The Natural History of Us

by Rachel Harris

  Peyton frowned, and I swear, it was like I could hear the wheels turning in her brain. I already knew she was stubborn, determined, and on a mission to save me. Knowing she was planning something… no lie, it made me nervous. When she bolted upright, nearly knocking me out with a head butt to the chin, I figured I had every right to be.

  “Oh, you’ll see a lot more of me than that,” she declared, pushing up to her elbows.

  Say what?

  “Uh, Sunshine, not that I don’t love where your head’s at right now—because I totally do. But we don’t have—”

  A pillow to the head shut me up.

  “Not like that,” she said with an amused sigh. “God, you’re such a horn dog!”

  “Guilty as charged,” I said with a laugh, and threw the pillow near the headboard. “But there’s a pet name for me. Sunshine and Horn Dog. Has a certain ring to it, I think.”

  My dirty little secret: making Peyton laugh was my new favorite hobby. I preferred it even to baseball, so when she tossed her head back, musical notes combining with groans at my ceiling, the crap with my parents flittered away.

  This, right here, was all I needed.

  Mumbling about boys, hormones, and one-track minds, Peyton tramped over to my closet. She yanked the door open and I watched, amused, as she pulled out a duffle bag and began throwing random shit inside.

  “Just curious,” I called from my prone position on the bed, “but what exactly are you doing?”

  “Packing,” she called back, like it should be obvious. Which, I guessed it was. I must’ve missed something.

  “And why are you packing again? You heard me say I don’t care about Disney, right?”

  “Oh, you’re not going to Disney.”

  “Uh huh.” Women were weird creatures. “Then if I’m not going to Disney… can I ask where it is I am going?”

  In response, Peyton tossed the opened bag on my bed, placed her hands on her hips, and smiled so wide I feared her face would crack. “Yep. You’re moving in with me.”

  PEYTON

  SWEET SERENITY RANCH 8:55 P.M.

  The clock on the wall was broken. Useless piece of junk. I’d been standing by the window for an eternity, staring out into the quiet, car-less night, yet the stupid digital read-out claimed only two minutes had passed since I last checked.

  I called shenanigans.

  “Relax, honey.” Mama smiled a secret smile and stole a glance at my dad. She didn’t know Justin and I were together, but it was pretty obvious she thought I had a crush. Her side of the bookshelf was stuffed full of red-spined romances, and knowing her, she’d be in matchmaking mode this weekend. I’d have to remember to warn Justin.

  Sliding another cookie onto the tray, she asked, “Justin likes chocolate chip, right?” Spatula in the air, she frowned at the cooling rack of goods. “Or maybe I should’ve gone with chocolate chunk?”

  The woman and her baking. It was a wonder I wasn’t the size of a hippo.

  “I told you, Mama, we’re friends. How am I supposed to know his favorite cookie? You act like I know the guy’s shoe size.”

  Size 11. That tidbit was obtained when I’d packed his bag earlier because, as we’d already established, I was a borderline stalker when it came to Justin Carter.

  Mama so didn’t need to know that.

  “Cookies are cookies,” I told her, softening my words with a smile since it wasn’t her fault the dang clock was broken. “He’s a growing boy so I doubt he’ll care either way. If it’s edible, he’ll devour it.”

  Dad snorted his agreement and I turned back to the window.

  Where is he?

  When I’d left Justin’s house two hours ago, Rosalyn had promised she’d drop him off on the way to the airport. He’d chosen to stay behind and help Chase finish his packing, which made me happy for two reasons. One, because watching him with that adorable little boy made my cuteness-meter explode. And two, because I needed extra time to prep my parents.

  It’d never really been a question that they’d agree. Mama was a total softie and if she was on board, I knew Dad would be, too. He normally went along with whatever she wanted—‘happy wife, happy life,’ he often said. Wise words to live by.

  So, once I’d gotten home, I’d casually asked if we’d have room at the table for Easter, dropping the fact that a friend was going to be all alone for the holiday. As expected, Mama pounced on it and invited them to stay the entire weekend.

  That was when I’d dropped the friend being a boy part of the scenario.

  Strangely enough, it didn’t much seem to matter. Mama had heard all about Dad’s skilled catcher over countless dinners, she’d met him a few times here at the ranch, and most importantly, her big, bleeding heart couldn’t stand for anyone to be lonely. Hinting at how horrible his parents were, without going into any specifics of course, had cinched the deal.

  For Dad’s part, he’d been suspicious at first. Hesitant after that. But thanks to my Oscar-worthy performance, proclaiming my relationship with his catcher to be strictly platonic, he’d approved the plan with flying colors.

  My latent guilt was growing palpable.

  “I’m proud of you, angel girl,” Dad told me now, hugging me to his side. “I appreciate you watching out for my boys.”

  I nodded as my stomach churned, shame settling like a rock. But Justin was worth it.

  “Team Williams sticks together, right?” I replied, fighting for a smile. He beamed back at me and it fell with a thud. This officially sucked. “Besides, I was glad to help. Justin’s a good guy.”

  A hotter than hot, incredibly-gifted-at-kissing good guy. Something told me Dad’s feelings would change in a heartbeat if he knew that, though, so with the familiar warmth of a blush heating my cheeks, I peered back out into the night…

  And jumped about a foot when two bright lights pierced the dark.

  He was here. Finally. Arguably the hottest guy in school, at the very least the freshman class, would soon walk through my front door with a duffle bag… a bag I’d packed for him no less… and then live with me for four whole days.

  My euphoria was matched only by my trepidation.

  Naked baby pictures were hidden, the main bath had been cleaned of tampons, and I’d made Mama vow on her prized Elvis statue that she wouldn’t do anything over-the-top insane. But I’d yet to get anywhere near that far with Dad. I’d been too busy watching the stupid, car-less view out the window.

  I latched onto his hand. “Please, please, for the love of Easter bunnies, don’t embarrass me this weekend.”

  “Would I do that?” he asked, his face a picture of innocence. I didn’t buy it for a second. “I’m thrilled that you’re friends with Justin. He’s one of my best players. And I’m happy he’ll be here with us instead of alone.” Outside, a car door slammed and his eyes sharpened to steel. “But you should know, I will be watching.”

  Boom! The parental gauntlet had been thrown. Two seconds later, footsteps pounded up the front stairs and a knock sounded on the door.

  Mama set the tray of cookies on the coffee table. “Peyton, would you like to get that?”

  “Mmhmm.” I swiped my sweaty hands down the sides of my jeans, fighting a telltale blush. Okay, so, apparently neither of my parents were fully sold on the platonic song and dance, and now they’d both be watching us like crotchety old nuns at a first boy-girl dance. That didn’t mean we couldn’t still have fun. Right?

  Another knock pounded the door and Mama gave me a knowing look. “Want me to—?”

  “No, I got it.” I needed to chill. My hesitation only fed their suspicions.

  Determined to be the embodiment of calm, breezy, and totally unaffected, I rushed toward the door, forgetting my lingering balance issues, and the fact that I was in bare socks. The cotton was no match for our laminate wood. I skidded across the floor, managing to stub a toe, knock over a coat rack, and bang my elbow against the wall with a muted oaf! before throwing open the door with decidedly unchill fla
ir.

  Justin’s eyebrows shot to his hairline. “Uh, hey there, Sunshine.”

  My heart knocked like a giddy bird inside my chest at his lopsided grin. Looking behind me toward the living room, Justin quickly dropped the smile and straightened his shoulders.

  “Coach,” he said with a brisk nod. “Mrs. Williams. Thanks for letting me stay with you.”

  As I fought to regain normal breathing patterns, he stooped to pick up a potted plant at his feet, an Easter lily, Mama’s favorite. Yep, he’d just achieved gold-star status.

  “It’s not much,” Justin said, handing the plant over to my mom. He shoved his hands deep in his pockets. “But I know how much my being here is a hassle. I’ll do anything I can to pitch in. Wash dogs, muck stalls, whatever you need, put me to work. I’m happy to do it.”

  I had a hunch happy was overstating things, considering he’d never once mucked a stall. Or tried to bathe a hundred pound Doberman. But I couldn’t help but smile. Bad boy Carter was a parent charmer. Who knew?

  Mama, charmed as all get out, ushered him inside as she held her flowers tight. “This is so thoughtful, Justin, really, but it’s no hassle at all. We’re happy you’re here. Though in all fairness, we should warn you… it’s gonna be a mad house.”

  Her thin shoulders slumped, as if she’d fully recalled how busy Easter weekend was for the boarding business. Mad house didn’t begin to cover it—we were chin deep in four-legged fur balls!

  With a heavy sigh, as if she could exhale that exhausting reality away, Mama set the lily on the table and took up the tray of deliciousness. “Justin, would you like a cookie?”

  His gaze fell to the tray of homemade treats and his boyish smile changed.

  I wasn’t sure if it was the endearment or the snack. Couldn’t really read the emotion behind it. But as Justin stared at the collection of misshapen, oozing chocolate cookies in my mother’s hand, something in him altered.

  The knot in his throat bobbed with a swallow and his eyes glazed as he reached out with a slightly trembling hand and took the nearest one. “Thanks, Mrs. Williams.”

  “You’re welcome, hun,” Mama replied softly, concern creasing her forehead. But she didn’t push. She’d raised my two brothers, and always said, “boys only talk when they’re ready.” Instead, she gave him a genuine smile and said, “And please, call me Grace.”

  Justin nodded and nibbled a corner of the treat, his pain palpable. Wishing I knew how to fix that didn’t make it any better, either. Thankfully, as he chewed, he found a different sort of help—the kind that came from my mother’s kitchen. The woman didn’t win awards for nothing.

  “These are really good,” he said, snatching another one, and for a moment, the mood lightened. We all laughed and grabbed a cookie of our own, even Dad, and snacked in somewhat comfortable silence until Justin dusted his hands of crumbs. “So, where should I put my stuff?”

  Crap. Just like that, good feelings vanished and embarrassment and utter awkwardness took their place. Something told me it wouldn’t be the only time that happened this weekend.

  “Right. About that.” Here came the only drawback of my master plan. “You’re actually… kind of staying in the doghouse.”

  Justin’s jaw dropped. “Kind of?”

  “Okay, you’re totally staying in the doghouse,” I clarified with a sigh. “Apparently Dad thinks you’re gonna try and steal my virtue.”

  My father choked on his cookie. Crumbs flew as he sputtered and coughed, beet red, though I spoke the God’s honest truth, and Mama pounded his back as she fought a fit of giggles. She found amusement in all life’s challenges.

  “Oh, that’s not it,” she told him with a smile, then tilted her head as she reconsidered her words. “At least, that’s not the only reason you’re outside.”

  The giggles won out, Mama’s eyes twinkling like she’d shared the punch line of a joke, and I smacked my palm against my forehead.

  Justin looked mortified. He turned to me with wide eyes and I shook my head at his silent question. Nope, I hadn’t told my parents a single thing. Our platonic pact for the parentals was still in effect. Mine were simply old-fashioned worry-warts who distrusted any non-related Y-chromosome who waltzed through the door.

  Perhaps noticing Justin’s slightly green complexion, Mama had the decency to appear sheepish. “We trust you both,” she assured him, as if reading my mind. “But we converted our sons’ bedroom into an office last year, and there’s already a comfortable guest room set up in the doghouse.”

  She winced a bit, only now seeming to fully grasp how weird this was. Asking our holiday guest to sleep with a bunch of dogs. Luckily, she rambled when she got nervous.

  “You’d honestly be doing us a huge favor,” she went on, no doubt making it worse. “We have a solid security system and have increased staff for the week, but it’ll give me so much peace of mind having you out there, keeping an ear out. We’ve got a packed house with all the families leaving town and needing to board their babies...”

  Mama trailed off, but her mouth stayed open like she was wishing the words back inside.

  Justin laughed humorlessly. “Then I’ll fit right in.”

  My heart squeezed. More than anything, I wanted to hug him, wanted to wrap my arms around his neck and tell him everything would be all right. That his parents sucked and none of this was his fault. But I couldn’t do any of that. Not with our two adult-sized shadows looming over us.

  I bumped his shoulder with mine. “Let’s go get you settled, huh?”

  Justin gave me a tight smile and Mama thanked me with her eyes. As he shouldered his bag and snagged the half dozen cookies my mom shoved at him, I pushed open the door. When Dad mentioned tomorrow’s practice and what time they needed to leave, I silently crept out onto the porch, needing a moment alone.

  Outside, stars punched holes into the dark. The air was still and warm, but I folded my arms against my chest anyway, feeling a chill in my bones. I took a deep breath, inhaled the scent of pine, and leaned against the porch rail.

  What was it about the night? The dark always made things appear so much bigger, so much more intense. This was the first time I’d really stopped moving or thinking since I’d concocted my plan at Justin’s house, and now that I had, I realized I was terrified.

  I was about to be alone with Justin for four whole days. No Diamond Dolls, no watchful teammates or lunch room politics. Just me, the boy I was falling for, and my well-meaning, overprotective parents… who might have had a hint, but really no clue just how much he meant to me.

  I closed my eyes and rested my head against the post.

  Would anything happen while he was here? Did I want anything to happen? The tickle low in my belly screamed yes, especially when it came to more earth-shattering kisses, but there were things… tons of other things… still yet to be explored. I may’ve been sheltered for a large part of my life, but I wasn’t dumb. I watched television, listened to conversations in the bathroom. Swiped Mama’s books when she wasn’t paying attention. Curiosity was a living, breathing thing, and intuitively, I knew Justin would be up for anything. Did I dare go for it?

  Do what scares you.

  My motto hadn’t failed me yet, in fact, it had done just the opposite. It brought me my first kiss, my first secret boyfriend, and more excitement and hope than I’d ever felt before. The nervousness in my gut was like a beacon, leading the way. And it was steering me now.

  Behind me, the door closed with a muffled thump and goose bumps erupted at the sound of heavy footsteps drawing near. Funny how I didn’t need to look to know it was him. My body had become a Justin Carter tracking system.

  Alert, alert! Severe hottie approaching! Batten down the hatches and gird your loins!

  “Ready?” he asked, voice low and at my ear. I had the sudden urge to lean back against him. Feel the strength of his body against mine. But fifteen years with my parents taught me that they were watching, so I restrained myself and turned to face hi
m.

  “Are you?”

  Under the soft light from the moon and distant flood lamp near the barn, Justin looked different. Less guarded, more relaxed. The ghosts that haunted his eyes earlier were gone, replaced with more of that wicked smoldering I’d seen once before.

  “I’m always ready,” he said in reply, and the left side of his mouth kicked up in a devilish smirk. Suddenly, the porch light flicked on, bathing us both in bright yellow light like a spotlight. My shoulders shook with a whine.

  Justin chuckled, which only made me want to kiss him more. “Don’t worry, we’ll find a way to be alone. I can be creative when I need to be,” he promised. “Plus, I hear doghouses are total aphrodisiacs.”

  I laughed aloud, even as a small shiver ran down my spine. Thus was the power of Justin Carter. I looked into his eyes and said, “With you there, hell yeah they are.”

  I think I surprised him.

  I know I surprised myself.

  My mouth fell open, and his trademark smirk transformed into a full-fledged grin. Evidently, I was getting better at this whole flirting thing.

  As his eyes grazed over my face, almost reverently, like he was memorizing every detail, I couldn’t help wondering what it was that he saw.

  Justin shook his head and stepped back, making a production of it like if he didn’t, he’d ravage me on the spot. Promises, promises. “I swear to God, woman,” he said, his voice low and thick, sending a thrill across my skin. “You’re gonna be the death of me.”

  Wild horses couldn’t stop my smile.

  This boy was it for me. It was as simple as that. Even crazier, it seemed like I was it for him. I was certain I was stuck inside some wonderful dream and would wake up any moment back inside my hospital room, but I refused to pinch myself. If I was dreaming, I was happy to stay that way forever.

  Heaving a sigh, Justin linked his pinkie finger with mine. “Well, come on then. Show me to my room in the dog palace.”

  He smirked and I rolled my eyes at his teasing. Then, listening to the butterflies in my gut, I followed him down the front porch steps.