"Test me on it," said John, shooting me a warning look. "If I didn't write the paper then I'm not going to know shit . . . stuff, about the book. Test me."
My mouth shut tight. He could do it; I knew he could. If she'd just give him the chance.
"Please." John shuffled forward in his seat. "You're right, I've been sleeping through classes for years. But that's not what's going on now, not anymore. Not since . . ."
Not since the Drop Stop--those were the words unspoken. She must have known it, though.
He blinked, staring down at his desk. "I'm not asking for special treatment. Just a chance."
Mrs. Ryder's eyes narrowed further. I'd be amazed if the woman could see anything, peering out from behind her metal-rimmed glasses. "Meet me here after school. You get one shot with me, Mr. Cole. One. Don't mess it up."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"I've been looking for you everywhere."
"Yeah?" John sat on the hood of his car, smoking a cigarette, the lake's dark waters spread out before him. "Why?"
"You didn't answer your phone." I crossed my arms. Not daring to climb up beside him, unsure of my welcome. With good cause. "Anders didn't have a clue where you were, and your uncle--"
"You went to my place?"
"Yes."
His brows descended. "Thought you weren't allowed out on school nights."
"We renegotiated; I have to clean both bathrooms for a month. It was an emergency--I was worried about you."
Bringing the cigarette to his lips, he breathed deep.
"How did it go with Mrs. Ryder?"
"Fine." He tapped the ash off the side of the car at my feet. "I got my B for the paper."
"That's great." I smiled. "Congratulations."
A chin tip.
"I'm sorry I almost told her to go fuck herself," I said, sneaking a little closer. "That was probably unconstructive."
"Not the word that I had in mind. But, yeah, it was."
"Though you shouldn't have to beg to get an education. That's bullshit."
A cool wind blew off the water and I wrapped my arms around myself a little tighter. So racing out of the house in only black flip-flops, ripped jeans, and a tank hadn't been the brightest. Autumn was making its presence known. Still, with the chilly evening, the lakeside was deserted. We were the only two people in sight. Cold weather had some perks.
"But you were wrong about me being ashamed of you," I said, leaning against the side of the car. Always trying to get closer.
With an irritated huff of breath, he climbed off the other side of the hood, stopping to stub out his cigarette on the ground. "You could have seriously screwed me in class today, Edie."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"Insulting her was never going to fix anything." He walked around the car, brow furrowed and mouth a flat line. "You want to go nuts after what happened, I don't blame you. I'm still messed up from it too. But there are consequences to the shit you do; you know this."
I nodded. Even if I could never seem to care about the consequences for myself, at least I could for him.
"Tell me you're going to think first. 'Cause I need that from you."
"I'll think first. I promise."
"And not just about stuff with me, with everything. Because if you get hurt somehow, that fucks me up too."
Damn. My eyes itched. "I'm sorry."
"Don't cry." He moved closer, wrapping me up in his arms. "We'll figure it out."
Breathing his scent in, having him close, it helped. I fisted my hands in his shirt, making sure he couldn't escape. Christ, I was such a train wreck.
"I won't be crazy anymore," I promised.
He laughed quietly. "Nuh, not possible. Pretty sure some of the crazy is just you now. But keep it under the limit for me, hmm?"
"Okay."
"You're so brave sometimes, it scares me."
"I don't feel brave," I said, voice muffled by his shirt.
He scoffed. "Something scares you? I don't believe it."
"I thought I'd lost you."
"That's not going to happen." He rested his cheek on top of my head, holding on a little tighter. "We didn't go through all that shit to let a few misdemeanors mess with us. Or an English paper."
"So why didn't you answer your phone?"
"Not saying I wasn't pissed at you, but we're not breaking up, Edie." His slid his hands into the back pockets of my jeans. "That's not how this works."
"You know how this works?"
"Yeah. We keep trying," he said simply. "If we really want it, then we don't give up. That easy."
I had nothing. Actually, that was a lie. "I could never be ashamed of you. Don't ever think that again."
"Edie, you saw how the teacher was today. What your mom thinks of me. My past isn't going to just disappear."
"That's not you anymore. They'll see."
"You like your privacy, I get that." The wind tossed his loose hair around, blowing it in his face. "Besides, people knowing we're together or not isn't that big a deal. I've already punched one guy and threatened another. No one's going to have the balls to ask you out."
"How very caveman of you."
"Just the way it is." The corner of his mouth curled up. "Offers coming my way have dropped right off ever since you nearly hit Erika."
I smiled.
"See?" he said.
I rested my chin on his chest, looking up into his beautiful face. Since we seemed to be having a bare-our-hearts-all-out honesty session, he might as well know the worst. I took a deep breath and blurted, "Don't freak out or anything, but I love you."
His chin jerked up, eyes widening. "You do?"
"Yes. I love you and I'll try harder not to mess up in future." And he thought nothing scared me--my heart almost beat out of my chest. This ache, the fear of rejection, it felt like broken ribs all over again. It felt like throwing myself off a much higher rock with no idea if water waited below. "Anyway. I just, I thought you should know."
Silence.
"It's not a big deal."
"Yes it fucking is."
His mouth slammed down on mine, stealing my breath. Warm, firm lips, and the thrill of his tongue tracing my teeth before sliding against my own. Kissing had never felt so good. Sure as hell, no half-assed fumbling in the shadows with other boys could compare. John's technique deserved the highest of praise, but the best I could do was moan. My hands slipped beneath his shirt, exploring his skin, laying claim.
In no time at all, he had me backed up against the driver's-side door. His hands roamed, though they stayed on top of my shirt and jeans and remained off the obvious groping areas. Fingers stroked down my arms and slid across my neck. And his kisses kept changing, from sweet and gentle to deep and lingering. I enjoyed them all. Each and every kiss made my head spin and my body light up.
Eventually we paused for breath, pressed up against each other, hearts beating as one. With gentle fingers, John lifted the wide neckline of my T-shirt, setting it back in place over my bra strap.
"You don't have to do that," I said.
"What?"
"I'm not going to break and I'm not going to freak out."
"What do you mean?"
"If I'm allowed to touch you beneath your shirt, you're allowed to do the same to me."
"Edie." He swallowed hard. "We kind of jumped ahead with having sex. But we don't need to rush now."
"This isn't rushing, I'm setting the pace."
"You sure?"
It seemed easier to take action than keep talking. So I took hold of his hand and placed it on my chest. Over the top of my T-shirt and bra, sure. But with the way his hand gently gripped me, taking the weight of one breast, the point had obviously been made.
He licked his lips, gaze a little worried like I might try and take the boob back--change my mind and deny him access or something. Once, twice, he kissed my lips, before moving on to the side of my face, my neck. The hint of stubble on his chin teased my skin, his breath warming me furthe
r. Teeth nipped at my flesh. I felt combustible. A fire had been lit and I didn't want it put out.
"You have girls in the back of your car often?" I asked, breathing heavy, my hands gripping his ass. He had such a great ass.
"Shit," he muttered, sliding his spare hand around the nape of my neck. He chuckled. "Why do you ask me things like that?"
I shrugged. "Curious."
"A few times, yeah. But it's not that comfortable."
"Maybe not for actual sex, no. But what about just for fooling around?"
He quickly scanned the area, checking that no one was near. "Feeling exposed?"
"Cold more than anything. But mostly, I just want to make out with you in the backseat of your car."
"You do?" His thumb rubbed over my hard nipple through the layers of fabric.
A shiver stole through me and I nodded. "I haven't done that before. It'll be another first."
"Then that's what we're doing." He stepped back, reaching for the handle of the rear door. "After you."
I smiled, too nervous to speak. Stupid, really. It wasn't like I hadn't been in his bedroom and on his bed. The backseat of a car shouldn't matter. But it did.
He climbed in after me, shutting the door. I kicked off my flip-flops and pulled my T-shirt off over my head. Not stopping to do stupid self-conscious things like cover my stomach with my hands, because this was John. Also because, I was past that. Or I would be. I'd get there.
"Come here," I said, sliding down a little.
No more hesitation. He knelt on the seat, tearing off his T-shirt, more than ready to meet me for each item of clothing. John was right; it was a little uncomfortable. Even with the Charger's wide backseat, we were really both a bit too tall to fit. The weight of his body on top of mine, however, made everything right. Mouths glued together and his body resting between my spread legs. When I actually spread them, I had no idea. Holy shit did he feel good there.
We were grinding against each other, groaning and panting and muttering about heaven. I never wanted it to end. The tips of my fingers trailed down his back, my short nails digging in just a little. When his tongue traced the edge of my bra, teasing the sensitive skin in my cleavage, I just about lost it completely. And the feel of him. Sweet baby Jesus, the feel of him hard, rubbing against the crotch of my jeans.
"Fucking hell, baby," he whispered into my skin, nibbling at my jawline, making his way back to my mouth.
"Mm?"
"What time do you have to be home?"
"Huh? No. Don't stop."
He swore some more. Then, in a very calm and reasonable voice, said, "Edie, I need to put my hand in your pants."
"Yes."
He paused. "You sure?"
I nodded, stomach and thigh muscles tight, everything low in my belly beyond excited. "Please. John."
John sat back on his heels, hair hanging in his face. God, he looked beautiful, disheveled and half-naked by moonlight. I don't know how I got so lucky. He undid the button and zipper on my jeans, then tugged them down a little.
He lowered himself back over me, taking all of his weight on one arm strategically placed beside my head. Hot, damp lips kissed mine, teeth nipping at my bottom lip. Next he brought his free hand to his mouth and sucked on a couple of fingers, getting them wet.
"Going to get you off quickly, because you got to go home. You're still grounded, remember?"
"I don't care."
"I do." His hand slid into my panties, fingers brushing over my swollen sex, dipping slightly into the wetness. "Edie. Baby, that feels so fucking good."
The boy had no idea. Tips of his fingers teasing me, skimming over the lips down there. Beyond good and well into great territory. He lifted his hand back to his mouth, licking his thumb, before diving back into my underwear. My body jolted.
"John," I moaned, stretching my neck, turning my head to the side. Might have just been me, but we seemed to be running low on air. Or maybe my lungs weren't quite working. My breasts heaved, mouth open wide. Everything in me centered on what he was doing to me, how incredible he was making me feel.
"I know," he said, voice low and rumbling. "I'll get you there."
First he circled my clit with the pad of his thumb, knuckles brushing lightly across all that sensitive flesh. My breasts ached, belly just about turning inside out. All I could do was clutch at him--his shoulders, his arms, whatever I could grab. Hold him tight and keep him with me, now and always.
"There we go." His lips brushed my earlobe.
The tension inside me built higher and higher, winding me tight and taking me over. One heel dug into the seat, the other pushing against the floor. My whole body pushing into his fingers, needing to get as close as possible.
"Like that?" he asked, the pad of his thumb working me a little harder, faster.
"Yes. Don't stop," I said, voice almost gone, lost.
"No. I won't stop."
"God," I gritted out, bucking against his hand, back arching. "John."
The whole world fell away. There was just me and him and . . . fuck. Every inch of my body floated, stars filling my head. I lay crashed out on the backseat of John's car, flying. No wonder some people were so into sex. With the right person, it could be amazing. Even just a hand job.
I opened my eyes to find him staring down at me, shoulders high, breathing hard. "Well, this is embarrassing."
"What?" I asked. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just . . ."
"You just?" I asked, heart and lungs slowly returning to normal. The sheen of sweat on me and the fogged-up windows, I could do nothing about.
He frowned at me and I frowned at him. Though my frown no doubt came with a loved-up smile.
He nodded downward. "I'm kind of a mess."
"Oh. Oh."
"Hmm." Moving slowly, carefully, and still with a frown, he sat back on his haunches. "I was watching you and . . . anyway."
"I think it shows solidarity, commitment to the relationship." I tried not to grin. But I didn't try very hard. "Really."
"You think me coming in my jeans shows solidarity?"
I just shrugged. "I love you."
"You love . . ." The edge of his mouth curled upward. Suddenly, he shook it off. "We need to get you home before your mom freaks and decides I'm not allowed inside the door or something."
He started searching around for his T-shirt, finally finding it on the floor. Then he undid his pants and cleaned up. I couldn't see much, but still. Was it wrong that I found the whole process fascinating? If so, I didn't want to be right.
I fiddled with my underwear, yanked my jeans back up, and wriggled into a sitting position. Next, I searched for my T-shirt. "I like the backseat of your car."
"Yeah?" His smile, it slayed me.
"Oh yeah."
He leaned in for a kiss and I gave it to him. Boy did I give it to him. And then some.
Cold air washed over us when he opened the door, stepping back out into the big, wide world. His nipples puckered since he remained without a tee, understandably. I climbed out too, opening the other door wide so the fogged-up windows would clear faster.
John walked me over to my car, his strong hand rubbing my back.
"Drive carefully," he said. "I won't be far behind you."
"You don't need to follow me home. I'll be fine."
"I'll be right behind you."
I shrugged. "Okay. You drive carefully too."
"I will." He didn't move until I was safely buckled into my car. "Edie?"
"Hmm?"
"Me too. On the . . . you know."
I cocked my head. "You mean the love thing?"
"Yeah. That."
My boyfriend.
Who knew I loved him and who apparently loved me too.
I smiled the whole way home.
Hang: Emergency. Send help. I think I have actual feelings for Anders.
Me: Wait. You mean beyond your usual mild annoyance?
Hang: YES
Me: OMG
/>
Hang: It's not my fault. He got in somehow. Like a virus...a really bad one. What do I do?
Me: Maybe these feelings are like a 24-hour head cold or something and they'll go away.
Hang: No. Don't think so. He's more of a plague than a flu.
Hang: We decided to be sexfriends the night of his birthday. But he keeps hanging around and wanting to do things together and to hold my hand all the damn time. He's even started teaching me how to play basketball. This is all wrong.
Me: Ok. Wow. What do you want to do about it?
Hang: I have the worst feeling I'm going to have to try getting serious with him. Doomed.
Me: He is cute.
Hang: No. Insanity is not cute...well a little maybe.
Me: At least he makes you laugh.
Hang: That's true. How are you doing?
Me: I told John I loved him.
Hang: Yikes.
Me: I know. But screw it, life is short. Why not tell him?
Hang: Now he definitely knows you're not avoiding the whole going public thing.
Me: I hope so.
Hang: And who knows, you could get hunted down by that pack of rabid Pekingese out to get you any day now. Then where would you be if you hadn't told him?
Me: Dying from very small dog bites with regret in my heart.
Hang: Exactly. I think you did the right thing.
Me: Thanks. And I appreciate you taking my doggie doomsday theories seriously.
Hang: No problem. That's what friends are for, right?
Me: Right. :)
Hang: Mom's yelling at me to go to bed. Let's reconvene on these issues tomorrow. Night. Xx Me: Night. xx
Erika came up to me outside class, Friday afternoon--exactly what I didn't need spoiling my happy thoughts of the weekend. Saturday night with John was so close and with just a little more work, Mom might give on the nine o'clock curfew. I might wind up cleaning our toilets until the end of the year, but it'd be worth it. Matt's word regarding John and me spending our study dates actually studying had gone a long way toward her calming down. So had evidence of my grades improving.
Though there had been another box of condoms under my pillow when I went to bed last night. With the way she kept throwing them at me, you'd think she wanted to find him in my bed again.
"We need to talk," said Erika, standing in my way.
"Going to have to disagree with you there."
She grabbed my arm, trying to stop me from walking away down the hall. I just gave her hand a look. So tempting to push the bitch back a step, but I'd promised John to take it easy. Still, other students slowed to a halt around us, watching with eager eyes. God save me from drama lovers.