HIM

by J. M. Elliott

  We drive up my dad's driveway, and I can see the sun still shining but getting ready to set behind his little farmhouse.

  "Do you want to stay for dinner, then maybe watch a movie?" I ask.

  "What you gonna cook for me?" Luke replies.

  "Spaghetti and meatballs!"

  "I can't say no to that," he smiles and puts his truck into the park.

  We make our way into the house. He excuses himself to the bathroom, and I head into the kitchen. I wash my hands then grab a pound of ground beef from the freezer. I plop it in the microwave to defrost. I grab a pot and pan from the cabinet and place them on the stove. I reach into the spice cabinet for a few seasonings, then walk to the pantry and look for some spaghetti noodles.

  While in the pantry, I can overhear Luke talking to someone while he's in the restroom. I tiptoe closer to the bathroom and bring my ear to the door. I wonder who he is talking to. I know it's impolite to eavesdrop, and I would like it if it were done to me, but my curiosity has gotten the better of me. I can hear Luke's muffled voice while he converses with whomever he's speaking to. I don't remember hearing his phone ring. He probably made the call.

  "It's none of your business what I do or who I do it with. I can be with whoever I want."

  I can hear him say in a deep angry voice. Is he talking to Jason? Maybe, its Ernie. Who is he talking to?

  "Yes, I do happen to like her. But like I said, it ain't any of your goddamn business. I'm not talking about this with you anymore. Bye!" he whispers rudely.

  I rush back to the kitchen, so he doesn't know that I was eavesdropping. Was he talking about me? He likes me. Well, I knew that already but who does he need to clarify it to? I take the beef out of the microwave and unwrap it as Luke walks into the kitchen.

  "Can I help you with anything?" he asks.

  He grabs my waist and kisses me on the cheek. He's quite chipper for just arguing with someone on the phone. I want to know who he was talking to. I'm sure if he wants me to know, he will tell me. Right? Well, I can't say no to his help, and I need a distraction.

  "Um... you can fill that pot with some water, please," I reply.

  Luke stands over me as we stir the meat into the sauce together, and he helps me make the salad and set the table. Cooking dinner with Luke in my father's kitchen is uncanny but unbelievably fun. We dish our plates and sit down to eat. I'm starving, and I am sure he is too since we did not eat lunch due to Jason's unruly antics. The sun is just setting, and it looks beautiful out the window of my father's dining room. I wish he were here to enjoy spaghetti with Luke and me. I would love to listen to them talk about classic cars and watch as my dad's face lights up when he'd talk about them. He loved cars and could talk about them for hours.

  "It looks delicious! We are an amazing team," Luke says as he takes a bite of his salad.

  "I have to agree with you there," I reply.

  We engage in everyday conversation as I assume an average couple that lives together would do. I've never lived with a guy beside my dad. I'm not saying that I want to live with Luke right now, but I imagine it would feel like this.

  “Are you going to the cabin this weekend?" Luke asks.

  "I'm planning on it, and my roommate, Ris, is coming from the city on Friday to come with," I reply.

  "Are you?"

  I know he is going, but after the fight with Jason today, he may not be. I hope he still plans to go, or my weekend will be so dull. Once Ris and Jason hit it off, they will be too busy fornicating all weekend to keep me company.

  "Yes, I need to help Gladys with her flowers, and I'm sure Ernie will need me for something. I can take you and your roommate, after work, if you want," he says softly, then shovels spaghetti into his mouth.

  "Great! I hate driving back from there after a weekend in the sun," I reply.

  "Thanks, just going to use me as your own personal chauffeur. I see how I rate!" he laughs.

  I laugh, not having anything witty to say back. So, I focus on finishing my meal. Luke finishes his, then we clean the table. Surprisingly, he helps me with the dishes. I may have to slap myself to make sure I see clearly. Could he be any more perfect? We sit down on the couch. I grab the remote and flip on the TV.

  "What would you like to watch?" I ask Luke.

  "Anything but reality TV," he replies.

  I flip through the channels. Luke slides closer to me, putting his arm around me, then grabs the blanket off the couch and places it over our laps. I stop at one of the Batman movies. We watch in silence for a while before Luke lifts me up and scoots me forward. He lays behind me, then pulls me down to lay in front of him, wraps his arm around my waist, and continues to watch the movie as he rests his chin on top of my head. I try to stay focused on the movie but cannot help how comfortable I feel lying here inside his body, wrapped in his arms. He is like a comfy blanket, and before I know it, I fall asleep.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  I wake, having to pee. I realize I am on the couch and still wrapped in Luke's arms. I gently slide my way out of his grip and tiptoe to the bathroom. I do my business and make my way back to Luke, who is still sound asleep. He looks so peaceful, I do not want to wake him, but the couch is so uncomfortable. We would be better off sleeping on a bed.

  I nudge his shoulder a few times before I can wake him.

  "Luke, LUKE!" I say, starting in a whisper, then rising to my normal voice.

  He startles awake and sits up on the couch, stretching his arms over his head as he looks around.

  "What time is it?" he groans.

  "It's two thirty-eight in the morning," I whisper.

  "Do you want to go up to my room. My bed is more comfortable than the couch."

  He nods, yes, and I grab his hand. I lead his sleepy ass up to my room. He plops face first down on my bed and is out like a light. I remove my pants and slide under the covers. I turn off my lamp and drift back to sleep.

  MY ALARM BUZZES LIKE A freight train at five-thirty, causing both of us to jump up in my bed. Luke removes his arm from around me as I reach over to silence my alarm. I want to lay back in bed with Luke all day, but I need to get ready for work. Not only me, we both need to get ready for work. His body is so warm, and I enjoy snuggling with him. I start to get out of my bed, but Luke pulls me into his chest.

  "Where do you think you are going?” he asks, then yawns.

  "To take a shower," I reply.

  “Lay here with me for a little longer," he demands as he wraps his body tightly around mine.

  I lay there, and it feels heavenly, my body tucked into his. He is holding me like he never wants to let me go. I back into him a little bit and can feel his morning wood against the small of my back. He begins to kiss the back of my neck lightly as he gently rubs himself on me. I cannot get enough of him. It's starting to get me a little excited, and don't want to be a killjoy, but I don't want to have an intimate moment with him right now. I feel gross, and I'm sure I have the worst morning breath ever from eating spaghetti and meatballs last night, then not brushing my teeth. I roll back a little toward him and look at him over my shoulder.

  "I have to shower now," I say, then pop out of bed and jog to the bathroom.

  I can hear him yelling for me to come back and cuddle him, but I ignore it. I close the bathroom door and turn on the shower. I slip my shirt, tank top, bra, and panties off, then grab my toothbrush and toothpaste before climbing into the shower. I brush my teeth then start to wash my hair and face. I close my eyes to wash the shampoo out of my hair then turn to the water to make sure all the soap is off my face. I open my eyes as I turn myself back around. I jump and scream as Luke peers in the shower while the rest of his body is behind the curtain. I quickly cover myself in embarrassment the best I can with only two hands

  How long has he been there? I put one hand over my lady bits and my arm across my breasts. I must have forgotten to lock the door before I came in here. He just saw me naked.

  A huge smile stretches across Luke'
s face as he says, "I'd join you, but I don't have clean clothes to change in."

  I stand here frozen, unable to collect any thoughts to reply to his comment. I was not ready for him to see me naked yet. I'm so self-conscious about my body. I don't like it. I am sure my face is eight shades of red right now. He could have given me a warning of some sort, something, anything other than just popping his head in here like that.

  "I am going to head out, and I will see you at work. Turtle!" he winks with a gorgeous smile then closes the shower curtain.

  I drop my hands from my body and sigh as I look toward the ceiling. Completely Embarrassed. Then the other end of the shower curtain flings open, and I scurry to cover myself again.

  "You look very sexy naked and wet, by the way," he says with the biggest shit grin on his face.

  I give him a blank stare as I am about ready to cry in humility. He grabs my arm, pulling me towards him and kisses me on the side of my head then shuts the curtain. I listen to him walk out of the bathroom and close the door behind him. I stick my head out to make sure he's not still in the bathroom. I quickly step out, run to the door, lock it, then run back into the shower. Holy shit balls, he saw me fucking naked, and we haven't even had sex yet. He should've just come in here and had his way with me instead of teasing me and making me feel super insecure about my body. I'm so embarrassed. But he thinks I am sexy naked.

  I shut the water off and step out of the shower. I dry myself and clean the water from all over the floor. I unlock the door and head to my room. Still wrapped in a towel, I search through my suitcase for some panties and a bra. Time to get over myself and get dressed! I head back to the bathroom to blow dry my hair. I straighten it and throw it back in a braid. I put on some light makeup.

  I check the time on my phone, and it's a little after seven. I notice I have a few messages to look over, but I will do that later. I walk into the kitchen to grab myself something to eat. I can hear voices coming from the TV. I thought I shut that off this morning. I walk into the living room and have the shit scared out of me once again when I see Luke sitting there.

  "What are you doing here?" I ask as my heart is beating out of my chest.

  "I thought you were going home to shower and change for work."

  "I did, then I came back," he replies, smiling while focused on what he is watching.

  "Your car is at the shop; I came to give you a ride," he states as he looks over at me.

  I completely forgot I had left my car at the shop when we left after his altercation with Jason at lunch yesterday.

  "Oh, yea," I say.

  I turn to head back into the kitchen, still embarrassed over the fact he saw me naked not too long ago.

  "Do you want anything to eat?" I yell as I am bent over in front of the fridge, fishing out a pear from the crisper.

  "I'm good," Luke says.

  He grabs my hips while standing behind me. I turn around, and he closes the door to the fridge then pushes me up against it. His hands still on my hips. I look up into his dreamy eyes. He bends his head down towards my face.

  "I can't stop thinking about your naked body," he whispers in my ear.

  He gently kisses my neck, and I instantly feel goosebumps travel up my body. He runs his lips up my neck, kissing my jaw, then the corner of my mouth. I drop the pear from my hand and bring my hands up to his hips. His hands cup me behind my head, and he looks into my eyes then down to my lips. I bite the side of my lower lip, and he presses his lips against mine. Our mouths open, and we engage in a deep passionate kiss. Luke bends down and grabs me under my ass, lifting me on to his waist. He spins us around and walks back to the counter then sets me down on it. We begin to kiss more aggressively as I wrap my legs tighter around him. Luke's hand travels under my shirt and up my ribcage, then underneath my bra. I let out a small moan in his mouth as I drop my head back while he lightly squeezes my breast. He begins to kiss my neck under my chin. I let out another tiny moan.

  Luke's phone rings and our moment is interrupted.

  He fidgets for the silence button while still kissing my neck, and his hand firmly attached to my breast. I release my grip from around him while pushing him away from me, then removing his hand from my breast.

  "We should get going before we're late for work," I say, smiling as I adjust my girls and fix my shirt.

  Out of breath and adjusting himself, Luke pulls his phone out of his pocket.

  "It's Ernie, and it's seven-fifty," he says as he swipes his screen to take the call on his phone.

  He walks out of the kitchen to the entryway to get his boots on. I can hear him telling Erie he's on his way and that he had to stop to pick me up first. I grab my pear off the floor, wash it quickly, then head to the door to put on my boots. Luke opens the door for me, I grab my purse, and we head for his truck.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The first half of work goes by quickly as I plan to get most of my father's office cleaned today to start designing a new one. His office is big enough to provide enough room for two or three people in it. I have not designed something in over a week, being away from work, which will be fun for me. I'm excited to do a little remodeling of my own.

  I've been so busy cleaning, organizing, and filing that I haven't thought about what happened between Luke and me this morning at my house, how embarrassed I was, or the fact he had stayed the night. It's almost lunchtime, and I will be reminded as soon as I see him, I'm sure.

  I leave my father's office to go find a small ladder or step stool to take the trophies down from the shelves to clean them and pack them away until I need them again later. I notice Maureen and Gladys are not in her office. I make my way to the supply closet, grab a small ladder, then head back to my dad's office. I get back, and Jason is standing there with his arms crossed.

  "Hey," I say as I walk through the door.

  I have a strong feeling this will turn out to be an awkward conversation. What happened yesterday between him and Luke over me was a little over the top.

  "We need to talk," Jason says with anger displayed across his face.

  "I'm not in the mood to discuss Luke with you today," I reply.

  I walk past him and unfold the ladder underneath the trophy shelves. I do not want to deal with another crazy day like I did yesterday at Mary's Cafe. I don't care to hear what he has to say about the situation, either.

  "Are you two sleeping together? Are you guys dating or something?" Jason demands.

  Where he thinks he has any right to ask me these questions is beyond me. I understand he cares about me. But seriously, what in the fuck!

  "Jay, it's none of your business what I do with Luke, or anyone for that matter," I snap back at him.

  "He's—"

  I interrupt him before he can go off on his rant over Luke.

  "He's a bad guy blah blah blah. All because you caught your slut of a girlfriend trying to fuck him. But you didn't catch them in the act or even catch Luke in the goddam room while she was passed out in his bed," I scream.

  I just had to let it out. Enough is enough. This issue between them is so childish and not my fucking problem; it's theirs. Fury vibrating my very being, I glance at Jason. He looks at me as if I just took away his beer. I stand there with my hand on my hip, irritated and pissed.

  "He's not good enough for you, Ali," he yells.

  Did he seriously just go there? Anger ripping through me like a vortex of rage. I'm ready to snap. He is about to get a piece of my mind.

  "Who's good enough for me then, Jay? You?" I scowl.

  "No one has ever been good enough for me when it comes to you. You can't control who I like, date, or fuck. Stop ruining shit for me, please," I sneer.

  Jason's face turns white as he looks at the floor, defeated and hurt by my harsh verbal rant. But it's true. All through school, he prevented me from going on lots of dates and guys liking me. We are adults now, and he can't control what I do or who I do it with. It's not fair to me or anyone who wants to be with
me, including Luke.

  Speaking of Luke, he walks through the door.

  "What's going on?" he asks as he looks at Jason then over at me.

  "He's going to hurt you, Ali," Jason says, then walks past Luke stopping for a moment to glare at him.

  They both stand tall and puff their chests up as they stare at each other. I roll my eyes over the annoying, childish banter. Jason looks back at me and leaves my father's office. Luke watches him go, then walks over to me and wraps his arms around me.

  "You okay?" he asks.

  "I'm fine. Sick of his shit. He won't come after you anymore," I say while I lean my head into his chest.

  "You want to talk about it?"

  I shake my head as I nuzzle more into his chest

  "Hungry?" he says.

  "I am always hungry," I reply with a giggle.

  He whips out some sandwiches that I assume he made for us when he went home this morning—equipped with string cheese, some crackers, cookies, and juice pouches. Damn, he got all them snack time favorites. He sits down at my dad's desk, and I sit on his lap. We watch silly YouTube videos as we eat our fabulous lunches.

  THE SECOND HALF OF WORK goes by just as fast as the morning half did. I have my dad's office almost completely under order. A few areas need some love yet, but at least I took care of all the paperwork that was scattered everywhere, and now you can see his brown leather couch again. That thing is hideous, and I know why he had it covered. My dad was no dummy! He made an ugly couch look less hideous!

  Gladys comes in to tell me that she is heading home and won't be in tomorrow because she will be packing up for the cabin. She says that Ernie and Jason will only be working in the morning and would then be leaving for the cabin. I told her I'd be there about dinner time with Luke and my friend Ris. She seems happy to hear that I am bringing a friend. She mentions that they are taking their motorhome so us kids could have the cabin to ourselves at night.

  Oh boy. I cannot believe she and Ernie trust us to have the cabin to ourselves. I will take my dad's room, and I'm sure Jason will take his parent's. Austin and the rest can share our loft that has a few sets of bunk beds. I wonder where Luke will sleep, I want him to sleep with me, but if Ris does, I don't know where he will go.