Finally...One Summer (Just One of the Guys)

by Kristi Pelton

  He yawned and rubbed his hands over his face then walked around to the other side of the bed. “Don’t breathe on me. I don’t want your germs.” He laid flat on his back and closed his eyes. I would have smiled had I had the strength. That was the last thing I remember.

  Zach was there when I awoke the next time and I smiled knowing I was dreaming. It had been a while since my last dream of him. He sat next to me on the bed stroking my face. The clock read 6:00pm. Austin slept motionless next to me, his mouth slightly parted and his breaths long. He was deep in his slumber and once in a while, his eyelids twitched. I took hold of his hand.

  “Hey baby. How are you?” Zach asked.

  I chuckled. In all the times I’d tried to memorize the sound of his voice, I never imagined I’d get it so close. I rolled over.

  “Em?” His tone held an urgency and Austin lunged from the bed to his feet rubbing his eyes. I propped myself up on my elbow watching him.

  “Zach. Man. I fell asleep,” he said stretching.

  I glanced in the direction Austin was speaking. Zach was still there, his face was soft.

  He shook his head and held his palm up to Austin. “No need for an explanation.” His voice more real.

  Austin ran his hands through his hair then slid his hands down in his pockets. What was wrong with him? He seemed uncomfortable. I didn’t like that.

  “You drove up today?” Austin asked.

  “After I spoke with you,” Zach replied.

  “OK. Her medicine is right there. She’s got a Sprite in the fridge. Give her some more of this in two hours.” He shook a bottle and the pills rattled inside. “I think that’s it.”

  “Did you take her to Seaside?” Zach asked.

  “Zach?” It was becoming clearer to me. “What are you doing?”

  Austin answered. “Yeah. Strep throat. She’s had one antibiotic and two codeine.” His face twisted into a grimace. “I’m outta here.” His eyes finally met mine. The skin puckering between his brow and his eyes communicated something his mouth didn’t. I held my hand out to him. I noticed his eyes flicker to Zach then back to me. Zach stepped back as Austin moved to the bed.

  “Thank you,” I moaned hugging his hand.

  Austin smiled and almost laughed. “You’re still loopy,” he said scratching the longer whiskers on his face.

  “You did so much. I don’t know how to thank you.”

  “Just get well.”

  “You promised you’d stay. Don’t go.”

  “I’ll come back, later,” he patted my hand and was done talking. He stood and Zach met his stance.

  “Thanks, man. For being here when I couldn’t.” He extended his hand and Austin shook it, nodded then left the room.

  Zach’s face was broken and I realized with all my body aches, my heart hadn’t been involved until this moment. It hurt to see him upset.

  “Why are you sad?”

  He sat next to me and I curled myself around the back of his hips.

  “You need to rest,” he said as his thumb traced over my jaw bone. He was cold to me.

  “Don’t be sad,” I mumbled.

  His smile was warm and I noticed he was tanner. He’d spent time in the sun.

  “I’m not sad. Just disappointed in myself. I wasn’t here when you needed me.”

  What was he talking about?

  “I’m sorry for leaving. I’m so sorry.”

  I squeezed him between my knees and my chest or at least it felt like I did. Then again, I wasn’t sure if my body moved at all. I closed my eyes.

  Unsure how long I’d dozed, I felt Austin still next to me saying he was sorry. Everyone was sorry. Austin, Grant, Zach. “They’re all sorry,” I muttered incoherently.

  He brushed the hair off my face. “Who, baby?”

  I moaned as I rolled onto my back. My entire body ached especially in my joints. “All of ‘em feel that way. Not just you. There’s nothing anyone could have done.”

  He twisted on the bed and his hands were so cold it was nearly painful.

  “It’s because we all love you,” he whispered.

  I patted Austin’s hand. I was tired and wanted to go to sleep. “I know, but Austin, you got there in time. You guys have to stop beating yourself up.”

  He pulled the covers up over me. “I’ll try. But Em, When I did get there…in time…what was going to happen?”

  I tried to open my eyes but they were too heavy. “Don’t be stupid. You know what. You’re the one who pulled my pants up.”

  “Yes… I forgot,” he whispered. “Rest.” He turned off the light.

  Chapter 28—Truth

  The sun was hidden behind the spotted clouds but provided enough brightness to my room that it fully woke me. My clock read 9:10am. I dangled my feet over the edge of my bed trying to get my bearings. My flip flops were by the door and I slid into them and moved my body sluggishly down the stairs.

  “Emma?” Zach rounded the corner with wide eyes.

  “Zach?” Oh, it hurt to talk and I grabbed my throat. Why was he here? I fingered through my nappy hair then instantly stroked my pale face embarrassed. I tried to remember the night and I vaguely recalled my dream. He touched my cheek.

  “You’re here,” I whispered and my hand wrapped my neck as pain shot through my throat.

  “I’m here, baby.” Wincing as the word came out, he pulled me into his chest. Odd, how the sound of the word today didn’t bother me. His hands were in my hair.

  “Don’t smell my hair. It’s been like two days since I’ve washed it.”

  There was no mistaking it now, his smell…the one that was intoxicating to me…was all around me making my head spin.

  “I don’t care.”

  “Why’d you come? When?”

  “When I talked to Austin and he told me how sick you were. I got in the Jeep and drove. How are you feeling?”

  Austin? I remembered waking up on his bed, he and his father arguing, driving here…the rest was fuzzy. “Was Austin here when you got here?”

  He nodded. “I owe him. He took very good care of you.”

  “How do you know that?” I collapsed on the sofa too weak to keep standing.

  He raised my head and slid in beneath me. “He drove you to some clinic in Seaside and got you some good drugs.”

  I remembered now. “That’s right. Where is he?”

  Zach shifted beneath me. “Home. I suppose. I was with you all night. His car is still here so he’ll be back.”

  “You didn’t have to come. I know we’ve been angry with each other,” I spoke with my teeth clenched; it somehow felt better on my throat.

  He scratched my back. “Rephrase that. You’ve been angry with me.”

  I rolled to my back and looked at him. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry. We’ll talk about it later. You sleep.”

  He didn’t have to ask twice, my eyes obeyed and I was out.

  The next time I opened my eyes, my mom was caressing my face.

  “Mom. You’re back? How was Portland?”

  She smiled. “Portland was fine. But it doesn’t explain this.”

  “I made Austin promise not to call. Things are fine though. I’m so much better.”

  I pushed myself up and my head was wet. Zach lifted his damp shorts off his thigh. “Sorry,” I whispered trying not to breathe on him.

  He pulled me in to his chest. “Stop saying that. Clearly your fever broke.”

  “Hey there Doodlebug. How ya feelin?” My dad smiled.

  There was a nickname I hadn’t heard in a while. “Hi, Daddy. Much better. I think my fever broke for good on Zach’s leg. When did you guys get home?”

  “Only about ten minutes ago.”

  “Did you have fun?”

  “You’re mom did.” He winked and moved into the kitchen.

  “I think I’m gonna go shower,” I said and Zach steadied me on my feet. “Thanks for being here…for making the drive.”

  “I should have come
back sooner,” he swallowed hard as the words came out.

  “You’re here now,” I smiled and slowly took the stairs one at a time.

  After a long hot shower, a good tooth brushing and a hair comb, I felt refreshed and renewed. Zach sat at the kitchen table with my folks and they stopped talking when I came in. I didn’t like that.

  “Your mom and dad told me about your new car.” He smiled. “Sweet!”

  I wanted to hug him, hold him close but he stayed in his chair. “It’s totally cool. I’m so excited.”

  “Well, bug, you look alive,” my dad added.

  “I feel alive. Finally.”

  “Hungry?” Mom asked.

  I shook my head. “Not yet.”

  “Want to go for a walk? Or we could sit on the deck?” Zach suggested.

  “My vote is for a walk,” I said.

  “Zach. Will you grab a blanket in case she gets cold?”

  He nodded. “Sure will.”

  The sun was beginning to fall in the western sky making a rippling orange reflection off the water. It was beautiful. Zach’s large hand swallowed mine as we walked to the water’s edge. I stopped shy of the water and shook my head.

  “I’m not sure I can tolerate the temperature of the water today.”

  We shifted our path to the north.

  “I so want to kiss you,” the regret was audible in my voice.

  “I know. I’ve thought about that for the past twenty-four hours. It’s gonna be harder than I thought.”

  “I can’t thank you enough for coming.”

  He squeezed my hand. “Em. I would have spent the entire summer here if it would have been OK.”

  I smiled at his words as a sadness settled over me. “We need to talk.”

  He sighed. “I know. I have some questions of my own.”

  I eyed him curiously. “About?”

  He nodded. “You first.”

  “You know what my issues are.”

  “Jaycee,” he stated with no question in his tone.

  I winced at the sound of her name coming off his lips.

  “Emma Nichole Hendricks. Do you see this ring?” He lifted my right hand. “I put that on there as much for me as for you. I promised you I would be true to you over the summer. And I have.”

  I nodded. “But…you know she wants you.”

  The edges of his mouth twisted up. “I don’t care.”

  “Did she make any moves on you?”

  His hand twisted in my hair. “None that I didn’t handle.”

  My eyes widened. “See! She did.”

  A low growl came from his throat. “I love you. Not her. I don’t even like her, not even a little.” His lips swept over my forehead. “Granted. I probably should have said no to her riding with me to North Bend…but I kept thinking if I didn’t make a big deal out of it, then it wouldn’t be. I’m sorry.”

  “Were you ever alone with her?”

  He nodded rubbing up and down on my arms. “A couple of times. We were at a party at Claire’s and people were hanging out…kind of doing their own thing. She plopped down next to me on the sofa, slid her hand up my thigh. When I stopped her, she blew it off by laughing like it wasn’t intentional. She knows Em. She’s trying to piss you off.”

  His eyes were worried and I believed him. My cheek rested just above my nitch in his chest. And our eyes instantly met.

  “Somebody’s grown.” He grinned.

  I couldn’t get him close enough as I nestled my head between his muscles.

  “I’m sorry for doubting you,” I whispered and his embrace tightened. “This conversation is getting old isn’t it?”

  He grinned. “Yes. Let’s not have it again.”

  Later that night, the fire burned bigger than normal and the circle wider than normal. An anxious feeling spread through my body when I spotted the back of Austin’s head. His dark hair rested on the back of his sweatshirt. I hadn’t seen him since yesterday and I didn’t recall much of that. His quiet laughter made me smile as Zach and I walked up. I searched for things to say—a way to hide what had happened from Zach. I decided I was forbidden to look at him. I was afraid—to even sneak a peek. If I failed in my attempt, I would laugh…at him stomping on the spider or telling his dad I was drunk…or hiding from him in the pool…or singing happy birthday. I rolled my lips under as the thoughts rolled through my mind.

  “Hey. What’s up?” Zach greeted.

  “Hey, Owens,” Grant said. Man he was trying hard.

  Ryan smiled, Seth nodded and Austin waved. It wasn’t until we joined the circle that I saw the girl resting between his legs, her brown hair pulled up into a cute messy bun. My breath caught in my throat. Frozen where I stood, Zach casually forced me to the open chair.

  Compelled to look at him now, I watched as the long swig he took finished the bottle and Seth tossed him another. He twisted the cap off then snapped it between his fingers sending it like a Frisbee through the air. The girl giggled.

  Zach nudged me. “You OK?” he whispered in my ear.

  Unable to form a sentence, I nodded and nestled into him.

  “Who’s your friend?” I finally squeaked out.

  Austin’s eyes were glazed over and he acted surprised that she was even there.

  “Uh, this is…” he paused, I think trying to remember.

  “Madeline,” the girl said poking him in the ribs causing him to chuckle.

  “I knew that sweetheart,” he said nuzzling his nose in her neck.

  Sweetheart? Really?? Who the hell was this girl? I’d never even heard of Madeline. Not even a Maddie!

  “I’m outta here,” Austin announced tilting the bottle to his lips as he shoved Madeline forward. She picked up her flip-flops and reached for his hand. He looked down at her hand in his and brought it up to his mouth kissing her knuckles while staring at me. Uncomfortably, I looked away.

  “Good thing you ain’t drivin’,” Seth laughed as Austin tripped over a chair.

  He shot us all a peace sign and they headed in the direction of his house.

  My jaw tightened as I watched them wander down the beach.

  Zach tapped my shoulder. “You OK?” he asked again.

  “Sure. Why?”

  “I just didn’t know if it bothered you that he walked off without speaking to you.”

  My eyes flashed to his. “No. It’s fine.”

  “Is it?” he asked suspiciously, staring intensely.

  “Zach. What’s wrong?”

  His teeth clenched. “Nothing.”

  I unsteadily rose to my feet. “Do you want to talk about…something?”

  He tossed the blanket into the sand. “Do you wanna do this here?”

  All the guys eyed us.

  “Do what?” I laughed.

  His face was intense. Cold eyes. Tight lips. My heart skipped a beat.

  I swallowed hard. “What’s wrong?” I whispered.

  “Let’s go up here.” His tone was angry as he pointed up the beach.

  I nodded wearily. “OK.”

  As he stormed off and I uneasily followed, I heard one of the guys ask, “What’s that about?”

  Zach’s strides were long, and I walked quickly to keep up.

  “Hey. What was that about?” I asked.

  He spun around and gripped me tightly pressing his lips to mine. The strength in his lips surprised me and hurt a little. I guess he’d decided that strep throat wasn’t a big concern. His involuntary moan melted my heart and his lips weakened in their aggressive attack. As his hands slowly traced my face, my knees went limp, and his arms were there when I needed the support. His kiss slowed and he pecked my cheeks, forehead and nose. A satisfying smile crossed my face as he reared back.

  “You know. You could have just asked for a kiss.”

  He jiggled a sheet of paper in front of me. “You want to explain this?”

  I snatched the paper and examined it, the smile faded. My heart plummeted. He’d found the bucket list. Mine and Austin�
��s list.

  “It’s a summer to do list,” I said softly.

  “Race car driving?”

  My eyes fell. “That’s Austin’s.” I couldn’t look at him.

  “So this is your’s and his list?”

  I nodded. “Kind of.”

  “Kind of? Skinny dipping?” The rage in his voice was alarming.

  I didn’t answer.

  “Em. Tell me you didn’t skinny dip with him.”

  I knew not answering was truth enough, and I wouldn’t have lied, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it. My uneasy expression said it all.

  “God Damn it, Emma! Is it the same night you got drunk?”

  I nodded my head as tears were there before I realized. “When did you find that?” I cried.

  “Last night. After you fell asleep. When I saw his eyes when he had to leave you.”

  “It’s not like that.”

  “I wasn’t sure though. Then the car…the doctor…the late night phone call—drunk. It all added up. The missing piece was tonight. I wasn’t sure if it was Grant or Austin and I needed to be sure. Then, the minute we stepped foot down here…Austin bolted and he has no clue of the name of the girl he’s with. Really?”

  I frantically grabbed his arms. “Zach. Listen to me…Austin is my friend.”

  He jerked away. “I watched your face as he left. You were hurt. Sad. Why?”

  “I don’t know. He’s my friend. He’s always been my friend…always been there for me. We’ve just been hanging out. We made the list on the way to North Bend and…”

  He cut me off. “Well shit. That’s been just a few days. Nothing like getting down to business.”

  My face was wet with tears and my nose was so full I couldn’t breathe. “You’re wrong. It wasn’t planned like that. We made the list joking around. Then you and I had a fight about Jaycee. That’s when we drank. It was his birthday and…”

  “And you decided to get naked and swim in the Pacific?”

  “No. We weren’t in the ocean.” The words flew from my mouth before I could stop them.

  His face softened momentarily. “Where were you?” Confusion colored his tone.

  I inched my way toward him slowly taking his hand in mine. “Zach. Austin is twenty years old. I am sixteen.” Austin’s defense is the only thing that came to mind.