A loose tendril falls over my lips, and I quickly take the opportunity to kiss her cheek before brushing it off her face and tucking it behind her ear. Olivia is smiling at us; the others are too busy lost in their conversations to notice our exchange of affection.
“All right, Pres, I’ve gotta know. What’s your largest trophy kill?” Trey leans over the table, waiting with bated breath for her answer.
She glances at me and then looks back at Trey. “A thirteen-point buck. I was eight. It was a sloppy kill. I was working through some issues, and the poor deer happened to be in the wrong place at the right time.”
Before anyone can ask any more questions, the bell rings, and everyone scatters from the table; I hold onto Presley’s hand.
“I’m sorry, Pres.”
“It was a long time ago, Robert.”
“Can we tell them yet?”
“Almost.”
*****
It is so cold; I can see my breath thick as smoke, as Gramps and I carry the buck I shot back to our camp. The cold November air pierces my lungs as I trudge forward, dead leaves crunch under my waterproof hiking boots as the treads grip the wet ground. The forest’s canopy acts as an umbrella, warding off the rain that’s been falling for the last few hours, but I’m still soaked to the bone. “Character is built in moments like these,” my dad would say, but as I adjust the rifle slung over my shoulder, I want to tell my dad to go screw himself.
“Great job out there today,” Gramps offers encouragement.
I’m feeling chilled, and mutter back, “Three down, five to go.”
“You know there are four more weeks of hunting season. We don’t have to fill all these tags today. It’s miserable out here; why don’t we head back early, and you can go to that homecoming dance with the other kids.”
“Gramps, we don’t have to. This is our weekend, always been, always will be.”
“I know peanut, and as much as I love spending time with you, I want you to enjoy your senior year with your friends, not hanging out with this old man. There will always be other years for hunting, but your senior year only happens once. Besides, your Gram will have my hide if I come home sick and she has to do chores by herself. I’ll never hear the end of it.”
Smiling back at him, I adjust my grip on the buck’s front half before tossing it in the back of the old rusted maroon pickup truck. “Come on now; I’ll drop you off at the high school on the way through town. I’m sure Brice wouldn’t mind driving you home.” He waggles his brows, and I can't help but wonder how I ended up in this family. All of them are no better than horny teenagers, and here I was the one feeling like the prude of the bunch. Gramp’s goofy expressions cause me to laugh, leaving me speechless, a mere headshake is all I can muster.
“Thanks, Gramps.”
We manage to get the truck packed up in the next hour and then make the four-hour drive home, long enough for my clothes and hair to dry. I’m calling this style, fresh from the field. I have no one to impress, and Robert’s already seen me at my worst years ago. Only his opinion matters, and to him, I know I’m beautiful.
It’s late when we pull through town, and Gramps drops me off in front of the high school gymnasium. Still clad in my waterproof boots, fleece-lined mossy oak camo pants, and bright neon orange hunters’ jacket, I pull my hair up in a loose ponytail while making my way inside to search for Robert or Olivia. After a few moments I notice that everyone has stopped dancing and seems to be staring at me. I guess showing up to a dance in full hunting gear wasn’t the best idea, but at least I now have everyone’s attention.
A group in the center of the floor parts, and Robert makes his way towards me. He flashes that sexy grin I’ve gotten so used to seeing, the one he has when he’s delighted, the one only meant for me, the one that causes butterflies in my stomach and causes my heart to beat about a million times per second.
“Hey, beautiful. You made it.” He leans in for a kiss but quickly stops himself.
“Surprise?” I say hesitantly but with a little giggle. Over his shoulder, I notice Heather in a knee-length, red sequined dress, blond curls draping over her shoulder, eyes rolled back in her head with her hands firmly planted on her hips. “You’re not wearing red?”
“Well, neither are you.” His hand slides into mine as he turns us towards the exit.
“Who even shows up to a dance in camo? So. Trashy.”
“Shut up, Heather. You’re just mad everyone’s eyes are on her instead of you.” Marcus winks at me as Robert moves us towards the exit. His hand firmly grips mine as his walk transitions to a sprint. Music fills the gym once again.
“Slow down there, turbo. You’re gonna rip my shoulder out of its socket.” It’s too hard to contain my laughter, but the minute I’m pressed against his truck, there’s nothing funny about the way his thumbs brush against my cheeks as he cups my neck, the way his eyes drink me in and the shortness of his breath as his hands settle against my collar bone. He presses his lips to mine with intense fire, holding for a three-count before gently pulling away from me.
“You’re not allowed back in there. We’re leaving now.” There’s a dominant growl behind his words.
“And why’s that?”
His voice sounds riled and agitated, “Because Presley, every guy in there was staring at you like you were a piece of fucking meat. They were all ready to pounce. I was saving you.” He’s cute when protective.
“So?” I bat my eyes at him, while my fingertips run down his abdomen, hooking under his belt buckle. “You know no one would mess with me if they knew I belonged to you.”
His eyes search mine frantically, looking for any sign of hesitation. “You’re serious. No more hiding?”
“No more hiding. Me and you.”
His forehead rests against mine, his lips peck my nose as we breathe in the last remaining seconds of our little secret.
“Thank you.”
We make our way back into the dance, hand in hand. Robert immediately takes me out onto the middle of the dance floor, spins me around before pulling me tightly to him. His lips crash against mine, his tongue dips into my mouth twice before he leaves it there, swirling together as we committed ourselves to one another in front of the entire school. My fingers rake through his mussed hair, as a smile threatens to separate us. This intoxicating, hungry man, leaves little room for doubt. He’s staking his claim and I’m his willing victim.
Cheers, claps, and whistles, pull us from our bubble, and three tiny pecking kisses signify the end of our announcement. Some of the girls offer up dreamy sighs before swatting at their dates, and a few of the guys clap Robert on the back and shoulder, all while he keeps me snug against his chest. Olivia is beaming; Heather is fuming, eye daggers aimed straight at me.
Everything is absolutely perfect.
Chapter Nine
It’s the week of Thanksgiving, and I’ve been spending my week out of school helping Mom and Gram get food ready for the soup kitchen. The extra meat we have from Gramp’s and my hunting trip will also be donated once it’s processed.
I stand at the kitchen counter kneading dough for a pie while Gram works on a batch of stuffing, and Mom chops vegetables.