Tag You're Mine

by Catherine Charles

  “Hey!” he screeches as I hold a finger to my lips and wave at him to keep his voice low.

  “Sorry,” I whisper back while trying to contain my giggles.

  “Honey, is everything okay in there?”

  “Yea, Mrs. D. We’re good. Be out in a couple of minutes.”

  My eyes go wide as I shoot him a look of horror. “Are you seriously trying to get yourself killed right now? You made certain my mother knew you were in my bedroom.” I now realize he’s only in boxers as he’s standing next to my bed. His defined six-pack and muscular shoulders make it hard to pull my eyes away from him. I should be embarrassed while practically drooling over him, but I can't tear my eyes away.

  He doesn’t stop to think about the repercussions of his actions, he climbs back in bed as if it were no big deal and sits next to me. “Relax Pres. She knew last night when I walked past both our mothers and came straight in here and closed the door. They kept quiet. They knew what we both needed, and honestly, they’re not as scary as you think.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Oh—and I’ve seen you naked. Damn, I’m a lucky man.”

  “You’ve what?” my voice is shrill and squeaky as I choke on a large breath of air. I cough.

  “Relax. Nothing happened unless you want to call almost killing yourself, nothing.”

  I stare at him, trying to recount the events from yesterday. His tone is casual as if he were talking about going to the grocery store or some other mundane activity.

  “After you told me you loved me, thanks, by the way, you foolishly rode off in the snow, and judging by the gash on your head, you must have hit your head on something. Anyway, Gramps and I went out looking for you, and I found you lying in a stream, soaking wet. Luckily you were close to a cave Marcus and I used to play in, so I took you in there to get out of the snow and wind.”

  I stare at him wholly dumbfounded and completely mortified as bits of my memory come back to me. I told him I loved him, and he just said thank you. Graduation cannot come fast enough so I can get out of this small town.

  “I wish you would have let me go. I’m sorry I said that,” my voice cracks as I fight to hold back the tears, rolling away from him to hide my self-consciousness.

  “Presley,” he pulls me back over to him, my back flat on the mattress before rolling himself on top me. Brushing away a few strands of hair from my face, his fingers wipe away the tears sliding down my cheeks. “Look at me, Presley.” His voice is tender and soft, and I am a willing victim to its hypnotic tenor. “Presley, what kind of man would I be if I let you die of hypothermia before I got a chance to tell you how much I love you too.” His eyes are steadfast, his smile is pure as my heart races with his.

  “You do?”

  “With all my heart.” His lips sweep over mine in an intoxicating kiss. I commit this moment to memory as I completely drown into him. Each peck, each sip leaves me breathless. I don’t want to face the harsh reality we’ll soon be thrust into, and as if I have no control over my mind or my mouth, I ruin the quite with fear.

  “But what about after high school? I can't sit back and watch as other girls throw themselves at you, Robert, and I can't ask you to come with me to South Carolina.”

  “We’ll worry about it when the time comes.”

  “I’m not really a sit back and wait kinda girl, Robert. I’ve fallen for you, hard, and the idea of saying goodbye to you is terrifying.”

  “Don’t say goodbye then Pres. I know you want a definitive answer, but I can’t give it to you right now. Just say you’ll be there, and we’ll take it one day at a time. Yes, I want Ole Miss, but they haven’t even sent a scout out yet. At the end of the day, my only deciding factor is who offers me the largest scholarship. I need money.” He kisses my nose a final time before rolling out of bed taking his warmth with him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Hey, Coach. Gotta second?”

  Coach looks up from his desk and waves me in. “Hey, Brice. What can I do for you? I heard you were quite the hero over break.”

  “Oh, umm, yea. Right place at the right time, I guess. But I wanted to talk to you about Ole Miss.”

  Coach quickly stops me. “I’m sorry, Brice, but you know how strict I have to be with the scouts.”

  “Yeah, I know, and I get it but, it’s— well—they haven’t sent anyone out yet, and I have to be prepared maybe they won't. I think I need to open up my list of colleges I’d be willing to play for.”

  He sits back in his chair “Alright. So, who do you want me to put on your roster?”

  “South Carolina University.”

  He raises his eyebrows at my decision, and leans forward again, his fingers grazing the keyboard in front of him before he settles back in his chair. “This wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with a certain girl now, would it? I know how set you’ve been on Ole Miss.”

  “Maybe it does, and maybe it doesn’t, but I know they’ve sent four scouts out. It would be a shame not give them a chance. You know what I’m saying?”

  He grins and nods his head. “Yea, son, I think I do. I’ve got them added to your list already and will send out the appropriate email update.”

  I nod my thanks and head to the choir hall so I can take Presley home.

  Most of the students have already cleared out of the building, leaving only a few remaining voices to echo through the hallways. Olivia’s voice is, of course, one of the louder ones as she lets off a little squeal.

  “So tell me EVERYTHING. Don’t leave a single detail out.”

  “I don’t really remember much, Liv, just what Brice has told me.”

  I like that she only calls me Robert when it’s just the two of us tucked away at home, like a private little secret we share.

  “You could have died out there. Weren’t you scared?”

  Sneaking up behind her, I wrap my arms tightly around her waist, resting my chin on her shoulder as she angles her head, giving me perfect access to place a kiss on her cheek.

  “But she didn’t,” I respond back to Liv’s statement. Presley’s radiant smile takes my breath away as she nuzzles into me before kissing me back.

  “My knight in shining armor,” she beams proudly.

  “Hell no! Armor is too damn cold. We would’ve both been dead. I’ll take knight in Carhart instead.” The three of us laugh, and Liv speaks up again.

  “I can't. You guys are seriously the cutest! Total relationship goals right here.” She sighs through her smile.

  “What about you and Trey?” Presley asks. I don’t know why I’ve never thought of them together before. Trey has always had a thing for Olivia but has never done anything about it.

  “I don’t know. He’s cute and all, but high school boys are so dumb.”

  I pretend to take offense to what she’s said, but in reality, we really are.

  “Brice, you’re the exception, though. You’ve got a good one, Presley. However, maybe it’s because you didn’t know him in his younger days. I’m sure you would be rethinking this relationship if you had known him just a few years ago.”

  Presley and I look at each other unobserved, her cheeks turning a slight shade of pink, her tell, when she’s trying to hide something. I love how she reveals more and more of herself to me with each passing day.

  But I do feel bad for Trey and feel it’s my duty as a friend to stick up for him. “Give him a chance Liv. You never know what’ll happen. I know he really likes you.”

  Liv rolls her eyes as if she doesn’t care, but I’ve known her long enough to know her tells as well. She cast her eyes down to the ground, and a smile pulls the corners of her mouth.

  “Ehhh.” Typical Liv.

  “Oh, I know! Double date!” Presley is overly excited as she looks at me. Good girl, Pres.

  “I guess it wouldn’t be the end of the world, but I’ll only go if he asks. I’m not doing this setup type thing where we both show up and surprise,” she throws her hands up to frame her face while wiggl
ing her fingers, “I’m your date. But speaking of dates, which one of you asked the other out?”

  She looks back and forth between the two of us, and it occurs to me I’ve never actually taken Presley out. It kinda happened organically, and we usually end up spending our time together on the ranch.

  “I’ll talk to him tomorrow at practice, Liv. I’ll get him to ask you out.”

  She smiles, nervously.

  “It’ll be fine, Livie Lou.” I smile because I know how much she hates my nickname for her.

  “Brice Lucas! How many times have I told you not to call me that! I laugh as she chases after me, hand held high as if she’s waiting for the right opportunity to swing at me. Presley stands off to the side, watching us, and soon I put my hands up in surrender.

  “You ready babe?” She gives me her cutely bashful smile and places her hand in mine.

  “Always. See you tomorrow, Liv.”

  *****

  Brice is coming out of Coach’s office as I’m rounding the corner of the athletics’ hallway. I have absolutely no reason to be down here, so I quickly duck into an open door and plaster myself against the wall. He’s whistling, and it causes my blood to boil. Brice was supposed to be mine before little miss pure and innocent showed up and twisted him so tightly around her little finger; I’m surprised she still has any circulation in it.

  “Heather?” The sound of my name scares the bejesus out of me, sending my racing heart into my throat, my hands flying to my chest to hold my body together.

  “Jesus Christ, Marcus! What the hell are you doing here?”

  “I could ask you the same thing.” He raises his eyebrows at me as I shove him out of the doorway.

  I follow Brice down the hallway, stopping to keep myself hidden behind a corner, but still close enough to hear everything they’re saying. Occasionally peering around the corner, I watch him wrap his arms around little miss damsel in distress and look at her like she’s the greatest thing since sliced bread.

  “I still don’t see what makes her so perfect?”

  Marcus is peering over my shoulder. “Who? Presley? I like her. She’s sweet and genuine, unlike some people I know.”

  “Shut up, Marcus!”

  “Geeze, jealous much?”

  “It’s senior year. Brice was supposed to be with me. We were supposed to be the couple, high school royalty. Cheerleader and baseball captain. I mean, helloo.”

  “You do know it’s more like cheerleader and quarterback, right.” He elbows me in the side as I roll my eyes.

  “The little skank shows up out of the blue, and suddenly Brice is falling all over himself for her. I heard him tell Coach to add South Carolina to his list. All I know is, if she thinks she’s gonna take my man, she’s dead wrong.”

  “First off, it was smart of him to add South Carolina, Ole Miss hasn’t sent any scouts yet, and second, you do know he was never yours to begin with. Leave Presley alone, Heather. You getting involved will not end well. And if you’re honestly wondering what makes her so perfect in the eyes of any guy on campus, do I need to remind you she showed up to homecoming in full camo and drives a classic truck? Ain’t nothin’ hotter than that, darlin’, besides, she’s low maintenance. Maybe you should try it sometime.”

  *****

  We get home from school, dropping our backpacks on the kitchen table, Robert opens up the fridge looking for something to eat before closing the door in defeat.

  “So, when does your mom get home?”

  “In about an hour.” He stops his hunt for food and grins at me with a devilish smirk, one that says he is a hundred percent up to no good.

  “Don’t. Even. Think. About. It.”

  “Think about what?” He waggles his eyebrows at me, moving slowly towards me as I begin to back away from him. He’s a predator stalking his prey.

  “Robert,” I muster out in between spurts of giggles.

  “Yes?” his eyes darken as he continues with his advances.

  “Don’t you dare.” I’ve made my way into the living room; the couch is the only thing separating me from this demon-filled man.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about Presley. All. I. Want. To. Do. Is. Snuggle. You.” His smile widens, overtaking his face as he hops over the back of the couch, and I sprint off through the house, looking for anywhere safe.

  First through the kitchen and then back through the living room. Attempting to keep large pieces of furniture in between us, but it isn’t long before he hurdles over the coffee table straight for me. At the same time, I abruptly turn and head down the hall and out through the back door, laughing at our behavior and attempting to catch my breath.

  “Get back here! You know it’s only a matter of time before I catch you.” The snow is deep, causing me to high step through it to move forward. Robert’s arm snakes around my waist as he tackles me to the ground, landing in a pile of fresh powder.

  Our breaths are heavy, we’re panting, and still in a fit of laughter. “Why—do you—have to keep—running away—from me? You know—I’m always gonna follow you.”

  Looking at him, he’s lying on his back, his head is turned towards mine, faces inches away from each other, he lifts a hand to tuck a hair behind my ear. He’s about to kiss me, and I’m already breathless, panting against the cold, but yet on fire at the same time.

  “What the hell are you two kids doing out here?”

  He stops his advances, looking at the back door and giving a little wave, rolling back against the snow in defeat. “Sorry, Momma.” He stands up and holds out his hand for me to take.

  “Momma?” Confusion wipes away any playfulness. “Since when did you start calling her momma?” I notice my mother smiling at us as she holds the door open.

  “Honey, he saved your life. He can call me whatever he wants to call me.”

  He’s grinning larger than the Cheshire cat, and I roll my eyes.

  “See,” he says before sticking out his tongue at me.

  “You’re such a child.”

  “Maybe, but I’m your man-child now,” he says before throwing me over his shoulder; my mom smacks my butt.

  “Mom!”

  “Sorry, dear. But you have such a cute butt.” I hear the smile in her voice as I push myself up against his back, only to see her turn and walk back into the kitchen.

  “You really do, Princess. It’s one of my favorite things about you.” I feel a sudden pinch and look back at him as he bites my derriere.

  “Will you stop it,” I say swatting at him, but he gives me his permanently goofy smile.

  “Y’all go study. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “And leave the door open!” Her voice trails down the hall, and Robert readjusts me on his shoulder.

  “Always, Mrs. D.” Setting me down on the floor, he kisses me quickly on the nose and heads back out to get our backpacks.

  Hours later, after Robert has gone home for the night and the dishes have all been cleaned up from dinner, I’m sitting in the living room with Mom watching TV before bed, and it hits me how perfectly head over heels in love I am with this man. Something changed in Robert out in the woods, he’s no longer a boy. Granted, he still acts like it from time to time, but then again, so does my Gramps and he’s sixty-five. Robert would do anything to make me happy.

  “Hey, Momma?” I love the way he feels so comfortable calling her that. It makes my heart smile.

  “Yea?”

  “What if I didn’t go to South Carolina?”

  She turns down the television and directs her attention to me. “Really? Does this have anything to do with Robert? South Carolina’s been your dream school forever. I don’t know if I’ve even heard you talk about another school.”

  “I’m not saying I’m giving it up, but maybe I should apply to Ole Miss too. You know, as a backup.”

  “If that’s what you want, dear. I still think both those schools are too far away. I would love it if you
stayed here and went to school in the city, but I know you want to spread your wings.”

  “Thank you, Momma.”

  She returns the volume to normal, and a couple of minutes pass by.

  “You love him, don’t you?”

  I can't keep a smile from spreading across my face as I say “Yea. I really do.” It feels so good to tell her how I feel about him.

  “He loves you too, honey. It’s crystal clear, you’re it for each other.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  One final, is the only thing standing between me and Christmas break. One final, that can make or break my GPA and sending four years of hard work spiraling down the drain if I lose my valedictorian placement.

  Robert walks me to class and stops me before I go in. His hands rest firmly on my shoulders as my gaze shifts back and forth between his eyes and the open door leading into my Algebra 2 class. “Hey. It’s gonna be fine. You’ve got this.” He squeezes my shoulders before pulling me into a tight embrace, his lips lingering on my forehead, as I take a deep breath.

  “But what if I forget everything?”

  “Presley, you haven’t gotten below a B on any test you’ve taken all semester. You’ve got this.”

  Leaning into him for additional courage, I take one more deep breath. “I must have had a really great tutor then.”

  He smiles and places a quick kiss on my lips before turning me around and smacking me on the butt. “Go get ‘em, tiger. I’ll be right here when you get done.”

  I laugh as I walk into my last class. Ninety minutes and then I’m free.

  *****

  One hour is all the time I have to get into town and pick up Presley’s Christmas gift, get it hidden, and then get back to school. I’m really hoping she doesn’t freak out when I give it to her. I spoke with Mrs. D, and she had said it was fine, and she was actually a bit jealous. She had always wanted a gift like this.

  As I make the last turn, I see a sign at the end of the driveway, Puppies for Sale. I turn in and get out of my truck; a too bubbly blond bounds down the front steps.