In Pieces

by Gia Riley

  “Are you sure? We haven’t even been here for an hour.”

  “I know, but I think Becca needs us right now.”

  Jake overhears her, and raises an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with her?”

  Kinsley chews on her fingernail, her eyes looking toward mine for help. I can’t help her though—I have no idea what’s going on. Regardless, I trust her judgement. If she thinks we need to leave, then we probably do. “We can leave.”

  Jake’s on our heels, not giving up on getting information out of Kinsley. “Will someone tell me what’s going on?”

  Becca’s standing next to my truck once we get to the parking lot. Tears are streaming down her cheeks, and there’s a trail of black shit all over her face. This can’t be good.

  Jake takes one look at her and a bunch of unspoken words are tossed back and forth before he shakes his head and kicks my tire. “I fucking knew it. I knew you were lying.”

  His reaction only makes Becca cry harder. “D-don’t Jake,” she pleads. “I’m s-sorry.”

  “So am I. I’m sorry I ever thought you gave a shit about me. I would never have cheated on you, Becca. Never.”

  He turns to walk away and Becca runs after him, grabbing his arm. She holds onto him as she cries into his suit jacket. “Jake, please. I’m so sorry. This wasn’t supposed to h-happen.”

  “It is what it is,” he says before peeling her hands off his arm and walking away. Becca falls to the ground, her sobs coming out in short bursts in between her silent tears.

  Kinsley and I help her off the ground before I pick her up and sit her inside my truck. Kinsley climbs in next to her and shuts the door.

  Becca raises her head from her hands, “I’m sorry I ruined your night.”

  “You didn’t ruin anything,” I tell her. I don’t even need to know the rest of the story to understand that she hooked up with Wyatt last night. Now she’s trying to survive the guilt. It’s the worst kind of karma.

  Becca’s not the kind of girl to randomly hook up with guys which makes what she did sting that much more. Jake knows she would only give herself to someone she needed in her life. And she needs Wyatt—not Jake.

  WE ALL SURVIVED homecoming week despite all the drama—though some better than others. Oddly enough, after all the fighting and serious talks were over, it all brought us closer together. Now, a week later, it’s finally time to have a little fun at Fall Fest.

  Rhett and I wanted as much time together as possible, so as soon as the football game ended, we hopped in his truck and drove the almost two hours to the camp ground. My cheeks are wind burned from sitting at the football game, my feet hurt, and I could sleep for an entire day, but I couldn’t be more excited for this weekend away.

  Rhett has everything we need for the next two days scattered around us on the ground. He’s putting the finishing touches on our bright red tent while I finish pumping some air into the air mattress.

  “What do you think? Not bad for putting it together in the dark, right?”

  I walk toward the tent, leaning down to peek inside. “It’s bigger than I thought It would be.” Not that we need a lot of room. I plan on staying as close to Rhett as I can, all night long.

  “The guy who sold it to me said it’s like the Cadillac of the tent world.” Rhett says, as he chucks a hammer into the back of his truck. I admit I watched him the entire time he drove all four stakes into the ground—his arm muscles straining against the thin fabric of his Under Armour.

  It’s a good thing he’s done this before because I don’t have the first clue about camping. In fact, I can’t help but laugh when I think about how this tent would look if he wasn’t here.

  “What’s so funny, Sunny?”

  “That rhymed.”

  When I shiver, he runs his hands up and down my arms. “Are you cold?”

  “A little, but we have sleeping bags to stay warm.”

  “I plan on keeping you warm, but grab your pillow and a blanket out of the truck. I’ll get this mattress inside.”

  I get goosebumps thinking about lying next to Rhett all night long. I’ve never shared a bed with a guy before let alone a boyfriend. But I have a feeling tonight will be a night filled with more firsts—and there’s nobody I’d rather share them with than Rhett.

  He’s waiting next to the tent, messing with the zippers. “Got everything?”

  I nod my head. “Is it okay if I change?”

  Rhett blinks a couple times, swallows, and then finally gets it together. “Yeah, of course. I didn’t even think about that. Climb inside and let me know when you’re done.”

  I clutch my clothes and my pillow against my chest, trying to get the nerve to tell him he doesn’t have to wait out here. “You can come inside with me. If you want.”

  “I’ll be in. I need a minute.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m more than okay, Sunny. I’m about to lie next to you all night long. I can’t think of anything better.”

  “But you don’t want to come inside?”

  “I should probably wait out here,” he says, as he tries to discretely adjust himself.

  Biting my lip, I try not to laugh. “Okay. I’ll only be a minute.”

  Climbing inside the tent, I change out of my jeans and sweatshirt into a pair of yoga pants and a long sleeve T-shirt. I notice Rhett’s silhouette pacing back and forth outside the tent. I’ve never seen him nervous before, but he definitely is.

  When I’m finished, I peek my head outside. “You can come in now.” I notice he’s changed, too. In true Rhett style, he even manages to make sweats and a basic, black pullover look hot.

  I lie back on the air mattress, and Rhett flops down beside me. Only he does it a little too hard, and I flip off the side, landing face down on the ground.

  “Shit!” he says, as he scrambles over to my side. “Are you okay?”

  Laughing I tell him, “I’m fine, but if you didn’t want to sleep with me, all you had to do was say so.”

  My laughter dies in my throat when he says, “Kinsley, all I want to do is hold you—whether it goes further or not. I have to have you next to me.”

  His words land straight on my heart, and I’m positive he can feel how much I want him right now—how much I’ve been looking forward to spending the night with him. “I didn’t mean—” I start to say, nervously.

  “Come’ere, Sunny.” He holds out his hand, pulling me on top of him. “There’s no rush. We have all weekend together.”

  I rest my head against his chest, and he rubs soothing circles on my back. It’s enough to ease my nerves, but it doesn’t last long. Not when my body’s touching every inch of his. There are so many things I want to say to him—to tell him I want. But instead, I chicken out and settle for something else. Something boring. “It’s really cozy in here. Can we build a fire tomorrow?”

  “Sure. Anything you want.”

  When I gather enough courage, I lift my head and say it before I miss my chance. “If I can have anything, then I want you to kiss me.”

  “I love kissing you. What else does my girl want?”

  The second part takes a little longer to get out, and I’m not sure I can say the actual words. Rhett feeds off my insecurities, and tries to ease my nerves. “What is it? What else do you want?”

  I force myself to stay right where I am with my head held high. If this is what I want, I should be able to tell my boyfriend. “I want everything, Rhett—all of you.”

  "Yeah? Are you sure?"

  Smiling shyly, I tell him, “I'm sure.”

  Rhett closes his eyes, and exhales. When he opens them, I lick my lips, and bite down, waiting for him to make the first move. But I’m the one who started this conversation, so I sit up far enough to straddle his waist, and pull my shirt over my head.

  He swallows, his eyes falling to my chest. I reach behind my back and unclasp my bra. We’ve gone this far before, but it still feels like the first time for the simple fact that this is only the begin
ning.

  “Shit, Sunny.” He grabs my waist, and rolls me onto my back. Hovering over top of me, he reaches behind his head and pulls his shirt over his head.

  Before I can ask him what he wants next, his mouth is on me. It feels incredible, but when I can’t take anymore, I reach down and slide my pants over my hips. He helps me pull them off the entire way until I’m completely naked. It’s dark inside the tent, and it helps me feel less self-conscious, but with the way he’s looking at my body, there’s no doubt he likes what he sees.

  “Tell me to stop, Kinsley.”

  “I don’t want you to.”

  He lays down next to me and kisses my lips. “Your first time shouldn’t be in a tent in the middle of nowhere.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because it should be special. I should have flowers or something.”

  I chuckle because flowers have nothing to do with having sex. “I don’t need anything, Rhett. And this is special—because I’m with you.”

  He pulls his sweats over his hips, and I can’t help but stare. But when he reaches above his head and into his backpack, I close my eyes. This is really happening.

  I hear the tear of the foil packet, and I lie completely still until he’s over top of me again. My heart’s beating so fast I feel it pulsing in my ears. I’ve waited for this moment, and now that it’s here, I’m terrified about what’s about to happen.

  “I’ll go slow. If I hurt you, tell me to stop.”

  I nod my head and bite the inside of my cheek. Slowly, he pushes inside me. At first it’s okay, but as he inches in, a burning pain erupts, and I clench my muscles.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m okay,” I lie. It isn’t the worst pain I’ve ever felt, but it’s not the most comfortable either. But I wanted this, and I’m not about to stop now.

  He pushes a little more, and once he’s completely inside me, I’m afraid to move, so I don’t. Tears prick my eyes, and when he starts to pull out, the pain returns. I bite down harder, and they finally fall, soaking the pillow under my head.

  “Look at me, Kinsley.”

  I move my eyes, from the reflector patch on the side of the tent where I was focusing, to Rhett.

  “Don’t cry, baby.”

  “I’m okay. It doesn’t hurt as much anymore.”

  “Do you want me to stop?”

  I shake my head. “No, keep going. I want you to feel good.”

  “I love you so much, Sunny.” He pushes in and out of me, his pace quickening, but still gentle enough that he doesn’t hurt me.

  “I love you, too,” I whisper, as a few more stray tears fall.

  Being with Rhett is nothing like I’d imagined it would be, yet it’s still one of the best moments of my life. Whether being with him changes us or not, I’ll never regret this night. Not with the way he’s looking at me right now. Like I’m his entire world.

  KINSLEY’S TUCKED INTO my side with her arm thrown across my chest. I can see droplets from the cold morning air still resting on top of the tent, but inside, we’re nice and warm. Part of that has to do with the fact that we’ve been wrapped up in a sleeping bag big enough for two.

  I pictured what it would be like being with Kinsley so many times, and I knew once it happened, it would be even better than I imagined—and it was. We’d grown closer, especially after last week, and I finally feel like this is more than just a high school fling. That this girl is going to be with me forever.

  “Sunny,” I whisper, as I wrap a strand of her hair around my finger. She moans a little, but doesn’t wake up. It does nothing to help my situation under the sleeping bag. “Kinsley,” I whisper a little louder.

  Her eyes open, and she lifts her head off my chest. “Is it morning already?”

  “It’s morning.” I pause for a second, wondering if she’s okay, but not wanting to make it awkward for her. “How do you feel?”

  “I’m okay.” She climbs on top of me and clings to me like she can’t get close enough. I feel the exact same way—that no matter how tightly I hold her, there’s still room for more.

  She kisses my chest, and I smile against her hair. I don’t want to bombard her as soon as she’s awake, especially if she’s not a morning person, but the surprise I have for her is burning a hole in the front pocket of my bag. “I have something for you.”

  “I don’t need anything else. I have you and Fall Fest.”

  I reach my arm out, and luckily my fingertips graze the handle on the bag. I slide it closer, unzipping the pocket. “I’m allowed to spoil my girl.” I lean a little farther to reach inside.

  “I can get off you, you know.”

  “That’s a terrible idea.”

  She giggles, and I reach into the front pocket, pulling out two tickets to the Penn State game today. I promised her Fall Fest, but when I found out it was a home game, and we’re only fifteen minutes away from the field, I knew I had to get Wyatt to pull some strings for us. There’s no way I want her to miss one of his last home games of the season.

  “I’m going to give you something, but you have to do it. Okay?”

  She nods her head, a little bit of nervousness showing through her curiosity. “Okay.”

  I show her one of the tickets, and it takes her a second to read it, but once she realizes it’s for the game today, I’m rewarded with the biggest smile she’s ever given me. “Are you serious?”

  “As a heart attack.”

  “I can’t believe this! I get to see Wyatt play. Rhett, how did you do this?”

  “I called in a favor—your brother’s pretty cool, Sunny.”

  “You called him again?” She sees me nod my head and her eyes grow wide. “I can’t believe you two get along. Everything I’ve wanted is happening.”

  “Becca’s going to be there. He sent a ticket for her, too.” She rolls off of me, squealing with excitement. I love seeing her so happy. I’d do anything to keep that look on her face, permanently. I don’t know what I did to deserve this girl, but now that I have her, I’m not letting her go.

  She sits up and the sleeping bag falls away from her body. For a moment, she forgets she’s completely naked. I notice a few marks I left behind when I couldn’t stop kissing her last night all the way into early this morning.

  When she notices me staring, she shifts her focus from the ticket to her body. And like she’s ashamed of it, she grabs the blanket and pulls it up to cover herself. “Don’t hide from me, Sunny.”

  “I’m not used to waking up naked.”

  I grab her and wrap her in a hug, digging my fingers into her sides. She laughs so hard, she’s out of breath within seconds. “That’s the best sound.”

  I remember back to the first day of school when she wandered inside the building with her head down. I had been waiting an entire summer to see her face again, and there she was, her eyes focused on the floor like she’d rather be invisible. The girl I’m holding now is already so different than the Kinsley West that showed up that day. I would have fallen for either version, regardless, but this is the girl I knew existed underneath the protective outer shell.

  “When do we have to leave?”

  “Soon, it’s an early game. We slept in.”

  “Someone kept me up all night,” she jokingly complains.

  She doesn’t know I was up long after she finally fell asleep. I watched her until my own eyes couldn’t stay open, and then I fell asleep happier than I have in a really long time. It’s still surreal to me that I got the girl—and I’m not at war with her brother. “I plan on keeping you up again tonight. You’ve been warned.”

  Her cheeks instantly turn pink and the color moves all the way down her neck to the top of her chest. She’s picturing being with me again, and as long as she wants me, that’s exactly what I have planned. Only tonight, it will be an entirely different experience for her. Tonight, it’s about her.

  My sweet Sunny-girl.

  I’ve been to Penn State games before, but Kinsley hasn’t been
since she was little. The way her face lights up as soon as we make our way to our seats, I know this is one place full of happy memories for her.

  “It seems so much bigger,” she says with excitement in her voice. “I guess it probably is. They’ve done a lot to the stadium since I saw it last. It still smells the same though.”

  “What?” I ask her, as I laugh.

  “You’ve never noticed? Even at your games, there’s just something about the way a game smells. The mixture of concession stand food, the people, the fall air—all of it. It sounds ridiculous, but it always reminds me of when I was little. When I’d go to the games and watch everyone around me. It was a happy place, one that didn’t have sickness or disappointment. The stadium has always been one of the happier memories for me, actually.”

  “That’s not ridiculous at all, it’s cute.”

  We climb the stairs to our seats, and Becca’s already sitting in her spot, next to Carson of all people. I guess Wyatt managed to get tickets for everyone. Kinsley sits next to Becca after acknowledging Carson. He smiles at her, asks how she’s doing, and then focuses on the field again.

  Becca gasps, and I glance at Kinsley who looks like she wants to disappear. “I told you it would happen,” Becca whispers, and I realize our night together is no longer a secret.

  I give Kinsley’s hand a squeeze, letting her know I’m not mad that she told. I never expected her to keep it from her best friend, even though I don’t think she was planning on telling Becca right here, right now. But that girl has a way of getting just about anything out of a person when she wants to know bad enough.

  Carson on the other hand, overhears the news, and doesn’t look nearly as excited for his friend as Becca does. In fact, I’m pretty sure if looks could kill, I’d be dead right now. I make a point to kiss the top of Kinsley’s head, and whisper how much I love her in her ear. All while he’s staring at me.

  Before I can tell him to keep his mouth shut, his focus is directed toward the cute blonde who jumps into his lap. “I finally found you. I’m all the way over there.” She points to the student section that’s decked out in white for today’s white out.