by Jacob Chance
“Yeah, so far.” He points upward. “These beams came from trees on this property.”
“How cool. You need a swing hanging from up there. These ceilings are high enough to have one.” Slowly, I turn in a circle with my arms outstretched. “I’m never leaving.”
“You’re welcome to stay as long as you want, but when my parents come back they’ll drive you crazy.”
“Aren’t you guys close?”
“Yeah, we are, but my mom will ask you one thousand questions because she’ll think you’re my girlfriend. Or she’ll hope you are. And my dad is the practical one so he’ll ask me if we’re being careful, or a string of one hundred other inappropriate things.”
I snort. “Do you get asked those kinds of questions often?”
“Not anymore so much and I’ve never brought a girl home. But we grew up with him preaching about the dangers of unprotected sex and speaking about the disgusting things he’d deal with at work. I never really wanted to hear about genital warts when I was eating dinner, but it didn’t seem to matter.”
“Parents’ questions are always annoying, even when it’s someone else’s parents doing the asking. I guess I’ll be here temporarily, then.”
“My parents go away quite a bit so you’ll be able to come back. I’ll have you here in the summer and we can swim and kayak in the lake.”
“Sounds like a lot of fun. I love to kayak. Do you have paddle boards in that toy shed?”
“We sure do. And there are a couple of jet skis too.”
“Dude, you’re never getting rid of me now.” I wink.
“That doesn’t really scare me. I’m getting kind of attached to you.”
“You’ve only been with me for a few hours.”
“So? What can I say? You’re addicting.”
I beam at him. “That’s one of the nicest things anyone’s ever said to me.” And I fully return his sentiment. His company is like fine wine. Once you imbibe, you never want the cheap stuff again. How come a girl hasn’t snatched him up by now? Are all the local girls blind?
Chapter Ten
Nolan
“Okay, you’ve gushed over this space enough. I still need to show you to your room. Jesus, I can’t get you up there no matter how hard I try.”
She giggles, “No wonder you’re a virgin.”
“Ha ha. Go ahead and tease the sex starved nineteen year old. Not like I feel bad enough about myself already.”
“Nolan, I’m sorry,” Perri rushes to say, placing her hand on my arm.
I smirk. “I’m fucking with you. But seriously, let’s go. I think the straps on your bags have cut off all the blood flow to my arms.”
She slaps my chest with the back of her hand. “Stop whining and you can show me your bedroom. Then at least you can say you’ve had a girl in there.”
“You have to earn the right to see my bedroom. I don’t show just any girl.”
“Oh? So, I’m just some girl now?” She crosses her arms over her chest.
“I’m joking. You’re not like any other girl.”
She giggles, “Oh, I know I’m not. I’m just fucking with you.”
“Touche.” I amble toward the stairs peering over my shoulder to make sure she’s following. I lead her up the open staircase, the railing is the only thing blocking us from the living area. We reach the top and a gasp stops me.
Perri stares wide eyed down at the living space below. “This is freaking amazing. I’d never want to leave if I were you. How can you live in the frat house after this place?”
“I can’t really say for sure. I’ve been here all my life so maybe I take it for granted somewhat. I try not to, but I also know that I can come back anytime I’d like.”
“Those are massive.” She points to the thick exposed beams that provide necessary support, while matching the rustic feel of the house.
“Those beams are one of my favorite things about this house. That wood came from this land and I love that my parents made sure it was put to use. I’m not a tree hugger or anything, but I do believe in recycling things.”
“Like the barstools?”
I smile. “Yeah, those are my second favorite thing about this house. I love that my dad and I made those together and everything we used we already had.”
“Sounds like a good father/son bonding experience.”
“It was. We’re supposed to do another project while I’m on break.”
“What are you going to make?”
“I’m not sure. We have some old toboggans we could make a coffee table out of.”
“I love the sound of that.”
“Okay, you have literally like ten more steps to take to get to your room. I feel like I need to leave a trail of candy to lure you in there.”
“Hmm, do you have any chocolate? Because that works for me.”
“No, I don’t. But if you behave and come with me, I’ll get you some. How’s that for compromise?”
She presses her lips together as if she’s weighing out her options and walks past me, calling out, “Are you coming? When do I get this chocolate?”
I smile at her antics and stop in front of the guest room she’ll be using. Opening the door, I step inside and flip the light switch. Letting out a shrill whistle, I call for her before I set her bags down on the floor.
Perri appears in the doorway. “Damn. I feel like I’m staying at some upscale mountain lodge.”
Strolling forward, she spins around looking at every part of the room and then spins once more, her grin growing wider with each passing second. “This is perfect,” she squeals. Skipping across the room, she jumps on the bed, landing on her back with a jostling bounce or two. Her hands settle behind her head and she crosses her ankles. “I may never leave this bed. This mattress is hugging my ass.” Lucky mattress. “I've never had a mattress so cushiony that it felt like I was lying on cotton balls. Do you have to pay a lot more for that effect?”
I chuckle because she’s so cute, I can’t help it. “I couldn’t tell you. I only know that they replace all the mattresses every few years and the guest room ones hardly ever get used. I don’t think anyone has stayed in this room before.”
She turns on her side to face where I’m standing and leans on her elbow. “How come?”
“Company typically stays in the basement because it’s like an apartment down there. You can cook in the kitchenette and there are two bedrooms and a full bath. It gives our guests privacy and keeps them out of our hair.”
“You should put me in the basement. I think it’s only fair that I warn you, I’m gonna be all up in your business if I stay up here.”
“My room is next door, so I’m really taking a chance.”
Perri’s eyes round with surprise. “It is?” She gracefully leaps from the bed and in a blink she’s out the door. Shaking my head, I hurry to catch up with her before she starts going through my drawers.
I find her with her hands on her hips, eyes scanning my private space. “Where would your porn stash be?”
“Nightstand drawer.”
“Makes sense. You like the convenience of having it nearby.”
“Perri, I’m kidding. I don’t need to collect porn. Isn’t that what smartphones are for?”
“Good point, but that’s unfortunate. I was hoping to find something juicy.”
I laugh, “Sorry to disappoint you.”
“You’ll have to share some embarrassing secrets with me to compensate.”
“I will, huh? Doesn’t knowing about my virginity count as enough?”
“If you want to be my friend, that’s the rule.”
“And what are you going to share with me?” I know what I want her to share. Visions of her lying on my frat house bed invade my mind. I can honestly say I’ve never been as attracted to anyone like I am to Perri.
“Uh-uh. Not so fast, Archer. That’s not how friendship with me works. I only spill secrets over facials and manicures. If you want to hear them, those are the rules.” Ho
w bad can it be to let her slap some gunk on my face and clip my nails? And the trade off is being in her company.
“Okay, I’ll play along, but the secrets you share need to be worth it.”
She giggles and I’m pretty sure I might regret this decision, but spending time with Perri is the ultimate consolation prize.
“Tonight we’ll have some girl time,” she snorts. “Lucky for you, I have everything we need with me.”
“I’m gonna regret this aren’t I?”
“No comment.”
Perri strolls into the kitchen area. “What smells so glorious?”
“That would be your dinner.”
“Ooh, what am I having?”
“I hope you like liver. It’s a staple in the Archer house.”
She looks alarmed. “Uhm… I… uh, I’ve never had it.”
“Fantastic. I’m glad I can be there for your first time.” I wink. “Have a seat.” I gesture at the barstools. “There’s some salsa and chips if you want any.”
She climbs up on the seat and faces me as if I’m a bartender. “What’s your poison, miss?”
“Do you have tequila?”
“Do I have tequila? What kind of vacation would this be if I didn’t?” Rifling through various bottles in one of the high cabinets, I find the golden label I’m searching for. Plucking the bottle from the shelf, I set it down on the counter in front of Perri. “How do you want it?”
“Straight up in a shot glass works. Or if you have sweet and sour mix, you could make me a margarita.”
Opening another cabinet, I remove a shot glass and slide it over to Perri. “I’ll tell you what, shots now and after we’re done with dinner, I’ll make you a margarita.”
She swipes the glass up in her hand and is already pouring the golden liquid before I’ve barely finished speaking.
I return to my task of chopping vegetables for our salad.
“Where did you learn to cook? Or do you not know how, and this is going to be inedible?”
“Hey, you said it smelled glorious.”
“I did, but that doesn’t mean it’ll taste good.”
“No worries. It will taste great. And to answer your question, no one taught me how to cook per se. I think I learned from observing my mom and she was always asking Donovan or me to help her out with something.”
“Is that your brother?”
“Yep. You’ll be meeting him tomorrow.”
“Do you guys resemble one another?”
“I guess we do. We have the same hair and eye color, but he’s already bigger than me.”
“You told me he plays hockey, right?” I nod. “He needs to be brawny then.”
“Yeah, hockey’s a tough sport. Almost as difficult as football.”
She arches one of her perfectly groomed brows. “Do you honestly think balancing on a little blade is easier than running on your own feet? Or that guiding a puck with a stick is easier than holding a ball in your own hands?”
“I’m not saying playing hockey isn't hard work. I happen to think football is harder. We wear less padding and get slammed to the ground.”
“They get slammed into the boards.”
“Maybe you should have another shot,” I suggest.
“Do you think tequila will make me more agreeable?”
I grin. “A man can hope can’t he?” The timer goes off and I remove dinner from the oven, setting it on the stove.
“What can I help you with?”
“There’s nothing to do. I’m going to have you come around the bar and serve yourself.”
She’s by my side in seconds and I hand her a plate and utensils. “There’s salad, baked potatoes, and meatloaf.”
“Meatloaf?”
I grin. “Yeah, meatloaf. I was joking about the liver.”
“You dick. I had a sick stomach at the thought of having to ingest liver.”
I chuckle, “Your expression was pretty awesome.”
“Is the meatloaf shaped like a football or is the tequila hitting me harder than I thought?”
“Yes, it’s really a football.”
“Does that make it taste better?”
“I think it does. It’s the only shape I’ve ever made. You’ll have to tell me how it is. When I make it at the frat house the guys scarf it down.”
“Well, they’re a bunch of savages, so that doesn’t surprise me at all.”
“They for sure don’t have a delicate palette like yours. Water or soda?” I question with the fridge door open.
“Water, please.”
I hand her two water bottles and she sets them down on the long counter. We busy ourselves dishing out the food and settle next to each other on the stools.
“Mmm,” Perri lets out a long moan. “This is amazing.”
“I’m glad you think so.” While I’m happy she likes my meatloaf, I’d rather her moan be for other reasons. But I’m a patient guy. You don’t get to my age as a virgin unless you are.
Most of our meal is enjoyed in silence with spurts of small talk mixed in. Perri takes the final bite and sets her fork down. “I’m stuffed, but that was worth it. I might need a mini nap to digest and then it’s time for our facial, mani/pedi session.”
Oh shit. I forgot I agreed to that. What was I thinking?
“What are all those?” I question, looking at the collection of tools and products Perri has set out on the table.
“These are all the things I need to give you a manicure.” Her eyes meet mine, catching my look of skepticism. “Seriously, you need to relax and trust me. I’m a professional at all this.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have made you that pitcher of margaritas.”
Perri defiantly raises the glass to her lips and gulps down the remaining beverage before setting the empty tumbler down to the side. She made her point. She picks up a nail file and waves it in front of me. “Do you know what this is?”
“Sandpaper?” I jest.
“It looks like it, I’ll give you that.” She takes hold of my hand and begins to file my nails. “Why is filing necessary? I use clippers on mine.”
“Filing makes them smoother.” She finishes up the first hand and gestures for my other one. Silently, she files and I take the opportunity to study her beguiling features. Brows, black like a raven’s wing, form two elegant arches against her fair skin. I want to trace over them with my finger and see if they’re as soft as they look. Thick, dark lashes fan out across the top of each cheek then fade as her captivating eyes come into focus, linking with mine. The shimmering array of ever changing browns and golds have my chest tightening. We both still as if time’s been frozen and neither of us can look away.
She sets a bowl in front of me. “Put your hand in here.”
“What is it?” I need to see what I’m getting into before I’ll comply.
She rolls her eyes. “What does it look like?”
Glancing down, I take in the bubbling liquid. “Soapy water?”
“Very good. Now put your hand in the bowl.” I do as she says, lowering my hand into the water. Surprised at the pleasantly warm temperature, my fingers uncurl, relaxing in the soapy solution.
Perri sits at the end of the table and sets a towel down between us. “Switch hands.”
Removing one hand, I set it on the towel and lower the other into the water. She raises a corner of the towel and wipes all the wetness away. Picking up a small tube, she puts a dot of lotion on each one of my cuticles and rubs the creamy substance into the skin around my nails.
“What’s this?”
“Cuticle remover. Are you going to ask me what everything is?”
“Maybe. Why would I want to remove my cuticles?”
“It removes the dead skin.” She dips a paper towel into the soapy water and uses it to wipe down the area she applied the cream to. “Give me your other hand.”
Removing it from the water, I set my palm flat on the towel between us. She wipes my skin dry and applies the cuticle cream, repeating
the steps.
“Isn’t it time for you to share some secrets with me? I’m mid-manicure.”
A smile teases the corners of her mouth. “What kind of secret do you want?” She squirts lotion on my hand and begins to massage my fingers. I have to bite back a groan at how amazing her touch feels. Who knew hands were an erogenous zone? Or maybe my entire body is one where Perri is concerned.
“Tell me something no one else knows.”
Pressing her lips together, she rolls them inward. “When my grandmother passed away, I saw her in my room that night.”
“Before or after she passed?”
“After. I woke up in the middle of the night and she was standing beside my bed smiling down at me. I whispered ‘Nana’ and she faded away until I couldn’t see her anymore.”
“How long ago did she pass?”
“When I was eight. And I can tell what you’re thinking, but I didn’t imagine her being there. She was. I’m certain of it. I even smelled her familiar jasmine perfume.”
I raise my free hand and place it on her forearm and offer a quick, sympathetic squeeze. “I wasn’t going to say any such thing. I believe you.”
Her eyes raise and fuse with mine. “Did you have something similar happen?”
“No, but I believe that people can communicate beyond this life. She must have loved you very much and I’m sure she wasn’t ready to leave you. What happened to her?”
“She had an aneurysm and died in her sleep. We were told she didn’t suffer and it was painless.” She shakes her head. “It’s crazy to think that someone so seemingly healthy and vital to my life went to sleep and that was the end.”
“Not the end forever, just for now.”
She rubs lotion on my other hand, eliciting the same powerful reaction in me. I clench my jaw to hide my response. I don’t want her to think I’m some perv who gets turned on by any girl brushing against him. I’ve never had such a hyper awareness around any other girl.
