Brie rolled her eyes as heads turned in our direction. I wasn’t surprised. Sawyer always garnered attention wherever we went.
“Too bad I have to drive back soon. Your town looks like a lot of fun,” Sawyer said, flashing his smile to the pack of giggling girls.
“Just stop. I’m not bailing you out of jail for even looking at any of these teenagers,” Brie admonished.
I’d chuckled when Sawyer said it and thought about it a second, doing the math. That cooled his thought, and he did eventually leave unmolested. Brie, however, stayed. She sent emails to her teachers, citing a death in the family.
“What if they ask for proof?” I asked, holding her close as we prepared to sleep later that night.
“I’ll show them the obituary.”
“But it’s my dad.”
“And you’re my family.”
She had no idea what that meant for me to hear her say that. Thanksgiving was only a few weeks away. I’d always spent it with Dad. But I had other family.
Brie was my cure. She had to be sore for all the times I needed to be close to her over the next few days. We talked, too. She asked me stories about my life growing up. Little did I know she was trying to make me remember all the good times. And it had worked. I wasn’t over the loss of my dad. That might never happen.
Days later, as I spoke at the funeral, I was able to recount all the amazing sacrifices he made for me. So many people came. More than I’d expected. From the people who knew him, worked with him, to my friends, teammates, coaches from high school and college. Even my mother showed up with my little brother.
I’d seen him once after she tore out of the house. Brie and I had taken him for ice cream. He stood in the front row between my mother and me as the casket was lowered into the ground. Brie was on my other side, hand in mine. And my brothers, Kelley, Sawyer, and Ashton, stood behind me.
Mom cried and I wanted to hate her for it. But how could I? She’d loved him once at least enough to married him and have me. I wouldn’t debate whether or not she still did.
After it all, my house filled with well-wishers. People had brought food the last several days. Lenora and Brie handled the food for me as I shook numerous hands and accepted many hugs.
Just as someone walked away, Lindsey strode up.
“I brought you this.”
Her eyes were puffy from tears.
“Thanks,” I said. “You can give it to Brie. She and Lenny are organizing the food.”
She nodded. “I’ll see if I can help.”
Saying nothing more, I watched her go over to them. I couldn’t hear them speak, but Brie briefly glanced in my direction. My girl smiled then seemed to accept Lindsey’s offer as she pointed and spoke, probably giving instructions.
Mom came over with my grandparents. I hadn’t been very close to them after Mom left. Whenever Dad would take me to see them, Nana would cry and ask me if I missed my mom. It had been too much for my younger self. Barely in middle school, I’d been processing why she’d left, and Nana made it seem like it was our fault or at least my dad’s. He’d recognized how hard it was on me. When she didn’t stop, Dad stopped forcing me to go over to see them.
“I’m sorry, Chance,” Nana said into my ear. She patted my cheek. “Your father would be so proud of you.”
She stepped back, and my grandfather offered me a firm handshake. He’d never been a man full of words.
Mom came in for the hug, and I let her. Awkwardly, I put my hand on her back. It felt so weird. When she’d left, she’d been taller than me. We were in reverse now. I towered over her. My hand dropped when put into perspective.
“I want you to know I’m going to hang around for a while. Your grandparents offered for me to stay. And I think it would be good for Ian to be in one place. He’s getting older. There are so many kids around for him to play with.”
I hadn’t known she was going to say that. In fact, it was surprising to hear. I also didn’t know what would come out of my mouth next.
“You can stay here if you want. I’ll be at school, and the house will be empty.”
Sawyer had gone through my dad’s finances with me before he left. He had enough life insurance to pay off the mortgage if I wanted. Sawyer called his dad, and they suggested I wait and make the mortgage with the money. Let the rest invest until I made up my mind if I wanted to keep the house or not.
She placed a hand over her heart. “You can’t mean this.”
“I haven’t forgiven you, if that’s what you think,” I said evenly. “I’m doing this for my brother. He’ll be able to have his own room here. He can use mine. But when I’m in town, he can stay and you can stay at Nana’s or any place not here.”
Her curt nod was answer enough.
“And one other thing. I don’t expect you to disrespect my father’s house and bring any guys here. I’ll drop off the key when I head back to school tomorrow.”
It took far too long for the last of the people to leave. My friends were lumps of clay on my sofas, half-watching TV and half-dozing because with no cable, selection was limited. Dad watched games at the local bar.
Lenny and Brie had kept the place relatively clean. I needed to do something for them both for all their help.
Needing space, I headed out back and leaned on the porch, watching the light fade. It wasn’t long before pops of glowing light appeared in the yard.
“It’s beautiful.”
So lost in my thoughts, I somehow missed the screeching of the screen door as it opened and closed.
“It’s home,” I said, still very unsure what to do with the house.
If I sold it, where would I go?
The ride back to campus the day after the funeral was lonely. Chance drove his dad’s truck, and I drove my car. We didn’t see each other much that first week back. With mid-terms coming up, we had a lot of catching up to do. And Chance had been faithfully attending several study groups.
“And you okay with that?” Lenora asked.
The mashed potatoes I’d been staring at came into focus. I glanced up at my friend.
“Huh?”
“You’re okay with Chance spending time with that girl?”
I shrugged. “I trust him.”
It was more than that. I didn’t just see, but I felt how he looked at me each and every time we saw each other. He may not have said the words again, but they were there in his eyes, endless love.
As if fate wanted to spit on me, the girl in question, Melanie, I thought her name was, walked into the café. She scanned the place and focused on me. Her mouth curved into a smug smile, and I lost my appetite. Why were some girls so dumb? She had no shot with my guy. I didn’t have to burst her bubble. It would pop on its own. Too bad I wouldn’t see her when it happened.
“I’m not hungry. Let’s go,” I said to Lenora.
“Okay, I have to make a run to the library anyway. Are you coming over tonight?”
I shook my head. “Chance said he’ll be late, and I have a couple of papers to write.”
“I’m surprised. I thought the two of you couldn’t keep your hands off each other now that you’ve screwed his brains out.”
I stopped in the center of the hallway. People had to change course not to run into us. “I so didn’t tell you we had sex so you could razz me about it every time I see you.”
She laughed. “That’s what a bestie is for. Plus, that’s all Sawyer ever talks about when Chance comes into the room, how he had to listen to you guys go at it and wouldn’t let him join.”
“He’s mental. Anyway, I can’t be distracted and neither can Chance. It’s better if we don’t see each other tonight. I need some sleep.”
Pointing at me, she said, “So you guys do, do it like rabbits.”
“Not any more than you and Kelley,” I tossed back with a smile.
“You’ve got me there.”
We hugged and then she was off. I thought about calling Shelly. We hadn’t seen her around much. The f
ew times she came over, she and Sawyer would get into it. They’d argue until she left. She wouldn’t talk about Ashton either. Curiosity was killing me.
Heading up the path to the psychology building, I ran smack-dab into Davenport.
“Sorry.” What else could I have said? I’d been walking and staring at my phone.
“Not like it will happen again. I just got word I’ve been expelled.”
No further explanation came from him. He strode off in a huff, and I was left there with my jaw hanging in the wind.
They’d given him the harshest punishment. My stomach started to revolt. I thought for sure I’d puke any second. I ran inside and bumped people, trying to make it to the bathroom. Closed in a stall, I tried to slow my breaths as I waited for the inevitable.
My phone chimed with my alarm to let me know I had five minutes to get into class. The professor I had took attendance of all things. He counted it as part of the grade. I waited another minute, and when nothing happened, I forced myself to go make class on time. I’d yet to receive a letter stating my fate.
I stopped by the campus mailroom twice every day, and I had nothing. Stressed with mid-terms looming and not having seen Chance for the better part of a week, I made an appointment to see the dean.
“Miss Holloway, what is it that you need?”
Part of me wanted to say duh? But that would have been disrespectful. And I still needed this woman on my side if she ever was or would be.
“I haven’t heard anything regarding the hearing. I thought I should have heard by now and wanted to make sure any communication wasn’t lost in the mail.”
She placed her hands on the desk where she perched. “We haven’t yet made a decision, so I suggest you continue with classes. You should hear something in the next few weeks.”
I gaped at her before trudging out of her office. A few weeks? Why? Had Davenport been lying about being expelled? Why would they have made a decision about him and not about me?
My sister turned out not to be the voice of reason. She told me that maybe it was a good thing they weren’t making a quick judgment. I thought it was evil. They wanted me to study for tests that might not matter.
“What are your plans for Thanksgiving?” she asked, quickly changing the subject.
“I don’t know. Why?”
“Just making sure you’re coming home. Brianna should be home by then, and I thought you might spend it with your boyfriend.”
I’d told her about Chance’s father dying. She knew me. I had considered staying with Chance and making Thanksgiving with him. The idea of leaving him to spend it alone made me ill and wouldn’t happen.
Frustrated and grumpy, I sat at my desk studying, missing Chance like crazy. He was attending yet another study session tonight. We promised to see each other tomorrow. And Saturday couldn’t come soon enough.
A soft knock came at my dorm room door. My roommate looked up from her book. The halls were pretty quiet. Everyone was stressed over exam week coming up. Since she didn’t move, I set my book down and opened the door.
I didn’t have time to think before he pulled me in for a kiss. My body lit up like Christmas tree lights plugged in for the first time. He clutched my side. “God, I’ve missed you.” Then his hand squeezed my ass.
“Hold up, I call foul. I’m going to have to give you a red card and eject you from the room,” my roommate announced.
Chance’s hands slid away. “I don’t play soccer, so I don’t follow those rules.”
“But it’s football,” she challenged.
“Yes, that’s the prevailing term. But I play American football.”
“Fine, I call intentional grounding,” she argued.
He laughed. “On what grounds?”
“You two,” I started.
“Fine, I’m calling delay of game against you,” he said, but they were both smiling.
I crossed my arms like an umpire did to signal out. “Your penalties negate each other. So end it, please.”
Chance gave me his dimple.
“I’ve missed you, too. Go out in the hall with me for a minute,” I requested.
Wanting to have the last word as I shuffled him out the door, he teased, “I have a friend I can hook you up with if you’re interested…”
She one-upped him, stunning us both.
“I’m a lesbian.” She used the statement like one would the word duh, like it was something we should have figured out.
I turned and glared at her. She shrugged.
“Don’t worry, doll. You’re not my type. I’m not into straight girls.”
“Too bad.” Chance chuckled.
“You’ve been around Sawyer too much. I’m going to have to cut your play dates in half,” I joked.
He gave his best pout before grinning. “Grab your phone and keys. I want to take you somewhere.”
I did. The night was cooler now. I’d brought a hoodie, not sure what he had in mind to do.
In the cab of his truck, I asked, “I thought you said we’d see each other tomorrow.”
He glanced down at me before his eyes found the road again. “I couldn’t wait.”
Holding my hand, he steered with the other. It wasn’t long until we were back at what was fast becoming our place. Covered in complete darkness, no one was around. Moonlight was the only light.
After he parked, I asked, “So, what’s your plan this time?”
He opened the door and helped me out on his side. There was a blanket in the back of his truck. He climbed up to spread it out before holding a hand out to me.
Taking it, I let him hoist me up. “You still haven’t answered my question.”
Granted with his high wattage grin, he said, “I haven’t had any alone time with you this week. If I take you to my place, there will be people. And your roommate is always there and isn’t too keen on me being in there with you. So here we are, under the stars, just you and me.”
Slyly, I gifted him a leisurely smile. “So you only want to look at the stars.”
His hand slid under my shirt and across my belly. The wings of a million butterflies took flight at his touch.
“Not exactly,” he began. “What I really want is to see the stars reflected in your eyes when I make you come. I want to watch them halo you as you ride me, bringing yourself pleasure.”
We didn’t get fully undressed. He removed my bra, but left my shirt on. He ducked under it to suck on my breasts. His hand worked me beneath my waistband to a fever pitch before I had no choice but to shuck off my jeans. The night was cool, but he kept me heated as he used his lips and his hands to warm me up.
By the time he slid my panties to the side and entered me, stretching me, loving me, I was crazed with need.
His pace was maddeningly slow. But true to his word, he made me come. Then he did the switcheroo, leaving me on top to ride him, working myself to get where I wanted to go. There was no shame in my bucking around like a bronco. He gripped my hips, guiding me up and down until we exploded together like a shooting star.
Dressed again, only in case someone came by, we watched the flicking lights of the fireflies as they played in the fields.
“What are you doing for Thanksgiving?” I asked.
It didn’t take him long to answer.
“Probably going with Kelley to Pam’s. Lenny is going to her parents, and Kelley isn’t going with her. They won’t let him stay at the house, the whole not married thing. And he doesn’t have the cash to spend on a hotel.”
“Oh,” I said.
“What’s wrong, firefly?” He turned me to face him.
“It’s just I wanted you to come home with me.”
“To Chicago?” He laughed. “I wish I could, but I don’t have the money for a plane ticket.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got that covered.”
His head drifted side to side. “I don’t want charity from your parents.”
“It’s not charity, and it’s not my parents. My sister wants t
o meet you, and it was her idea to pay for us both to come. It’s not like we would ride first class or anything. In fact, she said she found a great deal.”
“I don’t know. Then what would Kelley do?”
“Okay, promise me you won’t say anything. But Lenora told me she was going with Kelley wherever he went.”
“You’re serious?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“You want me to meet your parents, your family?”
“Yes. Why wouldn’t I?”
He looked amazed, but resigned. I thought for sure he’d say no.
“If I go, you tell your sister I’ll pay her back.”
Flying was something I hadn’t done a lot of, but I wasn’t scared to do. However, I didn’t know what to expect when I met Brie’s parents. They, unlike Lenny’s parents, were letting me stay at their house.
We didn’t have to wait at baggage claim because I didn’t have much to fill the duffel I’d brought. Brie said things would be casual, and she had stuff to wear at home. So we’d traveled light.
Her sister was supposed to pick us up, but it was her brother who waited for us. If not for a strong family resemblance, I might have been jealous by the way Brie went to hug him like she hadn’t seen him in years. They weren’t that close, but I could tell how much he cared for her from the way he sized me up.
With Brie tucked under his arm, he held a hand out to me. His hair was darker than hers, and he was a lot taller than I expected, but not as tall as me.
“Chance,” I said, introducing myself.
We shook.
“Brian. I can’t say I’ve heard a lot about you, but what I have has been good.”
Her gaze shifted from me up to him. “I thought Brenda was picking us up?”
“The baby was running a fever. I told her I’d get you guys.”
“A fever...that can’t be good since she hasn’t been out of the hospital for long.”
Catching Fireflies Page 20