Footprints

by Nicky Jayne

  “Tanner,” her voice comes from behind me. I stuff the paper into the side of the door, hoping she doesn't notice.

  “Just looking for my papers, hold on a second.”

  “Oh, okay,” she says shyly.

  “Tanner?” she calls again. Damn, she is persistent.

  “Uh-huh,” I don't look at her when I answer because I already gave her an answer.

  “Tanner,” she says with a little snarl to her voice.

  “Riley,” I fire back as I turn.

  She suddenly goes shy, but her eyes don't leave mine. She has her papers in her hands. Her hand’s so tight, she’s scrunching them.

  I reach for her to release whatever tension she has balled up inside those small arms of hers.

  “Riley, here give them to me, okay?” I beg.

  She doesn't let go at first. I have to pull them from her, risking cutting her small hands, but her face and her tension filled hands are getting me a little worried.

  “Tanner?” she says, one more time.

  “Yes, that’s me. I like the way my name rolls of your tongue.”

  Ah, shit. Did I really just say that? I close my eyes tightly while I scold myself. DAMN! DAMN! DAMN!

  A small chuckle makes me open my eyes. She’s standing before me as bold as brass, smiling like a damn Cheshire cat. Okay, I can work with this.

  “Wanna go for a walk with me, Riley?”

  She nods, and I’m starting to think that this is too easy. I do, however, have the perfect place in mind. Guiding her into my truck, I can feel the heat coming off her body. She’s much smaller than me and her body’s so petite that I have to lift her a little just to get her into the truck. She weighs nothing, my duffel probably weighs more.

  Closing the door, with my precious cargo safely secured inside. I lean my head gently against the truck, trying not to bring attention to myself.

  Is this going too fast? Something’s going to give here soon, I can feel it.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Riley

  Sitting in the booth, watching this man before me smile, smirk laugh and generally act like an ass, is refreshing. My dad passed away seven years ago and people around here still act as though it was yesterday. I’m starting to think that it’s one of the many reasons I’ve never moved on as much as I should’ve.

  The sound of Annie's voice makes me smile, but also made me nervous. She’s never seen me with a guy before. I figured she would go all protective friend on me¸ but to hear “Lady-bug” come out her mouth in such a toxic tone was heart breaking.

  She knows better than anyone the sentiment of that nickname. I have a feeling she was doing it to piss off Tanner, but she managed to wound me in the process. Thank god for Marcie, damn that women has super-sonic hearing or something.

  When I touched his hand it felt right just to allow my fingers to weave through his, like a stress reliever or something. He didn’t seem to mind after Annie's little temper tantrum, name calling episode. I thought I was going to lose it, but the minute he touched me, I felt warm. I felt…I don’t know, like there’s something about his touch that grounds me.

  As strange as it sounds, I could feel him all around me while I was sitting in the booth, He holds a huge place in the cafe and knowing that he watches me, settles me. Marcie added my dad to her growing wall of military members a few years ago. She refused to have him in with the rest. She wanted a special place for him. I think that she did it for me honestly, so I wouldn’t feel lost not knowing where his face was in all the others.

  Coffee finished and literally no conversation, we decide to go and figure out the truck issue, but as with all things today, nothing seems to go as planned. I watch him rifle through his papers, though I find I can’t stand to not be looking at him. Over and over I call his name, to the point of annoyance, but he turns and looks right through me.

  It’s then that I know there’s something more to him, that something more made the butterflies take flight inside my stomach.

  I struggle to get into his truck, damn the thing is high. I should ask him how high. I’m about five-five, and I had to hike my leg to my chest height just to get footing. When his arms came around my waist, I just about lose it. I start to breathe heavy as my heart dances around my chest. I don't breathe again until he shuts the door.

  A slight thud against the door makes me smile. He’s just as affected by all of this as me.

  As I wait for him to right himself, I think back to all the times I’ve told myself that my life could never be wrapped around a man like this. I’d never go down the same path as my mother. Not that it isn't an honorable one. I know it is, but at one point my heart was too small and too fragile to think it could handle a love like that and then to lose that love. It’d kill me.

  With Tanner though, it’s something else. I know what he does. I can see it in his face. One of the many things I’ve learned over the years is that if you are used to it, you can see a battle scared man. One who has seen more death, more pain, more suffering than they should ever see in their lifetime. He holds all those old scars, he wears them well, but deep down I know he can’t be the same as any regular twenty something year old man.

  I’m broken from my thoughts when he enters the truck, a big beaming-ass smile on his face and a red mark on his head. I instantly slap my hand to my mouth. Ha! He totally smacked his head against the door. Oh man, he’s right there with me. This’s just as hard for him as it for me.

  “Where to?” I ask quietly.

  He gives a small wink, but doesn’t answer.

  “Tanner?”

  Pulling out on to the street, the weather has cleared up. The sun’s broken through the rain clouds. That’s the thing out here, we have torrential down pours one minute and everyone acts like the world is going to end, but then, within minutes to a couple of hours, the bright blue sky and a daring yellow sun comes out and makes everything right again.

  “Tanner?” I call again.

  “Riley,” he growls.

  “Where’re we going?” I ask.

  I’m not one big for conversation. I’m getting that vibe from him too, but I can also see that he’s as much of an ass as I am.

  “Drone Park.”

  Ha. Well, would you look at that? Maybe we should go over there and start this day all over again. Maybe we might actually get some insurance papers swapped.

  The cab goes quiet while he concentrates on driving and I sit back and think of our ‘walk’ as he put it.

  I love the park. Dad and I went there whenever he was home. I love the tree covered paths and feeling the leaves fall down onto my shoulders like angels with the sound of the crushing leaves beneath my feet. The whole atmosphere of the park is amazing, so relaxing, invigorating even. I have a special place that my dad and I use to go visit. A tree droops over at its roots, but it still grows strong, its yellow blossoms lighting it up like a Christmas tree. I used to hide under it. When it’s in full bloom, you couldn't see through it, so nine times out of ten, I won the game. That was until dad caught on and started hiding there himself.

  There’s a picture somewhere. Oh my, I love that picture. If I remember correctly, it was taken about a year before he left. The tree was in full bloom. Dad and I were hanging out under it. Shoes off, lying underneath, you know, the whole chilling-out thing. Our feet stuck out from underneath, so all you could see were our feet.

  Mom snapped the pic, and Dad took it everywhere with him. It’s one of the many things that have stayed in the trunk. The trunk that we never did completely empty.

  The park’s about thirty minutes from here, so we have a bit of a drive. I’d expect some sort of conversation with him sitting next to me, but there’s nothing. He is thinking about something, his eyes keep smiling, as does his mouth. Focused on the road for the most part, but I’ve caught him a couple of times sneaking a peek at me. I pay him no mind, making out like I’m deep in thought too. Well, I was, up until ten minutes ago when I caught myself looking at him.r />
  He’s certainly growing on me. That stubble line is cute. Are they supposed to be cute? What is the right term? Um, manly maybe? I don't know, whatever it is, it looks good on him.

  Time seems to be slipping away. When we left the cafe the sun was beaming bright, but now it’s fading fast, as it’s getting into the late afternoon. It will start getting dark soon. I don't expect us to be out for long though. When the sun disappears, I know my Uncle Crass will be looking for his truck and me. I don’t think we’ll be away that long. Checking his watch again, it’s obvious that he’s noticing the sun creeping closer to the horizon.

  The park’s just up ahead, so I steel myself, kind of preparing myself for what comes next. Hopefully, we’ll actually talk to each other.

  He chuckles beside me. Damn, did I say that out loud? I hope not.

  “What’s so funny?” I say.

  “You,” he replies.

  Me, what the hell did I do? Man, did I really say that out loud? Shoot me now. Uncle has my spot picked out alongside that deer head of his.

  I playfully tap him on the arm, and once again I’m shocked by the strike of lightning that runs between our bodies. His head snaps to mine as I pull my hand away. I don't know what I’m expecting him to look like when he faces me, but I’m not expecting that big-ass cheesy grin of his.

  He takes his eyes off the road for only seconds, but the screech of something in front of us makes him turn sharply.

  “Oh, shit,” he snaps and his hand flies across my chest, bracing me for impact.

  It never comes, but the sensation of his arm running across my chest is breath taking. My eyes face forward as I jolt forward only slightly in the seat. His foot is slammed down on the brake, bringing us to a screeching halt in what seems only inches from the car ahead of us. I can hear his heavy breathing as he tries to calm himself.

  “You okay?” he whispers.

  He doesn't look at me, his eyes are focused on the car ahead. I give a simple nod, knowing he isn't going to see it. I place my hand on his forearm, giving him a small squeeze to reassure him. His muscles tighten beneath my fingers. I can’t help but smile. I’m still affecting him as much as he is me.

  “What’s with you and knocking my truck around today?” he nervously laughs

  I feel slightly offended by his words, but I can’t help the smile that reaches my face, he’s right. This’s the second time today I’ve nearly crashed his truck. I want to blame it all on him, but honestly it’s not. The first one was maybe more him than me, but if I was paying attention it wouldn't have happened. This one’s maybe a little more my fault. I distracted him, but not on purpose mind you.

  The car ahead of us, pulls off flipping a U-turn in front of us. I don't understand why, but as the car moves away a small body of water, much too deep for the little car, comes into view.

  We look at each other at the same time and we both smile. I know what he’s thinking and damn if I’m not thinking the same thing.

  He revs the engine a little to noise and the sound makes my heart race. I’m if anything, a definite truck junkie. Flying through water and dirt gives me an orgasmic thrill. I’m drawn to it. It relieves the tension that builds up in my body on a daily basis. Screw getting a massage, I’d rather kick up some dirt.

  With one final rev of the engine, my body’s forced back into the seat when he floors it through the water. It sprays everywhere, so much so that we can’t see out of the window. Before I know what I’m doing, I let out a huge scream. Well, not so much of a scream more like a ‘YEEHAW’!

  He laughs like a goon next to me while we slow down.

  “Well, Well. I never expected that,” he laughs.

  I just smile. A pure, full hearted, carefree smile.

  The parking lot is empty, which I’m not surprised by. No one will be out here anytime soon, especially after that storm.

  The engine goes silent. My eyes are fixed on the yellow tree just ahead of me. The electricity in the truck feels alive.

  “Ready?”

  “Uh huh,” I answer, keeping my eyes on the tree. I can feel the tears building as my head is filled with memories. They’re happy ones of course, but I won’t allow the tears to fall. I’ve cried enough today.

  A hand on my leg makes me jump. I didn't even notice that he’d gotten out of the truck, come around, and opened my door. I smile down at him when he reaches both arms for me. I could very well get out of the truck by myself, but to feel his arms around me once more is addictive and very appealing. Turning my body around to him, I lean down to grab around his neck. As my arms touch his body he sighs, but sucks in a breath all at the same time. It sounds almost painful.

  He lifts me gently from the truck, but doesn't put me down. Instead, he pulls his head back slightly and we stare into each other’s eyes. I could drown in them, get lost in them. I see his head move slightly, but it stops. The warmth of his breath reaches my face, he’s only inches from me. His face is a mixture of emotions, looking like he doesn't know where to go from here.

  Secretly, I don't want him to let go. I’m hoping somewhere deep down that he’ll close the gap and kiss me. I don't have to wait long before he places a small kiss to my lips, but pulls back and searches my eyes to gauge my reaction. I have none, but holy hell, do I want him to do that again.

  Feeling the blood rush to my cheeks, I’m sure by now that I’m the color of a strawberry. I watch as his eyes search my face once more.

  The rush that flows through my body as he places his lips to mine once more is so intense, I can feel everything about him flowing through the kiss. Intense is not the word. I hold his lips close to mine while his tongue goes in search of something in my mouth. We’ve only known each other for a short period of time, but there’s so much passion, so much lust clinging in this kiss. That if he lets go right now, I may pass out. I’m sucked into him. I can feel every part of him.

  He slips my body down until my feet land on the ground, but he doesn't break away from me. He is still searching for something. My hands move from around his neck up to his hair, I run my hands through the soft locks while his hands make their way down to my hips, where he holds me tight, bringing my body closer to his.

  The sudden sound of something ringing makes me jump. I’m so lost in him that I have no idea where I am. He doesn't stop and I don’t want him to, but damn that ringing is going to drive me insane. Lowering my hands, I lace them around the sides of his face. The thin line of stubble tickles my palm. I push him back ever so gently.

  When we break he is out of breath, his eyes burning red as they catch mine.

  “Answer it,” I say trying to catch my breath.

  He looks at me like I said something foreign, until the loud ring starts all over again.

  “Fuck,” he says, sounding extremely frustrated.

  Pulling his phone from his pocket, he doesn’t move his eyes from me. I lean my body gently against the truck. The world has begun to spin, and I don’t know up from down. My heart’s racing, and all I hear is the blood pumping in my ears. It’s deafening. I watch him while he speaks into this phone, but I can’t hear what he is saying.

  Touching my lips, I can feel them throb below my fingertips. It’s a strange sensation, but one that I’d love to feel again. I have not been kissed a lot, I kind of kept myself away from that scene, but holy hell if it’s like that, then I’m missing out.

  Tanner is pacing in front of me, running his hand through his hair. I’ve learned it means that he’s nervous. My hearing comes back, like I’m holding a sea shell to my ear listening to the ocean. He’s talking sternly down the phone shouting off questions, but not waiting for the answers before he starts on another rant.

  Something is very wrong. Pushing up from the truck, I take the few steps towards him, laying my hand on his shoulder. There’s no electricity this time, but he still jumps. His eyes are no longer as clear as they once were. A storm has passed across them, making them dark and murky.

  “I’m on
my way. Wait for me Eloise. No! I mean it, Eloise. WAIT!” he snaps into the phone.

  His head droops as he closes the phone. I don't know what to do, something’s definitely wrong. I slide my fingers under his chin, bringing his face to mine and plead with him for answers, but there are none. He doesn't smile at me and those internal scars that I spoke off, show themselves. They’re like beacons signaling danger. I’m scared not for me, but for him.

  “I need to go…can I drop you off at the dorm? I need to get to Mason’s.”

  Mason’s, why does he need to get to Mason’s? Is something wrong with Jake? OHMIGOD! My mom.

  “Tanner what’s wrong, my mom was at Mason’s. Is everything, okay? Is Jake okay? Eloise? What’s going on?” I ramble, shooting questions left, right, anywhere to anyone who’ll listen. I can’t stop myself. If anything’s happened to my mom or Uncle Crass, I won’t survive it.

  “I don't know the details Riley, I just know I have to go to Mason’s. If you want to come get in the truck now.”

  His tone is vicious, he’s worried, he’s mad and I’m stalling because I understand. Nodding, I turn and head to the truck. He’s not there to help me up this time. He’s already in the driver’s seat by the time I get in. Reaching over to close the door, a small gust of wind hits the door, pushing a piece of paper out of the door. I reach out, grabbing it before it’s blown away. I shut the door only seconds before he hits reverse and speeds out of the parking lot.

  I slide the paper back into door well. Pushing my body all the way back into the seat, so that his speed and sharp turns don't toss me around the cab too much.