American Honey

by Heidi McLaughlin

  “Sweet baby Jesus, what did you do?” she takes Savannah’s hand in hers and directs her to the sink where she promptly puts it under cold water. “You need to wash off the germs.”

  Savannah looks over her shoulder at me, her eyes questioning her aunt. I shrug, not having a clue what she’s talking about. Sue McGuire is what the town folk call ‘old country’. She grew up in a house full of women who cooked, cleaned and had their own home remedies for every ailment and injury. By all accounts, you’d think Aunt Sue was some grandma type just milling around the house, but that’s not the case; she can’t be a day over forty.

  “What in the blue hell is going on in here?” Uncle Bobby comes stomping into the kitchen and sets his lunch pail on the counter. He immediately kisses Sue before looking from me to Savannah.

  “Sugah, what’d you do to your hand?”

  “I punched Jeremiah, Uncle Bobby.”

  “Well now, why’d you go and do something like that?”

  Savannah looks from him to me and back at him. She pulls her lower lip into her mouth and I see the tension in her jaw. I’m not going to let her get into trouble because I can’t keep my hands and lips to myself.

  “Because –“ I start to answer before I’m interrupted.

  “Because I’m an ass, Bobby, you know that. I was pullin’ on her pigtails and makin’ fun of her boots,” Jeremiah saunters over to Savannah and stands between her and Bobby. “Girl’s got a mean right hook, I’m tellin’ ya. Look at my busted up lip, Bobby.” He moves right in front of Bobby so he can see his face.

  “Y’all need to be workin’ and not flirtin’,” he mutters as he walks out of the room with Jeremiah hot on his tail. I breathe a sigh of relief. Sue finishes wrapping Savannah’s hand in a towel packed with ice and as soon as she leaves the kitchen, I’m moving to Savannah’s side. My hand grazes her hip sending this dynamic sensation up my arm and right into my chest.

  “He just saved us,” she says, stepping closer. I’m getting the feeling that she likes living on the edge. I’m not sure how her Uncle will take it once he finds out we’re messing around.

  “Yeah, he did.” My voice is quiet and Savannah takes that as a hint to give my lips and mouth some attention. My hands cup her face, holding her to me so I can relish in this brief intimacy we’re sharing. “I think we should go,” she whispers against my lips.

  We don’t have to be at Jeremiah’s until later, so the fact that she wants to be alone with me excites me. I nod, pulling her hand into mine and walk us to the front door. We stop briefly to say goodbye and are shooed away by Bobby and Sue. We both shrug but take it as a sign that they don’t care that we’re leaving together, although Bobby probably thinks I’m just taking her to town to turn in her homework or shop. He doesn’t know about the thoughts going through my mind when it comes to his niece. If he did, he’d take me out to pasture and shoot my ass.

  It almost makes me feel bad, until I look at her and realize that getting shot would be worth it.

  We spend a few hours just driving the back roads, Savannah sitting next to me with my arm resting on her shoulder, until we pull into Jeremiah’s. Without a doubt, he invited everyone he knows and then some. The faint sound of music can be heard, the laughter is present and the flames of his massive bonfire are visible from the front of his house.

  Savannah squeezes my thigh, letting me know she’s ready to go. I bring her hand to my lips, gently kissing her bruised knuckles before we leave my truck. She reaches into the back and pulls out the blankets I set back there for tonight.

  “Want me to carry those?” I ask, reaching out.

  “I got it,” she replies before kissing me quickly. It hits me right then and there, like a ton of bricks, that I’m screwed. This girl – the one I was trying to ignore – has already burrowed her way into my life whether I was ready for it or not. Who knew that something so simple as carrying blankets would be the trigger? We walk hand in hand to the backyard where Jeremiah has the most epic bonfire setup. Last summer we cut down logs and placed them in a circle. We also filled our trucks with sand and put that on the ground to give his area a beach feel. He said the chicks would dig it and they do, evident by the male-to-female ratio here tonight.

  I introduce Savannah to the guys while Jeremiah boasts about his fat-lip, the tale changing each and every time. I’m going to have to tell him how much I appreciate him not saying exactly how he got it. I don’t want any of these guys to get the wrong impression of Savannah.

  We scope out a spot to sit and I help her spread out the blanket. I don’t remember doing any of this stuff with Annamae. She used to do it all herself and never complained. Maybe that’s why she cheated.

  Before I sit down, I take Savannah’s hand in mine and ask her if she want’s a beer. I’m making an assumption that she’s had one before. I never thought to ask if she drinks.

  “Yeah, I’ll take one.”

  She holds my hand until our arms are extended and just our fingertips are hanging on. “Hey, Tyler?”

  I stop and stare at her. The way she says my name, it makes my heart beat faster. I move forward so we’re chest to chest. “Savannah,” I say huskily as I slip my fingers between hers.

  “What happens if neither one of us can drive home?”

  I smile and look around, checking out the night sky. “I have a feeling with you next to me, the bed of my truck would be pretty damn comfortable.” She looks at me with a fit of fear in her eyes and I know I have to remedy the situation quickly. “I’ll only have a few, I promise.” I kiss the tip of her nose and wink at her before walking toward the keg.

  “Hey Smalls, what’re doing in town?” I pat an old classmate on the back while he fills his red solo cup.

  “Not much, King. But it’s Dan now. I’m trying to grow out of that teen boy stage.”

  I look at him all cock-eyed. “Right, what’s new?”

  He moves aside so I can fill mine and Savannah’s cups. Looking over my shoulder I spot her talking to Annamae – this won’t be good. I regret chatting up Smalls because now I have to at least pretend to listen.

  “I’m engaged. We’re getting married in August.”

  “Wow, man, congrats. Does she know you’re a two pump and dump chump?”

  “Screw you man, I was fifteen when that happened.”

  “Still a great story,” I laugh, shaking my head and tipping my cup back. “See ya later.”

  “Hey, is that your girl?” he calls out behind me.

  “Yeah she is,” I reply over my shoulder with a big ass grin on my face.

  Bracing myself for what I’m about to walk into, I make my way back to where Annamae is still talking Savannah. I don’t know what she’s telling her and I don’t want to know. Either way, if I have to spend the rest of the night reassuring Savannah that Annamae doesn’t mean anything to me, I will. I just pray that Annamae isn’t filling her head with a bunch of nonsense. Our time is short as is and I want a drama-free summer with this girl by my side.

  Chapter 14 – Savannah

  Watching Tyler is quickly becoming a favorite habit of mine. That is, until my vision is blocked by Dolly Parton. I look up and smile at the girl in front of me. She’s country through and through. Or at least what I’d consider country. I know I bought cowboy boots, but I drew the line at the hat. If I’m going to wear one, I’m taking it off my own cowboy.

  “You must be this Savannah I keep hearin’ so much about?” Her hands are on her hips with her hip jutting out so that her leg extends to the side. Her toe taps and I’m not sure if it’s to the music or if she’s trying to assert herself somehow. For all I know, she’s Jeremiah’s girlfriend.

  My brows furrow at her tone. “That’s me,” I answer plainly.

  “I’m Annamae. I’m sure you’ve heard all about me.” I shake her hand out of curiosity. I’m not here to make enemies and really don’t want Jeremiah pissed off at me. As it is, he’s sporting a shiner because of me. But the fact is, I have no idea who sh
e is.

  “Nice to meet you,” I put forth. It wouldn’t be so bad to make friends while I’m here, although my time is limited and soon I’ll be in the City of Lights, sitting in little cafés and sipping on a cappuccino. Looking over her shoulder, I see Tyler heading back to me and can’t help the smile that’s building the closer he gets. I can see a gleam in his eye when he makes eye contact with me.

  My lips part as he hands me one of the red cups. Tyler places his arm on my shoulders as he pulls me closer to him. Our lips meet automatically, both of us knowing that we needed to connect, even if it’s just for a moment. I can’t explain it and I’m not sure I even want to but I have this never-ending tingle whenever he’s near and it only intensifies when he touches me. I never want it to stop but know the end is near. I’m going to have to figure out a way to have him and Paris in my life and I’m not exactly sure how I’m going to manage either.

  “Ahem!”

  Tyler sort of pulls me partially behind him, as if he’s shielding me from something evil. I place my hand on his chest while my cup filled with beer rest near his hip. He tips his head to Annamae in a friendly gesture.

  She steps forward, too close for my liking. I look at Tyler, who shakes his head ever so slightly. He lifts his cup to his mouth and takes a long drink. The sight of his Adam’s apple moving mesmerizes me for some reason.

  “So, y’all together?”

  I look up at Tyler and wink. He smiles and kisses me briefly, yet another habit that I’m starting to really enjoy. I could really get used to the type of treatment.

  “I see you’ve met Annamae?”

  “Did you tell her about me, Tyler?” she asks. I’m not even able to answer his question before she butts in. Apparently her presence in his life is important, at least to her.

  “I’m sorry, he didn’t,” I shake my head slowly, trying to suppress a smile. Clearly, she feels as if she’s an important part of Tyler’s life and he doesn’t because he hasn’t mentioned her. Yet, she felt the need to come over and make her presence known. Shame I don’t feel it’s needed.

  Annamae huffs and glares at Tyler. I want to slink back and hide from her daggers, but I stand firm. Clearly she’s someone in his life.

  “I’m his fiancée,” she all but yells. My arms stiffen and I drop my hand from his waist. He quickly clamps his hand down on mine, holding it to his chest. Before I can say anything, he’s speaking.

  “Ex, Annamae, and we were never engaged. You made the decision that I wasn’t good enough for you and shacked up with the landscaper. I don’t know what you’re tryin’ to pull here, but it ain’t gonna work. Savannah doesn’t need to listen to your lies. Go find Rufus, he’ll entertain ya.”

  My mouth drops open slightly and Tyler just shakes his head. He motions for us to sit down and I take the lead, pulling his hand into mine. He sits down first and pats the spot between his legs, which I gladly take. I lean back, settling in his arms. My body sighs when he drapes his arm over me. When I look back at Annamae, she’s the in arms of another man, Rufus, maybe? Either way, it doesn’t matter. I’m all too aware of women causing drama when it’s not needed.

  “I’m sorry about Annamae.”

  “No need to be sorry,” I reply.

  “We dated for a year until she met Rufus. Things didn’t end well.”

  “Breakups never do,” I mutter. I wouldn’t know. While I’ve kissed plenty, I never made it to that “stage” where I could call someone my boyfriend. “Just Friends” is the title that has been used in the past. That was until now. I have no doubt I could introduce Tyler as my boyfriend and he’d agree.

  Tyler rests his head on top of mine. “She’s harmless, but you’ll see her a lot. She likes to think that what we had was something great. Truth is, I probably would’ve married her had we stayed together and honestly I’m thankful that we didn’t. She’s really stuck up and way into her social status.”

  “Sounds like girls from my school, all fake and pretentious. But this is nice. It’s my first time at a bonfire and everything seems so free here… nothing seems fake,” I mumble the last part. The more time I spend here, the more I realize just how fake I was in New York. I was trying to be someone I wasn’t.

  “The country will do that for you,” he whispers against my neck. I turn my neck slightly to give him better access. As soon as his lips touch me, I shiver.

  “Are you cold?” he asks as his hands start rubbing up and down my arms. I’m anything but cold.

  “Not at all,” I say loud enough for him to hear as I snuggle into his neck. Right now I wish we were someplace else where we could be alone. With so many prying eyes I don’t want people staring at us. I turn back around and watch the others. Jeremiah waves and I hold my cup up, acknowledging him. I probably shouldn’t have hit him, but I was angry. I suppose I need to learn to take everything with a grain of salt. In hindsight, he probably only deserved the punch if he told my Uncle Bobby that Tyler and I were humping in the hay.

  Tyler and I sit by the fire, listening to all the surrounding conversations. I’m content, being in his arms like this and don’t want to leave. He holds me as if it’s our last night together and not our first. I don’t even want to think of what our last night will be, assuming of course we’re still friends. With my track record I’m likely to screw this up before the weekends over and I’ll be back to square one, tiptoeing around him and being on the receiving end of his “I’m the boss” attitude.

  We get up and walk around some of the property that Jeremiah lives on. His parents own it but only use it for horses, not farming or anything like Uncle Bobby. Tyler tells me Jeremiah works for him because his parents aren’t running a ranch and that’s what he went to school for. It’s hard to believe my Uncle Bobby makes enough off his ranch to have employees, but Tyler says the ranch thrives and does well.

  It’s not something I’d want to do, live on a ranch and work. I have goals, dreams. I plan to major in fashion while in Paris. I want to live in a flat above the busiest street so I can hear the traffic at night and be able to listen to the street performers. I want to live close to the park and watch the tourists stare at their surroundings in awe. I’m going to have this is a few short months and I can’t wait.

  Everyone comes over to talk to Tyler and he introduces me to all his friends. At one point during the night I overhear him say that I’m his girl. I try to hide the cheesy grin in my face, but I’m pretty sure he sees it. Thing is, he doesn’t turn away or try to hide that he said it. He keeps glancing at me while talking to his friends.

  He makes me feel like I matter.

  After the party dies down, I carry the blankets back to the truck and climb in as Tyler holds the door for me. He wants to take me stargazing tonight. My hand rests on his thigh, his arm around my shoulder as he drives down a dirt road. It’s a good thing he knows his way around because I’d never be able to find my way home with all these roads that stretch on for miles and seem to lead to nowhere.

  He pulls over in a field and kisses me on the cheek. “Wait here.” He turns the truck off and everything is pitch black. If he thinks that I’m going to get out now, he has another thing coming. I startle when the back of the truck starts to move. My heart is pounding so hard it feels like it’s about to burst out of my chest.

  The truck door swings open and I scream. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

  “Nothing, you just scared me.”

  Tyler reaches for my hand and helps me out of the truck. I clutch onto the sides of his flannel shirt and follow, bumping into him a few times before we reach the back of the truck. He lifts me onto the tailgate and jumps up next to me.

  “Wanna lie down?”

  “Yeah,” I reply as I scoot back. Tyler’s made us a bed back here, complete with pillows. I lie next to him and watch the sky. “Oh my, what was that?”

  “Lightning bug. Don’t you remember when we were little and I caught one and put it in my mouth. My cheeks lit up. It looked like I had a light s
witch in my mouth. My mom was yellin’ about me being taken over by aliens.”

  I laugh and remember the night he’s talking about. We were so young and he was teasing me about being a baby because he was older. I cried to my mom and she told me I’d get my revenge when he became my husband. At that time, I thought Tyler had cooties and didn’t want him touching me – especially if he was putting bugs in his mouth.

  “I should catch one now.”

  “Oh, hell no,” I say quickly. “If you do that, I’m not kissing you.”

  In the darkness I feel him adjust. His arm comes around me as he moves closer. “I’d much rather kiss you than stick a bug in my mouth.”

  “That’s good to know because bugs are gross, but so are boys.”

  “Good thing I’m a man,” he says before his lips crash down on mine. This kiss is different from the others we’ve shared. While it starts out slow, I can feel the urgency in the way he’s holding me. His tongue caresses mine in a slow, languid motion. His lips mold to mine, making us one. Hands roam, his, mine, ours together.

  My hand slips under his shirt and the need to feel him against my skin is prevalent. I wiggle until we’re touching, only for him to sit up and remove his shirt. It’s too dark for me to see him so I have to rely on my hands to tell my mind what I’m feeling.

  His muscles are toned but not bulging. They’re perfect. He hisses when my fingers graze his nipples. I smile, knowing I’ve elicited that response from him. I hook my finger into his belt loop and pull him on top of me. He doesn’t hesitate as he settles between my legs.

  Tyler moves against me, denim on denim creating enough friction to cause me to squirm. My fingers dig into his back, urging him to keep going. His lips are needy and move from my mouth to my neck and back.

  “Savannah, we have to stop.” Not the words I want to hear, but he’s right. We’re out in the middle of nowhere and as much as my body thinks I want this, I’m not sure if I do. Tyler shifts off of me but just barely. He kisses my neck lightly, small yet intimate gestures. “I don’t want you to think that I don’t want to go there with you. I do, but not out here and not until we’ve had a proper date. I’m havin’ a hard time keepin’ my hands to myself, I’m sure you’ve noticed, but I want to do right by you. I want to take you out and show you that I can be the gentleman you deserve.”