Country Kisses

  “What?” She inches back, affronted by my refusal to knife my new girlfriend into Sammy’s back. I’m not about that. I’ve never been about that. “Are you afraid of hurting Little-Miss-Let’s-See-What-Dave-Barn’s-Penis-Tastes-Like?”

  “Piper!” I bark her name out so loud, every person in the vicinity turns to look in our direction.

  “Don’t worry.” She collects her things quick as a hurricane. “I get it. You’re too much of a gentleman to hurt Sammy Sunshine’s feelings. Well, I’m not too much of a lady!” She hoists her backpack up over her shoulder and leans into Sammy’s face. “You’re a two-timing whore who’s sorry she ever cheated on my brother, and, now, you’re here sniveling to have him back. Well, guess what, skank? He’s taken. He’s taken, and he’s in love. That’s right. You heard it here first. He’s so in love he can’t see straight. So anything you’ve got cooking in that little bag of tricks of yours isn’t going to work. Roll it up and go home. Game over. You lose.” She struts off into a bloom of sunshine that whitewashes my sister and all of the sins she’s just committed. I may not be in love with Sammy anymore, but I sure as hell don’t want to see her treated that way.

  “I’m sorry,” we both say at the same time before giving into a little chuckle. “I apologize for Piper. She’s—”

  “Just telling the truth?” Sammy shrugs as if asking the question.

  I don’t say anything. The last thing I want is to land Sammy in tears.

  “So I see I have my work cut out for me.” She gives a playful laugh. “Relax. So, when do I get to meet her?” Sammy sinks down into Piper’s seat, shoulders sagging, her overall affect deflated as if she indeed just lost the war. She has, but I hate that there was a war to begin with.

  “I don’t know if you’ll ever meet her. She’s a bit shy.” There, that much is true for sure. “Besides, I think I should make the rounds. You know, introduce her to Piper, my brothers. Get her feet wet before introducing her to—”

  “Your ex-girlfriend?” Her neck juts out a little when she says it. “Now that’s a title I can never get used to.” Her lips tremble as she bites down on them. “Not sure I ever will.” She gives a slight wave before stalking off, and I grab my bag, abandoning my coffee in an attempt to catch up with her.

  “Sammy, wait.” I catch her by the elbow, and she takes a step back. “This isn’t how we end. We end as friends. We don’t end in heartbreak.”

  “Too late.”

  I glance toward Cutler Tower. A part of me wants to take Sammy and head straight for Piper’s dorm and make her apologize for her unwarranted aggression.

  “You and my sister might never be best friends, but I’m not going to let the next few weeks go by without her being civil to you. It’s about time she grows up. In fact, next weekend is her birthday party, and I’m officially inviting you as my guest.”

  Her eyes widen a moment. “Will this new girl you’re seeing be there?”

  “If I can help it.” God only knows. Cassidy is harder to wrangle than an entire herd of cats. “You’ll love her, I promise.”

  Her lips twist as if insisting she won’t.

  “I guess you have a date.” She makes a face. “It’s just not officially me.”

  “So you’ll come?”

  “Only if you can guarantee my safety.”

  “I promise, no bloodshed. Piper used to love you.”

  “I know.” She glances down a moment.

  “This is a good growing moment for her. For all of us. She’s not going to cause a scene at her own party. And who knows? You might even walk out friends again.”

  “Here’s to hoping.” Her eyes linger over mine a moment too long. “Maybe a lot of relationships will change that day.”

  We part ways, and for the life of me, I try to figure out what just possessed me to do that. But deep down, I know it’s because I need to put this bullshit behind me. I’m not about bitter or broken hearts. But the real reason I invited Sammy wasn’t hoping that Piper and she would end up making nice before the day was through. It was to get the message to Sammy, clear as possible, that I’m with someone new. That there isn’t a lingering chance that it will ever be the two of us again.

  I’m sure once she sees me with Cassidy she’ll cut the cord and move on.

  I want that for her.

  I want her to find her unicorn, just like I found mine.

  A Dirty Little Lark in the Park After Dark

  CASSIDY

  There is nothing as beautiful as watching the sun melt on the horizon of Cutler Tower as I approach my dorm after a long dog day of hitting the books. Whitney Briggs was a feast for the eyes in the fall with its fiery leaf spectacular. The entire campus is lined with maples and sweet gums. Blood oaks and their parade of flaming colors were too beautiful to miss as the school year got started, then came the permafrost of winter with its glistening lavender blue glow, its spray of starry snow that we thought would never stop tumbling from the sky—but this, this is Whitney Briggs’s unyielding glory—spring is in full bloom, and it is christening all of Hollow Brook with its majestic fragrant splendor, citrus and aloe. I can’t seem to wipe the smile from my face, the joy from my heart as I swim through sweetened air back to my room. But it’s not spring and her floral army of trumpets that has me swooning. It’s not the perfume Mother Nature wears this time of year making me sing like a giddy preteen. It is most definitely a boy by the name of Cade James.

  “Cassidy!” a girl’s voice wails from behind, and I turn just in time to see Sammy lunge at me with a hug. “It’s happening!”

  “What’s happening?” I pull us out of the way of traffic before we get rammed by an errant bicycle or skateboard and dragged all the way under a maple with its new leaf buds spun tight in coils just waiting to release into the warm blue air. “Tell me all about it. If that boy did anything to your heart, just point me in his direction,” I say the threat with a bit too much venom behind it, but, in truth, I like Sammy. I’ve probably taken more of a liking to her than I normally would have because she drips that Tennessee sweetness that I so badly crave. Not that I don’t have Caila with me here in North Carolina. It’s just that, well, let’s call a spade a spade. Caila wasn’t born to drip sweetness.

  “Are you kidding?” she bubbles with laughter as her bright green eyes flash to the sky a moment. “I would never point you in his direction. He might fall in love with you.” We share a sisterly laugh. That’s what it feels like with Sammy, sisterly. “I was with him this afternoon, and he actually asked me out!”

  “He did!” I press my hand to my chest a moment. “Of course, he did. Look at your cute little self parading around campus like the beauty queen you are. There’s no man in his right mind who’s going to let that go. See there? Everything worked out like I said it would.”

  She bites down on her lip with a slight unease. “Actually, we’re not quite there yet. He invited me to his sister’s birthday party. She’s totally insane and such a brat.” She lets out a heated breath. “I wish to God she wasn’t in the picture. She’s just ruining everything between us. She was actually rooting for me to go home this afternoon. She’s a terrible person.” She makes a face. “Okay, she’s not actually a terrible person.” A fat tear rolls down her face, and I’m quick to wipe it away. “I’m the terrible person. If I hadn’t put any of us in this position to begin with, I wouldn’t have had to listen to her hand me my ass on a frilly little platter.”

  We share a little laugh at the countrified euphemism.

  “So, you said he asked you out? Hon, you’ve already won the war.”

  She shakes her head. “I wish I could be as confident as you are. He actually hinted at the fact there might be a girl at the party that he’s interested in.”

  “Is there a ring on that girl’s finger?”

  “I’m guessing not.”

  “Then as far as you’re concerned, that little twat doesn’t even have a name. For all practical purposes, she’ll be known as a bump in the road fr
om here on out.”

  “A bump in the road,” she hiccups. “You really think so?”

  “Hon, with you in the way, this poor little thing doesn’t stand a chance. There’s a reason they’re not serious. I bet she’s a real peach—a real C U Next Tuesday!”

  “A C U Next what?” She draws in a quick breath as she gets my quasi-acronym for that delicate part of the female anatomy. Sammy tips her head back and laughs a good old deep, hearty belly laugh—the kind only a true friend can gift you.

  “You are too much, Cass. Now that’s such a wholesome putdown, I might just say it to her face if I ever get a chance to meet her.” She wipes the happy tears from the corners of her eyes. “How about you?” She knocks me with her shoulder as she plucks a tissue out of her purse. “I bet you’ve got a fire or two burning for some lucky guy out there.”

  “There is someone. We were just having fun at first, but things are starting to take a turn for the serious.”

  “Serious? Serious is good.” She leans in playfully. “So, what’s got you so sour?”

  “I don’t know.” I touch my finger to my left cheek. “I haven’t had too many people see past my good side.” I give a little wink.

  “And this guy?”

  That kiss he planted on my scar a few weeks back runs through my mind, and my body heats like an inferno.

  “It’s like he sees it, but he doesn’t really care. I don’t know. It sounds silly, but it’s almost as if he doesn’t see it. And yet, the other night when we went to the movies, it was pretty clear he saw someone he knew, and he couldn’t get us out of there fast enough. I guess I can’t really read him yet.”

  “Have you told this guy how you feel?”

  “No way. I’m not one to profess my love for anyone. Not that I’ve ever been in love until—” Oh my God. I love Cade!

  “You love this boy, don’t you?”

  I take a deep breath and hold it, unable to let go, as a warm bubbling stream of wanting, of love runs throughout my body.

  “I think I do love this boy.” The words escape me, breathy, swimming free in the spring breeze for the very first time.

  “Oh, Cassidy!” She pulls me into a tight embrace. “Once I get back together with my man, the four of us will have to go out on a double date. I knew I had a lifelong friend in you the day we met.”

  “You do indeed.” I offer her a firm embrace back. “Hey, you want to grab a bite with my friends and me? We always catch an early dinner at the Black Bear on Mondays. Just a little girl fun to help us get to Tuesday.”

  “Oh no, that’s okay. I feel like I’ve butted into one too many lives already. You don’t need me hanging around. I’ll catch you in class. Good luck with your man!”

  “Good luck with yours! Fight dirty if you have to so we can get that double date scheduled sooner than later!”

  She lets out a laugh as the wind blows her hair wild up over her head like a flame. “I’ll get right on that!”

  I head on up to my dorm, giggling to myself like a fool. I’m in love with Cade James, and I want to shout it from the rooftops. But something tells me I should whisper it to Cade first.

  The Black Bear Saloon is filled to capacity, and the waitresses are slow to come by any table, let alone ours.

  “I’m fucking starving.” Piper has been in a pissy mood ever since I stepped into our room this evening. Apparently, she had an altercation with someone she is loosely referring to as “that wench,” but refuses to extrapolate on the subject out of respect for the people involved. “Finally—here’s Baya,” she snarls as the cute bubbly girl comes over and takes our order.

  “Excuse me!” I pull Baya aside before she bops off. “I didn’t notice a sign out front, but I’m really hoping for a summer position. Any chance the bar will have an opening by then?”

  She grimaces before glancing back at the registers. “Not really, but since you’re Piper’s friend, I’ll give a special recommendation to the owner.” She gives a little wink. “I’m sleeping with him, so I have a little pull.”

  We share a tiny laugh. “Thank you! I really appreciate that!”

  I can’t believe this. I’m in love, and I’ve practically got a job squared away for the summer. If my luck persists, maybe they’ll let me stay on for the fall. I feel bad letting Caila help me out with food and books. Momma sends what she can, but my scholarship only covers the bare bones of this ride.

  Baya takes off, and I listen in as Daisy shows off her latest antique find, a vintage cameo ring she bought at an estate sale. Daisy is here on scholarship like me, but she always manages to have a few dollars tucked away for a rainy day estate sale. I more than admire her shopping superpowers.

  “Love it.” I land my finger over the soft porcelain silhouette. “I’ve never owned something so beautiful in all my life.”

  “You should totally come with me the next time I go!” Her entire face lights up at the idea. I’ve been shopping with Daisy a time or two—window shopping on my end. Daisy is more or less a professional negotiator at this point.

  “I will go. I’m sort of stretching my dimes, but I like to see you wield your haggling prowess.”

  “Funny you should say that. Scarlett and I were sort of thinking the same thing.”

  “Scarlett?” I turn to my redheaded bestie. I’m so craving me some Scarlett time. I just want to dive in and tell her all about Cade and how he makes me feel. Daisy, too. The only one at this table I wouldn’t dare gush to is sweet Perpetually Pissed Piper. There’s no way I’m telling her about what a great big trio her brother is packing, and that he’s not afraid to use any one of them.

  Scarlett tosses her hands up. “I’ve been trying to nail down a major, and I think I finally have. I’m following Daisy’s footsteps—pre-law!”

  “Pre-law!” Piper and I sing in unison.

  “This calls for a drink. Virgin daiquiris all around?” Not one of us at this table is quite the lush, so each time we go out we usually make it fun and fruity.

  “Bring on the virgins!” Daisy whoops. Scarlett offers me a knowing wink because I happen to be in on her little secret that she’s still holding her cherry close to the vest. As she should. There’s no point in losing it to some idiot who’s too drunk to complete the task—that was the exact way this girl dropped her cherry bomb. For months, I wandered around asking hypothetical questions—sometimes even classified under the hideous umbrella of “just asking for a friend,” but are you still a virgin if the guy doesn’t quite get there? I even went as far as calling an anonymous doctor’s sex line and ended up on the air on some popular punk rock station that lends its airwaves to dirty talk once a week. The long and the short of it is no. I was no more a virgin than Madonna once she sang those infamous lyrics. This was a done deal. My V-card had been unceremoniously revoked. Sealed and in the annals of my vajayjay. But sweet Scarlett should wait for that special someone. Had I waited for Cade… My entire face heats with fire.

  Piper kicks my foot out from under me. “You’re thinking about him again, aren’t you?”

  Baya arrives with an arm full of nachos just in time, and we dive straight in, stuffing our faces until just a few broken tortilla chips lie strewn in our wake.

  But as glad as I am not to have the spotlight shining over my love life, I’m just bursting at the seams to tell my friends how happy I am—how absolutely out of my mind deliriously in love I am with the kindest, most gorgeous man on this planet.

  I glance over at Piper with enough guilt coating me on the inside to drown in. Once she hears how I feel about her brother, of course, she’ll be a little steamed that I didn’t tell her, but she’ll understand. Knowing Piper, she’ll throw a world-class fit, but I’m betting no one will be happier than she’ll be for us. I can’t wait to see Cade tonight. I want to tell him everything, put my heart out on the line, and see what he does with it.

  Piper glances at her phone. “I’d better get going. I sort of had it out with my brother today, and I need to stick
my tail between my legs and apologize.”

  “Which brother?” Please, say Wyatt. Please, say Wyatt.

  “Cade.”

  Poo. My entire person deflates knowing she’s headed that way. Of course, I want her to mend fences with her big bro, but that little tail tucking is going to cost my own tail a heck of a good time.

  Scarlett, Daisy, and I head back to the dorm, and I can feel my secret brewing and bubbling inside me like lava. We take the elevator up, and my heart pounds so loud it fills the chamber of this tiny space like the beating of a jungle drum.

  The door opens to their floor, and my ears fill with the rush of the entire ocean. The words swim up my throat, and I try with everything in me to swallow them back down.

  “Goodnight!” they call as they take a step off the elevator, and I jump right off with them, feeling the whoosh of the doors close behind me.

  “What’s going on?” Scarlett marvels at my lithe maneuver.

  Daisy eyes me with suspicion. “I told you she’s been acting strange.” She takes a step in close to me. “In fact, you’ve been acting spacey all night. Spill it. What is it?”

  “I’m in love with a boy.” There, I said it. It feels as if a tractor just lifted off my shoulders, and I can finally breathe again.

  They both coo in unison as if I’ve pulled a fuzzy yellow baby chick from my purse.

  “And his name is Cade James.”

  Both Scarlett and Daisy suck in a violent breath.

  “You are one brave soul.” Daisy fans herself with her tiny black clutch. “If things don’t end well with you two, Piper just might—”

  “Oh, honey, believe me, I have been filling in the blanks.”

  Scarlett steps in and picks up my hand. A deep look of concern lines her face with worry.

  “I take it Piper doesn’t know?”

  I shake my head.

  “When are you going to tell her?” Scarlett’s jade eyes light up with something just this side of horror.

  “Right after I tell him.”