Just One More

by Heather D'Agostino

  “You wanna come in?” She motioned to the door.

  “I need to get home. I had a nice time tonight. Thank you for sponsoring me.” I sounded like such a dork.

  “I had fun too. I’m looking forward to Saturday.” She clasped her hands in front of her.

  “Me too.” I leaned in and softly pressed my lips to hers. When she didn’t pull away, I ran my tongue along the seam of her lips, praying she’d let me in. The moment she did, my entire body roared to life. I’ve only kissed two other girls, and neither of them let me get any tongue action. This was new territory for me, and I was both lost and reacting on instinct at the same time.

  My hand cupped her cheek as she stepped closer. Our hips brushed against one another, and that’s when I pulled back. I could feel my dick getting hard, and I didn’t want her to feel it. I’d never get further if she thought I couldn’t control myself.

  “Goodnight.” I gripped the back of my neck as I tried to slow my breathing.

  “Night, Max.” She gave me a little finger wave as she turned and disappeared inside.

  I rushed to the car and cranked it up, anxious to get somewhere private. I had something to take care of before I got home. If I didn’t, my brother would never let me live it down. One more kiss, and I would have lost it.

  oooooooo

  Hailey

  When I got to the gym, the dance was in full swing. Everyone I knew that was going had a date, so I just wandered around saying hi to those who I could find. A few asked me where Max was, thinking that we’d come together. I got game highlights from a few friends, and then grabbed some snacks as I waited. I knew he’d have to change after the game, and I needed to calm my nerves. I’d never had a problem telling Max my secrets, but this one was different.

  It didn’t take long for him to make his appearance. There were whoops from some of the students as he and some other football players entered the gym. Melody was hanging on his arm, and she looked beautiful. She looked like she belonged with him. I mean, we all hear about the cheerleader and the football player.

  I watched in fascination as he led her onto the dance floor, and wrapped his arms around her. They were talking quietly, and every once in a while, one of them would laugh. His hands moved up and down her back in a seductive manner, and at one point I thought they were going to kiss. It was like a bad accident. The more I sat there, the more painful it became, but I couldn’t look away. I stared, just waiting for him to notice me. I even got up at one point, and walked near him, but he was so in tune with her, that he didn’t even see me. The moment that broke me was seeing them leave together. He led her to his dad’s car, helped her in, and then jumped in after her. They drove off, leaving me there to imagine what was happening. A little piece of me died that night. The piece that said he’d see me as a woman, and not a friend. It was the piece that I’d been fooling myself into thinking I possessed.

  Just one more nail in the proverbial coffin of a relationship that would never be. I’d always be the friend. The one to listen to problems. The one to lend a hand. The one shoulder to lean on. The girl next door. The best friend.

  Chapter 4

  Max- age 18

  Graduation Day. I never thought it would come, and now that it’s here, I can’t help but ask myself, “what’s next?” I mean, I plan to go to college, but I don’t know what I want to do. My dad wants me to take over the farm, but the older I get, the more responsibility he’s given me and that’s shown me that this isn’t really what I want. I’ve always liked math, and my counselor at school suggested a degree in business. Right now, the only business I want to concentrate on is securing a deal between myself and Melody.

  We’ve been dating exclusively for about a year and a half, and we still haven’t had sex. It’s killing me. She keeps putting me off, but last month she finally agreed to let me stay over this weekend. Her parents were going out of town after the ceremony, leaving the house empty. We’re going to a field party tonight, but afterwards I was planning a private party. Just thinking about it is driving me crazy.

  “You ok?” Hailey tapped my shoulder, causing me to wake from my daydream. I think I was probably half naked in my fantasy at that point.

  “Yeah.” I sighed as I shook my head. “Just thinking.”

  “About what?” She blew a bubble with the gum she was chewing and popped it. This was her new thing. When we were younger, she liked strawberry lollipops, now it’s gum.

  “Nothing.” I flopped back on the grass. We were currently sitting on the banks by the pond behind my house. It was our spot to come and talk, or just hang out and not be bothered. Hailey had asked me to meet her back here, but she hasn’t told me why yet. “So what’s up?” My arm was draped over my eyes to shield them from the sun.

  “Jimmy’s taking me to the party tonight.” She knocked her leg into mine. I laughed lightly. It was comical the way things worked out for those two. Jimmy used to tease Hailey mercilessly when we were younger. He got her crying on more than one occasion. I can’t tell you how many times I beat him up for her. Anyway, they’ve been together for about a year now, and it seems pretty serious.

  “Ok.” I peered out from under my arm.

  “I think he wants me to sleep with him.” She threw it out there just like that, like it meant nothing.

  That got my attention, “What?” I sprung up on my elbows.

  “We’ve been together for a while. I don’t know why I’m waiting.” She waved her hands around frantically before throwing herself backwards on the grass.

  I swallowed. Sex was not something that Hailey and I talked about. In my mind, she was never going to have it. No guy was good enough in my book. “Do you want to?”

  “I don’t know,” she whined as she covered her face. I could see her neck turning red, so I knew she was getting embarrassed. “Hails, if you can’t talk about it with me, then how are you going to talk about it with Jimmy?”

  “I didn’t think there would be much talking.” She turned to look at me and rolled her eyes. “I mean, isn’t it a lot of touching?” I felt my mouth open and close a few times. How was I supposed to do this? “I mean, do you talk to Melody… a lot?” The hands were back hiding her face.

  I can’t believe I’m about to admit this to her, but she’s my best friend. Who else would I talk to? “Melody and I…haven’t...” I let the words trail off as my own embarrassment washed over me.

  “What?” Her head rolled to the side. “But I thought… You guys seem so…”

  “Thanks,” I exaggerated.

  “I’m sorry. I suck at this,” she huffed.

  “You don’t have to be sorry, Hails. All I can say is… you should know when you’re ready. If you’re not, then tell him you’re not. If he won’t wait, then he’s not the one.” I shrugged as I rolled to my side and stared at her. As much as she had changed over the years, there were certain things that remained the same. Her innocence was one of them.

  “Thanks.” She opened her eyes to stare at the sky. “I’ll talk to him at the party tonight. Are you going?” She blinked as she concentrated on a cloud.

  “Yeah.” I rolled back to my back. “I’m gonna miss this.” I reached over and grabbed her hand. “When you leave next week, I’m gonna miss this.”

  “Me too.” She linked her fingers with mine. “I’ll be home for the holidays though, and you can come see me. Anson isn’t too far away.”

  “I know, but I’ll have classes in the fall too.” I sighed. Hailey had been accepted into a summer program for Ag students. She’d earn credits toward her degree, and then when she started in the fall, she’d have half a semester of credit under her belt. The only downside… it was two hours away.

  “We have to grow up some time,” she whispered.

  “Still.” I squeezed her hand. “I’m gonna miss you, and this. I can’t do this stuff with Melody.” And that’s when it hit me. Not only was I losing my best friend, but also the one girl who was always there for me. Hailey and I
shared everything. Our most recent conversation was proof. I would have never been able to tell my friends on the team that I was still a virgin. They all thought that I was some dynamo in the bed. Hailey knew everything about me, except the one thing that I’m just starting to figure out myself. She meant something to me, something that I couldn’t put a label on just yet.

  oooooooo

  Hailey

  “Honey?” Mama called from somewhere downstairs. “Jimmy’s here!”

  “Coming!” I called back as I gave myself a little pep talk. I’d been standing in the middle of my room talking to myself for the last half hour trying to convince myself that I could do this. I could have a mature conversation with Jimmy about us, and not chicken out. The Nelsons were having a field party tonight, and everybody who’s anybody is going. It’s a combination send off for the seniors and moving up for the juniors. I honestly didn’t care.

  At first, I told myself I didn’t want to go. If I avoided being in the dark with Jimmy, then he couldn’t pressure me into sex. Max was right though, if he cared about me he wouldn’t push.

  “Are you coming, or what?” Jimmy’s voice came from behind me, causing me to jump.

  “Shit J,” I grabbed at my chest. “You scared the crap outta me.”

  “Sorry. Damn,” he hissed as he stared at me.

  “I don’t think so.” I rolled my eyes at him as I pushed by and jogged downstairs. I’d gone casual tonight with just a pair of denim shorts, but they were Jimmy’s favorite.

  oooooooo

  When we arrived at the party, there was a huge bonfire raging in the middle of the field. A few hay bales were placed around it, and kids were sitting or leaning against them. Several pickup trucks had their tailgates down, and couples were sitting cozied up to one another. Red Solo cups were placed randomly throughout the group, and music blared from several truck speakers.

  Jimmy and I climbed out and made our way over hand in hand. “I’m gonna get a beer. You want something?” He motioned to where a cooler set with ice spilling out of it and piled high with Bud Light cans.

  “I’m good, thanks.” I smiled. “I’m gonna get us a seat.” I motioned over to Max’s truck.

  “Fine,” he grumbled dejectedly. I don’t know what was suddenly bothering him, but I didn’t care.

  “Hey guys.” I smiled as I stopped in front of where Melody was sitting on Max’s lap. His eyes looked a little glazed, and when he grinned at me, I could tell he was slightly drunk.

  “Hey.” Melody giggled as she hugged Max. “Where’s Jimmy?” She glanced around.

  “He was getting a beer.” Jimmy sidled up behind me and wrapped his arm around my waist. “You really want to sit here?” he murmured in my ear.

  “What’s wrong with here?” I glanced back at him.

  “Nothing. I thought you’d want to be alone with me a little tonight since you’re leaving soon, but I guess I was wrong,” he muttered dejectedly.

  “We will.” I kissed his cheek. “I just want to spend some time with my friends. We can be alone in a bit.”

  “Sure. Whatever.” He chugged his beer.

  I spent most of the night talking to Melody and Max. Jimmy worked on getting drunk, and then pretty much left me alone while he talked to his friends. I didn’t understand what the problem was at the time, and I don’t think I ever will.

  It was that night that things really changed for me. I began to realize that in a few days, everything would be different. I’d be different, but more importantly… things with Max would be different. Gone were the days of childhood secrets, late afternoon swims, and stuffing our faces with double chocolate chip cookies. Sadly, we were entering a time in our friendship that I’d like to forget… it was the time we almost forgot each other and what we truly meant to one another. Tonight changed things for us, we just didn’t know how much one more day would mean.

  Chapter 5

  Hailey

  “Hailey? You ready?” Mama called, causing me to sigh. This was it. I was leaving for college. Anson was only a two-hour drive away, but it was still far in my book. I had been accepted into their summer program, and up until about a month ago I was excited to go. Now it just seemed stupid. Why was I giving up my summer for school anyway?

  “Just a sec!” I yelled back. I couldn’t believe Max wasn’t going to say goodbye. We had plans to hang out last night, and he cancelled at the last minute to hang out with Melody. I’m guessing it had something to do with his parents being gone. Ever since she gave it up to him, he’s been blowing me off in exchange for time with her. Boys are so dumb.

  I glanced around my room one last time, making sure I didn’t forget anything before closing the door and heading downstairs. The next time I’d be home would be for Thanksgiving, and everything would be different then.

  As I rushed out to door to my daddy’s waiting truck, I stumbled to a stop. Max was leaning against the porch railing with a smirk on his face. “You didn’t think I’d let you leave without a goodbye, did you?”

  “I thought Melody was more important than me,” I grumbled.

  “No one will ever be more important than you, Hails.” He enveloped me in a giant hug. “I’m gonna miss you,” he whispered in my ear as he squeezed tighter.

  “I’m gonna miss you too,” I sniffed. I would not cry. I kept chanting it over and over in my head. “I’ll be back in time for turkey though.”

  “I’m counting on it.” He smiled as he loosened his grip, and moved his hands to my shoulders. Max towered over me now with his 6ft 4” frame, and was nothing but solid muscle. After years of manual labor on the farm, and then football, he was now as solid as a tree. “Here.” He shoved a small package into my hand.

  “What’s this?” I stared at it in wonder. Max had never given me a concrete gift before. His gifts weren’t tangible, and by the look on his face I could see why.

  “Something to keep you from getting lonely.” He grinned. “Just promise me that you’re going to kick butt at this college thing, and don’t let any douchebags like Jimmy Andrews push you around.”

  “Promise.” I pressed my lips together to keep from crying. Leaving my parents was hard, but leaving Max was so much worse. We’d been inseparable for so long, that I wasn’t sure how to exist without him. Who would I talk to when I needed someone to listen? Who would tell other guys that they better not mess with me? Who would try to steal my cookies?

  Max had been telling me for weeks that I’d find a replacement for him, but now as I stare down that possibility, I don’t know if I ever want to.

  “I’ll call you once I get settled.” I pulled away. “Thank you.” I held up the package before turning to jog down the steps and into my daddy’s truck. With a quick wave and a cloud of dust I said goodbye to my childhood and my best friend.

  oooooooo

  Max

  It was stupid really. I don’t know why I even bought it for her, but when I saw the bracelet the other day, I knew she would love it. It looked like something she’d wear, and I bought it on impulse.

  The last week has gone by in a blur, and somewhere in my mind I thought that if I pretended she wasn’t leaving, the day would never come. Here I am though, standing on the front steps of her house as the dust settles from her dad’s truck. I’d called her the day before, and she said they were getting an early start today. When I showed up here, I was forced to face the truth. Hailey was leaving, and I wasn’t…at least not yet. I was going away for school, but I was leaving when the rest of our friends were, in the fall. Most of my friends didn’t understand my melancholy. They thought I was more upset with leaving Melody behind in the fall, and the truth was that it did bother me, but not as much as this. One would think that would make me realize that Hailey was special, but no one ever said I was good with common sense stuff.

  “You ok?” Melody hugged me around the middle. I’d gone back to the pond to think, and found her here. She’s the only one other than Hailey who knows I come here to think.
>
  “I’m fine. Just thinking about stuff,” I murmured as I lowered myself to the ground. “Fall will be here before we know it.” I picked at the grass.

  “I know.” She pouted. “We’ll have to figure out who’s going where for breaks. Lamson is too far away for me to come for all of them.”

  “What do you mean?” I glanced in her direction before I went back to picking at the grass.

  “I mean, I’m not going to drive eight hours every time there’s a school break. You’re going to have to come out and see me some too.” She giggled as she shoved me playfully.

  I hadn’t thought about that. Hailey would be coming here for her breaks. If I went to see Melody, then I’d miss seeing her. How was that going to work? “I guess.” I shrugged.

  “You guess?” She scowled. “Don’t you want to see me?”

  “Of course. We’ll figure it out. Promise.” I offered a half smile. The truth was, I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I wasn’t going to fight about it now. Who knows if Melody and will even be talking when Thanksgiving rolls around.

  oooooooo

  Hailey

  It didn’t hit how truly alone I was until my parents pulled away and left me. We’d unpacked my things and set up my room that would be home for the next year. Summer housing didn’t change for the fall. It made things easier for new students. Anyway, we set up my room, and then they left. It was a Sunday and classes didn’t start until the next day, so I took the afternoon to explore campus. I lucked out with getting my own room, so I didn’t have to share but I also missed having someone to talk to. It was when I got back to my room that night that I spotted the package Max had given me. I’d been too upset in the car to open it, and then set it aside when I unpacked. Now was as good a time as any to see what he’d gotten me. He always had the best ideas for gifts, and as I opened the tissue paper inside he proved himself again.

  There nestled in the blue paper, my favorite color I might add, was a leather bracelet. It was braided with several delicate pieces and a silver infinity symbol was tied in the front. All around the metal were small turquoise beads. It was beautiful, and totally me. In the bottom of the package was a small handwritten card.