More to This

by Tess Keeler

  ………………………………………………..

  They had only been apart for twelve hours, and he was already itching to be near her again. The clock on his phone read noon, and his only class got canceled. He wondered if she had any obligations that would prevent her from seeing him.

  I still didn’t get my jacket. How about I bring the new Thor movie over in exchange?

  Over the course of two weeks, she had texted him more quickly. He found himself constantly checking his phone, and he silently hoped she did the same—to check for him.

  Funny, were you distracted by something last time you were here? Playing the Marvel card, hm? Touché. I don’t have class today, so I don’t see what harm it would do to allow you to come over.

  Now?

  Henley looked over at the brand new DVD he had purchased for the occasion. Even if she didn’t allow him to come over, he was going to give it to her. But she was, and he was already standing to gather his things. She told him that she needed thirty minutes to shower, and he let her know that he would be there no sooner.

  He used the time to go to the store and pick up some snacks for them. He still didn’t know exactly what she liked, but decided to get a little bit of everything. In the white plastic bag, he had: strawberry flavored gummy candy, chocolate, salted kettle chips, and cheesy tortilla chips. He had two cokes in another bag. Hopefully, she enjoyed one of the items. With fifteen minutes left, he decided to ease his nerves a little with a cigarette. He threw his items on the passenger seat and leaned against his car, lighting one up.

  His social media accounts were flooded with half-naked drunk girls partying from the night before. He couldn’t believe how little he partook in college events since meeting Everly. The last party he had gone to was a week after he gave away his jacket, and it was the last time he had slept with anyone. The physical withdrawals were real, but he was willing to be patient for whatever was blossoming to pan out. He needed to know what would come of it, even if the possible pain became more frightening each day.

  The cigarette was tossed from his fingers, and he fell into his car and brought the engine to life. He gave himself just enough time for the drive, pulling up exactly when she had requested him to. After dropping the movie in his bags, he carried them up to her childhood home and knocked three times.

  Her wet hair only made her locks seem longer as she smiled, “What’s the password?”

  Henley drank in her long, pale legs and wished it was easier to deny how attracted he was to her. Her blue denim romper covered as much as her pajama shorts had, and she wore only a deep purple bralette beneath the top, loose portion. He wanted to physically shake his head at her. Did she realize what she was doing? She had to.

  “If Marvel isn’t the password, then I will just say that I have candy…” he faked a cheesy smile. “Please?”

  She stepped aside, “Because you brought candy and asked nicely, you may pass.”

  “Thank you,” he said, genuinely smiling as he walked past her, through the living room, and into the kitchen. “I didn’t know what you liked, so take whatever you want out of these.” He opened the bags so she could see everything he had brought for her.

  She was soon standing beside him, rummaging through the items. “I’ll take this,” she teased, pulling out the DVD. “And also these.” She held the strawberry candy and a coke in one arm, and the movie was in the other. She looked up at him, her eyes almost sparkling. “For future reference, I prefer cherry coke.”

  He chuckled and nodded his head, “Noted.” He wet his lips and thought about kissing her. She was close enough. All he would need to do was lean in… “Shall we start this movie?” he asked, grabbing the coke and salted chips for himself. He left the rest behind for later.

  “Let’s. Have you seen it yet?” She led him past the living room and up a flight of stairs, and he looked back at the somewhat familiar couch a little confused. She wouldn’t trust him in her room. Not yet, right? No one had ever been in his room—no one but Pierce.

  “I haven’t. I heard it was amazing, though. Have you seen it?” he asked, looking at younger versions of Everly lining the hallway.

  “Of course I have, silly.”

  They approached an open door that led to a queen-sized bed covered and surrounded by twinkling white lights. She had a mostly white bedspread and a pink comforter, all hidden beneath a sheer canopy hanging from the ceiling. A white nightstand held a small succulent and a few books. As he stepped through the doorway, he noticed a string of pictures on the left wall beside her bed. A lot of them were of her curly-haired best friend, but he could see other people too. Parents and family, maybe?

  He turned toward the wall he passed, noticing a full bookshelf next to the closet door, and a large TV between her closet door and bedroom door. There was simple artwork on the walls, and Henley enjoyed the delicacy of the appearance.

  “Your room… Wow.” Henley said, imagining how good his apartment would look if he put in half of the effort she had into it. Before she could respond to him, a small, fluffy, black and white cat rubbed against him and meowed. He bent forward and picked it up, immediately feeling its purr take over its tiny body. “Who is this?”

  “Her name’s Lyric.” Everly scratched the cats back. “She’s only eight weeks old.”

  “She’s gorgeous.” He wet his lips before continuing, “Much like you are.”

  Her chocolate brown eyes were waiting for him as he turned his head, holding the cat until she squirmed out of his grasp and onto the bed. He hissed as she scratched him, breaking their eye contact. The moment was gone, but he would have more opportunities. He felt better about the possibilities after the night before--their heated first kiss and all. Everly was already moving to put the movie in, completely unfazed by him. For now.

  He took a seat at the foot of her bed and kicked his oxford shoes off. He stretched out his brown pants and long-sleeved cream shirt. He had a red plaid shirt tied around his waist. She was wearing so little compared to him. As she approached him, he contemplated bringing her lack of clothing up.

  “Your attire is downright torture,” Henley half stated, half laughed.

  A look of disappointment washed over her features, and she sat down with a hmph. “I’m not an object. I wear what’s comfortable for me. If you can’t control yourself, you can leave.”

  Henley put his hands up in surrender before leaning back again, “I never said I couldn’t control myself. It’s a compliment, Ev.”

  “Not your best work, H.”

  Henley knew she was serious, but he smiled anyway, to ease the temporary friction. She wasn’t a play toy, and he needed to remember that.

  He grabbed his soda and unscrewed the top. The plastic cracking filled the temporary silence just before the menu loaded on her Xbox One. He loved the burn as the carbonation ate at his throat. Almost as much as he loved the nicotine that filled his lungs. Not that he was really in the mood for a cigarette. He didn’t crave one when she was preoccupying his time, over text or in person. Henley’s new addiction had irresistible long legs and kept him on his toes.

  He was done for.

  1

  More to This

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Everly

  Everly couldn’t figure out what exactly it was that she was doing with Henley. From what she had heard about him, he wasn’t typically the type to linger at all— the definition of a hit it and quit it type. But, for the past several weeks, all they had been doing was talking, bantering, kissing, and touching a lot. There was never a moment in time where she felt pressured to do anything. He was respectful and sweet, and it made her wonder what exactly he wanted out of this, especially when his past gave a much different possibility.

  Mason had a lot of questions, all the time. The biggest one was the one she couldn’t answer. It wasn’t all on Henley for the lack of clarity between them; she had been afraid of the commitment as well. Everly was determined to focus on her education and
future. Time after time, she saw so many people fall apart after a bad break up. Best way to not have that experience that was to avoid it entirely.

  Agreeing to accompany Mason on a photo shoot, she enjoyed the silly conversation between them as they drove to their destination. It was nice to not think about serious stuff sometimes.

  Her best friend was a photographer, and a damn good one at that. His name was fairly big on the Denver scene, and she couldn’t be prouder of him.

  They pulled up to the Flatirons, gathering all of his equipment as they left the car. Everly closed her eyes a second, taking a deep breath of the refreshing mountain air. Mason’s smooth voice brought her back to the moment.

  “’S okay if you like Henley, you know.”

  She felt her eyebrows pull down, and she looked at him with confusion on her face. “Where did that even come from?”

  Mason shrugged, putting his hand on his camera to stop it from bouncing as they walked. “You have this predisposition of refusing to be vulnerable. He’s cracking that, bit by bit. And I like him for it.”

  “You’re saying you approve?” The shock was evident on her face, and she shook her head to clear it. “I don’t need your approval to like Henley, you know.”

  “Aye, so you do really like him.”

  She pushed him a little, rolling her eyes as a smile pulled her lips up. “He’s not bad.”

  Mason scoffed at her, waving his hand to drop the subject. He pulled a cigarette from his front pocket and placed it between his lips, unlit.

  Everly heard someone call out to Mason before she could dispute it.

  “Darling, ‘ello,” he said, greeting her with both of his hands. Taking hers, he shook them gently. “It’s lovely to see you again.”

  It amazed her that he could talk with the stick in his mouth, but he did it, flawlessly.

  The tall blond was dressed in a leather mini dress, strap heavy combat boots, and torn fishnets. Her thin frame was evident, and Everly had seen her in some of Mason’s pictures before. One thing she appreciated about Mason was that he didn’t mix business and pleasure. She was certain it added to his success. It meant no complications to his career.

  Still, it didn’t stop him from being his naturally flirty self.

  “This is Everly, my best mate.” Mason held his hand out to present her to his subject, and the girl extended her arm.

  “I’m Izzy.”

  Everly smiled, withdrawing her hand and tucking both into her coat pocket. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Now that you’re introduced, let’s get to business,” Mason said, clapping his hands together and smiling at both of the girls.

  ———————

  Everly was practically home before her phone dinged with the expected message. 3:45pm, class was out. She looked down, smiling at his name as it covered her screen.

  Which superhero did you spend your day with?

  Her eyebrows lifted, and she let her thumbs respond as Mason drove.

  I don’t know if I’d consider Mason a superhero, but he’d probably enjoy the new title.

  Henley’s response was quick. It prompted a smile to form on her lips.

  I bet he would. What kind of trouble did you two get into?

  Trouble? Like getting piss drunk and making out with strangers? Lots.

  Unless you’re making out with Mason, I’ve got nothing to worry about.

  You? Worry? I didn’t know you were capable. ;)

  My false confidence does work then. ;)

  Sure, sure. What are you doing tonight?

  You. Hopefully.

  Shut your cute face, Henley. If you’re good, I might let you kiss me, though.

  When am I not good?

  Do you really want to open that can of worms?

  I have no idea what you’re talking about. Want to come see my place?

  I don’t know if I’m quite ready for that yet..

  I respect that. What’s on the agenda then?

  I’ve been itching to play Left 4 Dead. Wanna join me?

  Oh, definitely. I love that game.

  After agreeing to meet at her house in thirty minutes, Everly put her phone in her lap and looked at Mason.

  “So, hanging out with lover boy?” Mason wiggled his eyebrows playfully, and Everly rolled her eyes.

  “We’re playing video games,” she replied, resting her head against the seat behind her.

  Mason pursed his lips, tilting his head back and forth a few times. “Just like you were playing Legendary?”

  Everly playfully glared at her best friend, watching him direct his attention back on the road.

  “Mace, do you think it would freak Henley out if he was to find out that he was my first kiss?”

  Mason’s face was serious when he finally looked back at her. “Eve, if Henley was freaked out by anything, it would be how different his situation with you is.”

  Everly didn’t know how to respond. It was the first time that someone confirmed what she had been thinking. Just how different was she?

  —————

  “Awww!” Everly said as the zombie horde overpowered them. She sat the controller down and pushed her fingers into her thick, long locks as she looked over at Henley. He had his legs stretched out in front of him, and his back against her bed. Their thighs were almost touching as they sat side by side. As discreetly as possible, she took in his entirety and felt butterflies flutter in her stomach. “I need a break, I think.”

  He nodded in agreement and took the liberties of turning the console off. She was grateful, too. The sound of the zombies grated her nerves if she wasn’t playing.

  The length of his dark hair was hanging in his eyes when he looked up at her through it. She dragged the tip of her tongue over her lips as their gaze lingered. His light green eyes were almost blue, and she admired the way they changed color depending on his mood. The light array of freckles painted the bridge of his nose and onto his cheeks, and she felt her eyes connect all eleven beauty marks that also decorated his pale skin. Taking in a deep breath, she acted on impulse. Shifting, she adjusted just enough to press her lips to his, her long dark hair encasing them. She towered him slightly, due to their position, and she felt his hand move to her neck as his lips parted.

  Her heart always reacted like a battering ram inside her chest when they connected. It was unfamiliar but mostly pleasant. The more time she spent with Henley, the easier it got to let him in.

  Their kisses deepened, and he groaned in his throat. Everly moaned quietly in response, her tongue slipping into his mouth to taste him. His hands pulled her down on top of him, her legs moving to straddle him with the motion.

  Henley’s left hand rested against her right thigh, and it prompted her to break the kiss to allow them to catch their breaths. Hooded eyes met, keeping contact even as their chests heaved together. Everly let her hand move to tuck some hair behind her ear, before leaning down to nuzzle Henley’s nose slightly with hers.

  “There’s something I think I should tell you,” she breathed, her eyes flickering between his almost grey irises.

  “Right now?” He smirked, bringing his lips to her jaw and chin. She bit back her lip as she forced herself to not get distracted by his kisses on her skin.

  The sensations building in the pit of her stomach were hard to ignore, and his ability to derail her was effortless. The urge to just say it was dancing on her tongue. “How old were you when you got your first kiss?” The question seemed more fluid than the actual confession that was threatening to come out.

  Henley’s eyebrows raised as he pulled back to look at her. “Fifteen. What about you?” His response was quick, confident. She swallowed hard.

  “Nineteen,” she said, keeping her words steady but careful. Her eyes gauged his shifting expression.

  His eyes softened, a hint of confusion flickering through them. “Before me?”

  Here it was, the moment of situational vulnerability. He would know after that moment that she
gave him something she had held on to for a long time. That he was the first guy to ever get to her. For a fleeting second, she thought to lie; to tell him that it was before him. The admission might give him power she wasn’t sure she was ready for him to have.

  His eyes, though, told her it was okay. Whether he outwardly told her or not, she wanted to invest in him and try to trust him. He hadn’t done anything to her to make her believe she couldn’t tell him more about herself, regardless of his past.

  Taking a deep breath, she kept her eyes locked on his. “No.” Was all she managed to say, her face growing hot immediately upon the confession.

  “Wow,” he breathed, his eyes widened with something storming inside them that she couldn’t read. “I’m honored.” His breath staggered, his eyebrows resting low on his forehead. She could tell he was battling something internally, and she almost wished she could take it back.

  His voice drew her out of her own internal struggle. “I assume this means I’m good at it…” Henley’s face lit up a little, his smirk returning. “Since you’re still kissing me.”

  Rolling her eyes, she felt a smile spread over her lips. “You’re not bad.” Her eyebrows lifted playfully, and she felt the tension start to melt away as she came back to the moment.

  “I’m not too bad with my tongue either, if you want to find out.” His eyebrows pulled up his forehead, completely amused by himself.

  She groaned, feeling herself blush at the remark. “Shut up and kiss me.”

  1

  More to This

  CHAPTER SIX

  Henley

  Henley didn’t often show up to his work-study job as a student library assistant. It was just the type of guy he was—the fly by the seat of his pants type. It was easier being a disappointment when it was his goal. Pathetic and almost arrogantly, he showed up to the last scheduled shift of the semester. The librarian (a man in his late thirties who was always thrilled to help other students) looked more amused than annoyed, but he was given an obnoxious amount of books to shelve as punishment. He deserved it. If it weren’t for his father paying his and his brother’s rent as an incentive to go to college, he would’ve been on the streets or couch surfing.