A thick patch of trees lined the back edge of my parents’ property. Just beyond it was an open field with a beautiful view of the sky. On the other side of the field was another development, but the gap separating the two was quite large. Occasionally, kids cut through to get to a friend’s house during the day, but not often. I set BC down as we cleared the last tree at the beginning of the open space. Because we took care of that spot, the grass was soft and thick. Sometimes Mom didn’t want to be in the yard if we were being too loud in the pool or tossing a baseball back and forth, so she’d go out there to relax in her beach chair with a book.
BC pressed her body against mine, ran her hands up my chest, wrapped one arm around my neck, and rubbed the sore spot on my head. “I’m sorry you got hurt,” she whispered at my ear. Once she started kissing me, I sort of forgot to what she was referring.
When she pulled away, I asked, “How do you do that?”
“Do what?” The dim light from the moon and stars lit her face just enough. I traced her jaw with my thumb, trying to concentrate.
“Take my breath away.”
“It’s a gift.” If the only thing I saw for the rest of my life was her smile, I’d die the happiest guy to have ever existed.
“Seriously, B. One of these days, I may not recover.”
She placed the softest peck on my cheek. “I’d never let that happen.”
“Good to know.”
She stepped back to pick up the blanket she had dropped, and we spread it over the grass and relaxed. Having her lean against me felt like home. It was hard to explain, but there wasn’t anything better. Spending nights like that never got old. We passed the time talking about random things or simply watching the sky in silence.
Since we didn’t expect to be sitting outside, BC wasn’t properly dressed and got chilly. I started to stand so we could go into the house, but she insisted we stay. Being the gentleman I was, I tugged the blanket over her. When we started kissing, she eventually lost more material than just the blanket.
“Is this another new bra?” I wondered. A couple nights ago, she had a new one on.
“Some girls complain how unobservant their boyfriends are. How lucky am I that you notice these things?”
“I won’t notice shoes, but this…” I ran my fingers along the top edge, skimming her soft skin. “This shit I notice.”
“That’s not true.” Lying underneath me, I felt her body shake as she giggled. “You spotted my new cleats the other day before I even cleared the locker room door.”
“Buttercup, they’re black and neon pink. Everyone spotted them.”
She probably didn’t hear a word I said because her eyelids lowered as if they suddenly became too heavy to hold open. It may have had something to do with how my fingers trailed over her skin. Slowly and meticulously, I wound her up to the point she’d be putting on the brakes at any moment. We’d been there more than once. I knew her limits as well as she knew mine.
“Joey…,” BC exhaled. It was far from her normal tone, which momentarily paralyzed me. Her nails lightly trailed down my back, tucking into the waist of my shorts as her lips met my neck. She overpowered me simply with her eyes, but once her touch got involved, I was a dead man.
“You’re not making it easy to stop,” I told her, trying to keep my shit together.
“I don’t remember asking you to.” Normally, we could hold a conversation without many words, but I couldn’t have been reading her right.
“B?” I questioned, not trusting my instincts.
“Whenever you’re ready, I’m good.” She shivered as the words left her mouth. It was a nervous habit, especially when her teeth sunk into her lip.
I felt panicked. Did she think I was pressuring her into having sex? Nothing this time was different from any other time we’d been together. Propping myself on my elbow, I stared down into her beautiful face. I could read her better that way. “Out of nowhere, you’re ready to do this?”
She smiled shyly. “It’s not out of nowhere, Joey. I’ve been thinking about it a lot recently. You act like we’ve never even discussed having sex.” We did but, by the way she always cut the topic short, I figured it was safe to assume she wasn’t even close to ready. “I love you more than I ever thought possible. There’s no one else for me. You know that.”
Not having the smallest clue what to say, my lips covered hers, an unfamiliar feeling running through me. Excitement? There was probably a better word, but I couldn’t think of one at the moment. The girl I planned to marry just said she wanted to have sex with me. Nervous? Most definitely. What if I fucked up? Scared? Hell yes. I couldn’t lose her. Physically or emotionally hurting the only girl I’d ever love wasn’t an option.
“You’re overthinking it,” she whispered.
“No, I’m not. I’m just really pissed off that my box of condoms is sitting in my nightstand and we’re all the way out here.” She turned, stretching her arm in the opposite direction. “What are you doing?”
“Grabbing my wristlet.” Having longer arms than her, I reached for the bag she had dropped on the corner of the blanket when it blew in the breeze.
“What the hell do you need from that thing right now?” I half-joked.
“A condom.”
“What?!” She shrugged, pulling one from the front zippered part. “Are you telling me you planned this?” Was she breaking her own rule?
“Planning and being prepared are two completely different things, Joey. However, if you aren’t interested in using it, I could put it back…” I took it from her, set it on the blanket, and picked up where I left off when she distracted me with all the damn talking in the first place. My phone chimed with a text. It sat a few inches from her head, so she checked it. “Vince wants to know where we are. He says he’ll meet up with us.” I took the phone from her and chucked it somewhere in the grass. It was close enough we still heard the music playing. She smiled, but only until I reached around behind her and unclasped her sexy bra.
“Promise you’ll tell me to stop as soon as you change your mind?”
“Sorry, Sullivan. Not going to happen.”
Somehow, the nerves faded. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind how right being with BC felt. I even managed not to look like a complete asshole while rolling the condom on in front of her. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought our first time would be under the stars in one of our favorite places. When it came to BC, I considered myself pretty romantic and thoughtful. If given the opportunity to plan the night on my own, it wouldn’t have gone as well as it did. Topping the moment off, “Sunday Morning” began playing from her iPod. The song had always been a favorite of hers, but that was when it became one of mine. It would remind me of a very special night in my life. The night I fell completely and forever in love with Brielle Watson.
When we got home, Maddie was exhausted. Normally, her last trip outside for the day took the longest, but she wasted no time doing her business and then hurrying to my bed. After grabbing a bite to eat, I went in my room to relax in bed and catch the end of the ballgame. Maddie snored so damn loud, I had to raise the volume on the TV.
My phone rang twice, but I let both calls go to voicemail. The night had gone so perfectly with BC, I didn’t want it ruined by talking to Shannon. She said enough when she unexpectedly showed her face earlier. Lex needed to give the all-clear to end things sooner rather than later because this shit was getting to me. It seemed like Shannon suddenly had nothing better to do than be up my ass. Typically, we’d go a week or more without even texting. Sometimes, we’d accidentally run into each other. She was only an occasional acquaintance, a reason to keep Vince and Jack from worrying about me.
Giving up on the game, I rolled onto my side. Light coming from the TV caught Maddie’s collar, making it shine. BC had to get her hands on my dog and fix her. It was my own fault since I sent Maddie there in the first place. However, as much as I didn’t want her to walk around wearing that girly shit, I’d never t
ake it off. BC put it there, so the collar was staying.
Before closing my eyes for the night, I checked to make sure the alarm was set on my phone. When I started to set it back on the nightstand, it buzzed with a text. Assuming it was Shannon, a bunch of profanity came flying out of my mouth. I almost didn’t read it, but figured that wasn’t the smartest thing to do in case it was Jack. We always kept in touch while we were working. To my surprise, it wasn’t either of them.
BC: Hope this doesn’t wake you. Just wanted to say thanks for hanging out with me tonight. OK. That’s a lie. This is a warning not to take Maddie’s collar off.
The girl didn’t even have to be in the same room as I was to light up my life.
Me: Nope. Still up. And too late.
BC: WHAT?????
I laughed.
Me: Yup. That shit’s in the trash. Maddie chewed on it before I tossed it.
BC: Now I know you’re lying! She would never…
Me: You’re right. It’s growing on me. I may let her keep it. Not wear it, but just keep it…in the bottom of a drawer in the bathroom.
BC: :(.
Feeling guilty, I snapped a picture of Maddie and quickly sent it.
BC: Awww!!! So cute!!! She has more room in the bed than you.
My first thought was to say how fast I’d kick the dog out of the bed if BC wanted to take her place, but decided against it.
Me: What the hell did you do to her? She’s snoring so loud, I can’t hear myself think.
BC: We had fun!
Me: I can see that.
BC: She can come over whenever she wants.
Me: She’s only allowed if I can come with her.
BC: Aren’t you sick of me yet?
Me: Maybe a little :).
BC: Jerk.
Me: I was actually just thinking about you.
BC: Uh-oh.
Me: Is “Sunday Morning” still one of your favorite songs?
BC: Of course. Why?
Me: It came on the radio when you got out of the truck.
BC: Damn it! I should’ve made you stay longer!
Pointing out she was the one who couldn’t get away from me fast enough wouldn’t have done any good. Although, what I replied with next may not have been the smartest thing, either.
Me: It always reminds me of the night we left that party early and hung out in my backyard watching the stars.
For the longest time, there was no response. I threw my head back and cursed myself for being such an asshole. Then I sat up, shoving the blankets to the bottom of the bed. Not impressed, Maddie lifted her head to see what was going on. When a few minutes went by, I couldn’t take it anymore.
Me: Still there??
Nothing. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! What did I do? I contemplated calling her, but held off. That would only make shit worse. She wouldn’t just stop talking to me. BC wasn’t like that. As I clutched the phone in my hand, it eventually vibrated.
BC: You remember that night?
Blowing out a breath and plopping back on the bed, I responded as quickly as I could.
Me: Like it was yesterday.
She knew the exact night to which I was referring. That had to count for something.
BC: I never realized you knew that song was on.
Me: Every detail of that night is forever etched in my memory.
BC: Lex is walking in. I have to go.
I wanted to ask if she was okay, to apologize for being a dick, but only sent a message telling her goodnight.
BC: ‘Night. Let me know if Maddie wants to visit again.
That only made me feel a little better. Knowing I wouldn’t fall asleep unless I knew Alexa was really there, I sent her a quick text.
Me: Hey. Are you with BC?
It took her ninety-four seconds to get back to me.
Lex: Yeah. I just got here. Why?
Me: Just wondering.
Lex: Oh shit! Was that you she was texting?
Me: Yes.
Lex: I thought it was Aidan, so I made her get off the phone. Sorry.
Me: No problem.
I refrained from adding how thankful I was.
When the game ended, I shut off the TV. Every time my eyes closed, BC was there, taunting me. I still smelled her shampoo, still felt her skin under my fingertips, still saw every perfect detail of her entire body, still heard her voice. That was pretty much how the rest of the night went until I passed out from exhaustion.
The following day was the longest I had to endure in a while. Being tired was only part of the problem. Not knowing when I’d see BC next drove me crazy. Barb and Rich missed her, too, so it would probably be best to step back and give them time with their daughter. However, as screwed up as it was, I didn’t want to.
Vince caught me before I left the station after my shift. “Sully,” he called from down the hall. “Let’s grab a drink.”
I wasn’t in the mood. “I’m going to head home.”
“Fine. I’ll just tell Brie you had plans with Shannon,” he told me, heading in the opposite direction.
That stopped me. “You’re going out with BC?”
“Yup,” he added, not looking back.
“Wait!”
He stopped, looking at me and shaking his head. “You’re fucking pathetic.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means tell the girl you’re still in love with her and be done with it already.” He shook his head. “Lex made me promise to be at her parents’ by seven. I’ll swing by your place on my way. Try not to be so fucking miserable or I’ll leave your ass on the curb,” he mumbled and walked away.
At six forty-five, I left Maddie with Jack and went outside to wait for Vince. As I reached the end of the walkway, he backed his car into a parking space.
“Keep up your shit, Lyons, and I’ll get my dad to put you on nights for the entire first year of your marriage. You’ll never get laid.” The threat was real. I had talked Pop into things like that in the past. Bribery went a long way.
He laughed. “Is that what’ll make you feel better when Brielle is banging the doctor Saturday night?”
My best friend knew he shouldn’t say things like that where BC was concerned. He was purposely being a prick. “We should’ve driven separately. Your bullshit may get me locked up,” I groaned. He’d be busting my balls every chance he got tonight.
When we got to the Watson’s house, Vince wasted no time getting out of the car and making his way up the driveway. I knew the feeling, but the phone rang, hindering me from getting too far.
“Hi, Mom,” I answered.
“Hey, Joe. I’ll only keep you a minute.” She must’ve been at the office.
“No problem. What’s up?” I lingered on the edge of the sidewalk.
“I wanted to touch base with you regarding the house you asked me to check on.”
“And?”
“Someone left me a message inquiring if it’s available. Is it?”
“Could you please hang onto it for a bit?”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea, honey? I know living next to your best friend would be ideal, but it’s more of a family home than a bachelor pad.”
“Mom, I’m asking you to do me a favor. Take the sign off. You know it’ll have no trouble selling if I change my mind.”
“If that’s really what you want…”
“It is.”
“Okay. I’ll keep it out of sight for now. Let me know when you decide.” When she paused, something told me I was in trouble. “Are you trying to tell me something?”
“What would I be trying to tell you?”
“Will you be giving us a grandchild sometime soon?” And there it was.
“Mom…”
She sighed. “I’m not getting any younger, Joseph.”
“Then you’d better talk to your older son.”
“Because Jack having a baby with one of the three girls he’s seeing would be a good idea.” She disconnected.
I took a second to collect myself, then walked up the path. The front door was unlocked, so I walked in. Vince stood frozen in the foyer, staring into the living room, his mouth hanging open slightly. Hearing the door close, he held out his hand, indicating for me to stop where I was.
“Save yourself from the current predicament I’m in and stay right where you are,” he said, not breaking his gaze from the room. Lex’s laughter filtered from the other side of the wall, as did a grumbling I guessed to be BC.
“What’s going on?”
“Seriously, man. I’ll never be able to unsee this shit.” His eyes weren’t straying very far from whatever he was looking at.
“I’m not standing here.” I ignored the warning and continued into the main room of the house, assuming he was overreacting. Nothing could’ve prepared me for what the hell was going on. Lex was sprawled on the couch, BC straddling her sister, pinning her down and holding her in a headlock. “What the fuck’s going on?”
Vince chuckled. “Who the hell cares? Shut up and let them carry on.”
“If you open your mouth, Alexa, I’ll kill you.” BC meant business, which I thought was hotter than two girls wrapped up in each other.
With a notebook open on her lap, Mom was relaxing in her usual spot on the couch. She must’ve heard me coming through the front door because her eyes were already on the entryway. She lifted her eyeglasses to the top of her head as I collapsed next to her. I rested my head on her shoulder, which shook with laughter.
“Rough night?” Mom asked, pressing her palm to my cheek.
“It’s past my bedtime,” I uttered, uninterested in discussing Joey. She’d be all over my ass if she knew how upset I had gotten in his truck. “What’s that?”
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