Revive Me

by Ferrell, Charity

  “This place is amazing,” I said, following them down the hallway, our luggage in tow, as I admired the large ceilings and marble floors.

  “Thanks,” Cora said, “it’s Lane’s parents. They don’t mind us coming down here.”

  “I’d be here all the time if I could,” Tessa muttered. We followed her up a flight of stairs, stopping at the end of a hallway, and she opened up the door to the giant bedroom. When I’d lived with my mom, my bedroom was big enough to fit my twin bed, a desk, and give me a little walking space; you could’ve fit half of our house in just this one room.

  A king-sized bed sat in between two large windows, giving us a perfect view of waves crashing down against the ocean and flowing across the light sand. “This bed looks more comfortable than my own,” Tessa said, plopping down and snuggling into a pillow. “Can we just stay in here all vacation?”

  I kicked my shoes off before climbing in next to her. I kissed the sensitive spot on her neck, tasting the sweetness of her skin. “I have no problem with that, baby, but I think that would be pretty rude.”

  She moaned. “Is it weird I like spending all of my time with you? I mean, I know people call girls like that needy, but what if that’s what I want to do?”

  “Who gives a shit what other people think? You’re not needy if I want to hang out with you just as much. Those guys, the ones who bitch about girlfriends being needy, aren’t in love. They’re not planning anything long-term, they’re just looking to get laid. When you find that girl, the one you’re in love with, the one you want to spend the rest of your life with, you’ll never see her as needy, because you need her as much as she needs you. Probably more.”

  I moved in closer, running my lips over the smooth skin of her neck, before sucking on it gently. Her arm wrapped around my back and I felt her fingernails run along the back of my t-shirt as her mouth dipped down to catch mine. Our tongues instantly collided, and I reveled in the delicious and intoxicating taste of her.

  She jumped as a bang came from the other side of the door. “All right kids,” Daisy’s voice yelled. “It’s time to hit the beach.”

  “Rain check number two?” I asked, situating myself before rising up from the bed. I stood at the edge, holding my hand out, as she took it to get up.

  She groaned and unzipped her suitcase as I opened my duffel and grabbed my swim trunks. “I’ll go get dressed,” I said, turning around and heading into the attached bathroom.

  She reached forward and grabbed my hand to stop me. “Come on, it’s not like we’ve never seen each other naked,” she said, biting the edge of her lip. She was right. We’d seen each other naked plenty of times, touched each other in our most sensitive places, and we’d tucked our naked bodies under blankets as they slid together perfectly. But it had always been in a bed, with us covered, and the lights dim. There were only a few times when we’d seen each other fully naked.

  “You sure?” I asked, resting my hand on the smooth curve of her hip.

  She didn’t answer me. Instead, she lifted the hem of her tank top, pulled it over her head, and threw it down into her open bag. I licked my lips, focusing on her round breasts, pushed up by a pink and white bra, and giving her ample cleavage. She unhooked her bra and it fell to the carpet slowly.

  “You are so fucking perfect,” I muttered, not taking my eyes off them. Sure, I’d seen them before. I’d felt them before. I’d sucked on them before. But this was different. We had time … I liked time.

  Her pouty lips smiled and her hands went down to the button on her jean shorts. She took her time unsnapping it, teasing me before sliding the zipper down. I gulped, my eyes moving with her hands, as the shorts fell to her feet.

  She stood in front of me, wearing a pair of panties, as I tried to control myself. I fought the urge to trace every dip and curve of her perfect body, but this was her show. I was letting her call the shots.

  Her fingertips slid underneath the thin strings of her panties, and she lifted a leg slowly, causing them to land on top of her shorts, before stepping out of them. My knees loosened, threatening to give out on me, as my mouth suddenly watered. She was flawless. I’d fucking won with her. I didn’t know what I’d done in some past life to deserve her, but God was definitely rewarding me for it. No matter where we were, what we were going through, or what happened, I’d always be happy with her.

  She twirled around on her heel, giving me a look at her full, rounded ass, and bent down to grab her bikini bottoms from her suitcase. My fist went to my mouth and I sunk my teeth into it. My cock ached with want as she played her seductive game. She deliberately pulled her bikini bottoms up, one leg at a time, before resting them casually on her waist and taking away my view.

  “I’m going to need help with this one,” she said, grabbing her top, and turning back around to face me. She held up the small, triangular pieces of fabric against her breasts. “Dawson,” she said loudly to get my attention.

  “Huh?” I asked.

  “I asked for help with my top.”

  I cleared my throat. “Yeah, I can do that.” I walked forward, erasing the distance between us, my legs feeling like jello sinking into quicksand.

  “I need you to tie these,” she said, holding up the strings in the air as I stood behind her. I looped the thin strands together, twisting them into a knot and running my hand down her spine, causing goose bumps to form in my trail. She gasped as I grabbed a handful of her ass. I smacked it lightly before cupping her breasts underneath the bikini top. She fit in my hands like she was made specifically for me.

  “You’re so damn perfect, baby,” I growled into her ear, massaging her breasts and stroking my thumb against her nipples at the same time. Electricity built through my body, and I felt myself growing harder with every stroke. I’d never been this damn excited touching a girl. Never. But she wasn’t just anyone. She was Tessa. My Tessa.

  Every kiss, every touch, every thing felt ten times better when you were doing it with the one you love. It wasn’t a marathon to get her clothes off and get laid. No, every time was practice. We’d build our stamina and skills, and not worry about every move we made. Eventually, I’d know each sensitive spot that caused her to tremor, and what her favorite position was when I pushed inside of her.

  “That feels amazing,” she said, resting her head against the crook of my neck, her breath hot against my ear. She arched her back and moved deeper into my touch. My hands slid down her stomach at the same time she turned around to face me. She clicked her tongue to the top of her mouth and looked down at my erection through my shorts.

  “Your turn,” she said, clicking her tongue again.

  I was hard as a damn rock. “You do see what you’re getting yourself into?” I asked, pointing a finger down.

  She bit the edge of her lip, nodding as she smiled, and my cock twitched with excitement. “Oh yeah,” she said, eagerly.

  I unbuckled my shorts, dropping them along with my boxers simultaneously. We held firm eye contact, as I waited for her reaction.

  Her mouth parted slowly, before grinning. “Wow, it’s actually pretty nice.” I chuckled. “I finally get a good look at what’s been making me feel like I’m going to burst at the seams.” We’d done a few hand activities in bed, but most of the time, we did what I’d done to her on the couch. That’s what seemed to get her the most excited. I’d use my cock to arouse her, without penetration, and then watch her moan and wither underneath me.

  “I’m glad you like it,” I joked, awkwardly. Wasn’t she the one who was supposed to feel insecure?

  I gripped her hips, dragging her to me, and she gasped at the feeling of my cock over her bikini bottoms, before kissing her deeply. I kicked away my shorts, our lips moving softly against each other’s, as she slipped my shirt over my head.

  “Bed,” she breathed out.

  “Abso-fucking-lutely.” I pushed her down on the bed, and started to crawl over her.

  “Five seconds or I’m coming in there,” Daisy yelled
, knocking on the door again and causing me to seriously consider committing murder.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” she said, slamming her hands down as I collapsed on top of her.

  I rested my forehead lightly on hers and sighed. “Babe, she’s right. I’m not going to do this with a house full of people while they’re standing out there and waiting for us,” I said, pulling away from her, chuckling, as she glared at me. I kissed the tip of her nose, lifted up, and walked across the room butt ass naked.

  She leaned up on her elbows, her eyes fixed on me, and her lips slid into a sly smile. “You know,” she said, “you’re just as perfect as I am. Daisy and I used to Google penis pictures, and I always thought they were anything but cute, but yours is definitely cute.”

  “Cute?” I asked, raising a brow and pulling up my trunks. “Please babe, don’t ever, and I mean ever, refer to my cock as cute again.”

  She laughed and pulled herself up from the bed. “Would you rather we name it?” she asked, trying to look serious, but failing.

  “Hell no,” I said, tying my shorts.

  “You sure? I could start brainstorming. Mr. Fun, Mr. Good Time, The Dragon of Excitement?”

  I laughed, shaking my head and leading her to the door. “Come on, you pain in my ass. We’re not naming my cock after some low budget porno.” I opened the door, took one step out, and collided with Daisy’s body. “Jesus, were you waiting here the entire time?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

  “I told them not to interrupt you,” Cora said, and I noticed the entire crew was there. “But they wouldn’t listen. Drown them, not me.” She pointed to a grinning Daisy and Gabby.

  “I didn’t want them to get lost,” Daisy argued. “I just wanted to make sure they knew where they were going.”

  “Babe, really?” Keegan asked, turning around, and pointing to the beach through the windows.

  She pushed him away, but he grabbed her waist, pulled her into him, and kissed the top of her head while laughing. It was strange seeing her with someone other than Tanner, but I was happy the guy she was moving on with wasn’t an asshole.

  Tessa snatched her beach bag and hitched it over her shoulder as we followed everyone out of the house. The humid air felt suffocating and I was struck with awe as we walked down the stairs to the beach.

  “So what do you think?” Tessa asked, looking at me eagerly. It was my first time seeing the ocean up close. I’d been invited to go on beach vacations with her family before, but I didn’t want them paying my way.

  I peeled my sandals off, my soles hitting the scorching sand, and grinned. “Pretty damn good so far.”

  Tessa

  The leather couch felt refreshing as I collapsed onto it and sighed. “Thank God for air conditioning,” I said.

  We’d spent the day splashing in the waves and baking in the sun. My arms felt tender as I rubbed them, and knew I’d be slathering on aloe vera later.

  “So ….. you and Dawson, I knew it would happen eventually,” Daisy said, falling down next to me. She handed me a cold bottle of water, pulled the cap off hers, and took a drink. “I’m happy for you, girl. Just make me one promise.”

  “What’s that?” I asked.

  “When you two fall in love, get married, and have your little adorable babies, don’t forget to name one after Aunt Daisy.”

  I fussed with the wet tangles in my hair and laughed. “I think we need to wait awhile before we start talking kids.”

  She grinned. “Oh please, everyone knows it’s going to happen. From the looks of it, that boy isn’t planning on letting you out of his grasps anytime soon, and I’m sure you’d beat a girl down over him. So, yes, I’m waiting on my mini-Daisy.”

  She was right. I couldn’t see myself without Dawson by my side. If there was one thing I was certain was right in my chaotic and dismantled life, it was Dawson. I didn’t know where I’d be without him. He’d been my lifesaver and salvaged me from exploring the destructive road I was on. I wasn’t sure I’d still be alive if it wasn’t for him.

  “How’s everything else going?” she asked, lowering her voice.

  Daisy knew about my therapy sessions, but I didn’t tell her everything. She didn’t know about Reese or how I’d been drinking constantly to paralyze the suicidal thoughts running through my head. She didn’t know about me stupidly losing my virginity to a guy who didn’t give two shits about me, either.

  I’d been afraid she’d moved on without me, but Dawson was right, I had too. We were growing up, doing our own thing, and creating the lives we wanted. We weren’t the two teenage girls anymore who laughed as they talked about boys and shared make-up secrets, And I was okay with that.

  I took a drink and swallowed slowly. “It’s going good. My therapy appointments aren’t as frequent because my doctor says I’m doing better.”

  She lapped her hand over mine and squeezed it. “I’m proud of you, Tessa. You’re doing great. I know we’ve been going through a lot, and I was a pretty shitty friend. I’m really sorry, and I wish I would’ve never left things how I did.”

  “We had different ways of dealing with losing Tanner. I think leaving was good for you. You would’ve never met Keegan, and who knows if you’d be happy if you stayed home.”

  She nodded, her eyes watering. “And brought you and Dawson together. Tanner would’ve been happy.”

  “I hope it’s good things being said about me over here.” I jumped as Dawson came up behind me. He squeezed in next to me, leaning against the arm of the couch as his wet hair dripped onto the floor. I noticed his sunburned skin and knew I’d be sharing my lotion.

  “Of course,” Daisy laughed. “We always say nice things about you.”

  He chuckled. “Right, I’ve heard way to too many of your sleepover talks for me to believe that one.”

  My mouth flew open. “Seriously? You eavesdropped on our girl talks?”

  A sly grin spread across his cheeks. “Well, yeah.” I elbowed him in the side, and he laughed. “Tanner wanted to find out what Daisy was saying about him.”

  “We didn’t talk about my brother’s sex life, you freak,” I replied.

  “Yeah, I know, which made him nervous. He thought if Daisy wasn’t bragging, his performance was lacking,” he explained.

  Daisy leaned over and smacked his arm while I gagged. “Or she was trying to spare me the pain of gouging my ear drums out.” I didn’t want to hear about them doing the deed. I’d told Daisy as soon as they’d started dating; I wanted to know nothing about that. Nothing. “Did I ever say anything about you?” I asked, curiously.

  “Yeah, you talked about how much you wanted to basically kill every girl I dated,” he answered, rubbing my shoulders and kissing me on the cheek.

  “Yeah, he’s definitely not lying,” Daisy said.

  “All right bitches,” Gabby yelled, walking from the front door holding pizzas to her chest. “Pizza is here.”

  “How’d you get those?” Daisy asked.

  “I borrowed Lane’s car,” she said, smirking, “and checked out the boys on the beach.”

  Cora and Lane strolled out from his bedroom. “I told you to quit stealing my car,” he said, holding his hands out, and Gabby dropped the keys in them.

  “I didn’t steal anything, I got food,” she held up the boxes. “So you’re welcome.”

  Everyone but Lane laughed when he looked at her and shook his head. “You’re lucky I’m in love with your best friend.”

  “Oh, no, you’re lucky my best friend is in love with you,” she fired back, walking past him and into the kitchen. She dropped the pizzas down onto the counter before kicking off her flip-flops, pulling herself onto the counter, and grabbing a handful of plates. “Now come on, after dinner we’re pulling out the liquor and playing games. I need alcohol to hang out with all of these couples. Third wheelin’ it sucks ass.”

  “If it’s Never Have I Ever,” Cora said, joining her in the kitchen. “It’s not happening.” She pulled out plastic cu
ps and cans of soda and scattered them along the counter.

  “Um no, we’re bound for drama to happen,” Gabby replied. “I nominate beer pong or flippy cup.”

  “That’s because you always win at freaking flippy cup,” Daisy groaned, grabbing a pillow and tossing it across the room, coming up short as it smacked into a chair.

  “I’m actually a beast at all drinking games thank you very much,” Gabby boasted and every muscle in my body went solid. I hadn’t touched a drink since that night. I was terrified to even be around alcohol.

  I was suddenly hit with a twinge of envy and resentment. I was a teenager, I was supposed to be drinking and having fun on spring break, but I couldn’t. I wasn’t that carefree girl anymore. My best friends were my boyfriend and little brother. Even hearing the word alcohol made me sick to my stomach. I looked down at the tile. I’d been so excited to come I hadn’t thought about the booze coming out.

  “Whatever you guys decide, that shit’s happening outside,” Lane said, walking into the kitchen. “My parents will kick my ass if you knuckleheads fuck shit up.”

  Daisy turned around and looked at me. “What do you want to do?” She asked.

  The room began to swirl, as my eyesight got blurry. “I, uh,” I paused, not knowing what to say before pulling away from Dawson, jumping up from the couch, and scurrying down the hallway as I tried to control my breathing. I shrieked as something stopped me from slamming the bedroom door shut. I turned around quickly, noticing Dawson’s hand in between the door and the frame, and kept walking before falling down onto the bed.

  “Baby,” he whispered, the mattress sinking in as he sat down beside me. I brought myself up and scooted to the side of the bed, my feet dangling from the edge. “What’s wrong?” he asked, squatting in front of me, grabbing my shaking hands, and kissing them gently.

  I looked down at him. “Nothing is the same,” I whispered, sniffling. “Nothing is the same. I wanted to have fun. I’ve missed Daisy so much and I’d been so excited about this trip. She doesn’t even know that alcohol scares the shit out of me and I don’t want to tell her. I don’t want to be that weird girl, but I also don’t ever want to drink again. I can’t even think about alcohol without remembering what I’d done. Drinking would remind me of Reese. It would remind me of the person I was when I was drinking it.”