“Nope. If you’ve been dying to see what I have going on under this shirt, now’s the time,” he teased.
“Plan on losing?” she taunted.
“I’ve learned not to underestimate you.”
She patted his arm. “Smart boy.”
It took several minutes before she spotted a small orange reflector. It was attached to an old, gnarled tree that looked like it’d been through a few storms. The marker pointed them to the right, paralleling a small stream.
She shot him a grin. “Truth or dare?”
“Truth,” he answered, surprising her. She would have pegged him as a “dare” type of guy.
“What’s the deal with your names?” The question had been bothering her.
“There are four James Talons in my family. It gets confusing, so we have nicknames. My great-grandfather was James, my grandfather went by Junior and my father goes by Jimmy. The first time Gramps held me, he called me Talon. It stuck.”
“Then why does everyone call you JT?”
“I took Gramps’s death really hard. I hated being reminded of him. So when we moved here, I decided to go by something new.” He pulled a branch away from their path and let her go first. “Figured it could be a fresh start. I like that you call me Talon, though. It feels … right.” His gaze met hers and the impact felt like a kick to the chest.
She was happy he wanted her to call him Talon, but she wondered if the names were his way of differentiating between his true self and the football persona. In many ways, she and Talon mirrored each other. They both had two different selves, but she was trying to let her true self out. Was Talon doing the same? Or was he trying to hide it?
They continued on, following the stream. Large redwood trees lined the pathway. They were so tall, they hovered over Keeley and Talon, blocking out the light of the moon. It felt like they were in their own secret world.
Talon pointed his flashlight to a thick bush with white flowers. An orange reflector was wedged between the roots. They followed the arrow and turned north toward the rocky hills. She noticed large boulders and rocks, some of them precariously stacked on top of each other. “Are you sure this is safe?”
He dropped an arm around her shoulders and drew her close. “I’ll protect you,” he promised with a sly smile.
“Is this your plan? Get me scared so you can cozy up?” she asked suspiciously even as she wound her arm around his waist.
“It’s working, isn’t it?” he replied smugly, tightening his grip on her. “And since I found the marker, it’s my turn. Truth or dare, Keeley?”
“Truth.” She wasn’t brave enough for a dare.
“How come you’re different on the phone? It’s like when we first met, you weren’t the same girl.”
Keeley didn’t want to tell him. What if he felt different after learning the truth? She pulled away. “I — uh … well, I guess I feel more comfortable texting.” She picked up the pace and walked ahead so she couldn’t see his response.
“So you’re like that with everyone?” He sounded disappointed.
“It’s different with you. I still can’t believe some of the stuff I said. I just ... I don’t know. At first, you were so cocky, and you made me so mad that I didn’t care what you thought. I just said whatever came to mind.”
“I guess I was kind of a jerk.” He ran to catch up to her. Then pulled her close again and leaned down to place a kiss on her temple. His mouth was so close that she could smell the distinct scent of sugar and marshmallow on his breath. All she had to do was lift her head a little and they would be kissing. She wet her lips and slowly —
“Look! There’s another marker.” He dropped his arm and hurried to the rock formation in front of them. “Come on,” he called out, motioning for her to hurry.
He seemed more excited about finding this cache than kissing her. They trekked up another hill that gave way to a meadow dotted with moonlit flowers. They continued till Talon spotted the fourth marker off to their right. It was at the entrance of a large cave.
“Oh, no,” she protested when she realized where the arrow was pointing. “I am not going in there. No way. No how. There could be mountain lions in that thing.”
“There are no mountain lions in this area,” he said, trying to mollify her.
“That anyone knows of!” She eyed the dark cave with trepidation. What else lived in caves? Bears? Cougars?
“Come on, I dare you.”
“I haven’t picked truth or dare yet!”
“Do I have to get you mad again?”
No. Part of the reason she came on this date was to make decisions for herself. She needed to do this without help. Closing her eyes, she pictured how she felt sending those texts to Talon. Strong. Empowered. She didn’t overanalyze or worry like she did in real life. She just did it. And she could do the same thing here. If she proved to herself she could be that brave version, maybe she could figure out what she should do after senior year.
Thrusting her shoulders back, she opened her eyes and walked straight to the mouth of the cave. Talon slipped his hand into hers and they walked in.
She moved her flashlight around the cave. A flash of orange near the ground caught her attention. “Talon, I think I found it.” Her fear of the cave was forgotten as her focus narrowed in on the arrow. There were five or six large rocks piled together right below the arrow. She moved them one by one till she found a brown box.
Keeley lifted the lid. Nestled inside was a silver cell phone charm.
“So you can remember how we met.”
Speechless, she glanced up at him. He must have hiked up to the cave before the date. It was incredibly sweet and romantic. How lucky was she that someone like this was interested in her?
“You know, I never collected on two markers,” Talon commented. The smell of woods and sugar enveloped her. “Truth or dare?” he challenged, his eyes fixated on her lips. Every cell in her body came alive as she realized what he was asking. When she didn’t answer, he leaned forward and nuzzled her neck. “Truth or dare.”
Her pulse raced as he slowly moved up her neck, his nose brushing against her skin. Unconsciously, she angled her head to the side to give him better access. A shiver ran down her spine as he kissed the delicate underside of her jaw. His lips were so warm and soft. She closed her eyes as he kissed her again, getting lost in the sensation of his mouth on her skin.
Her eyes fluttered open when he pulled back slightly. “Keeley?” he said, waiting for her answer to the unspoken question that lay between them.
She slid her hand up his chest and wrapped it around his neck. She could feel his pulse jumping at her touch. He wanted her just as much as she wanted him. As she drew his mouth down to hers, she whispered, “Dare.”
A second later, his lips crashed into hers. It was a hard, demanding kiss — nothing soft or gentle about it. She gasped as he wound his arms around her waist and hauled her closer to him. Instantly she melted against his chest, reveling in the feeling of his hard body plastered against hers.
Pleasure shot through her as he said her name, and suddenly she couldn’t get enough of him. She wanted more. She needed more. Without thought, she tangled her fingers in his hair and pulled, forcing his head forward and his mouth to open. A harsh moan reverberated in the air as her tongue touched his. This was what she craved.
As their tongues danced in a rhythm all their own, she lost sense of time and propriety. She was drowning and she had no desire to resurface. In that moment, there were just the two of them —Talon and Keeley.
And it was perfect.
Keeley was in a study room at the library with Talon. She’d been coming to the library more and more. Being there helped her focus. There wasn’t a TV or Internet to distract her. Talon studied with her most days, right after football practice. And secretly, she kept suggesting the library because she knew
Zach wouldn’t be there.
Her phone vibrated. Nicky. Was that really the time? It’d gotten so late!
We still on for dinner @The Factory?
Definitely.
Good. I need this.
What’s wrong?
I’ll tell you at dinner. See you then.
“Talon, can you drive me to The Factory? I’m supposed to meet Nicky for dinner.”
“No problem. Do I get to meet the infamous best friend?”
“I can’t believe you two haven’t met yet.” Their paths never really crossed because they lived in two different worlds — Nicky at school and Talon at the library — but Keeley was ready for them to meet. The Factory was a town away, where they were unlikely to run into anyone they knew. And she hated to be apart from Talon, even for a little while. “You should come with.”
He rubbed his jaw. “You sure?”
“Completely. I want you two to meet.”
“Good, because I’m starving.” He grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it.
They walked over to his truck and she hopped in. She looked in the backseat. Piles and piles of Peeps. It looked like the factory had exploded in his truck. She was pretty sure he was secretly the Easter Bunny in another life.
They were halfway to The Factory when he started to fidget. His thumbs tapped against the steering wheel and he said, “So, I have a question for you.”
“You need a Peep, don’t you? I recognize the signs. Nervous demeanor. Twitchy hands.” He didn’t even crack a smile.
He sent her another quick glance before asking, “What are you going to do about Friday?”
Her forehead creased. “Um ... Friday?”
He exhaled deeply, laughing a little. “I should be insulted that you don’t remember, but I’m not.” He pursed his lips together. “The big Edgewood-Crosswell game. You’re going, right?”
Her good mood vanished as dread took hold.
“Have you told Zach about us yet?” he asked.
“Talon …” she trailed off, feeling uneasy.
“I hate sneaking around. I want to be able to go out with you without wondering if Zach is going to be there.”
That’s what Keeley wanted, too. Except ... “It’s complicated.” Zach was so focused on winning this one game, and she didn’t want to do anything to keep him from doing everything he dreamed of. “I’ll tell him after the game, okay?”
Face softening, Talon squeezed her hand. “I know we can handle it.”
She should have felt reassured but the hint of fear in his eyes made her worry. Was he not as confident about their relationship as he appeared?
They arrived at the restaurant, but Nicky wasn’t there yet, so they grabbed a table by the door. Talon slid into the chair next to her, leaving Nicky the seat across. After ten minutes, Keeley texted her, but no response.
When another ten passed, Talon suggested, “Let’s order so it’ll be here when she comes.”
Keeley agreed, opening a menu and sliding it between them so they could both look. She wanted to get what she and Nicky usually ordered — a platter of finger foods and a side of pasta — but Talon insisted on trying something different.
“Live a little,” he teased after the waitress left.
“We never order seafood,” she informed him, grabbing a napkin and laying it across her lap.
“That’s crazy. We’re right next to the ocean. What about hot sauce? Please tell me you like that.”
“Nicky and I both like it. The spicier, the better.”
Talon pulled her in for a kiss. “You had me worried for a second. First, you don’t think Peeps are the greatest invention ever, and now this? It could have been a deal breaker.”
“I think your priorities are screwed.” She watched as he leaned back and spread out in his seat. “You take up a lot of space, you know that? You did the same thing when we met at Java Hut the first time.”
“That’s because I was trying to get you angry then.”
“And now?”
“Now, I realize getting you talking is a mistake,” he joked.
“Hey!” She started tickling him, trying to find a good spot.
“Kidding! I’m kidding,” he howled, squirming away.
That’s when Nicky finally walked in. “I’m so sorry! I stopped for gas and then my phone died … Oh.” Nicky’s grin faded into a thin line. “I didn’t know you were bringing him.”
“I hope you don’t mind,” Keeley said, pulling away. “It’s just that I wanted you guys to finally meet. Talon, meet my best friend, Nicky. And Nicky —”
Nicky cut her off. “I know who he is.”
Keeley frowned. “Is everything okay?” Then she remembered Nicky’s text about wanting to talk. She’d been so excited about introducing the two, she’d completely forgotten.
“Peachy.” Nicky sat down across from Keeley, her eyes glued to her phone. As she texted, she said, “Where’re the menus? I’m starving. I haven’t had anything since breakfast.”
Keeley glanced at Talon, who raised an eyebrow, and then looked back at Nicky. “We already ordered. The food should be here soon.”
Nicky made an indistinct noise and kept typing.
Keeley wasn’t sure what to say or do. Nicky had a right to be upset. She should have asked first before bringing Talon, but this was just plain rude. “So, uh, I thought your phone died.”
“It did. Thank God for portable battery chargers.”
“Did you use the one I gave you for Christmas last year?”
“Yup,” Nicky snapped.
An awkward silence followed. Talon cleared his throat, then draped an arm on the back of Keeley’s chair. Keeley tilted her head, trying to catch Nicky’s gaze, but Nicky wouldn’t look up from her phone. Couldn’t she try to be pleasant?
Talon squeezed her shoulder. At least one person was acknowledging her. She gave him a sad smile in response. Eyes flashing, he hauled her to his side and pressed his lips to her temple. She took a deep breath, drawing comfort from him.
The waitress placed several dishes in the middle of the table. Keeley pushed one of the dishes toward Nicky. She knew how grouchy Nicky could be when she was hungry. “Have some.”
Nicky finally lowered her phone, but her voice grew tight. “This isn’t our usual.”
“Talon suggested it.” She squeezed his leg under the table. “It’s spicy. You’ll love it.”
“But we always get the same thing. It’s tradition,” Nicky insisted, looking hurt.
Keeley tried to appease her. “We can get our usual the next time. Just try this.” She scooped some deep-fried shrimp onto Nicky’s plate, then onto Talon’s and her own.
“It’s really good. One of my favorites,” Talon added. He grabbed a small bowl of hot sauce and set it in front of Nicky. “You have to try it with this. You don’t want to eat it without.”
“Thanks, but I can choose my own condiments.” Nicky pushed it away. She folded her arms and placed them on the table, then narrowed her eyes. “So, Talon. Apparently you’re dating my best friend.”
The confrontational tone set off his own. He dropped his arm from Keeley’s chair and copied Nicky’s pose. “Is that a problem?”
“I don’t know. You planning on sticking around?”
“I’ll be right here.” It sounded more like a threat than a promise.
“Is that so?” Nicky’s eyes darkened. She pushed her chair back and stood up. “I’m going to the bathroom,” she muttered, stalking off.
Talon pursed his lips. “Well, that was fun.”
Keeley rubbed her forehead. It never crossed her mind they wouldn’t get along. “I better go talk to her.”
“Do you want me to leave?”
No, she didn’t, but she had to t
alk to Nicky. “Do you mind?”
His expression said, yes, he did mind but he was going to leave anyway. “Is she going to give you a ride home?”
“She will.”
Talon didn’t look convinced. “Text if you need me. I’ll pick you up.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gave him a long hug. “Did I mention you’re the best?”
“You make it easy.” He kissed her forehead. “Call me later tonight? You can wax poetic about how amazing I am.”
Chuckling, she shoved him away. “Go. I’ll call.”
She waited till he was out the door before entering the bathroom. Nicky was leaning over the counter, her head hung low. “Hey,” said Keeley, feeling unsure of herself.
There was a long pause before Nicky lifted her head. “Hey.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have invited him.”
“Tonight was supposed to be just the two of us,” Nicky reminded coldly. “Just like it always is.”
“I know. I just wanted you guys to meet and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.” Couldn’t Nicky cut her a little slack? She knew she’d made a mistake, but it wasn’t like the two of them couldn’t hang out another time. “Talon’s really great. He’s even been supportive about the whole Zach situation. I know you were on the fence about him. That’s why I wanted to introduce you two. So you could see what I see.”
“You’re always busy now,” Nicky confessed. “Ever since you met him, you’ve put me on the back burner.”
“That’s not true.” She was always texting Nicky.
“We don’t spend half as much time together as we used to. Whenever I call to hang out, you’re with him or about to be with him. I feel like you don’t make time for me anymore.”
The accusation made Keeley defensive. And a little angry. “Now you know how I felt! All summer long, you didn’t have time for me because of your college classes. I texted you constantly and you would answer about half of them.” And she never complained, did she? She was happy for her friend.
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