces, placing a stack of large boxes down on the other end of the dining room table.
Clancy logs out of the site and shuts his laptop before putting it on the buffet to the side of the room.
Flynn and Darren file in carrying a stack of paper plates, napkins, and enough beers to go around.
“It’s barely noon. Should you guys be drinking beers if you’re driving back to Boston?” I ponder out loud.
Clancy gestures to the bottle in front of him. “I’m driving and I’m drinking water.”
Everyone else slips into seats and begins digging in. Boxes fly open and get passed around the table with lightning speed.
“You know it would be much easier if we all just got up and went to the boxes instead of passing them around,” I offer.
“Yeah, but not nearly as much fun,” Donovan inserts. “Mom’s not here to yell at you, bro. Lighten up.”
“We know who the fun brother is,” Darren jokes.
“Next time you guys come to visit, leave Darren at home. He just wore out his welcome.”
Flynn holds his fist out for me to bump. “More beer for us.”
Sinking down into the recliner, I sigh and raise my feet. Closing my eyes, I relish the peace and quiet that has returned now that guys have left. I had a great time with them here, but this calm is what I need right now. My head’s been spinning since Perri stopped texting me last night and I just want a few minutes to figure out what I’m going to say to her.
I could ask her if she forgot a pair of gloves. No. That’s lame.
I could tell her I have a present for her. Which isn’t a lie. I just haven’t given it to her yet.
Maybe I should just tell her I’m sorry I was jealous.
“There’s no time like the present,” I mumble, yanking my phone from my pocket.
Me: Hey, I owe you an apology.
I don’t say why because I want to see if she’ll bite at the bait.
Perri: For?
It’s not much of a reply, but it still counts.
Me: I was a jealous ass last night and I have no right to be.
Perri: You were.
I laugh at how much of a ball buster she can be.
Me: Yep. That’s what I said. Forgive me?
Perri: Maybe.
Me: What’ll it take to earn your forgiveness?
Perri: As long as you mean your apology, we’re good.
Me: Of course I do. Why would I apologize if I didn’t mean it?
Perri: Guys say a lot of things to get what they want.
Me: If you mean sex, that excludes me - virgin. Remember?
Perri: Are the guys still there?
I snicker as I type, knowing she’s going to be mad when she reads it. Which is probably not the best plan on my part. But it’s making me laugh.
Me: You mean you haven’t been in touch with Flynn?
Now I wait. And I wait some more. Smiling, I type out another message.
Me: That was a joke. You were supposed to laugh. Too soon?
Perri: Just a little.
Me: What did you do today?
Perri: I went to breakfast with Eliza and did laundry.
Me: How did she like her shirt?
Perri: She loved it.
Me: Where did you guys eat?
Perri: Nowhere as good as the Blue Sky Cafe. I miss that place already.
Me: What else do you miss?
Perri: I miss the mattresses in your house. My back hurts.
Me: What else?
Perri: I miss the shower in your bathroom. I may never be that clean again.
She’s too stubborn to say she misses me.
Me: I miss you. I wish you were here with me right now.
Perri: You do?
Me: I do. Want to come back?
Perri: I wish. I’m going home to my parents’ house tomorrow. I was going to go today but I needed a day to myself before all the crazy.
Me: I know what you mean. I think this is the first time the house has been silent since I got home from school.
Perri: Enjoy your quiet time. You deserve some. I need to go switch out my laundry loads. Exciting times…
My lips quirk as I read her text.
Me: If I was there I’d carry your basket for you.
Perri: That would be sweet of you. Since you’re not here I’m going to ask my hunky neighbor instead.
Me: Don’t let him fold your panties.
Perri: I don’t wear any.
Damn. She’s going to kill me with lack of blood to the brain.
Perri: That was a joke by the way.
Me: The panties part?
Perri: No, the part about my neighbor.
Me: You don’t wear panties? But you had them on the first night we were together.
Perri: Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don’t.
Fuck me. Now every time I see her I’m going to wonder if it’s an on or off day.
Me: Have a good night.
I was going to tell her to text me sometime, but I’m going to text her if she doesn’t.
Perri: I miss you, too.
I beam as I read her text. Lying my head back against the plump top of the recliner, I close my eyes and envision Perri. Her last text means so much to me. Unexpected and honest, it was more than I thought she’d give me at this early stage in our… relationship? Friends with benefits? Whatever we are it feels great and I’m not sure how I’m going to make it through two more weeks without seeing her. It’s only been twenty-four hours and it feels like a week.
Thank God for Christmas. It’s my favorite holiday and might be the only thing to ease the ache in my heart that being away from Perri causes.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Perri
“Perri, dear, how’s everything been going at school?” Eliza’s mother, my auntie Jolene hands me the basket of rolls.
Removing one, I set it on my plate before answering. “I’m doing well, thanks. I have no complaints.”
“Any boys
in the picture?” she continues and Eliza kicks me under the table. I kick her back. Hard enough to make her jerk in her seat.
“No, none to speak of.” Does a freshman running back who sends me sweet texts every day count?
“That’s my girl,” my dad chimes in. “Stay away from the boys, especially those jocks. I warn each one of them about keeping their distance from you when I meet with them the first time.”
“You what? Are you joking?”
He shakes his head. “What? They need to know you’re my daughter.”
“Dad, please say you’re just messing with me and you don’t really do this.”
“Perri, calm down. By mentioning that you’re my daughter, I’m doing you a huge favor.”
“No, what you’re doing is making sure I’ll be dateless for the remainder of college. Dad, I’m an adult and I’d like to be treated as one.”
“You’re still my little girl and dateless sounds great to me.”
“For you it does. But seriously, you can’t disrespect me like that.”
“How is what I do disrespecting you, honey? I’m protecting you from being taken advantage of. Don’t you think the dean’s daughter would be quite the catch for some guy?”
“Gee, Dad, thanks for thinking the only reason a guy would want to date me is because I’m your daughter.” He opens his mouth to reply and I hold up my hand halting him. “I’m a grown woman with a good head on my shoulders. I don’t need you or any other man warning guys off. This whole situation is completely ludicrous. When you step in like you have been it means you don’t think I’m capable of looking out for myself.”
“No. I simply don’t want you to have to.”
“Dad, I’m an adult. Treat me like one. Otherwise, you’re underestimating my common sense, and intelligence. Frankly, that’s insulting. Treating me like some helpless, brainless body is disrespectful and I deserve better.” I glance at my mother and notice her lips are pressed together as if she’s fighting a smile. “What do you think about this, Mom? Did you know he was doing this?” I hope she didn’t because if she played a part I’ll be disappointed. As a woman she should know better.
“I didn’t know about your father’s propensity for warning off the boys.” She flicks a glare his way. “I don’t agree with any of what’s been happening. You need to apologize to Perri and never do this again. She’s almost twenty-two years old. We were already married at that age.”
I smile at my mom and mouth, “Thank you.”
Picking up the butter knife, I spread the creamy yellow pat on my roll. Taking a bite, my gaze roams around the table taking in my uncle at the head of the table and Eliza to my left.
“Now that we aired our family’s dirty laundry, anyone else have anything they want to get off their chests?”
Eliza rises from the mattress in her childhood bedroom and grabs a large yellow shipping envelope. “I have something for you.”
“We already exchanged gifts. I told you not to spend money on me.”
Amusement twists her pink lips. “This isn’t from me. It was in the mailbox at our place.” She drops the package in my lap. Looking down I see my name and address. When I glance to the upper left corner I see the name Nolan Archer. My heart jolts like a shock’s running through me. What did Nolan send me? Thinking about him has made my limbs weak and I feel warm. I press my fingers to my cheeks. Am I flushed?
“You know, packages don’t open themselves.”
“Ha ha. I’m aware. I’m just in the middle of a mini meltdown because Nolan sent me something.”
“Why? It’s not going to bite you. Just open it. It’s not like you guys haven’t been in touch for the last week. Did he mention sending you anything?”
“No, he didn’t say anything. Just because we’ve been texting each day doesn’t mean I expected this.”
“You make it sound like it’s one text. You guys are pathetic. I’m surprised your phone wasn’t going off during dinner.”
“I had it turned off.” Using my nail, I dig under the tape covering the envelope seal and tear it free. Peeling back the corner, I rip the paper envelope and pull out a long-sleeved shirt. Navy blue in color, there’s a snowman on the front that looks similar to the one we built. Killington, Vermont is printed in a circle around the snowman. I love it. Just looking at it fills me with happiness from the soles of my feet to the very top of my head. Memories of that day assail me and I want to be back in Vermont with him right this moment. Wrapped in his strong arms feeling cherished and toasty warm.
“There’s a card,” Eliza points out.
Glancing down, I notice a red envelope sticking out of the open shipping package. My fingers are tearing through the paper in a heartbeat and once the card is in my hands, I notice the Merry Christmas message printed above a snowman and snowwoman. I pause before opening it, my chest already full of emotion at his thoughtful gesture.
Perri,
I hope you’re having a wonderful Christmas with your family. I wish you could be with me. Having you here would make my day perfect. And if you were here we’d lie in front of the fire on a blanket and stare at the flames sharing our hopes and goals for the coming year.
Okay, in a perfect world that’s what we’d do. But since this world isn’t perfect it would probably go something like this: We’d sit on the couch next to each other with my brother on the other side of me. He’d jam his elbow into my side every thirty seconds or so just to be a dick.
My parents would drive us crazy asking hundreds of intrusive questions about sex and I’d squeeze your hand to remind you to hang in there and that you weren’t alone.
When my parents finally went to bed my brother would still be there to intrude on our private moment, but you wouldn't care. You’d make the three of us hot chocolate and curl into my side on the couch while we watched Elf for the hundredth time.
When Donovan finally went to bed or passed out on the couch, I’d bring you over to the Christmas tree and kiss you long and slow, savoring the feel of your lips under mine.
That’s what I’d do if you were here with me.
Love,
Nolan
I drop the card to my lap and cup my cheeks with my cool hands. My skin is burning hot.
“What does it say?” Eliza prods.
“It’s really sweet and romantic. It’s more honest than I ever imagined he would be with me this soon.”
“Did he say the L word?”
“No, not even close. But he made his feelings for me clear. He said he wishes I was in Vermont.”
“Aww, that’s so nice. I’d ask you if I could read it, but I know you won’t show me.” She’s right. I won’t. Those words are for my eyes only, and my heart. The same heart that’s racing in my chest.
Reaching into my back pocket I pull my phone out and turn it on.
“You’re going to call him?”
“No, I’m going to text him.”
“Don’t you think this deserves a phone call?”
“Yes, but I’m not ready to make that call right now. I need some time to think about what I want to say during that conversation.”
“Gotcha.”
I touch his name on the screen and type out a message. Once it’s sent, I fall backward on the bed and lie flat on my back. I’m still blown away by his gifts.
Me: Thank you so much for my present. I love it. And the card was so sweet.
Nolan: I’m glad you received it in time. The snowman on the shirt reminded me of ours.
Me: Me too.
Shit. That’s not all I want to say. Quickly tapping my screen, I send another text.
Me: I wish I was there with you. I want that kiss by the Christmas tree.
Nolan: Me too. I have to go. We’re just about to eat dinner.
Me: Enjoy.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Nolan
Perri’s texts make me smile. It’s nice to know that she’d like to be with me. Even if it will probably never happen.
&
nbsp; “What girl are you grinning about, son?” my dad inquires.
“Her name is Perri.”
“Is she your girlfriend?”
“No, we’re friends.”
“I used to be friends with your mother too,” he chuckles.
“Dad, I’m serious. We’re not sure what we are yet. We’re stuck in limbo - more than friends, but not in a relationship. And I don’t know if we’ll get to that point. We’re both busy.”
“If you really care for her and want her in your life, then you’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen. It’s that simple.”
“There’s nothing simple about anything when it comes to girls.”
“I’m not saying it will be easy. It takes a lot of effort to get what you want in life, and a woman to love is no different. But if she’s worth it, you’ll put the work in.”
“She’s worth all the effort. She’s intelligent, hard working, beautiful, and her sense of humor is awesome.”
“She sounds too good to be true.”
“Not at all. She’s also a pain in the ass and stubborn as a mule when she wants to be.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that.”
“You are?”
“Yep. When you care about someone or you’re in a new relationship, it’s easy to overlook flaws and pretend they’re perfect. They’re not. No one is.”
“Guys,” my mom yells out from the kitchen. “Come help me set the table.” Her voice is a shrill wail assaulting our ears.
My dad sighs, “Every relationship has its moments.”
Waiting for her to answer her phone has my heart hammering. It rings twice more.
“Hello.” I hear her sweet voice and I’m instantly relieved.