Open House

by TC Matson

  He laughs. “Get on.”

  I fold my arms around his shoulders before wrapping my legs around his waist. He snakes his hands around my legs and under my knees, pushes the door shut and begins walking along the gravel path. He carries me to the end of the pebbled trail and bends, letting go of my legs and allowing my feet to hit the cool wooden planks that lead the way to a white gazebo overlooking the lake.

  The moon shimmers off the water, and lights from houses on the other side reflect in the water as he guides me by the small of my back. Once under the cover of the gazebo, he lights three candles, giving off a picturesque ambiance.

  He scratches the side of his neck. “I’m not big on romantic stuff. I didn’t plan a big meal or cold wine. I hope you don’t mind fruits and beer.”

  I sit in the corner of the wicker couch and pull my legs into me while he hands me a beer.

  “You say you’re not romantic, but what is all this?” I take a pull from the cold beer.

  He sits on the opposite end of the couch. “I didn’t say I wasn’t romantic. I’m just not big on it.”

  “I like this,” I tell him panning the view. I look back toward the dark house. “Is this where you live?”

  “Yeah. This is home.”

  “Teacher’s pay is better than I thought,” I quip and he laughs.

  “When I was twenty-one, my dad passed away from lung cancer. About a year later, Mom died. I believe it was from a broken heart. One day she was healthy and the next, she wasn’t. She gave up without Dad. This used to be their vacation home and after they passed it was left to me. In the will they specified I had to be twenty-five for it to be released to me.”

  “I’m sorry to hear about your parents.”

  A faint smile quirks his lips. “They’re in a better place than this crazy world. I miss them, but I still talk to them all the time.”

  The conversation is too heavy for me, so I jump on the chance to change it. “So, Mr. B., tell me about yourself.” I smile tenderly. “What’s your story?”

  “What’s my story?” he repeats.

  “Everyone has one and you know most of mine.”

  He puffs a chuckle and glances at me out of the corner of his eye. “Your story will have a happy ending if I have anything to do with it.”

  The words startle me.

  “What would you like to know about my story?” he asks.

  I raise a shoulder. “Tell me about you.”

  He stretches his legs out in front of him and crosses his ankles. “I’ll get the sad and gloomy stuff out of the way.” His tone is blithe. “Dated a girl for about four years and just as you’ve experienced, we grew up and apart. Except she refused to admit it and swore marriage was the answer. I knew better. After some coaxing, we called things off amiably and remained friends afterward. She moved on quickly and got married less than a year later to a man her father introduced her to. She was beautiful and happy that day. Unfortunately, they divorced less than a year later. I helped her move back home with her parents and I haven’t talked to her since.”

  “Wait. You went to her wedding? How did that not destroy you?”

  “I was happy for her. Just because we had shared time together didn’t mean I was going to bottle up hatred for her. See, we had started off as friends. I used to date her best friend in high school, so we were all pretty close. She cornered me one day and revealed my girlfriend was sleeping with some football jock. Being immature, I broke up with my girlfriend and immediately started dating her. It started off as a revenge relationship. I wanted to rub my anger in my ex-girlfriend’s face, but I developed feelings in the meantime. The rest became history.”

  “Did she know she was part of a vindictive plan?”

  “I didn’t hide it from her,” he says dryly.

  “What caused you to fall apart?”

  “We grew up. She didn’t support my decision to teach. I didn’t care for the idea of having kids before twenty-one. I preferred to get my career on the ground instead of trying to juggle a family and college. Fact of the matter, I knew she wasn’t the right one for me.”

  “I like how you’re able to talk about it without attacking her.”

  “Just like you said, everyone has a story. It’s how you read it. I could’ve sulked and basked in the misery of it all, or do as I did and learn a lesson, love, laugh, and grow.”

  “You’re pretty impressive.”

  He looks to me. “Do you not think you’ve grown from your experience with Brian?”

  “I do.”

  “And are you sulking or moving on?”

  “Moving on, but not everyone would. Some people hold on for dear life.”

  “You did for a long time.”

  “I didn’t know our time was over before he called things off.”

  “You tend to see things differently when you’re not plastered in hopelessness.”

  I tip my beer to him. “True.”

  He grins. “Of course it hurts. Breakups aren’t fun. There’s always the first initial sting, but once it’s gone, so is the pain.”

  “Even if you’re madly in love with them?”

  “The pain leaves. The memories are what causes an ache.”

  “I like your outlook on things,” I tell him.

  “As do I. Makes things easier if you don’t analyze everything and just accept it as it is.”

  “You’ve got a special way with things. I especially find it amazing you’re able to keep Lucas’ attention in class. Normally, he doesn’t try and his grades reflect it.”

  He smirks proudly. “Like he told you, I have fun with everything. Kids enjoy learning through fun, not boring repetitive hard work. And once they prove to themselves they can do it, they become proud of their work, essentially causing them to try harder. I’ve discussed the changes they’ll experience in middle school. The teachers aren’t so relaxed. They expect more because the kids are growing, and the kids should expect more from themselves every year.”

  I’m at a loss for words as I sit and admire him. He’s got such a grasp on life and at such a young age.

  He turns toward me and drapes his arm across the back of the couch. “Are you good?”

  For the first time in a long time, I’m absolutely content with where I am. “Yeah.” I grin and take in everything around me. The tranquility of the water. The quietness of the night. The crispness of the air. It’s impeccable and much needed.

  “Thank you for this,” I say.

  He traces circles on my shoulder as our eyes grip one another’s. Pleasure squeezes my heart and sends flutters along my spine. He leans closer, pulling me toward him.

  “There’s something between us and I want to know more about it.” He rakes his teeth over his lips. “We’ve both felt it since we first saw each other. I’m not going to play fair,” he adds in a low, thick tone, inching his face closer toward mine.

  My heart is slamming against my chest, thundering in my ears.

  “I’m going to give you my all. I want to make sure I’m the hardest thing you’ve ever had to walk away from even if it’s into the next room. I want to flood your every thought and appear in each of your dreams. Because, Riley, that’s what you’ve done to me since the first time I laid eyes on you.”

  My air is gone and my mind fumbles for words. I blink back the ardent tears. “I think that’s the sweetest thing ever said to me,” I breathe out.

  His lips tick and he drops his view to my lips but doesn’t advance further. He blinks back to me with questioning eyes. I’m on a dizzying rollercoaster and my emotions are hanging on for dear life. I’m terrified, yet my body is buzzing with exhilaration. I feel delicate, like one more gentle stroke from his fingers and my body will splinter into pieces.

  “Riley…” His voice captures me. “I mean it.” His tone carries a seriousness so deep, I shiver.

  He presses his lips to mine, gently and captivatingly. A soft moan escapes my throat as he traces his fingers along the sides of my face, gri
pping the back of my head. He pulls me deeper into the kiss as our tongues explore, tangling together. A rush of warm adrenaline zips through me. Desire slams my body, crashing against my very existence with the most powerful waves. The kiss is tender, yet incredibly intense. Passionate, yet marvelously violent. And it’s the most mesmerizing kiss…

  I suck in air when he pulls back and rests his forehead to mine, brushing his thumb over my cheek. I’m weightless from one kiss. His hazels are dark, dilated, and heated. We share the gaze, together trying to gather what we just felt, before he crushes against my lips again. This time it’s fierce, like my lips are the last breath he’ll ever take.

  He glides his hand up my back and splays it across my shoulder blades, digging his fingers into my skin and tightening his other grip in my hair.

  A frenzied heat jolts my body, startling the hell out of me and I pull back. “I…” My breathless words fall short of explaining what I feel.

  “Fuck, Riley…” His words ride out in an exhale.

  I’m lightheaded from the rush of euphoria. He tugs me back to his mouth and feathers a kiss on the side of my lip. “I can lose myself with you.” He tugs my bottom lip. “Lose all self-control,” he growls, nipping along my jawline.

  I struggle for breath. A pleasurable claustrophobia settles and I melt into him.

  He grips my cheek, his breath ragged, but something flashes in his eyes and he stops his titillating assault. “I need to take you home.”

  My face falls. I’m a combination of hurt, confused, and wickedly rejected.

  He closes his eyes. “The time will come,” he says in a deeply pained tone.

  As he carries me back to his truck, he tries lightening the mood by joking around. And even though he manages several good laughs out of me, it doesn’t do anything to hush the noisy thoughts. By the time he pulls into my driveway, my mind has taken many turns, dragging me down every dark and negative alleyway, and settles on him not being interested in me.

  He walks me back to my door.

  “Thank you for tonight,” I say stepping into the house.

  He tugs me against his body and rests his fingers on my hips, smiling tenderly. “Let yourself feel it, Riley.”

  “I am,” I answer bravely launching a devilish smirk. “The last time you told me that you walked away from me.”

  “I had to. Being around you was torture. Knowing that you were so unhappy and I could change it for you.”

  “How are you so sure?”

  He bends placing a light kiss against my lips. Suddenly the air cascading my skin feels warmer, but a quiver rushes down my spine causing my breath to hitch. I moan, melting into him.

  He pulls away grinning like a bastard. “Because of that feeling.”

  I’m intoxicated from the kiss, slowly blinking up to him.

  “Goodnight, Riley.” His voice is husky as he lays a delicate kiss on my forehead.

  He walks backward halfway down the sidewalk before he finally releases our intimate and flirty gaze and then turns toward his truck. Inside, everything is frantic—my thoughts, my feeling, my urges. I want to call out to him and beg him not to leave. I want to run after him and throw myself around his neck, but instead, I resist the urges and slink back into the house and shut the door.

  One word—wow.

  Chapter 19

  Trenton and I have talked every day since our date. Whatever doubts I had after he didn’t follow through with what we were feeling have vanished. And although we haven’t spoken about it, I strongly believe he did it out of respect.

  I don’t know where this is going, so I told him I didn’t want Lucas knowing yet. It’s too new and too early and I don’t want Lucas getting attached if things don’t work out. He understood and promised to behave and act accordingly.

  April went out of town Sunday for a meeting and returned late Tuesday. Then she took off today from work. I’ve been dying to talk to her, to tell her all about what’s going on, so I texted her earlier for an afternoon date.

  The moment I walk into the coffee shop, I spot April sitting outside on the bench under a patio umbrella with Josh beside her. She holds up a coffee cup and waves me over.

  Whoever built this coffee shop was a genius. They knew moms would need a break from their kids and erected this honey pot beside a park.

  “Wish I could tell you this is wine,” she quips as I pull out a chair.

  Josh brought his soccer ball and immediately springs out of his seat, rushing to the field with Lucas hot on his heels.

  “How was your trip?” I ask and then take a sip of the piping hot Latte.

  “Oh, the joys of having to sit in a mandatory company meeting,” she deadpans. “All part of the job.” She sits back and crosses her legs. “Just how long are you going to hold back the details?”

  “Of?” I reply.

  “You had a date with Trenton and I haven’t heard from you since. Either you have been tied up in his bed or tied up in his basement.”

  I laugh and scrunch my face in excitement. “It was fabulous. Quiet and without elaborate things.”

  “Where did he take you?” She wipes a drop of coffee from the side of her cup.

  “He took me to his house.” I say and her eyes widen. “Not like that,” I rush out. “He’s got a beautiful gazebo behind his house and we shared drinks. He kept it small. It was perfect.”

  She twirls her hand motioning for me to continue. “And?” The single word draws out.

  “We kissed.” I try sounding levelheaded but instead I end up in a small girly squeal. “And it was fabulous. But I haven’t told Lucas. I want to keep it quiet for a little bit just in case it doesn’t work out.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Don’t be so pessimistic. You know this is going to work out.”

  I cock a brow. “And how would you know?”

  “So when’s the next date?” She dismisses my question.

  “I’m not sure.”

  She looks over my shoulder and back to me with a smug grin. “So you two are keeping it inconspicuous for a little while?”

  “Yeah, until I feel comfortable telling Lucas. I don’t want to jump the gun yet.”

  “You might want to tell him that stalking you will give it away.” She nods her head.

  I turn and my heart flits. Walking through the front doors of the coffee shop, Trenton strides stoically toward the counter, pulling his sunglasses off his face.

  “Ever gotten drunk off a kiss?” I snicker watching him through the window.

  “That good, huh?”

  I swing my head her way. “Way good. Movie cliché good.”

  “You’re pretty besotted with him. I knew the first day you met him there was something there.”

  “You didn’t know that,” I say.

  She sits up, leaning toward me. “You forgot your damn name, Riley. I knew.”

  “So we had an instant attraction.”

  She shakes her head. “Instant attraction doesn’t cause…” She taps two fingers on her forehead. “I believe I said the Earth shifted.”

  She did.

  She stretches her arm up high, waving behind me, and points to the table.

  I close my eyes in a bashful fit. “Please tell me you just didn’t.”

  A deep devil may care giggle arise from her chest. “I totally did.”

  “Hey, Mr. B,” April sings in a tone like she knows something she shouldn’t. “Take a seat.”

  I look up to him in all his glory. His eyes shift between us but he doesn’t sit. “Hey,” he hums and it makes my stomach drop.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask with a hushed whisper.

  He grins like a bastard again. “Heard the scenery here was stunning.”

  “Next time, I’m not telling you where I’m going,” I quip.

  He opens his mouth to retort, but Lucas and Josh run up in exuberance. “Mr. B!” Both boys yell out simultaneously.

  “Hey boys,” Trenton’s tone drenches with delight.

/>   While they talk amongst each other, April gathers her things. She says she needs to make dinner and get Josh ready for school tomorrow, and as much as I love her, I know cooking isn’t her specialty. They live off meals made by others—frozen or fresh. Knowing her the way I do, I know this is just a ploy, a deliciously evil plan to have me and Trenton together.

  After a few weird goodbyes, she leaves me there with Trenton and Lucas…alone.

  “I guess we need to get going too, kiddo,” I say.

  A dimple appears and Trenton turns to Lucas. “I miss soccer. You up for some play?”

  Lucas’ little face brightens. “With who? You?”

  “Yeah. I can teach you a few things the coach didn’t.”

  I narrow my eyes.

  “If it’s cool with your mom, I can come over now,” he says.

  I can’t believe he just said that.

  Lucas whips his head toward me. “Please, Mom? Please?”

  I don’t release Trenton from my strangling gaze. “I—”

  “I haven’t had anyone to play with. Come on, Mom. Please?” Lucas interrupts me, begging.

  What else can I possible say to two pleading faces but… “Okay.”

  “Can I ride with you, Mr. B? I’ll show you where we live!” Lucas blurts.

  “You need to ask your mom,” Trenton says with a stern, fatherly tone.

  Lucas waves his hand at me dismissively. “She’s cool. She won’t mind.”

  And that is that. Just before I get into my car, Trenton is hopping in his truck when he winks at me, donning a mischievous grin, and then slides his sunglasses on.

  “I’m in trouble,” I whisper to myself.

  I watch the guys from inside the house as they kick the ball back and forth, occasionally pausing for Trenton to show Lucas a better way of doing things. They both look happy, laughing while they run past each other for their version of a scrimmage.

  I continue to sneak peeks as I cut the chicken, toss it in the pan and pour the noodles in the water. Yes, I’m insane to offer an invite for Trenton to stay for dinner, but I want to. I truly like his company and from the looks of it, Lucas does too.

  I am in over my head.

  I holler out the back door that it’s dinner time and they need to wash up. Lucas has never had to be told twice and immediately, he abandons the soccer play, sprinting through the door.