I wake up in the morning, and my phone beeps with an incoming text. I jump out of bed and run to my dresser in hopes it might be Travis. I grab it and run back to the bed to flip it open.
Got any plans today?I want to see you again.
-T
I jump up and down in my bed and smooth the hair off my face before I reply.
Not really.
I press send and slap my forehead. Idiot. Not really. That’s the best you can come up with? I groan and fall back on my pillow. Hugging my cell to my chest, I close my eyes and remember everything that happened last night. My phone beeps again, and I almost drop it opening the screen.
Can I pick you up?
Shit, there’s no way. My dad will be watching me like a hawk. Plus, whenever someone comes to pick me up, he always walks me to the car and talks to my friends. He thinks he’s cool, and I guess he is, for a dad, but it’s kind of embarrassing.
I’ll drive to your place.
I rip through my suitcases and pull out a pair of shorts and tank top. I’ll have to tell my parents I’m hanging out with my friends again today. I hate lying to them, but it’s the only way.
I’ll be waiting.
Shit! I’ve gotta hurry. I jump in the shower and take extra time shaving. If Travis touches my legs again, I want them to be smooth. In less than half an hour, I run downstairs and grab a banana.
“Where are you off to so early?” Mom asks from the back porch. She and Dad are sitting on the back step with a cup of coffee. She’s leaning against him reading a book. It’s sickening how cute they are.
“Spending the day with some friends. I’ll probably be late again.”
“Eleven, young lady,” Dad chimes in.
“Come on. It’s summer vacation.” If I have to resort to begging again, I will.
“Fine, midnight. But I’ll be waiting, so don’t be late.”
“Thanks, Dad!” I give him a hug and Mom a kiss on the cheek. “Love you guys.”
When I get to Travis’, he’s leaning on his doorframe and pushes off when I round the corner. My steps falter for a minute because I realize he’s waiting for me. Me. The quiet girl that boys don’t look at. The one that can only fantasize about a guy like him but knows it could never be a reality.
His lips curve up in a sexy smile, and I jump into his arms and wrap my legs around his waist.
“Hi,” I say against his lips.
He grunts and squeezes my butt. “You have the nicest ass. Have I ever told you that?” He walks me back into his apartment and kicks the door shut.
“No. You haven’t.”
“Hmm. Well you do. It fits perfectly in my hands, see?” He palms and squeezes again.
“You’re such a perv,” I joke and kiss his lips before hopping down.
“What do you want to do today?”
“Whatever.” I shrug.
“Let me take you somewhere?” he asks, biting his lip, unsure. He makes me feel safe, so I don’t even ask where, but turn and walk out with him.
“Where are we?” He’s brought me to a place I’ve never seen before, off a main street and very secluded.
“You’ll see.” He parks the car and jogs around to my side.
We walk for a few minutes, and I’m in absolute astonishment of this place. It’s breathtaking. Trees taller than I’ve ever seen in my life surround us, and sun filters in through lush green leaves. Birds sing and crickets chirp, making me squeeze his hand tighter.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing,” I lie.
“What is it?” He laughs at me, practically glued to him.
“Well, when I said spiders were my biggest fear, I may have lied a little.” Another chirp, and I squeal, lifting my knees up to my chest as I run away.
“What are you talking about?” He’s full on laughing now, trying to keep up with me.
“I really, really hate crickets.” My voice squeaks.
“Seriously?”
“Stop laughing at me! Ahh!” I jump again when I feel one on my leg.
He stops and squats down, wheezing he’s laughing so hard. “I’m… damn. You’re scared of crickets?”
I mock irritation but am happy to see him laugh. I put my hands on my hips and tap my foot. “They’re all long antennas and jumpy. Yes. Okay, they scare me.”
His face sobers, and he saunters toward me. When he gets close enough, he picks me up and cradles me in his arms. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.” His eyes penetrate mine, and I lean up and kiss his cheek.
“I know,” I whisper.
He holds me a little tighter, and I nestle my head on his shoulder. My jaw drops open at the view he’s carried me to. The entire city is nonexistent, no cars or buildings, only crystal clear blue water, rocks, and trees are before us.
“How did you find this?”
He hit the jackpot bringing me here. By the smirk on his face, he knows it.
“This”—he sets me on the edge of a cliff—“found me.”
Sitting down, he extends his hand for me to do the same. Before my butt hits the grass, he pulls me into his lap and wraps his arms around me. Words aren’t spoken because they’re not needed. A silent tear runs down my face when I realize this is it. This is my one chance at happy, and it’s going to be over way too soon.
I look up at him, and he silently wipes my tear. His hand stays on my face while he leans down and caresses my lips with his own.
* * *
Every day for the next three weeks, I spend as much time with Travis as I can. We go for walks on the beach, out to eat, to the movies, and spend time together at his apartment. We talk about everything and anything. He makes me laugh so hard I cry. Makes me think about things in ways I never have before. I’ve never felt as close to another person in my life, not even Caroline.
He tells me he’s going to get fat since he hasn’t been to the gym, and I’ve been lying to my parents telling them I’m with friends. I’ve become something I hate, a liar. I know my dad won’t approve of Travis. Mom won’t either, but Dad’s the bigger obstacle.
We really haven’t done more than heavy make out sessions since that night on his couch. I’m fine with that because he’s always finding ways to touch me, and that’s all I need. He’ll wrap one of his fingers around mine, brush hair away from my face, or have a hand in my jeans pocket. Being near him is enough for me.
We’re lying on the couch watching Backdraft because it was his turn to pick. I made him sit through some pretty bad girlie movies, and he was a trooper, never once complaining.
“What are you going to school for?”
Shit. Shit. This would be the time to tell him the truth. I feel like there’s an angel and a devil on my shoulder right now. I turn my head to look at him and get all the answer I need in his eyes. They look back at me with the same longing I feel for him. We have a connection, and I don’t want to cut that any shorter than it’s already going to be. I only have another two weeks here, and I want to make the best of it. I’m almost eighteen… well in another ten months I will be. Ultimately, the devil wins out.
“General studies.” There, that wasn’t necessarily a lie.
“Yeah? That’s cool. What year are you?” He laughs. “I feel like I should already know this.”