by S. N. Garza
“You know I’m saving up for a car.”
He nodded and I could see he was struggling with some inner battle. What was he thinking? What did he want to say to me?
I turned and grabbed my nightclothes, and a pair of panties as I turned to go towards the bathroom.
Taking a few long strides, he reached out to grab my hand. “Penelope?”
I stopped at the door, twisting the knob before I turned my head to answer. “Yeah, Deke?”
“Are you mad at me, babygirl?”
Ever since Christmas, it seemed like that endearment was his go-to nickname for me. He still called me Penelope most of the time, but lately, babygirl just seemed so natural for him to say and I secretly loved it. Especially when his voice roughened with emotion.
I gave him my best cheesy smile and said, “Am I ever mad at you Deke?”
“No.”
“Then that’s your answer.”
“Not yet.”
That made me laugh. I rolled my eyes and asked, “Are you staying?”
“May I?”
“Do you have to ask?”
“Yeah. I think I do now.”
Did he? Hm. What was he thinking?
“If you want to, Deke. I’m going to take a quick shower and I’ll be back. Have you eaten?”
“Yeah. I ate at SoIn.”
I nodded and left him to his own devices as I took a shower. By the time I got back to my room, Deke’s standing in front of my dress, his finger tracing the crimson lining at the bottom.
“You should see my shoes.”
His hand jerked back and he turned, facing me. Gave my body a once over before closing his eyes and shaking his head.
“You okay, Deke?”
“Yeah. Shoes?” His voice went deep and gravelly. What was he thinking, I wonder?
I was excited about these shoes. I spent more on them than the dress. I giggled and walked over to my closet. Opening the door, I kneeled down, grabbing the pretty shoe box they came in.
I turned and adjusted the glasses on my face while I took them out. The red matched the dress perfectly and sparkled. The only thing, they were about two inches too high for me. I’ve never worn heels over two inches before. But I just had to have these shoes. I lifted them to show him and his eyes widened with appreciation.
“Nice shoes. You’re going to outshine them all.”
I giggled and shook my head. “I don’t know about that, but I know I’m going to feel amazing.”
I put the shoes away, and went to stand up when Deke’s hand slid under my elbow, helping me the rest of the way. I couldn’t help but feel ultra-feminine around him. I ducked my head down and he tucked my hair behind my ear.
“Ready for bed, Penelope?”
Why did that sound so very intimate? I’ve heard him say that dozens of times before. Even I’ve said it quite a few times. But this time it seemed…different. Like our relationship changed. Even in its smallest amount. Our friendship was suddenly…more.
I nodded and walked around him, going to the bed we’ve often shared for the last three years. I turned it down while he took off his shoes. Then his shirt…then his jeans.
Gulp.
I’ve seen his in his boxer briefs before…dozens of times. Why was I just now feeling the hot burn throb through my veins?
I never really noticed how beautiful he was. Of course, I knew he looked good. Come on. What girl wouldn’t? I always knew he was good looking and sexy. But ever since my birthday, it’s been a little different. Now…maybe it was because of all the prom talk, it was like taking it to another level. Almost.
He didn’t really seem to notice too much. Or at all. This was routine for us. Maybe not the wisest routine anymore. But was I really willing to give this up because I was falling for him? Of course I loved him; I always have. But like really love him like a girl loves a boy. A lady loves a guy? A woman loves a man? Was I going to say something to ruin what we’ve always done by opening my mouth?
Nope.
I liked feeling him next to me too much to be that stupid. I got one last long look at him before grabbing the hair tie from my bed, and throwing my hair up in a knot on top of my head. I took my glasses off and set them on my nightstand. I got in bed, fixed my nightshirt so it wasn’t riding up and got settled in while he stretched, cracked his neck and got in next to me. My full size bed was just enough room for us. I stayed on my side until he got in. I usually stayed curled away, because I knew he needed more room than I did. For the past several months though, he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me into the sheltering warmth of his body. Just like right now.
I felt his big hand slide over my waist until it was tucked between my other side and the bed and he pulled me back until my back rested against the hard breadth of his chest.
I must have been more exhausted with the day’s trip because I knew I could only have imagined what happened next. I felt him harden against me, his lips met my neck in a soft kiss and I knew I was mistaken when I felt more than heard the word ‘mine’ against my skin.
What would it be like? To be his? Mmmm…I snuggled in deeper and dreamed of just that.
Chapter 8
Penelope
Deke stayed at the house a lot during the next few weeks and when prom day here, I was glad I hadn’t found a date. Each night he stayed with me, it felt different. He never touched me inappropriately or talked differently. It was almost like that night a few weeks ago was just a dream. But since then, he stayed every night my parents worked. Which he’s never done before.
When I first told him that if he ever wanted to sleep here he could but he had said no. That is wasn’t right. Which I fully understood. I did. I knew when he left early that next morning, he did give it some thought. I told him if he needed a soft place to land, my window was always open. That I’d be happy to play for him anytime and fix him dinner. Which I think was the deal sealer. When his shifts were over at SoIn, he’d drive his bike home, then walk over to the house. He said it was because I shouldn’t be alone at night. Who knows who could break in and rob the house or hurt me? I had been doing it for a while then and safety hadn’t really occurred to me. I mean, who would come out here to the poor side of town? But only then, he still only stayed at the house twice, maybe three times week.
Sometimes he came over when he got into an argument with his father. I didn’t know what they fought over, but he would come over with bruises. Not too bad, but they were still bruises. His tattoos covered a lot of them, but I knew they were there.
Then my eighteenth birthday came and he started staying three or four nights a week. He always listened to me practice. He loved hearing me. Watching me. He said I looked like an angel. Even when I wore my glasses and pajamas.
He always brought an extra pair of clothes over so he wasn’t always in just his boxer briefs when we slept. We shared a drawer. I had some of his things in my sock and panty drawer. Drawstring shorts and a pair of his underwear. He never wore a shirt to bed…which of course was all fine and dandy with me.
And yes, I admit, I’ve worn his shorts or briefs to bed before—of course when he didn’t stay here. Was that silly? Probably, but I didn’t care. They fit my body perfectly. I guess having a little bit of flesh on my body was good because I loved wearing them. It felt intimate.
Prom night, my mom helped me with my hair, sweeping the sides up in pretty, red sparkly clips and then curled the bottom half of my hair. I don’t know what she did to them, but they stayed in place as I put on the new, pretty underwear Vera made me buy.
They were super pretty and sexy. She said if I was going to choose that dress, she was going to pick out my under things. And it matched perfectly with the dress. The red was a little lighter than the dress but it was still grey and red. It was a balconette bra that hooked up the back. The red lace outlined the front bust of the bra and around the leg openings of the panties. It’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever owned. When I put them on, I couldn’t help but
feel like a girly girl. A real woman.
And no, my mother did not see these. I’m pretty sure she would freak out and demand I change. She would definitely demand me change out of the matching garter belt Vera also made me get, and am secretly loving. So I wasn’t pressured too much into getting them. She got a matching lingerie set for her dress, too. She said it would be hot for her man to take off later.
Which I didn’t want to know, but was thinking along those same lines. But with Deke. Not that he was going to be there, but I could dream later that night, right? I pulled on the soft, fluffy mesh that poofed out the skirt of the dress then slipped on the dress, and the top fit perfectly. No loose spots some dresses had that gapped out when you bent over or whatever. Nothing was going to spill out of my dress.
I walked out of the bathroom and my mother was waiting with her makeup caboose. Yeah, she had one of those things. It was perfect, because my mother had a ton of makeup. Even though the only time she ever put it on was for church. She didn’t put a lot on my face but when she was done and I looked in her vanity mirror? It was like I was transformed.
“Now, Penny, don’t stay out too late. It’s sad that you don’t have a date. Didn’t anyone ask you?”
I shook my head. She gently squeezed and patted my shoulder before there was a knock on the front door.
“They’re here.”
“Your shoes, Penny.”
Yes, those death traps. It took me since I bought them how to walk in them. I was now confident enough I wouldn’t trip and fall on my face or break an ankle in them.
I walked into the living room when my dad cleared his throat.
“Be home by midnight. Call us and let us know you made it home, alright honey?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You look beautiful, Penelope.”
That was the first time he’s ever said that to me. “Thank you, dad.”
He cleared his throat again and nodded.
I opened the door to see Vera and Brad waiting on the porch.
“Holy moly. I was wrong about that dress. It’s perfect.”
“Thanks, Vera.”
Then she smacked Brad’s chest and he coughed then said, “You look hot, Penny.”
“You do, Penny.”
Her little sequin dress was mid-thigh and looked beautiful on her. Vera wasn’t a ball gown girl either. She loved short outfits. Brad apparently did too because he couldn’t keep his hands off her.
“Thanks, y’all.”
Vera looked past me and saw my parents. “Hi Mr. and Mrs. Handleman, I’ll have Penny back by twelve!”
“Be careful, Vera.”
“Don’t you worry! We’ll take very good care of her!
The dance was held in our high school gym, and was in full swing when we got there. The theme was ‘Best Night of Our Lives’ with a night theme of stars and moons, and blue, silver and black streamers and balloons were everywhere.
I wasn’t the only wallflower, but I hated just sitting there, looking at everyone on the dance floor having a great time. That was until Vera and Brad came over after a heart thumping number.
“Dance with her, Brad.”
That shocked me. “Oh, no! I couldn’t. I’m fine, really.”
“No. You look amazing, that dress needs to be shown off, Penny.”
I looked to Brad to see his expression was the same as mine, as if he didn’t want to dance with me. “It’s okay. I don’t think Brad’s interested in dancing with me. It’s cool.”
Vera’s head whipped to Brad. “Bradley, dance with her.”
He chuckled and then held out a hand to me, “Come on, Penny. Let’s make the majesty happy.”
Majesty was right.
I took his hand and he led me out to the dance floor, where a slow song came on the speakers. He turned me into his arms.
“Brad. It’s cool that you’re doing this, but we don’t have to dance. I saw your face.”
“It’s alright. I knew she was going to get me to dance with you. It’s fine. Let’s show off your pretty dress, shall we? And I do want to dance with you.” He smiled shyly and ducked his head as his hands put me in position.
“Thanks.” The slow song went fine, especially wearing these heels. But when I went to go sit back down after it, Brad pulled me back in.
“One more dance.”
Taylor Swift’s I Knew You Were Trouble came on and Brad sure knew how to dance because he twirled me around and around as if he practiced. I almost lost balance and caught on to the lapels of his jacket so I wouldn’t fall. His hands wrapped around my waist and we both laughed.
“Sorry. Still getting used to these heels.”
“You’re doing great.”
When I was standing up straight again, I looked to see where Vera was. But before my eyes got to the table where we had been sitting, I noticed a familiar figure leaning on the door jamb of the gym.
Deke. What was he doing here? Standing in the darkness like some renegade in his leather jacket and a dark, jealous gaze marring his face.
That’s when Brad spun me around, my skirt ruffle up and I had no idea Brad was such a good dancer. He brought me back into his chest and I couldn’t help but laugh. My heart felt really alive. It’s the most fun I’ve had in ages.
“Excuse me. You’re dancing with the wrong girl, pal.” My head moved to the side to see Deke standing right behind Brad.
Who evidently didn’t care because he looked behind him and rolled his eyes. “Get lost, Morgan.”
My eyes widened because no one talked to Deke like that. Brad didn’t seem to care because he danced me away from Deke, into the middle of the dance floor. I really hope neither one makes a scene.
“Uh, Brad? I was okay dancing with Deke. Maybe you should let me go.”
“No. Vera wanted me to dance with you and now that I am, I like it. You feel great.”
“Feel?”
What in the world was he talking about?
“Brad? I think you better let me go.”
“You have a real sexy body, Penny. I only started dating Vera to get close to you.”
Whoa! Left field. “Ha. I don’t think so, Bradley Manner. It’s time for me to go.”
Brad tightened his grip on me and I did what I could not to cause a scene, but I pushed, trying to get free. But he pulled me even closer. And for the first time in three years, a shred of fear tingled up my spine.
“Brad, let me go. Now.”
“No. Deke pushed every guy that wanted to date you away. Like you were his personal pet. Like you were his fucking dog but he never sniffed around you like we all thought. You’re so fucking pretty but no one wanted to come up to you or else that asshole threatened them. I knew if I wanted you for myself, I’d have to get Vera’s help.”
“She helped you? Helped you with what? You two aren’t dating?”
“Nope. She’s really with my older brother.”
“But I saw you two kiss.”
“That was for Deke’s benefit.”
“That’s gross.”
“Well, I wanted to go out with you. This was the only way I could think to do it.”
Then he made that one fatal mistake. He leaned in, his lips puckered up for a kiss. Oh, God.
I quickly turned my head, his lips catching my cheek and that’s when I saw Deke. His eyes were filled with murderous rage. He began pushing past the other seniors to get to me. However, I wasn’t about to let him murder Brad so I took the bull by the horns and I picked up my heel and stomped down hard on Brad’s foot.
He yelled, howling over in pain. Then speared me with a deadly look. “Be the fucking dog, Penny. That’s all guys like him want with girls like you. A notch of innocence on his belt. Don’t come crying to me when it happens. Stupid bitch.”
He turned and the small crowd we gained began filtering away as I felt a heavy, dark presence behind me. A warm finger caressed up my arm, up my shoulder until it tickled my neck and jaw. That finger crooked beneath my chin an
d he turned me towards him. His eyes looked me over as if in slow motion, stilling in certain spots before traveling up to my face.
“Did he hurt you?”
I shook my head. Why, oh, why did everything on my body go on high alert? It felt sensitized and my heart beat a little faster. My breasts felt heavy and low in my stomach I felt a warm burning begin.
“Now can we leave, babygirl? Cause if we don’t, I’m going to find that little shit and fuck him up for touching you.”
I nodded. I was rendered speechless. He was so close. The way he looked at me; the way his hand caressed back down and threaded through my fingers? I knew I’d do anything, and go anywhere with him; as long as he was the one I was going with.
“PENNY!”
Vera’s voice was a distant noise as Deke pulled me out of the high school gym and towards his motorcycle.
“Deke?”
We stopped right beside it and he turned to look at me, his eyebrows raising in question. I looked down and gestured towards my dress.
“How am I going to ride the Harley with this dress?”
“Don’t worry, Penelope. Don’t I always make sure you’re okay?”
“Yes you do.”
He lifted me, making me rush to hold onto him as he slid me on the back of his bike. My skirt rode up, revealing the top of my thigh highs and the garter clip.
Deke’s shark intake of breath caught me by surprise. “You okay, Deke?”
“What the hell is that?”
He pointed to where the garter clipped on to the nude thigh high stocking.
“It’s just—
“Don’t.” His head turned away, and hands scrubbed over his face. His back lifted in quick pants.
“Deke?”
“Hush, Penelope.” He shook his head and turned back to me, his hands straightening my skirt, and I couldn’t help the shiver that skated up my spine. He slipped off his leather jacket and told me to push my arms through. When that was done, his eyes widened even more. A whispered fuck rang out and then he straddled the bike, his behind holding my dress down.
“Fix the sides of your dress until they’re underneath you, babygirl.” His voice was tight and rough.