by Kimi Flores
Andie gasped when the opening title sequence to the original Frankenstein movie projected onto the sheet I’d hung and the sound of the announcer came out of the small speakers.
She yanked the spoon out of her mouth and pressed her hand to her heart. “Are you flipping kidding me?”
As I rejoined her on the blanket, I pulled her back to me, careful to keep her ass a good distance away. No matter what we’d agreed on, I was still a man in need.
I pointed to the screen. “I had to see if Fritz lived up to his name.”
“Look at his eyes, the resemblance is uncanny.” She snickered as she offered me a bit of her dessert.
“No way.” I shook my head. “Remember I’m still recovering from this afternoon.”
We settled in, cuddling as we watched one of the most boring movies I’d ever seen before. But since she loved it, I was happy to lay there holding her warm body against mine.
“Blaine?” She spoke softly.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for all of this. It’s one of the most thoughtful evenings anyone’s planned for me. If I haven’t told you yet, I’m really glad we met. It’s going to be tough watching you leave, but I’m grateful for the time I got to spend with you.”
I swallowed hard, pushing that thought away. “Shhh. Let’s just enjoy the time we still have.” Then I pulled her closer and felt her relax again.
Who could’ve known I could find total contentment lying in a blow up kiddie pool in the middle of the forest, while watching an old monster flick under the stars, as I held the girl I wished I could keep forever.
Chapter Ten
Blaine
The smell of fabric softener filled the room as I tossed the last of my clean clothes into my bag and zipped it up. I’d completely forgotten they’d even been in the dryer until I found the neatly folded pile in a laundry basket by my door this morning.
Making a complete circle in the bedroom I’d called home this past month, I searched for any items I might’ve missed. Normally, I’d just throw all my crap together and leave, but this time my mind was in a battle of wills.
If I left something behind, I’d have an excuse to come back, but if I packed everything, that would be a sign this really was a final goodbye.
It was already noon and not only was Friday traffic going to be a bitch, but I’d procrastinated enough. It was time. Slipping the strap of my book bag onto my shoulder, I reached for my duffle and headed out of the room.
Pots and pans clanged in the kitchen as I descended the stairs and dropped my things by the door, careful to make sure Fritz wasn’t in the way. He’d already swatted my leg once this week after I’d accidentally stepped on his crooked tail. I didn’t need any more scars from him.
I spotted Andie at the stove with her back to me, just like the first morning I’d seen her. Only this time, instead of cooking breakfast, she was wearing yellow rubber gloves and scrubbing the hell out of the stovetop.
Seeing her in the jean cut-offs and black tank top I’d become so familiar with made my heart sink a little. Everything about her felt so recognizable and comfortable. Even the red bandana tied around her shiny blonde hair reminded me of what I was leaving, and for what? A dream I wasn’t even sure I could enjoy alone?
We hadn’t spent a lot of time together since our date in the forest. It was almost as though we’d mutually decided to put some distance between us. Although I’d had a tight feeling in my chest the whole time, the space had freed me enough to catch up on some of my studying.
The part I hadn’t liked was the impersonal conversations we’d shared during our last couple of meals together in front of the TV. Andie also hadn’t joined me last night when I went to JT’s to say goodbye to everyone, telling me she’d been too tired to go out.
My tennis shoe squeaked on the wood floor as I walked into the kitchen. Mid-scrub, her head lifted and she stared at the tiled wall in front of her.
“I’m going to take off now.” I shoved my hands in the front pockets of my shorts and waited for her to acknowledge me.
“Mmkay.” Returning to her cleaning, she sighed like it bugged her to have to keep talking to me and she pointed one rubber gloved finger over her shoulder toward the dining table. “Shelby dropped those off for you this morning.” Then she went back to scouring the already sparkling clean range.
I shook my head at the ridiculous awkwardness we’d created and went to the table, opening the box. Inside was a note with ‘Studying Survival Kit’ scribbled in curly, feminine handwriting. I snickered and dug through, unburying all the goodies she’d packed for me. Tucked on the side was a bottle of top shelf rum and another note attached that read, ‘To celebrate your victory’.
“I’m sure you can tell which one is from Levi,” Andie mumbled.
I stared at the liquor, thankful to the friends I’d made in such a short amount of time. “Yeah, I figured Shelby’s the one looking out for my health, while Levi wanted to give me something to look forward to after the test.” Closing the box, I slanted my head and noticed Andie leaning against the stove, facing me.
With a forlorn look on her face, she forced a smile and plucked off the stretchy gloves. “I’m pretty sure Shelby’s aware that you know how to celebrate.”
“Would you walk me out?” I lifted the box and jerked my head toward the door.
Adjusting the knot in her bandana, she casually answered, “Okay, sure.”
With Shelby and Levi’s gift in one hand and my duffle bag in the other, I was reaching down to pick up the rest of my things when Andie beat me to it.
“Oh, you just want to make sure I really leave, huh?” I teased, hoping she would have a sarcastic comeback.
Instead, my heart sank to the floor as she looked the other way and bit her bottom lip. I watched her mentally chastise herself as she willed the tears away in order to show her strength.
I wished she’d drop those defenses and trust me to be here for her in this moment. There was no doubt in my mind that both of us would be breaking down once we were separated. But right now was not the time to shut each other out.
We walked in silence until we reached my Jeep and loaded everything inside.
Hugging her body, Andie swayed back and forth, staring off in the distance. “Have a safe trip.”
“Andie.” I said her name softly, but she refused to turn my way. “Andie, would you please look at me?”
She slipped her hands in her back pockets, then took a few steps back, finally glancing up at me. I’d never forget the pain in her eyes as she continued to fight back the tears. Slowly, she slipped on her mask as she took a few more steps away and waved. “It was really nice meeting you, Blaine. Good luck.” Pivoting quickly, she began to walk away.
“What’re you doing?” I yelled after her.
She spoke over her shoulder as she continued to walk toward her front porch. “I’ve got a lot to do today, so I’m gonna…let you go now.”
I gulped feeling the pain of her words. I didn’t want her to let me go.
Impulsively, I yelled out, “Goddamit, Andie. Cut the bullshit and get your ass back here.”
Stopping short, she spun around and placed an indignant hand on her hip. “Excuse me?”
“Stop pretending like you don’t care that I’m leaving. Like we don’t matter to each other.” I shouted, not caring that we were out in the open where any of her nosey neighbors could get an earful.
She stood her ground, not moving an inch.
“Fuck it. I’m not going to play this game.” I stormed up to her and crashed my lips onto hers, not giving her a second to think about anything but us. She responded by threading her fingers into my hair and gripping my head. With my arms wrapped around her waist, I pulled her closer as our frantic lips continued to devour each other. I couldn't get enough of her.
Holding her head between my hands, I implored, “Please don’t write me off like that.”
“I’m sorry.” A soft hiccup escaped her now pu
ffy lips. “I thought it would be easier. I hate goodbyes and this is the toughest one I’ve ever had to say.”
“Sweetheart, this isn’t forever.” Then I added in a whispered tone, “It can’t be forever. We’ll figure something out, I promise.”
She used her thumb to wipe under her eyes. “Please don’t make that kind of promise. Your life is intertwined in Santa Barbara; my life is here in Hope Falls. Even my business is in the opposite direction of where you’ll be.”
My forehead touched hers as my thumbs caressed the sides of her face. “Can you trust me to at least try?”
She rubbed her lips together before nodding.
“Good.” A relieved breath left me. I’d been scared for a second there. “Now like I said, get your ass over here and give me a proper goodbye.” I pulled her close for another deep kiss, but this time felt more intimate and emotional.
The sound of a car pulling up to the curb called our attention as Angel yelled out, “Keep it PG on the street, too, you guys.” She opened the passenger door and waited for Aurora to come around with her wheelchair and set her down.
“Crap! I completely forgot they called to say they were on the way,” Andie murmured as I grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the sidewalk with me. Aurora and Angel met us at the mailbox.
Slightly out of breath, Aurora panted out, “Oh thank God, Angel was rushing me so we would get here before you left. Kyle got stuck on a business call but said to tell you bye, again.” She bumped her hip into Andie’s.
Angel wheeled herself over to us and stopped to reach out for Andie’s hand. “Hey, do you mind if I speak to Blaine alone for a minute?”
Before Andie could respond, Aurora started to protest, “Angel, we weren’t staying long, remember?” The young girl, who had found a way to win my heart, gave her mother a scrunched-up expression.
With a halfhearted giggle, Andie let go of my hand. “Come on, Aurora, I think I could use a cold drink about now anyway.”
Silence fell between Angel and me as we waited for the women to disappear behind the closed door. I looked down when I felt the hem of my shirt being tugged. Squatting so I could be at eye level with her, I decided to get right to the point. “Well little lady, if you’re going to give me the lecture about hurting Andie...”
Sitting back in her chair, she put her hand up in front of my face. “Save it. I already know it’s killing you to leave her. Any fool can see you two won’t be able to stay apart for long.”
I blinked, amazed at how perceptive she was. “What makes you so sure of that?”
Shrugging with a confident smile, she answered, “I see how miserable Mom and Kyle are when he’s away at work. He’ll make stupid excuses to come home as soon as he can. I have a good feeling you’ll be back.” She turned more serious, leaning in like she had a secret. “But that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.”
Rolling my hand as if I was introducing royalty, I encouraged her to keep going. “My time is your time, please go on.”
At once, she was quiet and her face became serious. Worried I’d somehow hurt her feelings, I put my hand on her chair. “Angel, I’m sorry...”
In a rush, as if she needed to get it off her chest, she rambled, “You know my dad died in the same accident that left me in this chair, right?”
I nodded and remained silent.
“Well, after I found out he was gone, my whole world went black. I didn’t want to eat, laugh, I didn’t even care that I couldn’t walk. My life was nothing without my dad.” She twisted her fingers in her lap as she fought to find her next words.
My legs were starting to go numb in my squatted position but I wanted to remain at Angel’s eye level so I stayed put.
“I felt so horrible, nothing could be worse, right? Then I saw my mom cry and I realized her world had crashed around her, too. Her husband died and her daughter was going to be in this chair forever.” Slapping the armrests, she gave me a steady look. “You know what’s worse than feeling like there’s nothing to go on for?”
I shook my head.
Placing her hand on my shoulder, she admitted, “Believing someone you loved died and it’s somehow your fault that you survived.”
I tensed up. “Why’re you telling me this?” I’d never told her my story and there was no way Andie would’ve betrayed my trust, yet she knew exactly how I felt.
Rolling her eyes, she looked at me like I was clueless. “Big man, don’t you listen? I pay attention to everything going on around me. And if I happen to overhear you tell Kyle that your sister died and I see the look on your face as you said it, I can’t help that. It’s not like I’m stealthy in this wheelchair so I figured it wasn’t exactly a secret. Plus, you don’t hide your feelings very well. It was easy for me to put two and two together.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “Good to know, I’ll make sure I’m careful around you from now on.”
She slapped me on the shoulder. “I know you’ll be back, but really Blaine, let this go. If your sister loved you, she’d want you to live your life. As my therapist said, punishing myself won’t bring my dad back to life. Living with guilt won’t bring back your sister, either. Give yourself permission to be happy.”
Just as she finished, we heard the ladies coming out of the house, carrying glasses of lemonade.
As I stood up, I gave Angel a kiss on the top of her head. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
She smiled up at me with a confident look. “I know. Most people don’t realize we need a swift kick in the rear once in a while. Good thing you have me, huh?” She winked.
I looked at the time on my cell and knew I’d be stuck in traffic, but it didn’t matter. What was important was the here and now. Reaching for the offered lemonade, my fingers brushed against Andie’s and my heartbeat quickened. Leaving her was going to tear me apart. I took a swallow of the cold liquid, feeling the relief coat my throat.
It was time to go, if I waited any longer I would never take the test. Finishing my drink, I handed my glass back to Andie. “Well ladies, I hate to do this, but I need to hit the road.”
Aurora bent down to put her and Angel's glasses on the step, Andie did the same. “Angel, we need to be heading out.” She looked at Andie and inquired, “If you need some company, come on over.” She gave Andie a quick hug before coming over to me. “You have a safe trip and make sure you get your butt back here before too long, you hear me?” She patted my chest before pulling me into a hug.
Tightening my hold on her, I asked, “You’ll check in on Andie, right? Kyle has my number if you need to reach me.”
Stepping away, she gave me an affirmative nod.
I took the few steps over to Angel and squatted down again. “Thank you, you made a lot of sense and I’m going to think about what you said. Make sure you stay out of trouble.” I smiled and started to stand up when I realized she had opened her arms for a hug. Leaning in, I wrapped my arms around her shoulders.
After I took my place by Andie, we watched them get in their car and waved as they drove off. Looking at Andie, I felt her pulling away again so I lifted her up into my arms and spun us around.
“What’re you doing?” she yelled as she slapped my arm and kicked her legs in the air.
Carrying her over to the hood of my car, I sat her down. “I need you to listen to me. I don’t want to leave you, but this is my last chance at this test. I need to go back and check on my nephew and brother, but that doesn’t mean they are the only people who are important to me. Do you hear me?”
Slowly, she reached her hand to my face and caressed my cheek. Leaning into her touch, I repeated, “I don’t want to leave you.”
Jumping off the hood, she grabbed my shirt, bringing me closer. Her lips were mere centimeters from mine when she whispered, “I know. I believe you.” Then she planted a kiss on my lips. The passion shared between us was raw and hungry as our tongues moved together with desperation.
I nibbled on her bottom lip, promising myse
lf I was going to see her again. She placed her forehead on my chest, and I rested my cheek on her hair.
With a muffled voice, she stated, “You need to leave. I’ll be okay, I promise.”
I kissed the spot I’d just rested my head on, before giving her one more peck on the lips and walking toward the driver’s side door. I still had her hand in mine and we stayed that way until the distance forced us to let go.
I felt like I was moving in slow motion once our connection was lost and got into my Jeep. Switching on the ignition, I put my seatbelt on and gripped the steering wheel. Glancing at the rear-view mirror, I saw Andie bend down and pick up Fritz. He rubbed his head under her chin as she wiped one of her eyes. I had to hand it to that furball, his timing was perfect.
Take care of her, little guy.
Stepping on the clutch and shifting into first gear, I drove away and wondered for the millionth time this week if chasing my dreams and living my life for other people was worth leaving my heart behind.
Chapter Eleven
Andie
It’d been five weeks since Blaine had left Hope Falls and, although I’d assumed my feelings for him would fade over time, they’d only gotten stronger. After all our daily phone calls, video chats and text messages, he’d clandestinely found his way deeper into my heart.
He loved to send me selfies whenever something funny was going on around him, most of which took place while he was at work. I may have let that monster of a beast, jealousy, take root the other day when he’d sent a selfie with a drop-dead gorgeous pharmaceutical rep talking to someone in the background. He’d told me how irritating Pamela was and had a grimace on his face, but just knowing she’d been the one who’d given him the infamous bath bomb bugged the hell out of me.
When I’d tried to play it off by teasing him about her, he’d sworn she was just trying to get on his good side to sell more pharmaceuticals, but I’m sure that woman had an ulterior motive. Most women didn’t buy men bath products for no reason.