The Romantic Pact

by Quinn, Meghan

  “And what if they do sell? Then what?”

  “They can’t sell.” She shakes her head. “That would be all of our memories sold to a bulldozer, that would knock them down. They can’t sell, Crew.”

  “Okay, shhh.” I bring her into a hug. “We’ll figure this out. I promise.” I force her to look me in the eyes. “Do you trust me?”

  She takes a second to respond, but when she does, it eases my chest. “More than anyone.”

  “Then let’s not focus on the ‘what ifs’ right now, and instead focus on the present, what we can control. Can you do that for me?”

  She nods, tears still falling over her cheeks.

  “Aww, come on, Haze. It guts me seeing you cry like this.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m just . . . I’m happy, and I’m afraid it’s all going to be snatched away from me.” She looks me in the eyes. “You really consider me your girl?”

  “I always have. You’ve always been mine, Hazel. That’s something I realized on this trip, probably from Pops’s doing, but, yeah, you’re my girl. No one has ever matched up to you. No one ever will. And I’ll be damned if I lose you again.”

  “You . . . mean that?” she asks, looking so timid and fragile that I wonder if this is the same girl I’ve fallen for. Where’s her fierce spirit? Her tough exterior?

  You smashed it to smithereens when you ignored her for years, you moron.

  Realizing there must be an immense amount of insecurity where I’m concerned, I try my best to reassure her.

  I cup her cheeks and look her dead in the eyes. “I mean that. I’m not letting you go. I’m not letting you push me away. And I’m not letting anything come between us. It’s you and me when we get back, just like on this trip. It’s still going to be you and me.” I bring her mouth to mine and tentatively kiss her. When her hands slip up my shoulders, I deepen the kiss and let my hands fall down her back to the clasp of her bra. I undo it and drag the fabric off her body, revealing her round, gorgeous chest. Gripping both breasts, I lift them to my mouth, and I pull one nipple into my mouth at a time before releasing them and using my fingers to roll her hardened nubs.

  “I could never leave this behind. Leave you behind, not when I’m the happiest I think I’ve ever been.”

  “You are?” she asks in surprise, her hips starting to rock over my already hard cock.

  “The fucking happiest.” I cup her jaw, staring her in the eyes. “I came into this trip depressed, unsure, and confused. In this short time, it almost feels as though you’ve opened my eyes and shown me exactly what I’ve been missing. And what I’ve been missing . . . is you.”

  Her teeth pull at her bottom lip, and she takes a moment to remove her underwear, as well as mine. She then climbs on my lap again; this time, she takes my cock and drags it over her aroused center.

  “My life has been missing you, too, Crew. My backbone, my strength, my courage. You carry the key to all of those.”

  She lowers down on me and I suck in a sharp breath from how warm and tight she is. This feeling, being deep inside of her, it’s not something I’ll ever get used to and something I’ll forever crave.

  “That’s not true. You’re all those things without me.”

  “I’m versions of that person, but I’m not fully me. I haven’t been fully me since you left.” She rocks her hips and presses her hands to my shoulders. “You taught me what it’s like to stick up for myself. You taught me how to fear nothing. You taught me how to be strong. When you left, I was never the same. Every day, every unanswered email, felt as though a part of me was slowly crumbling inside, and I didn’t know how to fix it. But with you here”—she rocks a little harder and I clench my teeth, holding it together—“it reminds me just how much of an impact you have on my life. I don’t want to lose that again.”

  “You won’t,” I answer. “I promise, Hazel, you won’t lose me.”

  Her hands travel up to my jaw where she holds me tenderly and then lowers her mouth to mine. I grip her sides, helping her rock up and down, back and forth, while my tongue swipes against hers. As fucking mind-blowing as sex is with Hazel, this almost just feels like a natural extension of us. She’s soft to my hard. We were made for each other, and I’m thankful to Pops for opening my eyes to that.

  I don’t know the future. I don’t know my own future, but I do know that Hazel is part of it. And the farm? Surely Pops wouldn’t leave Haze jobless and homeless. She was like a grandchild to him. Mom and Dad wouldn’t either, so how do I convince her that she’s not alone? That even if I don’t see her all the time, she’ll still be my girl?

  I love her.

  It’s as simple as that.

  And I’ll work our future out.

  So we’re together.

  * * *

  Crew: Something has happened.

  River: Dude, what time is it there?

  Hollis: Aren’t you six hours ahead or something like that?

  Crew: It’s the middle of the night.

  Hollis: So, something happened in the middle of the night?

  River: Did you pull a David Rose and have a nighttime oopsie-daisy?

  Hollis: I just cackled. Please tell us you wet the bed.

  Crew: I didn’t have a nighttime oopsie-daisy. Jesus. I’m trying to tell you two idiots that I . . . fuck, I’m in love.

  River: WHAT?

  Hollis: Uh . . . in love with a German pastry?

  Crew: No, with Hazel. I fucking love her.

  River: Call me crazy, but you haven’t been on your trip that long. How could you fall in love with her?

  Hollis: They did know each other before the trip.

  Crew: I think I’ve always loved her. No, I don’t think it, I know it. And being with her again, it showed me how goddamn happy I am around her. This past week has been monumentally different. It’s as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I’ve returned home. I love her.

  River: I did not expect this, but I’m happy for you, man.

  Hollis: Last thing I thought you’d say, but seriously happy for you. What are you going to do when you get home?

  Crew: Don’t know. Tomorrow is our last full day in Germany. When we get home, there’s a lot of shit we have to sift through, but I’m determined to make it work between us.

  River: Let us know how we can help.

  Hollis: Yeah, we’re here for you.

  Chapter Fifteen

  HAZEL

  “I can’t believe this is our last day in Germany,” I say, holding Crew’s hand as we drive to Füssen.

  After getting ready this morning, we had a quick breakfast and read where we’d be ending our trip. There wasn’t much to the letter, just Pops telling us where we’re going, but there was another letter we need to open when we get to the Neuschwanstein Castle. There were strict rules set by Pops that we’re to park at the base, to not bother with tickets, but to walk up the long driveway together and experience the nature around us. If we felt inclined to go inside, we could buy tickets, but Crew and I both agreed, we were more interested in listening to Pops.

  “I know. I felt like it flew by. I’m going to miss how simple this has been.”

  “Simple?” I ask.

  “No outside factors, just you and me on this trip. When we return, there will be a lot more we’re going to have to face.”

  I nod, even though his eyes are on the road. Last night, it felt like we were making love. Our connection felt deeper, more intimate than before. And the entire time he was inside me, slowly pumping, drawing out every last ounce of pleasure, I kept hearing his voice, promising me I won’t lose him. And this morning, when we woke up and he lowered his head between my legs, languidly bringing me to climax, only to slowly enter me, it felt real. Not like a fantasy, but that this could actually be my life.

  That when we get back, we’ll be able to work this out.

  “I have a question,” I say, feeling nervous but curious about the answer.

  “Hit me.”

  “
Are you going to tell your parents about us when we get to New York?”

  “It might be awkward if they see us holding hands, and they ask if something is going on and I deny it, don’t you think?”

  His answer pulls a smile out of me. “So, just like that, huh? You’re not going to hide it?”

  “Why would I hide you?” He shakes his head. “Nah, you’re someone I want everyone knowing about.”

  “I mean, I am pretty awesome,” I say as a joke.

  “You are, Haze.” He glances at me and his smirk nearly melts me into my seat. “Now that our trip is coming to an end, tell me what your favorite part was—well, besides the sex, because I know that’s chart-topping for you.”

  It is.

  Sex with Crew is easily the best sex I’ve ever had. Hands down, Crew knows how to pleasure me without even fumbling. It’s almost as if he can predict what I need before I need it.

  But I’m not going to tell him that and inflate his ego more.

  “Sex was subpar.”

  He laughs. “Oh, okay. It’s cute that you try to lie about it.”

  “Who says I’m lying?”

  “Uh, the echoes of your moans that are still playing in my head from this morning. Or the scratches on my back from last night when you were begging for more.”

  I fold my arms, removing my hand from his. “I was not begging.”

  In a girly voice, Crew says, “Oh, Crew, please. Please, I need more.”

  I playfully whack him. “Stop that.”

  A deep, hearty laugh falls past his lips. The sound puts a smile on my face because he almost sounds like Pops. There’s a hint of the same cadence, which I love.

  “Seriously, though, what has been your favorite part?”

  “Hmm, that’s hard. There have been so many great moments.” I give it some thought, and I do have some moments that stick out in my mind, ones that remain so vivid in my memory it’s as if they’re laid out in front of me. “Can I have two categories of moments?”

  “What are the categories?”

  “Germany . . . and us.”

  I see his lips turn up before saying, “I like that. Approved. What’s your favorite Germany memory?”

  “Excluding today, because today might eclipse my favorite Germany moment, keep that in mind.”

  “That’s fair to the castle.”

  “So far my favorite Germany moment has been drinking in Nuremberg and walking around the Christmas market. It just felt magical. Everything about it. The lights, the music, the wine, the company. It felt like a dream, and it’s a moment I’d happily revisit over and over.”

  “That was fun. And the wine led to some fun things, too.” He wiggles his eyebrows.

  “You’re such a doof.”

  He chuckles. “Not even sorry about it. Okay, what’s your favorite memory of us?”

  “That’s an easy one for me.” Pushing past feeling shy and knowing that we’re open and honest with each other at this point, I say, “The moment you wake up in the morning. Your eyes are still sleepy, your hair is messy, but you always have a lopsided smile on your face when you see me, followed by a deep, almost gravelly ‘good morning.’ I think I’ll miss that the most.”

  I know I’ll miss it. Waking up next to him, feeling his strong arm wrap around my waist and pull me against his warm chest. His lips traveling over my neck and down my shoulder. I’m going to miss it so much.

  “I’ll miss seeing you in the morning, too, Haze. But we’ll figure it out, okay?”

  I nod, knowing he’s made me that promise over and over again. We’ll figure it out. Somehow, someway, we’ll figure it out.

  “What are your favorite moments?” I ask. “Germany and us.”

  “Germany—probably when you kept poking me in the dick with the fencing foil.”

  “That was your favorite part?” I laugh.

  “Yeah, you were unfiltered, happy, proud of yourself, and I loved that. I also like that your hand was a magnet to my dick.”

  “You’re ridiculous.”

  He rests his hand on my thigh and keeps it there. The hold is possessive. Something I’ve seen in movies, on TV shows, but never experienced myself. I was never involved with someone enough to have this kind of intimacy, and it might seem inconsequential, but it’s not to me. Crew is claiming me. Even when we’re alone, he’s letting me know I’m his and he’s mine.

  “Maybe, but it still was one of my favorite moments. And then an ‘us’ moment—well, I think it’s obvious.”

  “If you say the dry humping, I’m going to put on a chastity belt tonight.”

  He laughs out loud and shakes his head. “As much as I love the messiness of coming in my pants, that wasn’t my favorite ‘us’ moment.”

  “Then what was it?”

  “The moment I saw you on the airplane.”

  “Really?” I ask, surprised. And swoon. That’s one of the nicest things he’s said to me.

  “Yes, really. I didn’t think I deserved to see you again, but it was as if Pops was giving me a second chance. I had a shitty summer, a shitty semester. And seeing you on the plane—it was a gift I didn’t deserve. It was as if Pops knew exactly what I needed, and he delivered.”

  Tears well in my eyes again, and I swear I’m never this emotional. Apparently, it’s my job to cry on this trip. Over and over again.

  “Don’t cry, Haze.”

  “Trying not to.” I take a deep breath and will the tears away. “This trip has just been life-changing, on many levels, and I get overwhelmed. I just feel as if everything is going to come to a crashing halt when we get to New York.”

  “I know you do, but please know that it’s my heart’s desire that it doesn’t. Let’s attempt to put all our thoughts into our last day, though. Another day to be surrounded by unimaginable history and awesome scenery. Just you and me.”

  I press my hand on top of his. “You and me.”

  * * *

  Breathtaking.

  It’s the only way to describe the scene in front of us.

  On top of what feels like a mountain, nestled into the Alpine Foothills and against a beautiful backdrop of snow is a fairy-tale castle.

  White limestone walls, blue-roofed turrets with Rapunzel-like windows—the castle screams romanticism, and is the perfect grand finale to a remarkable trip through Germany.

  “Wow,” I say, staring up at the awe-inspiring building.

  “Pops was right. He saved the best for last.” Crew takes my hand. “Shall we start walking up to the base of the castle?”

  I nod. “That’s where we’re supposed to read the last letter.”

  The driveway is steep, but thankfully the sun is out, the stone is clear of snow and ice, and it’s not as cold as it has been on the previous days—meaning Crew isn’t freezing his cute ass off.

  “Did you see the pamphlet back there? It said that Walt Disney was inspired by this castle,” I say, trying to keep conversation light as we make the climb up to the end.

  “Seems as though Walt was inspired by a lot in Germany.”

  “It’s beautiful. I can see why.”

  “Is this your first time out of the country?” he asks me.

  “The first time leaving North America. I’ve been to Canada a few times. What about you?”

  “We’ve been to a few tropical places,” he answers casually, downplaying his childhood.

  “How many?” I tug on his hand.

  “Uh, just a few.”

  I laugh. “Trying to downplay your rich parents?”

  “No.” He chuckles. “I’ve never been to Europe, which I feel is weird, given I’ve been to Bora Bora.”

  “Ah, yes, so odd.”

  He pulls at me and I laugh. “We had different childhoods, but our summers were always the same, and that’s what’s important.”

  “It is. And I’m glad our summers were the same.”

  “Me, too. Don’t get me wrong, I liked going on trips with my parents, but I always looked forwar
d to going to the farm, to spending time with Pops and, most importantly, spending time with you.”

  “You’re just saying that so you get some action tonight,” I tease.

  “Yup,” he says, causing me to spin toward him, mouth open in shock. He laughs and pulls me into a hug while tilting my chin up and placing a kiss on my lips. “You have an amazing pussy—what can I say? I’m addicted.”

  “Oh my God, Crew.”

  “It’s a compliment.”

  I push at him and he just holds me tighter.

  “You know I’m kidding. You have a phenomenal pussy.”

  I push away from him and he laughs even more, taking my hand again as we make our way up the driveway.

  It’s steep at times and I’m puffing, but Crew takes it slow with me, despite his athletic prowess and long stride.

  We pause halfway up and have someone take a picture of us from an angle, so the castle is in the background. It’s a beautiful shot and one that I make Crew send me right away. I save it to my phone as my wallpaper.

  “Committing me to your phone wallpaper? That’s a big move,” Crew says.

  I pause, embarrassment washing over me. “Oh, is that weird?”

  He holds up his phone and shows me a picture of me and him, cuddled in close, taking a selfie. The picture was taken when we were in Augsburg. “Nah, I think it’s cute. Makes me think you actually like me.”

  “You know I do.”

  We continue our trek, and when we finally reach the base of the castle, it’s overwhelming. The walls seem endless, allowing us only the view of the very tops of the turrets.

  “This is unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” I say, studying the strong walls and the grand expanse of the castle. All the work that must have gone into this without modern machinery. It’s impressive and hard for me to comprehend.

  “Look at that archway over there,” Crew says. “Want to see where it takes us?”

  “Are we allowed to go over there?” I ask.

  “Yeah, we’re just not allowed inside since we didn’t buy tickets.”