Free Old Enough to Love... (Just One of the Guys) by Kristi Pelton Page A

ocean…  “Did you date in California?”
    “Yes.”
    That wasn’t what I was getting at. “I mean. Did you. Like…you know.” I held my palms open hoping they might catch the words that were not coming.
    “Did I have a girlfriend?”
    He figured it out. Maybe he understood me more than I realized.
    I nodded though I wasn’t sure he could see me.
    “There was this girl, Brandy, I dated for a while. We were supposed to date. I was the quarterback. She was the cheerleader. But it never clicked. I think we both played along.”
    “So why not a cheerleader here?”  My feet kicked the sand around.
    Suddenly, he knocked my legs out from under me and caught me in his arms. “I don’t know. I’m kind of partial to cross country runners.” He spun me around.
    “Stop,” I giggled. And, he did stop. But he didn’t put me down. He stared at me. His eyes searching mine, and I could feel my heart pulsing in my head. His eyes flickered from mine to my lips and back to my eyes. This was the moment I’d been waiting for. I watched as his tongue brushed his own lips. My heart fluttered, maybe even skipped some beats, as he leaned in to me. His breath was warm and when his lips touched mine, I thought I’d come out of my skin. I took his face in my palms and held it—his skin as silky as his lips. Our tongues touched briefly before he pulled back and stared at me.
    My hands were in his hair and I don’t know what came over me, but I pulled him to me again—unable to resist. Thankfully, he didn’t hesitate. He slowly and cautiously moved to his knees and laid me in the sand. His kiss was more forceful than before as he tucked me under him. I felt warm and safe. I could taste the drink from earlier on his tongue.
    He kissed me softly, pecking my forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. A funny feeling stirred inside—one that was new to me. Then, suddenly my body betrayed me as a shiver ricocheted through me from head to toe.
    He leaned away. “You’re cold?”
    “No.” I lied, but chatter rattled my teeth.
    “Em. Why didn’t you say something?”
    That was the first time he’d called me Em. He rose off of me and I was sad.  No! I didn’t want this to end. I didn’t care if I froze to death. He easily pulled me to my feet. It wouldn’t have mattered had I resisted. The glow of the fire was farther away than I expected, and now that his body wasn’t protecting me from the wind—my body shook uncontrollably.
    “I am so sorry. I should have had you dress warmer.”
    “I should know buh-buh-better. I spent the last two months on the oh-ocean.” My words were jerky as my body trembled. We rejoined the group and he made me sit directly in front of the fire between his legs as he rubbed my arms creating friction. The fire popped and it frightened me to be so close.
    “Well…how was your little walk ?” Estelle chimed.
    My chin rested on my drawn up knees and I didn’t look at her. He chose to ignore her too.
    “We’ve been for walks, haven’t we Zach?” I looked this time, her eyes centered on him.
    His rubbing stopped for a moment then started again—his strokes faster.
    “ZAAACH…” she sang his name and I felt tears brim in my eyes. I looked at Ryan who would be so angry at me for crying.
    “Shut-up, Stelle.” Ryan warned. He shook his head as his eyes met mine. Then he winked, which I assumed was a surrender to the fight we’d had. Finally. Thank God.
    “Oh, Ryan. Silly boy.” She moved close to him, her navel next to his nose. He shut his eyes and twisted his neck sideways away from her, but she still managed to run her fingers through his blonde hair. Claire sat quietly, as she too watched Estelle. “You’re just jealous, Ry. You’re jealous that Zach tapped into what you left behind this summer.”
    “You’re a bitch,” Ryan gritted through clenched teeth.
    So. They had been together—Zach and Estelle. My chest was caving in or so it felt. I was so scared my tears were going to deceive me