“Really refreshing in this weather,” he went on, his eyes meeting mine. A spark flickered in the depths of his eyes, a spark riddled with mischief.
“Don’t you even think about it, Reese Pembleton,” I warned, pointing at him. “I’m not dressed for swimmin’!”
“Who mentioned swimming?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.
“You might not have mentioned it, but I can see it in those damn eyes of yours. I’m warnin’ you!”
“I was thinking more diving.” He grinned, grabbed my hands, and pulled me into the water with him. I screamed, kicking my way back to the surface.
“You!” I growled, staring at him angrily. I shook out my hair, and he grinned again, gripping my waist and pulling me into him.
“Don’t be mad, baby,” he purred. He kissed me, his lips wet against mine. I sunk my fingers into his hair, wrapping my legs around his waist, and forgot why I was mad at him.
“What?” I ask quietly, pulling myself back to today.
“You’re the one staring at me.”
“You’re not exactly looking at the surroundings, are you?”
“Are you scared?”
“Of what?”
He grins. A big, playful grin that instantly puts me on guard. “Of me doing this.”
His hand that’s behind my back is resting on my left hip; his body is suddenly against my side, and we’re flying off the platform into the water together.
I scream as I fall, screwing my eyes shut. I hear Reese’s loud laughter and feel both of his arms around me. My hands rest on his shoulders, and I push myself up out of the water.
I gasp, breathing in the fresh air. Reese surfaces, his grip on me tight, and he’s still laughing. I glare at him, but I’m not surprised. I should have known he’d pull a stunt like this.
“You douche!” I smack his shoulder. “I’m soakin’ wet!”
“I know.” He grins again.
“I’m gonna kill you.”
“No you’re not,” he says with way too much confidence.
“Why aren’t I?” I swim over to the dock and lean on it, my feet kicking gently.
He swims up behind me, leans next to me, and moves his mouth close to my ear. “Because you’re too busy tryin’ to calm the crazy beating of your heart.”
He’s right, dammit, he is. I wish he wasn’t, but my heart is going crazy and my hands are burning where I’m touching him.
“How do you know that?”
His hazel eyes find mine again as I turn my head toward him. I wonder if I’ll ever bore of looking in them.
“Because, baby, I’m doin’ the exact same thing.”
~
After Reese takes me home, I dry off and change. I make my way into the kitchen, my eye catching a small piece of paper on the kitchen table. I snatch it up.
Out. Sorry I missed you. See you soon. Mom
PS. There’s ten dollars in the drawer. Get some food.
I shake my head, screwing the ball of paper up. I throw it at the screen doors, turning and grabbing my car keys. Some things will never change… It’ll always be the alcohol before me. I can’t fight that battle anymore.
I slide into my car, pulling my sunglasses down over my eyes, and start the engine. It roars to life with an angry sound that matches my mood. I pull out of the driveway and head to Patty’s, planning on taking up her earlier offer of dinner.
The parking lot of the store is empty when I pull up, and a few stragglers are leaving the store. Patty closes for two hours for dinner, considering she opens late.
I give a halfhearted, cursory smile to the people I pass, and push open the door.
“We’re just about to-” She looks up. “Oh, Kia. What can I do for you, sugar?”
“Room for a little one for dinner?” I ask sheepishly.
“There’s always room for you in my house, darlin’.” She bustles past me, her round figure jiggling. “Lemme lock this darn door before another pain in the ass Alabaman comes in, and we’ll head on upstairs and get some food. Then you can tell me what’s brought you here.”
“Who says anything has brought me here?”
The key clicks in the lock, and she turns, shaking her brown hair out. Her gray eyes meet mine. “No-one needs to say it, darlin’. The eyes are the window to the soul, don’tcha know, and yours are showin’ me that there’s a whole lotta sadness in your little soul.”
“That obvious, huh?” I smile sadly, following her through the small door leading upstairs to her apartment.
Eric is plating the food up when I step into the bright yellow kitchen. The place is as cheery as the couple that live here.
“Plate up another chicken, Eric. Kia stopped by!” Patty orders him.
“Yes, ma’am,” he replies, turning to wink at me. I smile gratefully and sit at the old oak table.
“Now, let’s get some food in ya then we’ll talk over what’s goin’ on in your head. Unless I’m mistaken, Reese Pembleton has somethin’ to do with it.” Patty puts a plate in front of me, and I refuse to meet her eyes.
“What on Earth makes you say that?” I ask, picking up my fork.
“Besides the fact you ain’t lookin’ at me?” She chuckles. “He came in here last week with his Momma, the day after you got back, and the boy was in outer space. He’s usually round this place like Roadrunner helpin’ Marcey, but not that day. No, sugar, I’m tellin’ you, you were on his mind, and I’d bet he’s been on yours.”
“I thought you said we’d get food then talk,” I mumble and start eating.
“We weren’t, but you got me started now, ain’t ya?” Patty shakes her head. “There’s somethin’ about Reese. He’s all bad boy with that darn tattoo and his devil may care attitude, but I don’t think that’s him.”
“Patty, let the girl eat,” Eric scolds her fondly.
“He’s a softie that one,” she continues on, oblivious to his comment. “All it needs is the right girl to bring it out in him.”
“Observant,” I mutter.
“Don’t you go startin’ with that New York City attitude on me, Miss James.” Patty points her fork at me. “I’m a southern belle and your city attitude got nothin’ on my small town one.”
“I’m a small town girl, too, Patty,” I remind her. “My attitude is as southern as they come.”