by Cait Marie
Dylan laughed beside him. Gavin just shook his head. “You know, sometimes I think you like her more than me.”
“Only sometimes?” she teased before hugging him. “Be safe. Love you.”
“Love you too,” he said.
He walked outside with Dylan, and Lila moved toward them, pulling a small suitcase behind her. Gavin continued to his mom’s car without a greeting. He tossed his bag into the backseat and turned to see Dylan hugging her.
The sun above made the pink in her hair shine brighter than normal. It matched her sweet laughter at something Dylan said as he flung an arm around her shoulders and steered her over. Gavin took her suitcase and put it in the back while they said goodbye.
“Have fun,” Dylan said before walking to his own car and driving away.
Lila fidgeted beside the car. Glancing up, she gave a sad sort of smile. “Hi.”
“Hi.” They stood in silence a moment.
“Are you sure you still want to do this?” Her quiet words sent a pang of guilt through him.
Stepping closer, he said, “I still want to know what’s going on.”
“Gavin—”
“But we’re still doing this,” he cut her off and pulled open the passenger door. “I told you I would help you, and I always keep my word.”
The fields passed by in a blur as Lila watched out the window. It took a couple hours to get to Chicago, and the fight from the day before lingered over them. Gavin’s statement about keeping his word gave her a lot to think about on the drive.
She glanced at him, taking in his tall frame. He had one elbow resting out the open window, and his music played in the background. The late spring air blew through his short hair. Lifting her phone, she took a quick picture of him.
“What are you doing?” Amusement laced his voice.
She dropped her phone and cursed as it smacked the floor. “Capturing memories?”
The corner of his mouth tugged up. As she bent to retrieve her phone, he said, “I’m still mad at you.”
There was no anger in his tone though. She twisted in her seat, pulling one foot up. “Why?”
He turned the music down. His eyes shifted to her before quickly moving back to the highway. Traffic increased the closer they got to the city.
“Because you’re hiding something.”
Lila looked back out the window. She needed to tell him, but how? Everything would change. And she didn’t want to think about the future at that moment. She wanted to focus on enjoying the next week.
In the distance, the Chicago skyline came into view. They inched along the busy highway, stopping to pay the toll, then they headed over the bridge. Traffic slowed to a stop. Horns blared. Deep bass pumped through them from a nearby car. But Gavin’s quiet attention turned to her.
“I love music, but it would take me away from Summersville. I’m not ready for that,” she said.
“Why do you need to finish the bucket list in two weeks if you’re not leaving?”
She hesitated, drumming her fingers on the dashboard as the cars started moving again. “I’m not ready to talk about it.”
“Okay,” he said to her surprise. “But soon?”
She nodded, even though he didn’t take his eyes from the chaos around them. They made it to their exit, and the hotel wasn’t far from there. It only took a few minutes for Gavin to pull up and hand the keys over to the valet.
Lila looked up at the towering building as he grabbed their bags. She took her suitcase and followed him through the elegant lobby to the front desk. She glanced around the large space while he handed over his credit card. His dad had apparently given it to him for emergencies, but she’d seen Gavin use it all week.
Once they had their keys, they used one of the gilded elevators to make their way up to their twelfth-floor room. The view of the city took Lila’s breath away once inside. She let go of her suitcase and ran to the window. “This is incredible!”
Gavin stepped up next to her. The sun sat low behind the skyscrapers, giving the city a golden glow. “It really is.”
She whirled around, taking in the room. The single king-size bed froze her in her tracks. Gavin moved around her to the bag he’d tossed on top of the white fluffy comforter.
As if reading her thoughts, he said, “It’s all they had.”
She walked over and plopped onto the mattress. The thought of sharing it stirred the butterflies in her stomach, but in that moment she didn’t really care. It was the softest bed she’d ever felt.
With closed eyes and a smile, she said, “Liar.”
A shadow fell across her. When she opened her eyes, Gavin laid down beside her with a quiet laugh. “There’s a pull-out couch.”
Lila sat up and slid to the top of the bed to lean against the headboard. “You’re going to make me sleep on the couch after feeling this magnificent mattress?”
“Of course not.” He pulled himself up beside her. “I’ll sleep over there.”
She’d barely fit on the small blue sofa in the corner. She wondered how long its flimsy mattress was, and she looked from it to Gavin’s tall frame.
“So, what are we doing first?” she asked, getting to her feet. They could figure out the sleeping arrangements later.
10
Saturday
“If I eat any more, I’m going to be sick,” Lila said as she grabbed one of Gavin’s fries.
He laughed but pushed his plate closer to her. The grin that lit up her face at the gesture just about melted his heart. For so long, he’d spent his time trying to get under her skin because her scowl was adorable, but her smile? He would do anything in his power to keep it in place.
The waitress came back with his credit card and the receipt to sign. Seeing Lila still eating, she asked if they were sure they didn’t want a box. Lila’s face turned red.
“We’re fine, thank you,” Gavin said.
He signed the receipt and stood with an elbow out. Lila joined him, slipping her hand around his arm. They walked out of the restaurant and into the bustle of the city. People crowded the sidewalks, moving in every direction. Cars filled the streets, and somewhere not too far away, sirens went off. It was like a different world from their small town.
At the corner, he leaned down to her ear. “Don’t let go.”
Lila gripped his arm tighter. They crossed the busy street and eventually made their way to a calmer area. People still walked around, but they could slow down enough to take in their surroundings.
Night had settled above the city while eating. The street wasn’t dark though. Lights from shops, businesses, and apartments made it nearly as bright as mid-day. Lila pointed to the famous theater marquee lit up a few blocks away. When they reached it, he took her photo with the sign in the background.
“Oh no, you don’t,” she said, taking her phone back. She grabbed his hand and pulled him over to get one with both of them.
The smell of her apple shampoo invaded his senses, making it difficult to let go when done. He left his hand on her back as they continued walking. When she leaned in closer instead of a way, he wondered if that was what the past few years could’ve been like had she not hated him.
They wandered through the city, amazed that it didn’t slow down the later it got. After a while, Gavin led them toward the bar he decided on during all his research. It wasn’t one of the dance clubs with lines waiting down the block. No, he’d decided they’d try somewhere smaller.
“Wait,” he pulled her to a stop across the street. He dug the plastic card out of his pocket and handed it over.
Lila looked at the ID. “How did you do this?”
“I know a guy.”
She raised a brow.
“Okay, Dylan knows a guy.” He took a chance and slid his hand around hers. As they walked toward the bouncer, he whispered, “Just like at the movies.”
The bouncer took their IDs. His gaze turned skeptic, but he stamped their hands and let them pass.
Inside the door,
Lila jumped in excitement. “I can’t believe we did it!”
“Shhh.” Gavin put an arm around her, tucking her in close. Against her hair he asked, “Do you want to get us kicked out?”
She giggled, and he rolled his eyes. The small bar held a couple dozen tables with patrons all facing the front of the room. A deep man’s voice rang out, singing along to the words on the big screen next to him.
Gavin glanced down to watch Lila’s reaction. Her eyes widened, and she said, “Look at you getting multiple things checked off in one go.”
Smirking, he led her to a small table before heading up to the bar. He tipped the bartender then stopped by the man in charge of karaoke before making his way back to Lila with their drinks. The instant concern in her eyes made him grin. He sat beside her, closer than necessary, and pushed her drink farther in front of her. “Trust me, Weston.”
She lifted the glass to her lips and took a sip.
The fizzy Coke nearly made Lila choke. At Gavin’s smug look, she shook her head.
“And what are you drinking?” she asked as he scooted his chair even closer.
He slid his glass over, and she picked it up to sniff. It looked the same as hers, but there was a distinct scent of alcohol mixed in. She took a sip. That time, she did cough.
Gavin took the drink back. Trying to hide his laughter, he put a hand on her back and leaned in. “Mine has rum in it.”
Lila shook her head. She never had the desire to go to parties or drink. It never appealed to her. But that weekend—the bucket list—was about stepping out of her comfort zone. The whole point was to do things she hadn’t throughout high school. With a deep breath, she reached for his glass again and drank a good portion of it in three gulps. She failed to hide the gasp and wince when she placed it back in front of him.
To his credit, he didn’t complain. He just grinned at her. “Wow, Weston, I’m impressed.”
She shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal before turning her attention to the woman who’d taken the karaoke microphone. Lila swayed in her seat as the woman belted out a love ballad. Gavin’s arm rested across the back of her chair, and she tried to focus on the singing to distract herself from the way he casually played with her hair.
When the song ended, a man called out, “Lila and Gavin.”
Lila’s eyes snapped to Gavin’s as he pushed his chair back and stood. With wide eyes, she took his offered hand and followed him up to the front of the room.
“You’re singing too?” she asked when he handed her a microphone and kept one for himself.
He turned her to face the crowd. “Of course.”
As the familiar music started, she took a shaky breath. She wasn’t sure if the light headedness was from nerves or the alcohol. But as Gavin started singing off key, she smiled. Nothing mattered but that moment. Just as she had her whole life, she picked up with the part of the princess, singing about a new world.
She glanced at Gavin, feeling more meaning in the words than ever before. The music slowed as their parts came together for the end, and he laced their fingers together. She couldn’t look away. Even as the music stopped and the crowd cheered, his hazel eyes held her mesmerized.
Another name was called, and Gavin took her microphone to give to the next people. Hand in hand, they moved back to their table. Lila’s throat tightened as she took her seat beside him. Something had shifted while they sang. Something that terrified her.
For the weekend, she wouldn’t think about the future. She ordered another drink—the same as Gavin’s that time—determined to live in the moment and enjoy their time.
An upbeat eighties song played throughout the room. People got out of their seats to dance between tables. A group of friends sang in the microphones, but the whole room joined in for the main chorus.
Gavin jumped up, telling her to do the same. She took a long drink before getting to her feet. He whirled her around, and she stumbled into him. They danced and laughed with the strangers around them. Despite the fast tempo, Gavin pulled her close. She didn’t fight it. Instead, she leaned into him and held on tight.
As they made their way back through the streets to the hotel, she still held on to him, dreading the moment she’d have to let go. She made faces at him in the mirror of the elevator and laughed as she failed to get their door open.
“Give it to me,” he said, taking the keycard.
He swiped it through the lock, and she giggled as it lit up green. Inside, she twirled around before falling back on the bed.
“This was fun.” She propped herself up on her elbows to watch Gavin close the curtains.
“You’re drunk.” Grinning, he moved to the end of the bed and removed her shoes. “Do you think you can manage changing clothes without falling over?”
She sat up with a hand out. He shook his head but went to grab her bag. After setting it beside her, he took his own into the bathroom. The world tilted as she searched through her suitcase. Somehow, she managed to pull out a t-shirt and shorts. With a sigh, she pulled her dress off and the shirt on. She looked at the shorts with pursed lips.
“Okay, I can do this,” she whispered to herself as she sat on the edge of the bed. The floor loomed up to meet her face when she leaned over to put her feet in. “Ow!”
“You all right out there?” Gavin called as he cracked the bathroom door open.
“No…”
He came into the room, and she could see the effort he put into not laughing at her sprawled on the floor. His arms slid beneath her, picking her up easily. He sat her on the bed then knelt down to pull her shorts up over her feet and knees. When he reached her thighs, he lifted her hands to his shoulders and had her stand while he pulled them up the rest of the way.
Fire engulfed her cheeks, but she was grateful for the help. She lowered her hands to his chest as he held her. “How are you not drunk?”
His laugh stirred her hair. “I stopped after the second one, and you drank most of my first. One of us needed to stay alert.”
“Why didn’t you stop me?” The soft fabric of his shirt muffled her words as she laid her head against him.
“Have you ever tried to stop you?” He reached behind her to pull the blankets down before guiding her back in bed. Her eyelids grew heavy as he tucked her in and said, “Besides, you were having fun.”
With closed eyes, she smiled. She heard him shuffling around, moving to pull the couch out. She opened her eyes. “Just stay here. The bed is huge.”
He slowly turned to face her. “Are you sure?”
She flipped the covers down on the other side of the bed and patted the mattress. “You’re too tall for the couch. And it’s not like we’ve never slept together before.”
She laughed with a loud snort escaping, and he quirked up an eyebrow. He slid under the covers and clicked the lamp off while she covered her mouth. In the back of her mind, she noticed he’d left the bathroom light on with the door opened just a sliver, but she couldn’t focus on it. She still laughed about her statement.
“You know what I mean,” she added between breaths, unable to stop. “We haven’t slept together. We’ve just slept together. I haven’t slept with anyone, though I’m sure you have.”
The words tumbled from her mouth before she could think them through. She clenched her jaw, reached up behind her, and pulled the pillow out to smother her face. The mattress dipped close to her and gentle hands removed it.
Her lungs refused to function as Gavin lifted her head to put it back under her. She closed her eyes, not wanting to see her own humiliation mirrored in his. Soft fingers brushed her hair back as his lips pressed a light kiss to her brow. “Goodnight, Lila.”
She wanted to say something. She wanted to continue living in that fantasy world where he didn’t hate her—where it felt like anything was possible. But her breathing slowed and the world faded, and before she could make a decision on what to do, she drifted to sleep.
Lila’s Summer Bucket List
Sleep
under the stars
Attend a party
Get a tattoo
Use fake ID to sing karaoke in a bar
Stand under the lights on the football field
Go on a date
Sneak out of the house
Visit the baby goat farm
Go to Chicago
Midnight swim
Spend a day in bed watching movies
Stay up to watch the sunrise
Be kissed in the rain
Run through the halls of the high school
Conquer a fear
Paintball
Try something new
Dye hair pink
Sneak into movie theater
Climb water tower
11
Sunday
Warmth encompassed Lila. Surrounded by fields of flowers, she ran through the tall grass as he chased her. Laughter filled the air. She hadn’t felt so light and happy in years. He caught her wrist and pulled her around to face him.
Her hands slid up his chest as his locked behind her back. Staring up at his matching smile, Lila grinned. He bent down close, erasing the distance between.
As their breath mingled, she whispered, “Gavin.”
His grip tightened around her. “Lila.”
Just as their lips brushed, she heard an odd buzzing. She looked around, wanting to stop whatever was interrupting the perfect moment. A deep groan echoed as the world rumbled.
She woke to find Gavin’s phone vibrating on the bedside table. When it stopped ringing, she sighed and relaxed into his warm embrace.
Her eyes snapped open again. She was lying half on top of Gavin with her head on his shoulder and arm draped over his middle. One leg over his. She tried to extricate herself before he woke up, but his arm tightened around her waist. His free hand moved to her back, completely holding her in place.
“Five more minutes,” he said against the top of her head.
She stilled. Was he awake or just mumbling in his sleep? She tried to pull away again, but he stopped her.