by Laura Pavlov
“Because I know Mama doesn’t want me to go there, and even though I’m mad at her, I don’t want to hurt her. I just need some time to figure it all out.”
“You’re a much more thoughtful person than me. Always have been.” Clem pushed to her feet and hugged me before leaving my room.
I pulled up my account on the TU portal and stared at the box asking me for a decision. I had a little more time. And I hoped Mama would come around before then. It would sure be nice to have her blessing when I pressed that button. I declined the other schools aside from State and TU. I wasn’t ready to crush her just yet.
But at least I knew where I wanted to go. And that was progress.
I drove out to the lake to meet Jett after school and parked beside his motorcycle. I had the top to my car down. The weather was finally warming up, and I loved the feel of the breeze blowing all around me. When I stepped out of my car, I saw pink flower petals on the path that led down to the water and I held my hand to my chest. I bent down to pick up one of the petals and recognized that it was a peony petal right away. My favorite. He knew it. He knew me. Better than anyone. I’d shared things with Jett that I’d never told anyone. Things about my family, my dreams for the future, my fears of not making everyone I loved happy. He listened. He held me. And we loved each other a little more each time we shared a different piece of our hearts with the other.
I followed the petals down to the hammock where he sat holding a bouquet of peonies. My short white eyelet dress was flowing in the breeze, and my favorite cowboy booties kicked up dirt as I made my way to him.
“You know those petals are from this bouquet and Violet would be none too happy that I ripped them off of three of her flowers to make that path.”
I laughed. “It’s perfect. I won’t tell her, I promise.”
He handed me the bouquet when I dropped down to sit beside him, and I held them up to my nose and breathed them in.
“So. How does one ask a writer to prom?” he asked, and his tongue swiped out to wet his bottom lip and it took all I had not to climb in his lap and kiss him. It was getting more challenging to not take things further. I wanted him in a way I’d never experienced. I’d never had physical needs before Jett. Sure, in the past I’d felt like it was something I was supposed to eventually do when I’d thought about taking things further with Alec. But now… it was something I wanted to do. Something I dreamed about and thought about all the time. There was a fire burning so strong in me, that I’d never felt before. And I loved that he wanted to make sure I was ready. I most definitely was ready.
“Hmmm… great question. What did you come up with?”
“Words. They’re your thing.” He laughed and handed me the Willow Springs newspaper. “Search the want ads.”
I flipped through the paper frantically, my heart racing as I did so. Because I loved the newspaper. I read it every morning before school with my dad and he knew that, but I’d never paid much attention to the want ads. And there it was.
Ace, Will you go to prom with me? I love you, Jett
My breath caught in my throat, and a tear rolled down my cheek. This was quite possibly the most thoughtful thing anyone had ever done for me. From the flowers, to the newspaper—this boy just got me. He took the time to think about what I’d want, and that wasn’t a common occurrence in my life before him.
“Oh my gosh. This is so sweet. Yes, of course I’ll go with you,” I whispered because my emotions were making it difficult to speak.
“Eh, eh, eh… not so fast.” He set the paper on the hammock and reached for my hand. I followed him down to the water pausing when I saw the rock display. The words YES and NO were spelled out in rocks right near the water. This took some time, and he’d done it for me. The water lapped against the shore, making one of my most favorite sounds in the world. Cypress trees surrounded us, and I took in the little white buds that had popped up all over the dark bark as the fresh scent of sage and lemon flooded my senses. I loved Texas in the spring.
I covered my mouth with my hands and shook my head. “I love this.”
“So, I know you like rules. The rule is… you have to skip the rocks that hold your answer. And I sure as fuck hope it’s yes because it took me forever to get the rocks straight.” He laughed and so did I.
“Let’s do this, Jett Stone.” I leaned down and picked up the first rock at the top of the Y and skimmed it across the water with absolute precision. Just like he’d taught me.
He wrapped his arms around me and engulfed my small hand in his, skimming the next one together.
Because everything was better when I was with this boy.
We hung out at the lake until the sun disappeared behind the clouds and I kissed him goodbye. When I got home, dinner was ready, and I washed up before joining my family at the table.
We’d just finished eating and I’d shared how Jett had asked me to prom. Clem collapsed on the floor after falling from her seat in dramatic Clem fashion. We all laughed.
“That boy is something else. I need to get me my own Jett Stone someday,” she said, returning to her seat.
“There’s no rush,” Mama said.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Jett
I’d been working for Wren for a few weeks and the pay was decent. But the perks were the best part. Wren loaned me his 1965 vintage Mustang to drive Adelaide to prom. It was black and sleek, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say I felt like a badass when I got behind the wheel. The dude had stepped up for me, offering me a job and insisting I take his car tonight.
Addy had told her mom that she was sleeping at Coco’s with all the girls after prom, but she and I were going to camp out down by the water when we left the after-party. The thought of spending the night with her had my adrenaline pumping, and my dick was on high alert. She was ready, and God knows I was ready. The timing felt right, but I wanted it to be special for her.
Shaw, Jax, Coco, Maura, Gigi, and Ivy had all helped me set up a little campsite down by the water at our private spot that was not so private anymore. Hell, it was fine. They all wanted to help. Gigi had brought a tent that we’d set up, and Coco contributed a bunch of battery-operated candles and lights for the tree beside the tent that she’d hooked up to a few remotes for me to use when we arrived. I hadn’t seen it lit up at night yet, as we’d gotten things together this morning, but seeing as she’d brought around forty large candles, and several strings of lights, I imagined it would light the place up once it was dark. Maura brought a speaker for me to play some music and Ivy had gathered some blankets and pillows from home. Shaw and Jax stood there like the dumb asses they were most of the time, but when the girls walked away Shaw handed me a box of condoms and Jax pulled out a bottle of Axe cologne.
“Nobody likes a smelly lover, Jett,” he’d said, and we’d had a good laugh.
It was a little odd that everyone seemed to know what we were planning to do, but to hell with it. They were just trying to make it special for us, and I didn’t give a shit as long as Adelaide was happy.
I pulled up to her house and made my way to the front door anxious to see my girl all dressed up. I’d grown close to Clem and Mr. Edington as he’d come down to the motor shop a few times when I was working, claiming he needed a tune-up on a brand-new car that clearly didn’t need any work. But he’d chat with me about school and football, always making plans to come to TU to see me play at a few games.
Adelaide still hadn’t decided where she was going to school, and she all but begged me to tell her what I thought she should do. To tell her it was okay to break her mother’s heart and go to the school that she wanted to. And as much as I knew that’s what she should do, I’d be damned if I’d be the one to say it. She had enough people in her life telling her what they wanted her to do. I wasn’t about to be that guy. She needed to start making decisions for herself. Decisions that made her happy.
/> “Looking fine per usual, Jett Stone,” Clem said when the door flew open. Her auburn hair was piled on top of her head, and a few freckles peppered her cheeks, making her look even younger than she was.
“Right back at you, Clem.” I stepped inside, just as her father came down the stairs.
“You look very sharp, son,” he said, and my chest squeezed. Something about a man I admired calling me son made me a little soft. And it didn’t hurt that he was the father of the girl I loved more than life itself. I pushed away the thought that I’d be breaking his trust by spending the night out by the lake with her. But Adelaide had come up with this idea. I’d gone along with it happily of course, but I wanted the ball to be in her court. I’d quickly come to learn that the ball was rarely in Adelaide’s court. It was time to rectify that.
“Thank you, sir.” I shook his hand and he pulled me in for a hug.
“You look very nice, Jett,” Adelaide’s mother said as she came down the stairs. “Addy will be right down.”
Her gaze locked with mine, and I saw something there. Guilt? Empathy? I wasn’t sure, but it was new. And it was different from the usual cold stare I’d always received from her.
“Thank you,” I said as I looked up to see my girl coming down the stairs. Her dark hair fell all around her shoulders in waves, and she wore a light pink fitted dress that hugged her curves just right. Thin straps kept the dress in place on her shoulders, and it ran all the way down to the floor. Her tanned skin sparkled, and her dark eyes locked with mine.
I knew in that moment if I didn’t spend the rest of my life with this girl, I’d never recover. She was everything that had been missing from my life, and now that I’d had a taste at happiness, I couldn’t imagine living without it.
“Wow,” I said under my breath, clearing my throat because I could feel her mother watching me. “You look gorgeous.”
“You don’t think the light pink is a little bland? It definitely wasn’t my pick,” her mother said, and everyone turned to look at her.
“I think it’s perfect.” Ellis shook his head and turned back to his daughter.
“I think it’s elegant and beautiful.” Clem’s smile spread clear across her face.
I chuckled just slightly before my gaze locked with Adelaide’s again. “The most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”
She smiled and walked right into my arms when she got to the bottom of the stairs. I didn’t care if her mom was standing right there, or that we had an audience. I just wanted to wrap my arms around her and keep her close.
“Thank you. Your mom and Gram are meeting us for pictures, right?”
“Yep. They were already on their way when I left to come here.” I grinned, and she interlaced her fingers with mine.
“You should drive with us to the photos, Addy. God knows you can’t ride on a motorcycle in that dress. It’ll be filthy,” her mother said.
“I have a car,” I said, trying to hide the irritation from my voice. Obviously, I wouldn’t pick her up on my bike when she was wearing a formal gown.
“Darn. I like the back of your bike.” Adelaide glared at her mother. She’d already known Wren had loaned me his car, but she was making a point to have my back just like she always did.
“All right, we’ll meet you over there,” her father said.
Adelaide bent down to grab her duffel bag for the sleepover she was supposed to be having at Coco’s and I took it from her hand and slipped it over my shoulder. And I didn’t miss the heat in her eyes when I did it.
“Oh my gosh. This is the car?” Clem shouted as they all followed us outside.
“Yep. It’s a loaner.”
“Very James Dean of you,” her sister said as she ran around the car to check it out.
“Why don’t you ride with us,” I said, winking at my girlfriend. I knew how important Clem was to her, and I didn’t mind having her tag along at all.
“Are you serious? I don’t have to ride over with the old folks?” She clapped her hands together and Adelaide giggled.
“We heard that,” her father said, and I waved before opening the back door for their youngest daughter and the front passenger door for Adelaide.
“Thank you,” my girl whispered in my ear and kissed my cheek.
The pictures seemed like they’d never end, but I didn’t even care. Adelaide never let go of my hand as we smiled and laughed and posed for endless photographs. We took several pictures with all of our friends, some in large groups, some in small groups, and some with just us. I was forced to let her go when she took a few photos with her best friends, and I smiled as I watched them hug and laugh and pose for different pictures. No wonder she loved this fucking town so much. She had so many good memories here. It surprised me when I realized that I did too. I looked around to see all the friendships I’d formed over the years. I caught my mom staring at me with watery eyes and I nodded. She’d sacrificed a lot to get me here, and I was damn well going to make her proud as I moved on to the next chapter.
“Hey Jett, do you mind if I get a photo with you and Addy? The Three Musketeers,” Sherman asked, and my fucking chest squeezed. I loved the dude. Never in a million years thought that would happen.
“Of course,” I said, pulling him in for a hug as his parents and his girlfriend, Sadie, laughed. We waited for Adelaide and the three of us posed for a few photos together.
“I’m happy for you two,” he said. “You guys have become the best friends I’ve ever had. And Addy, I hope you go to TU. Don’t sell yourself short. Get out of here for a little while and spread your wings.”
Damn. Who knew Sherman Saxe had such a way with words?
They were equal parts nasally and brilliant.
“Thank you, Sherman. It’s been an honor being pushed by you the past four years.”
“Right back at you. I plan on coming to at least one game next year to see you play, Jett.” He fist-bumped me.
“I’d be honored. Text me and let me know when you’re coming, and I’ll do what I can to get you a good seat for the game.”
“Sounds like a plan. See you guys at the dance. Will you be attending the after-party?” he asked.
Adelaide’s cheeks pinked, so she was obviously thinking about what we’d be doing after the party. “Yeah. We’re going to go for a little bit,” she said.
“Just for a little bit, Ace.” I winked, and she squeezed my hand. I couldn’t wait for her to see it all set up with the tent and the candles. And just to get to spend the whole night together. That’s how it would be if we went to the same college and fuck if I didn’t want that to happen, but I’d be dammed if I’d be just another person pushing my hopes on her. This was her choice, and I’d support her no matter what.
“I’ll meet you there,” Sherman said, pulling her in for a hug before turning to high five me.
“Jett, Addy,” a voice called, and I turned to find Lenny Balsalcki standing there. At our senior prom photos. What the hell?
“Lenny, hey. What are you doing here?” I asked as Adelaide rushed toward the crazy old man and hugged him.
“I heard you were down here taking pictures, and I was in the neighborhood. Thought I’d stop and get a photo of my two favorite young people. Heck. You just might be my two favorite people, period, seeing you’re the only ones I even like.”
He was in the neighborhood? Willow Springs was fairly small, so I guess you could be in the neighborhood of anything you wanted to attend. The dude had become a permanent fixture in my life. He stopped by the auto shop often for bullshit reasons, and Adelaide and I went to his shop for hot chocolate at least once a week.
I laughed. “You like a lot more people than you let on. Nice of you to come here, though. Are you going soft on me, Len?”
He rolled his eyes. “Not a chance. Although if you ask Dr. Peabody, he’ll tell you a different story. That
man finds every reason under the sun to run tests on me. Claiming my bones are brittle, my heart is weak, and my cholesterol’s high. That bloodsucking scoundrel is robbing me blind with his nonsense. Just a way to charge up my bill.”
Joseph Peabody was a doctor in town that I’d grown up with. Hell, the man was older than dirt and probably one of the nicest, most honest men in town.
Lenny held up a camera that looked like it was from another time period. “Okay, get together, you two. God knows I won’t be around forever. Hell, death’s been knocking on my front door for years. I don’t have all day.”
We laughed as he took a few pictures.
“Wait. Mama, can you take a picture of me, Jett, and Lenny?” Adelaide called out to her mother, who didn’t look pleased with the request.
“What? No. I don’t take pictures.” Lenny shifted on his feet.
I raised a brow and tried to hide my smirk. “Get in the photo, Len. We’re leaving for college soon, and we need a picture together.”
The old grump moved to the other side of Adelaide, putting her in the center. “Fine. But I’m not smiling.”
Adelaide’s head fell back in laughter, and I’m sure I was looking at her instead of the camera, but it was a photo I’d be taking with me to college nonetheless. The man had grown on me. Hell, this whole damn town had grown on me more and more this past year.
The party was packed, and a group of us had settled in the large backyard at Ty’s house. His parents had gone out of town, and their home was massive. The large yard had views of the lake, and brick pavers covered an oversized patio with a U-shaped sofa and a firepit. Large trees surrounded the patio, and white lights were strung over the sitting area. Music trickled through the speakers, and I sat with my arm around Adelaide, rubbing my hand up and down her arm. The temperature had dropped as the night sky blackened, and I hoped we wouldn’t be too cold out in the tent. I leaned forward and pulled off my suit coat and wrapped it over her shoulders.