“I got it!” she called as she rose and strode over to the door.
When she peered through the window, there he stood. She swallowed the lump in her throat as she scanned his form. Every time she saw him, he looked better. He stood there in kaki cargo shorts and a light blue golf shirt.
“Are you going to let me in?” he called, causing her to jump.
She swung the door open and blushed, “Sorry.”
“It’s fine, I just heard you say that you had it, then you just left me out here,” he chuckled. “You ready?” he held his hand out for her.
When she clasped his hand, she felt a shock surge up her arm. Her whole body trembled with excitement as he led them down the steps to a waiting Jeep.
“I thought you were getting a new car,” Katie mused.
“I am, but not until school starts,” he shrugged and opened her door.
“I like having the Jeep in the summer. Taking the top off and cruising around, it’s the best feeling in the world,” he grinned at her as he climbed in and fastened his seatbelt. “You ready?”
“Yep,” she smiled at him and clasped her hands together in her lap.
Before he could talk himself out of it, he reached over, grabbed her left hand, and laced his fingers in with hers. He gave it a gentle squeeze and smiled at her as he cranked the engine.
Katie’s heart surged with longing. It was finally happening! She was going on a date with Patrick McKinley.
Chapter 2
May 2016 - Date Night
As the Jeep made its way through the sunny streets of Boston, Katie couldn’t help the nervous energy that emanated from her body. Patrick had been absentmindedly rubbing his thumb over her palm, and it was causing tingles to run up her arm.
“So,” Patrick brought her out of her thoughts. “Are you having a good time?”
“Well,” she giggled. “We haven’t really done anything yet.”
“I guess you’re right,” he mumbled. “Sorry, this is new to me.”
“What? Going on a date?” she teased.
“No, going on a date with you,” a blush crept up his neck as he huffed out a nervous breath.
“Do you not want to be here or something?” she cringed.
“No, it’s not that. It’s just…this wasn’t my idea. Matt was the one that asked you out,” he glanced over at her just as she was pulling her hand from his.
“I see,” she groused. “Well if you didn’t want to go out with me, why did you even come to pick me up?” she rolled her eyes and turned away from him.
“No, you don’t get it,” he sighed as he began pulling the Jeep into the Cookout’s parking lot.
“Well…explain it to me, then,” she flashed him an angry glare.
“I just…ugh!!! Why is this so hard?” he huffed. “This is just new, that’s all. I have to think about what I say and do all the time now. You’re not one of the guys anymore,” he chuckled nervously.
“I’ve always been a girl, Patrick. This didn’t change that,” she waved her hand in the air, indicating the two of them together in the jeep. “I don’t want to be treated differently. If I didn’t want to go out tonight, I wouldn’t have said yes,” she smiled at him and gave him a playful shove.
“Well,” he relented. “I’m probably going to screw this up, but I do want to see what happens.”
“You can start by buying me dinner,” she giggled and pointed to the restaurant.
After making their way through the drive-thru, Patrick headed the jeep back out of the parking lot and headed in the direction of the park.
“I was thinking that we could take this to the park and have a picnic,” he glanced in her direction and grinned.
“Sounds great,” she smiled back.
***
Upon entering the park, Patrick pulled the Jeep to a stop and climbed out while grabbing the bag of food. He jogged around to the passenger side and opened Katie’s door just as she was reaching for the handle.
“See, you know how to treat me like a girl,” she teased.
“I’ve always known how to treat you,” he grinned. “It’s just that you know so much about me already. There’s no discovery time,” he winked.
“That can be a good thing, if you let it,” she gave him a crooked grin and began walking toward the picnic tables.
Patrick brought the bag of burgers over and spread them out on a table. After setting the drinks out, he sat down with her on her side. Katie smiled in satisfaction over the fact that he chose to sit beside her instead of across from her like he usually did. Deciding that she would let him make the first move at anything intimate, she didn’t lean in his direction or acknowledge that he was so close.
“This is better,” he leaned in and pecked her cheek.
“Ummm hmmm,” Katie mumbled as she took a bite of her burger and sighed. “This is really good,” she groaned.
Patrick grinned at her his male pride making his teeth flash, “Just wait. I haven’t even touched you yet.”
Katie’s eyes flashed wide, “I was talking about the food.”
“Um huh, that’s what you’re saying now,” he teased.
“You do realize that I know some of your exes, right?” she cocked an eyebrow at him.
“They’re exes for a reason,” he gave it right back to her.
She shook her head and glanced out of the corner of her eye at him, “Think you can turn it down a little?”
“What? The McKinley charm?” he grinned. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
“Oh, I think I have,” she wadded up her wrapper from her burger and tossed it in the direction of the trashcan, effectively making a basket.
“Nice,” Patrick nodded. “Wanna take a walk on one of the trails?”
“Sure, let me grab my jacket in case it gets chilly,” she moved to stand and walk toward the Jeep.
Before she could take a step, Patrick grabbed her wrist and gave it a soft tug pulling her down onto his lap.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll keep you warm,” he breathed into her ear.
“Ummmm ok,” she swallowed hard as a blush spread across her cheeks.
***
As they walked along the narrow path through the woods, Patrick kept glancing over at Katie’s profile. She really was one of the prettiest girls he knew. She wasn’t like the others. She had natural beauty. There was no need for caked on makeup, and she looked just as good in a t-shirt and jeans as she did in the dress she was currently wearing.
Patrick’s hormones were raging as he walked hand-in-hand with her. As he looked down at the way her dress brushed against her legs, he wished he could run his hand up them. He’d never really noticed how tan and smooth her skin looked. She’d always been one of the guys. She wasn’t flirty or whiny like most of the girls he knew. She liked to watch sports, especially his hockey games, and she didn’t mind getting dirty. All those times that she had come to his games made him wonder how long she’d suppressed whatever was going on between them now.
“So, do have any plans for the summer yet?” Katie brought him out of his thoughts.
“No, not really,” he shrugged. “Except maybe spending more time with you.”
“That’s sounds nice, of course things will be different now,” she mused as she turned her head to face him.
“What do mean?” he stopped walking, effectively pulling her to a halt in the middle of the trail.
“Well, I seriously doubt that my parents are going to let you watch movies in my room once they see that we’re together,” she shrugged. “I mean, if you come over, we’re going to have to stay in the family room now.”
“That’s only if I don’t sneak in. I can always climb in your window, you know,” he grinned at her.
“Patrick,” she swatted him. “I’m not like that.”
“I know,” he shrugged and started walking again. “So,” he moved to change the subject, “about graduation night…”
“Yeah, what was that?” she k
icked at the dirt and refused to look at him.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come on so strong. I don’t know what I was thinking,” he shook his head.
“No, it’s not that, I just wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t say I didn’t like it,” she blushed and used her other hand to cover her mouth. She couldn’t believe that she was being so forward. This is what Patrick meant about no discovery time. She was so used to speaking freely around him, that she didn’t think before she spoke.
“Me too,” he smirked. “Although I wish I had thought to talk to you that night. I mean, I was being a douche,” he hung his head. “I should’ve said something…”
“Hey, don’t worry about it. It’s over. No more being a douche though,” she giggled and poked him in the ribs.
“Deal,” he laughed.
***
They continued to walk down the path in amicable silence, just enjoying each other’s company and the nature around them. As they came around a bend, a clearing opened up, and they could see a panoramic view of a small lake.
“I like it here this time of year,” Katie sighed. “It’s really pretty with the sun sparkling on the water.”
“Yeah, I come here and run this path in the mornings. It’s quiet and scenic,” he shrugged. “Although, I’ve got to find somewhere else to go. I need to up my distance if I want to play in college.”
“You’ll do great, I just know it,” she smiled up at him.
Before she could look away, Patrick raised his hand to cup her cheek and rubbed his thumb across it. Katie closed her eyes and sighed. This felt right, being here with him.
He leaned forward and brushed his lips softly across hers as she tilted her head up. As if a magnet was pulling them together, her body began to try to meld with his. As her hands rose to wrap around his neck, his free hand moved to wrap around her waist, pulling her flush with him. Katie sighed as she felt his hard muscled chest press against her breasts. Patrick released her cheek and slid his hand down to grip the other side of her waist, all the while slowly backing her up against a nearby tree.
“Why did we wait so long to do this?” he gasped as he moved to trail kisses down her jaw and neck.
“I don’t know,” she panted as she fisted his shirt in her hands.
The kisses continued to grow as hands made tentative sweeps over uncharted territory. When Patrick became bold and began to reach for the hem of her dress, Katie pushed at his chest.
“No, you have to stop,” she wretched herself from his embrace, stepping a few feet away. “I can’t…not right now.”
“I’m sorry,” Patrick scrubbed his palms across his face. “I didn’t mean to take it that far.”
“I’m not like that Patrick,” she swallowed as she tried to calm her racing heart. “I’m not like some of those girls you’ve dated,” she added, shooting him a wounded look.
“I know…I’m sorry,” he sighed and took a few steps in her direction. “Please, like I said…being with you, like this,” he waved his hand between them, “it’s all new to me.”
Katie nodded and moved closer to grab his hand, “Me too, remember.”
“It’s getting kinda late. I’ll take you home. I have to baby-sit Max next week. My parents have some Memorial Day thing to go to. You wanna come over and help?” he cocked his head to the side.
“You mean…you and me…alone in your house?” her eyebrows shot up into her hairline.
“Well, yeah. Max will be there, though. You’re forgetting he’s five now and into everything. You can bring a movie. After Max goes to bed we can watch it,” he winked.
“Sure, I guess. I mean I don’t have any plans right now,” Katie shrugged. “You might regret letting me pick the movie though,” she winked.
“As long as it’s not The Notebook, I don’t care,” he rolled his eyes.
“Fine,” she huffed in mock aggravation.
***
Once they got back to the Jeep, Patrick helped Katie climb in and they made their way home. They rode in silence for the first part of the drive, just enjoying each other’s company.
Soon they arrived back at Katie’s. Patrick climbed out and walked her to the door.
She turned to him and smiled, “I had a really great time tonight.”
“Me too,” he smiled back. “I’m glad Matt took my phone from me. So, call me and let me know about next weekend,” he shuffled his feet around.
Patrick didn’t want the evening to end. He was so used to coming and going from the Montgomery home that saying goodnight was harder than he imagined.
“Well, goodnight,” Katie whispered as she rose up on her tiptoes and placed a kiss to his cheek.
“Goodnight,” he mumbled in return as he turned his head and met her lips with his.
It wasn’t a kiss like they had shared in the woods, nor was it as chaste as she’d given him. It was perfect, soft and sweet, and conveyed everything he was feeling.
When he broke the kiss, he turned, and walked down the steps to head next door. Being so close was just as nice as it was torturous. He wanted to be able to spend every waking moment with her.
What would he do in September when he left to go to Harvard, and she was off to Columbia? He shook the thought from his head just as quickly as it has emerged.
Three months, he had three months to build this into something that would last.
Chapter 3
As Katie was changing into her pjs, she heard a soft knock on her door.
“It’s me, can I come in?” Hannah asked.
“Yeah, what’s up?” Katie turned and couldn’t help the grin that was plastered across her face.
“Don’t play dumb with me,” Hannah joked. “I wanna know about your date with the hottie next door.”
“Oh Hannah,” Katie flopped back on her bed. “It was amazing.”
“Where’d he take you?” she giggled.
“To the park,” Katie answered dreamily.
“And?” Hannah begged.
“And, nothing. We got some food and went to the park to eat it,” Katie sighed and touched her lips lightly as she remembered the kiss in the woods.
“Spill,” Hannah poked her in the ribs. “Something else happened, I can tell by the dopey look on your face.”
“Oh Hannah…I don’t even know where to start,” Katie threw her arm over her eyes as she laid on her back.
“Did he kiss you?” Hannah smirked.
“Oh yeah,” Katie sighed.
“And?” Hannah giggled. “Was it good?”
“Oh yeah,” she giggled as she moved her arm and rolled to her side. “Hannah, it was amazing.”
“So he’s good at it then?” Hannah snickered as she rolled to face Katie.
“Better than good,” Katie touched her mouth again. “Hannah, he was so sweet. It’s like he couldn’t get close enough. He was touching me every opportunity he had, and that kiss. OMG, can he kiss.”
Hannah grabbed her stomach and erupted in a fit of giggles, “I’m so happy for you. I can’t remember the last time you were this happy.”
“I know, right?” Katie sighed. “I just hope this works. We’re both trying to go slow.”
“Slow?” Hannah cocked her head to the side. “Haven’t you gone slow enough? You two have been circling each other for three years.”
“That’s not what I mean,” Katie shook her head. “He’s experienced, Hannah, in ways I’m not.”
“You mean sex,” Hannah stated.
“Yeah, I know some of the things the ‘Rink Bunnies’ say about him. I’m not ready for that,” she hung her head.
“If Patrick likes you as much as he seems to, I really don’t think he’s going to push that on you right now,” Hannah patted Katie’s back as she rose to a sitting position.
“Yeah, I know, but we just got here to this point. I don’t want to give him a reason to not want to be with me,” she whined.
“Katie, if he doesn’t want to be with you because you won’t sle
ep with him, then he’s not the right guy for you,” Hannah leaned her head against Katie’s.
“I know you’re right, it’s just that I’ve wanted to be with him for so long. I don’t want to screw this up,” she sighed.
The Boy Next Door Page 2