The Year I Met August

by Renea Porter

  My dad was caught and he couldn’t get away with this. “You really want to drive me away, don’t you? Why do you hate me so much? Why do you fucking keep pushing until I have to push back?” I was livid.

  Racing upstairs, I packed my bags. I had to get away from here. Leaving this house was my only option. “Where are you going?” Mel asked in a rushed tone.

  “I don’t know. Anywhere but here. I’m so done. Dad just tried to buy August off so he’d stop seeing me. When does it end, Mel?” I was crying and freaking out at the same time.

  “It’s only three more days,” she pleaded.

  “That’s three days I don’t have. I’m out. You have my cell, so you can reach me anytime.”

  She sighed. “Dad is going to be furious. But I get it. Do what you got to do, Murph.” She stood and came over to me. “Just be careful, okay?”

  I hugged her tightly. “I will.”

  With one bag over my shoulder, my stuffed suitcase was in my other hand. “Murphy, please don’t leave. He didn’t mean it,” Mom begged.

  “I’m sorry, Mom. I have to go.” Rushing over to her, I kissed her and hugged her.

  When I left the house, a wave of nausea washed over me, until I saw August’s face. He held his hand out to me, and I looked at him, confused. “Do you honestly think your Dad could buy me off?”

  I smiled and placed my hand in his. “Not even with three days left?” I questioned.

  “Not even with one day left. You’re worth far more to me than a check with dollar signs.” My heart melted.

  So he did feel something more than I thought. Guess he didn’t want to admit it. But his comment said a lot without saying it.

  “You are staying with me, so don’t worry about anything.”

  “Are you sure? I can get a motel room for a few days.”

  “Murph, if you think I’m letting you out of my sight for the next three days, you are crazier than me.” He chuckled.

  I laughed and nudged his shoulder. “Now give me that,” he said, taking my suitcase.

  “You still have to go to work, though,” I told him.

  “The shop is closed on Sundays. Besides, the boss can take off whenever he wants.”

  We arrived at his house and he opened the door for us to go inside. His mom peeked around the kitchen, her eyes landing on my bags. “Staying a while?” Her smile was warm and welcoming.

  “Just a couple of days, if that’s okay. I won’t be any trouble. I promise.”

  Putting her hands on my both my shoulders, she looked into my eyes. “You are welcome here anytime. And stay however long you need. Besides, I’m making lunch, which is rare,” she said with a laugh. “Have a seat.”

  “I’ll take these upstairs,” August said, taking the bag from my shoulder.

  “What can I do to help?”

  “Just keep on doing what you’re doing. I haven’t seen my son smile this much. You make him happy, and that alone is enough. I may work a lot, but I know when my son is happy. And it’s because of you.”

  I confided in her. “Frankly, I’ve fallen in love with him and I don’t know what to do. I leave in three days for an internship, but your son makes me so happy that I’m seriously wondering if leaving is the right move.”

  “You guys will figure it out. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices to make it work. You guys are destined for each other. Don’t worry so much about it. If it’s meant to be, it will.”

  “So what’s for lunch?” August asked, coming back into the room.

  “I’m making grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, and homemade macaroni salad.”

  ***

  After eating lunch, August pulled me away.

  In his room, he pulled me close. “I just want to feel your lips on mine. I always have this urge to kiss you crazily every time you’re in my proximity. And I like to see your cheeks flush that pink hue.”

  I could hardly breathe, and forgetting about looking at him in the eyes.

  “Look at me, gorgeous.” He lifted my chin and our eyes met. We kissed, and I was gone. Lost in him. My phone vibrated in my hand, and August took it and read the message.

  “It’s your sister. I told her you were with me.” He placed the phone on the bed side table and pulled me as he sat down on the edge. I straddled him as he gripped my behind and pulled me closer while he looked up at me. Wrapping my arms around him, I leaned down to kiss him. His hands inched under my shirt and chills ran up my spine.

  I had no clue what I was doing, so I was going along with it. Eventually, I would find my way. August was on his back and I took complete control over him. The fact that he encouraged it, made it hotter. Leaning back up, I flung my shirt over my head, not caring where it landed. August followed suit and we were skin to skin. Two souls and one heartbeat.

  Being with him, I felt a rush, something cathartic. My body hummed to a beat only August knew. The display of love was almost primal while we fought to release our urges. Completely undressed, I rocked against his hips and succumbed to the pleasure. My head tilted back as I reveled in it.

  August reached up and smoothed his hand from my neck, down. “You’re so fucking perfect, Murph.”

  He released into me and we were spent. I fell onto his chest and his heart beat echoed in my ear.

  “I want to be yours, August. Only yours,” I confessed with a whisper.

  I didn’t need to experience anything. August was enough for me. He was what I wanted. We could make it work; it would take some effort on both of our parts.

  “You’re already mine.”

  I smiled into his chest.

  With my body still fully on him, I looked up at him, placing my chin in my closed hand.

  “I have a confession,” he said. My eyebrows arched up and he continued. “I’ve fallen for you, Murph. I didn’t want to admit it, because I don’t want your transition to be more difficult. So I was thinking about us, a lot, lately. What if, maybe, we didn’t put a label on us? I don’t want to add any more pressure to what you already have going on.”

  I almost frowned, but he continued to talk. “I was thinking, maybe, you could visit me during your breaks. I’m not asking you to lie to your parents. But if you would decide to tell them you are hanging back at campus, like you are studying or something, you could spend that time with me. I’d even come at get you. However you want to do it, I’m cool.”

  “It’s a good plan. Thanksgiving, I’d home for at a week or two before having to go back, so I would get a lot of time to see you.”

  “So it’s a plan.”

  I nodded. “It’s a plan.”

  “Get dressed. I’m taking you out,” he ordered.

  “Where to?”

  “To the place where we met.” He kissed my nose and I rolled off him.

  I pulled my clothes back on and straightened my hair. I could have stayed in bed all day with him. Obviously he had other plans. Outside, we made our way to the car. It was hot out, and my skin immediately became clammy. In the car, he winked at me and reached for my hand.

  Sometimes, words didn’t need to be spoken; his actions spoke louder. I was smiling. I was doing a lot of that these days. And it felt good. August was the first boy I’d fallen for, and hopefully, he’d be the last. I couldn’t imagine never knowing him, never kissing and touching him.

  He squeezed my hand as we pulled out of the circular driveway. We got onto the main road, and he brought my hand up, brushing his lips over my fingers.

  Pulling into the carnival, he parked the car and we made our way inside. “Today’s the last day of the carnival. So I thought we’d come here once more before they traveled on.”

  “It’s perfect,” I told him.

  We spent that evening at the carnival, eating carnie foods and riding rides. I was ready to puke by the time we were leaving. “I had an awesome time. As always,” I told him.

  “Good. Now we go home and you can lay in my arms, where you belong.”

  Chapter Eight

&
nbsp; DAY EIGHT

  Two days. That was all I had left with August. Taking my phone off the bedside table, I checked it for messages. My parents hadn’t reached out to me. My Dad wasn’t sorry for what he did, or tried to do. I was still livid with him¸ yet my whole family was suffering from it.

  I was the outcast now. I was better off without them. I needed time to heal from his betrayal.

  Things have been the best with August. Could things be too good to be true?

  He was sleeping peacefully next to me. He’d have to go to work soon. I should wake him, but I didn’t want him to leave. His strong arm circled over my waist, and a smirk played across his face. Instinctively, I reached over and caressed his stubble cheek.

  Then he groaned, pulling the sheet over his head. “I have to go into work. This sucks. You’re leaving soon. But cars need repaired. And I need my paycheck.”

  I jerked the sheet down. “Then you better get up. I’ll be fine while you’re gone.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I’m capable of doing shit on my own. Go,” I told him, laughing.

  I had to get used to being apart from him at some point. But he was like an addiction; I needed my fix whenever he was near. His lips were too irresistible. His touch was electrifying. Every. Single. Time.

  “Alright. There’s food in the fridge, so help yourself to whatever. Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  I watched as he dressed in his work clothes. He had a baby blue uniform shirt with his name etched on the right side, over the pocket. He wore dark blue khaki pants and work boots.

  “Damn. You look hot,” I teased. “Maybe I won’t let you leave.”

  “Don’t tease, or I’ll never leave.” He bent down and kissed me.

  I followed him to the kitchen while he fastened the last button on his shirt. He made a sandwich to take for his lunch and I kissed him again on the way out while waving him off.

  His mom was already gone, or still gone from a shift last night. I wasn’t sure. Cracking two eggs, I fried them in a pan and made toast. Sitting at the table, I ate my breakfast while scrolling through my phone. Mel sent me a text.

  Mel- Want to meet for coffee or something? Unless you are too wrapped up in August.

  Me- You know I hate coffee. But yeah, I can meet and get a tea or something.

  Mel- Great. Meet me at the Little House Shop.

  Sounds good, I typed back.

  After a quick shower, I felt refreshed, and then remembered I didn’t have a car to get around, or a license for that matter. And August was gone so he couldn’t take me, so I texted Melanie back.

  I don’t have a car available. Can you pick me up?

  Be there in five.

  Rushing, I had no choice than to let my hair air dry, and had enough time to dress and put on mascara. I heard the doorbell just as I was heading downstairs.

  Pulling the door open, her mouth hung open as she peeked inside. “I had the same reaction,” I told her.

  “Their living room is like the size of our whole house.”

  “I know. Crazy. Should we go?”

  “Yeah,” she said, still stunned. “Where’s August?”

  “He had to work,” I said, sliding into the passenger seat. “He took me to the carnival yesterday; it was the last day for it so we spent most of the day there.”

  “Good. So you are good?”

  “Better than good. We came to the conclusion that we feel the same for the other, but we don’t want to put any pressure on our relationship. So we are just going to see where it takes us.”

  “Good. I’m glad you made the decision to leave the house. That was a bold move.”

  She pulled into the coffee house and we ordered at the counter. Mel loved coffee, but I was more of a tea drinker. With our drinks, we found a table by the window.

  “I’m glad we can get some sister time in before you leave.” She wrapped her hand around her mug.

  “Me, too. So, do they miss me yet?” I asked of my parents.

  “Yes. Mom is so distraught over what Dad did. She’s pissed at him. He drove you away, and you’re the baby. Jacob is just as confused as we are. The family is just taking it day by day. Mom is hopeful that you’ll, at least, say goodbye before you leave.”

  “I don’t get Dad. What did he have to gain by offering August money when I only had a few days left? It makes no sense.”

  “I know.”

  “I’m just glad we could talk alone for a minute.”

  “Yeah. August has been amazing this whole time. He doesn’t even judge Dad. Just waves it off like whatever. So I’ve been staying there cause he doesn’t want me out of his sight.”

  “That’s cute. You deserve, this Murphy. Be happy and enjoy your last days of freedom. And I believe in you and August. You guys can make it work. You’ve made it this far.”

  I took a drink of my tea. “I was supposed to just walk away after ten days. I thought that was possible. But clearly I was naïve in thinking so.”

  “Hey. Don’t beat yourself up.”

  “What if all this is too good to be true? They say if it’s too good to be true then it’s not real. I’m scared that August and I will drift apart, and I don’t know if I can handle that.”

  She reached over and covered my hand with hers. “Quit over thinking it. Just go with it. Don’t you think you deserve to feel this way? He’s your first boyfriend. Yeah, you’ll have doubts, even fights. But that’s why they invented makeup sex.” She grinned.

  “Melanie!”

  She laughed. “Anyway, it’s good to sit and chat, but I should get you back.”

  “Will you tell Mom hi for me? And that I love her. And that I’m sorry.”

  Melanie stood and hugged me. “Of course. I got your back, always.” She flicked my hair over my shoulder.

  We loaded back into the car and headed back to the house. We talked candidly on the way back, and soon, we arrived. “I guess I’ll say bye to you now. I don’t know if I’ll stop at the house or not.” She exited the car and hugged me tight. “Thanks for all your sisterly advice and I love you so much. Please stay in touch.”

  “I will. Love you, too. Oh wait. I forgot to tell you. I got a job at the trauma center.”

  “Melanie, that’s amazing. I’m so excited for you! Congrats!”

  “Thanks. Okay, bye now.”

  I waved as she pulled out of the driveway.

  Entering the house, I went to the living room and flicked on the T.V. I was channel surfing when I heard his voice two hours later.

  “Babe, you here?” August called.

  “Yep.” I leapt from the couch and found him in the kitchen.

  “I got pizza.”

  Hey.” I pulled him close and kissed him.

  “I’m all greasy.”

  “And sexy as hell.”

  He flipped the box open and handed me a plate. “What did you do today?”

  “My sister came and picked me up; we went for coffee.” I smiled at him. I couldn’t help it.

  “But you hate coffee.”

  Rolling my eyes, I replied, “I know. I got some tea, though. We needed some sister time.”

  We sat at the kitchen table. “I’m glad you guys had some time together. Even though I’m selfish and like you all to myself.”

  My eyebrow arched. “Is that so?”

  He nodded with desire filled eyes.

  “Anyone home?” a familiar female voice asked.

  “In here, Mom.”

  She came into the kitchen. “You got pizza.”

  “Yeah, so you don’t have to make dinner.”

  She came over and kissed the top of his head, giving me a wink.

  I smiled back.

  “Thanks, baby,” she said, grabbing a plate.

  “You work too damn hard, Mom.”

  “Someone has to.”

  “Hey! I went to work,” he retorted.

  We laughed.

  After eating dinner, we headed upstairs. “I
should shower,” he said.

  “You and dirty equal hot. I almost want to rip your clothes off.”

  “You minx.” He smirked. “Why don’t you come shower with me then?”

  Chapter Nine

  DAY NINE

  Please tell me this is a dream and that I don’t leave for my internship tomorrow. Yes it has to be a dream. I refuse to acknowledge that I leave tomorrow. Until then, I’ll just be over here in denial.

  “What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?” August asked.

  Turning my head, I faced him as we lied in bed. “Nothing. I just want to be with you and forget that I have to leave so soon.”

  “You don’t want to talk about it?”

  I nodded, fearful the tears would follow. But I refused to cry. Not on my last day with August.

  “We’ll make the best of it. So come on,” he dragged me, “no clothes.”

  My eyebrows arched, but I dragged the sheet with me because, by his look, I knew we weren’t headed for the shower, since we already did that late last night. It was so early.

  “Is the sun even up?”

  “I promise it will be worth it”

  We walked through the second floor of the house and took another set of stairs to the third floor. It was mostly an attic type room with a set of double doors. Taking a quick look around, a lot of stuff was covered in canvas. With a slight push, August led us out onto the roof. My jaw dropped at the view. The view from night to sunrise was completely surprising to see.

  “Now, wasn’t it worth it?”

  “Wow. The view is stunning.” Being that his house was high up on a hill, it gave us an advantage point to the sunrise. The house was positioned perfectly for this type of setting.

  He laid back; his arms tucked behind his head, and pulled me into him.

  I laid against him, mesmerized by the sun rise. Thankfully, I did have the sheet to cover my body. “Thank you for bringing me up here. It’s magical.” I felt like I was on a different planet as I gazed over at August.

  “I don’t know what is going on in that head of yours, but I’m here Murphy. I’m here.” He reached over squeezing my hand.