American Honey

by Heidi McLaughlin

  “Don’t choke Shay.” Beau tells me. He raises his arms above his head stretching, revealing those amazing muscles of his. I won’t let him throw me off.

  I smirk back at him and bring my concentration back to the cups. The ball flies gracefully from my hands and as it cuts through the air, I hold my breath. In one swift swoosh, it lands in one of the cups and I jump up and down.

  “I made it!” Sienna high-fives me and looks at Beau.

  “Drink up sucker! Ya’ll are going down!” she taunts them.

  Beau goes first for their team and once again he gives me a look that should intimidate me. “I’ll get you back for that one Shay.”

  Sarcastically, I purse my lips at him as he makes his throw. With ease, it lands in the cup and he points at me smiling. I take the ball out of the cup and drink the beer like a champ. I will not go down like a punk.

  The game continues and eventually the boys are crowned the winners. We have to drink their cups plus ours. We drink them then I do something I didn’t think I wanted to do. “I demand a rematch.”

  “No way Shay, it’s someone else’s turn.” Beau laughs.

  “So, they can wait. I want a rematch.” I cross my arms over my chest and stand my ground.

  “What do ya’ll say? Can she get her rematch?” he asks everyone when he realizes that I refuse to back down. They all agree with me and the next game starts.

  Halfway into the game. I’m batting my eyelashes more than I should be at Beau, but dammit, I can’t help it. It doesn’t help that besides the beer, Sienna gave me a few jello shots. We are winning by a few cups. Maybe I’m making the balls in now that I’ve loosened up some. This is pretty damn fun.

  I’m shit talking Beau and loving every minute of it, when Rob suddenly speaks up. I still haven’t been formally introduced to him yet but that’s still ok with me.

  “Wait, what is your name again?” I look around trying to see who he is talking to. After I’ve combed the crowd, I realize he’s staring at me.

  “Oh, me? I’m Shayleigh.” I answer with a grin.

  Sienna just laughs as she tosses her ball and misses again. Rob continues to study me a little longer before responding, “Shayleigh, hmmm I feel like I know you from somewhere.”

  As much as I’ve had to drink I wish I could not laugh right now, but I can’t help it. Rob seems to recognize me and shit, this can’t be good. “You think so?” I ask.

  “Yeah, didn’t you live here and then move away?”

  “Yeah, she moved.” Sienna pipes up. I’m hoping that ends the conversation, but Rob looks at me a little harder.

  “Oh, shit.” He says loudly. “I fucking know who you are now! This just made my fucking night. You’re the one who used to call my man here, Busty Beau.”

  The color drains from my face and I suddenly want to down every single cup of beer on this table. Sienna cuts Rob a look, but the damage is done. I’m afraid to look over at Beau, but my eyes betray me and land straight on his. I knew this was too good to be true.

  Chapter 7

  Beau’s eyes don’t leave mine for a good few minutes. I’m not sure how to feel right now. Everyone is laughing around us, but Sienna grabs ahold of my arm and pulls me close to her.

  “I had no clue Rob knew who you were Shay.” She whispers.

  All I can do is nod my head. There are no words I can think of. Beau finally breaks eye contact with me and it feels like I’ve been punched in the stomach. Like nothing happened, he picks up one of the ping pong balls and throws it towards our cups. Like always, it goes straight in and I grab the cup like it’s the last drink on Earth and down it. Rob goes next and misses. He hasn’t stopped laughing since he figured out who I was. Hell, I don’t even recognize him from when we were younger.

  “Fuck, I can’t believe I missed that.” He says still laughing.

  The rest of the game seems absolutely torturous. Beau hasn’t looked at me since Rob’s outburst and I am pretty much wanting to go back to Sienna’s. She’s having fun so I don’t want to ruin her night. I can suck it up and for her, I will.

  Of course Rob and Beau win leaving us a few cups of beer to drink. I’m feeling like shit so I tell Sienna I’ll drink them all. Beau disappears into the crowd. I have no clue where he’s going and part of me wants to chase him, but I don’t. Rob walks up to Sienna and pulls her in for a kiss. Ugh, stupid love birds. I guess I won’t ever know what Beau Granger’s lips taste like now.

  “Hey Shay, I’m so sorry. I didn’t introduce you to Rob earlier.” Sienna says proudly showing him off. She should be proud. He is hot, just like she said.

  Rob smiles and pulls me in for a hug. I almost want to jab him in the ribs for ruining everything, but I don’t. “I don’t think I knew you when we were younger.” I tell him.

  “No, we didn’t know each other well, but I remember the Busty Beau shit. That was hilarious.”

  “I seriously didn’t think anyone would have remembered that. I didn’t even know that’s who he was until Sienna told me.” I tell him.

  “Well fuck, this is crazy because all he’s talked about was you since the day he changed your flat tire.” He tells me.

  Beau has been talking about me? Hearing that makes my heart flutter but it stops when I realize he probably doesn’t give two shits about me now. “Where do you think he went? I probably need to talk to him and try to at least smooth things out.”

  Rob stretches his neck to look around the crowd. There are more people here now than before, so I pretty much expect it when he turns back to me and says he doesn’t know. A song comes on that Sienna loves and she grabs Rob by his waist and begins grinding on him. I lean towards her and tell her I’m going to find Beau. I’m fixing this right now.

  It takes a minute or two to maneuver through the countless bodies, but I finally make it through. No luck on finding Beau though. Seriously, how hard is it to locate someone that looks that damn good? Pretty damn hard, obviously.

  The urge to pee hits me and I begin to walk towards the house. I’ll resume my search in a few minutes. There’s a few girls standing outside the bathroom waiting in line and I can’t help but groan. I shouldn’t have drank all that beer and now it’s begging to exit my bladder. I stand there bouncing on my feet trying to get my mind off of it. When the door opens, I can’t contain my excitement when the next girl goes in. After what seems like an eternity, it’s finally my turn. I all but run into the bathroom and the minute I sit down, I’m instantly relieved. As I wash my hands, I hear a voice in the hall that sound familiar. It’s him. My palms begin sweating even after I dry them and I wipe them on my shorts. It’s now or never.

  I open the door and can’t find him. What the hell? I just heard him. I don’t see anyone inside, which is weird considering just a few minutes ago there were a ton of people just waiting to use the bathroom. I’m aggravated and I can’t help but groan. I guess I’ll go find Sienna and be the third wheel.

  I walk towards the door ready to be greeted by the hot summer air again, when a hand reaches out and grabs mine. I nearly jump as I turn around to see who it is. My heart somersaults in my chest when I see it’s Beau. He leads me into the kitchen and corners me in front of the cabinets. My heart is beating so wildly, I can barely think.

  His blue eyes are burning holes in mine, but I don’t care right now. He’s so close I can smell everything about him and he smells like pure country heaven. I open my mouth to try to speak, but he puts his finger in front of my mouth. I swallow and try to regain control of my breath, but nothing is working. I almost wish someone would walk in here right now but at the same time, I don’t want them too.

  “You,” he says. “Do you even feel sorry for what you did to me?” he asks quietly.

  “I swear, I had no idea that was you.” I squeak out.

  “I have no clue why I never recognized you. You made my life hell even after you moved away.”

  “I’m sorry Beau, I really am.” I tell him as sincerely as possible.


  "Why did you move anyway? Couldn't take the guilt of possibly ruining a boy’s life?" He almost spits out with his face continuing to harden.

  I'm slightly taken back by his words, but that doesn't stop me from replying, "My mom left my Dad alone and we made a fresh start, if you really want to know."

  He stands there for a minute analyzing me. I don't know what he's waiting on. His hardened face slowly starts to return to the Beau I love looking at.

  “I really want nothing more to be mad at you, but honestly Shay, I don’t give a shit about back then.”

  I can’t process anything else before his lips come crashing down on mine. My heart is about ready to jump out of my chest from his unbelievably intoxicating kiss. His tongue dances with mine as I moan deeper into the kiss. His body is pressing against mine causing my back to press harder into the cabinet. It hurts, but I don’t care, I’ll take the pain as long as his lips don’t leave mine.

  His erection is throbbing against my thigh and I swear my panties just melted. A slight whimper escapes my mouth and he swiftly grabs me by my ass and sits me on the counter. Instinctively, my arms wrap around his neck pulling him closer. My body is throbbing with need for him.

  He breaks the kiss slowly and we both stare at each other trying to even our breathing out. “I’ve been wanting to do that since I ran into you on the side of the road. You taste just as sweet as I thought you would.” He pants.

  Again, I’m at a loss for words, but I can feel my cheeks turn a slight shade of red. If only he know I’ve been wanting the same thing. “I came in here to find you.” I admit to him.

  “I was hoping you would. I should have talked to you outside, but I needed some space. I don’t care though.” His erection is still throbbing against my thigh and I can’t help but lick my lips. He’s done nothing but kiss me and my insides are igniting like the fourth of July. No man has ever made me feel this way before. Ever.

  His eyes are filled with lust and he starts to lean in closer again, but Sienna’s voice breaks into the room. I could fucking kill her right now.

  “Oh, shit sorry. Am I interrupting anything? I was just looking for you Shay, but I see you found Beau.” She says. I want to say thanks captain obvious, but instead I try my best to smile at her.

  “Yeah, I found him. We were just getting ready to go back outside right?” I say looking at Beau. His eyes tell me he doesn’t want to go back outside and neither do I, but maybe it’s the best thing for right now.

  “Yeah,” he says never taking his eyes off mine. “We’re heading back out now.”

  He’s obviously going to need a minute before he can go outside, but that’s no big deal. “I’ll meet you outside Shay.” He says to me. I know what he has to take care of and I feel bad about that, but I just nod my head and hop down from the counter. He grabs my hand one more time and gives it a gentle squeeze. He may as well just have squeezed my heart. What the hell is happening?

  Chapter 8

  Back outside with Sienna and Rob, we’re watching people continue to play beer pong and others who are dancing. This is the laid back kind of party everyone wants to be at. There are no quarrels, everyone gets along and aims to have nothing but a good time. This is the kind of night I never want to end. Especially when Beau comes up behind me wrapping his arms around my waist. I nearly jump at his touch, but instantly relax. Part of me is totally smitten over this, but the other part of me is terrified of what this could do to me. In just a few short months, I’ll be going back to Missouri and Beau will be here. There’s no way anything could work with this. That doesn’t mean I can’t have fun though and enjoy every waking moment.

  “How can you possibly do what you do to me?” he whispers huskily in my ear.

  “What do I do to you?” I ask like I have no idea.

  “You know what you did. I wanted you so bad, but not here, not like this.” His words make my insides melt. My heart races at the thought of being with Beau and I can’t help but imagine what it would feel like to have his hands and lips trace every inch of my body.

  Justin Moore’s song ‘Lettin The Night Go’ comes on and I get excited, I love this song. Beau spins me around and begins to dance with me. I feel my heart falling further and further away from me and I want to hold it back, but I can’t. It won’t let me. He holds me so tight, it almost feels like we are one.

  “You really forgive me?” I can’t help but ask as we dance.

  “Shay, I’d be a stupid man not to.” He leans in planting a small kiss on the tip of my nose. I close my eyes taking this perfect moment in.

  ***

  I awake the next morning almost in a panic. I don’t recognize where I am, but I do recognize the incredibly sexy man lying beside me. The first thing I look to see is whether we are wearing clothes or not. I feel horrible having to do that, but the rest of last night consisted of nothing but us drinking and all talking. I honestly don’t remember too much after our dance. I just know he’s perfect.

  Shit, where is Sienna? I’m almost positive she is in Rob’s room, so I drop that thought and continue to stare at Beau. His eyes slowly open and he catches me watching him.

  “Good morning, beautiful.” He murmurs against my skin. It’s pretty amazing to me that things could have been so screwed up last night, but by some miracle they seem better than ever.

  “Good morning.” I reply. “This sounds horrible, but I seriously don’t remember coming in here last night.”

  “You and Sienna were pretty drunk. Shit, we all were. Last night was pretty epic. No way in hell were either one of you getting behind the wheel of the car.” He tells me. I can’t help but be completely grateful that he cares so much.

  “Thank you,” I tell him. “That means a lot to me.”

  He smiles and pulls me closer. I could lay like this all day and never get tired of it. Matter of fact, Sienna and I spend all day there watching movies and hanging out. It’s the perfect end to the perfect weekend. The perfect beginning of the summer.

  ***

  A month and a half has passed since that night at the party. We’ve spent practically every weekend there and Beau and I have grown closer. He’s too amazing too be true and I hate that. I hate that soon I’ll be leaving and he’ll be nothing more than an amazing memory. We’re lying in his bed and he moves to where he is hovering over my body. My shirt is lying on the ground and he’s licking his lips as he stares at my bare breasts. This isn’t our first time, but dammit, every time since then has felt like it. I’m shivering with need as he slowly lowers his mouth wrapping it around my nipple. My back arches as I whimper, begging him for more. I’m always begging him for more and damn does he deliver. As he continues to ravish my breast, his hand dips below and he slowly begins to circle my clit. Holy shit, he knows what he’s doing as he slowly tortures my body. I close my eyes and let out a moan, begging him for more. My eyes open to meet his devilish grin. He knows I’ll be coming undone shortly if he keeps it up. He slides a finger inside me as he continues to circle my clit and shortly, my body begins to convulse.

  I lick my lips as he lifts his head and his lips crash against mine. “You have no idea what you do to me Shay.” He tells me in between kisses. “I need to feel you now.”

  “Please Beau,” I whimper. I need to feel him too.

  He grabs a condom like always and slides it onto his cock. We’ve always been careful no matter what. Seriously, he is God-like in every way imaginable. When he slides into me, I lose all control and can’t help but almost scream out in pleasure. He thrusts in and out, filling me to my core and oh how I love it.

  “Damn Shay, this feels too good.” He pants before crashing his lips against mine.

  “Yes,” I moan as he continues to thrust in and out. My body has never felt so much pleasure before and I never want it to stop.

  Beau grabs my legs and helps me wrap them around his waist as he drives deeper into me. I close my eyes as I tilt my head back letting him bring me close to the edge. His arm reaches
to cup my chin as he tilts my head up. Our eyes lock and as he continues to thrust he says huskily, “There will never be anything as good as this to me, do you understand? Nothing or no one could ever compare to you. Dammit, you are doing me in Shay.”

  What is he saying? I mean I know what he is saying, but he is showing feelings, feelings I have and wish I could fully express. He has no idea that there will never be anything like this again for me either. No one could ever compare to Beau Granger.

  He grunts as he comes and he collapses on top of me.

  He rolls over gently beside me and pulls my head onto his chest. His chest rises and falls with every breath he takes and the sound of his heart beating is almost lulling me to sleep. “Do you want to do anything today?” He asks.

  “We can do that again. And again.” I say laughing.

  “I would all day and all night if that’s what you wanted beautiful.” He tells me. “I’d do anything you wanted me to.” I don’t even have to look into his eyes to know he is telling me the truth. His voice tells me everything I need to know.

  “Why are you too good to be true?” I ask him.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean soon I’ll be back home and you’ll be here.” I tell him in an almost inaudible whisper. A lump forms in my throat that I try to swallow, but I can’t. Reality is a bitch.

  I look up to face him and his eyes look pained for a moment, but he puts on a smile for me. “I don’t want to think about any of that right now Shay. Let’s just live in the moment.”

  “Okay Beau.” He’s right. I shouldn’t be thinking about it, but I just can’t help it.

  “Let me take you to the beach today. We can see if Rob and Sienna want to come.” He says with a smile.

  Rob and Sienna have officially started dating as of last week. She got up the nerve to ask him to really make it official and he said yes. She pretty much knew he would. They are the cutest couple ever and I love spending time with Beau and with them.

  “Good idea. Let me get dressed and I’ll go find her.”