Make Me Forget

by Anna Brooks

  “From the gym. He’s also friends with my brother, Brandon. Since I moved here, I’ve pretty much picked up contracting jobs and go to the gym. I’ve gone out with Brandon and Pierce a few times, but mainly I know him from the gym. Besides, I don’t think he’d be too fond of us hanging out.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right.” She bites her lip and rocks on her heels a couple times. “We probably shouldn’t tell him, he’s a little overprotective.”

  He seriously would kick my ass. I can hold my own, but Pierce trains in all types of martial arts. You don’t want to fuck with him. Besides, I didn’t do anything wrong. It was only a kiss. A ‘thank-you’. He doesn’t know that looking at his cousin makes my dick hard. I decide to agree with her.

  “Yeah. I’ll blow him off when he asks.”

  I can’t take my eyes off her, and she’s looking around the room, at everything but me. Shy. Fucking adorable. After last night, I’d never believe she has a shy bone in her body, but she said she wasn’t normally like that.

  There’s a moment of awkward silence before she clears her throat and finally looks at me. “Well, I guess I’ll see ya around. I’m only here for another month and a half before we go back to Texas.” She looks away from me for a second, then turns and grabs her keys off the counter.

  Fuck it. I should let her go, but I can’t without knowing when I’ll see her again. I need to see her again. Pierce invited me to his parents’ cookout next weekend. “You going to the barbecue Saturday?”

  “Definitely.” Her cheeks turn pink. “Are you?”

  “I am now.”

  She tries not to smile, and I grab her hand. “I’ll walk you out.”

  Once we reach her car, I gently grip her face in my hands and lean down to rest my forehead on hers. “Thank you,” I say before kissing her cheek. I drop my hands and start to step back, but she grabs my shirt. Her hands shake as she stands on her toes and presses her lips to mine. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her closer the same time she wraps hers around my neck.

  She’s tentative at first – soft, sweet kisses that drive me crazy and make me want more, make me want every fucking thing. I run my hands down to her perfectly round ass and press her into me a little harder. She gasps, and I take the opportunity to slide my tongue in her mouth. Just like her lips, she’s soft and sweet, fucking delicious. She lets out the sexiest moan, and I know it’s time to pull away. Not because I want to, but because every fiber of my being wants inside this girl, and I know I can’t, at least not yet.

  She sighs and unwraps her arms from around my neck. “Bye, Travis.”

  “Bye, sweetheart.” I want to touch that perfection one more time, so I squeeze her ass. She lets out a yelp, and then laughs as she gets into her car, waving as she drives away.

  3

  Charlotte

  The rest of the week drags by slowly, and I can’t get Travis out of my head. I keep thinking about the way he makes me feel. The way he kissed me – slow, demanding. The other boys that I’ve kissed are amateurs, like sloppy fish. Their kisses didn't make me tingle all over. Travis’ kisses, though, are like an electric current flow through me when his lips touch mine.

  I know fantasizing is all I’m going to be able to do. He was kissing me because of what happened at the lake; it’s not like a guy like him would ever be interested in me. I’m shy, boring… and inexperienced.

  Trying to keep the status quo this week, I hang out with my mom on the beach. We work on our tans and read every trashy magazine we can get our hands on. A part of me wants to tell her about Travis, but I know she would tell me to stay away from him. We don’t live here anymore, and getting involved with someone, when I live over a thousand miles away, is setting myself up for failure. She would be right, too. I hate it when she’s right, even in theory.

  Dad and I are also working on a project together. We take pictures and have them developed in black and white. Then we hand color them with oil paints. I’m currently working on one of the lake, and my dad is painting an apple tree.

  “Have you put any more thought into what you want your major to be?” he asks without looking at me. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to see me roll my eyes at him. I just turned seventeen, how in the hell am I supposed to know what I want to do with the rest of my life? I would like to pursue photography, but he insists I need a more ‘stable choice of study’.

  “I told you, I’m not sure. Can’t I take a year off and think about it?” I look at him so I can see his reaction, but all I see is water coming at my face from the flick of his paintbrush. “Ahh! Hey! What’d you do that for?” I laugh, wiping the drops with my t-shirt.

  “Don’t you ever mention that again. Do you know the statistics of kids who actually go back to school after taking a year off? No? Well, I do, and they’re not good. My daughter will not be one of them.” He takes his brush, freshly dipped in red paint, and holds it inches from my face. “Promise me.”

  “What? Promise what? Don’t you dare.” I lean back farther in my chair to avoid his brush.

  “Promise me you’ll go to school right away,” he says completely serious.

  “Okay, I promise. Now put that thing away.”

  “Sure.” He starts to pull the brush back, then pushes it forward and dabs me on the nose.

  Without thinking, I grab the cup of water we use to rinse the brushes and throw it on him. A moment of shock crosses his face before he lets out a booming laugh. I join in and get the paint off my nose while he wipes the water off his glasses.

  “You always have to take it one step too far, don’t you, Lettie?” he asks, putting them back on while fighting laughter. Dad calls me Lettie most of the time. If he’s angry with me or giving me a lecture, then I’m Charlotte. He could never keep mine and Caroline’s names straight, so he came up with his own system. Somehow, Charlotte turned into Lettie. I don’t mind, it makes me feel special.

  “Me?” I feign innocence, trying not to smile.

  “You’re worse than me.”

  “Am not.”

  “Yes, you are. You always have to have the last word, the last laugh, the last everything.”

  I shrug my shoulders and continue painting. My mind confused over Travis, I twirl my brush in circles on the canvas. After a few minutes, Dad gets up from his seat rather quickly. He exits the room and returns with a mirror. I watch him out of the corner of my eye. He runs around to the front of my easel and places the mirror under my nose. I laugh and push it away. “What are you doing?”

  “Oh, good. I thought maybe you had stopped breathing or something,” he says, putting a hand to his heart. “I mean, you let me have the last word, and I wanted to make sure you were still alive when I did this.” He busts out the running man, then the cabbage patch, followed by what I think is supposed to be the sprinkler. I’m laughing so hard tears are rolling down my cheeks.

  “That. Is what winning looks like.” He snaps his fingers and walks out of the room like a runway model, swaying his hips dramatically. Just when I think he’s gone, he leans back in, gives another snap, and flicks his imaginary hair.

  Mom walks by, and I tell her, “Your husband is a little crazy.”

  “I know. His craziness is one of the things I love about him. He makes me laugh. You should always be with someone who can make you laugh.”

  I wipe my eyes again and pack up my paints. Tomorrow is the barbecue, and I want to make sure I have my outfit ready. Not because Travis is going to be there. No, it has nothing to do with him.

  ***

  “Hey, look at you. You look super cute!” Meara yells, holding me at arm’s length.

  After many outfits, I decided on a simple red sundress and cowboy boots. The jean jacket vest I have on over top has a lace back, so you can see the red through it. I pulled my hair to the side in a messy braid. I’m glad Meara likes my outfit; she has much better fashion sense than I do. I’m usually a jeans and t-shirts girl but wanted to look nice today.

  “Th
anks. Here, I have the fruit salad, and my dad is carrying the Crock-Pot with baked beans.”

  “Mom’s setting everything up in the garage.” She looks past me when a car door slams. “Liam just pulled up. See ya later.” She practically pushes me out of the way to run to Liam. I watch as she jumps into his arms, and he takes a step back to keep from falling. He smiles down at her before leaning down and kissing her. I want that. I want someone to love me so much they don’t care who's watching and still kisses me like it’ll be the last time. I shake my head and head to the garage.

  It’s a beautiful day today. The forecast says it’s supposed to be seventy-four and sunny, a rarity in the Midwest. I set down the bowl of fruit in the garage and take the opportunity to catch up with my Aunt Sally. I haven’t seen much of her since I’ve been back. We talk for a while, and when more guests start to arrive, I excuse myself and go back outside. The sun blinds me as I step out of the garage and run into somebody.

  “I’m so sorry.” I look up and see a guy with his hair slicked back and a gold chain around his neck. He’s either in the mafia or thinks it's a different generation.

  “S’all good.” He grabs my arms to steady me and the rough callouses on his fingers scrape across my skin, sending chills down my spine. He holds onto me for a minute longer and gives a wink before releasing me. I turn quickly and walk away, but when I look back, he’s still watching me. Gross.

  The barbecue is a great time, and everyone is having fun. My aunt and uncle have a huge yard, and it’s set up almost like a carnival. People are playing corn hole and badminton. The brats and burgers cooking smell delicious. Pierce is carrying logs to the back of the yard to start the bonfire since it’s starting to get dark. I decide to follow him and help light the fire. I love the smell of a campfire. Besides, I haven’t seen much of him since I’ve been back either, and I’m hoping to squeeze a little information about Travis out of him.

  As I’m walking, I pass the guy I ran into earlier. I swear I feel his hand on my butt and freeze. When I turn around, he’s looking right at me and winks again. I start to feel very uncomfortable and quicken my pace to Pierce.

  “Hey, who’s that guy over there in the blue polo and gold chain?” I ask him.

  He looks around me and laughs. “That’s Johnny. He moved here a few months ago and got a membership to the gym. Dude’s funny as shit. I invited him, why?” His laughter is fading, and his protective instincts are kicking in.

  “No reason, I’ve never seen him before.” If Pierce invited him, he must be a good guy. I’m sure I’m overreacting. “Need any help?”

  “Actually yeah, wanna go run in the house and grab the stuff to make s’mores?”

  “Sure.” I walk into the kitchen and search the pantry for everything I need. I grab a huge box of graham crackers, two bags of marshmallows, and a stack of king-size Hershey bars. I kick the door shut behind me and head back outside. When I round the corner, I almost drop everything in my arms.

  Travis is standing by Pierce with a beer in his hand and a girl hanging off his arm. She reminds me how out of his league I am. Big boobs, big hair, long legs, mature; everything I’m not. She has on shorts so short they look like underwear, and you can see her black bra through the little white halter top. I look down at my frumpy sundress and sigh. The fantasy was fun while it lasted. As I’m walking up, I see Travis remove her hand from his arm and turn his back to her while he continues talking to Pierce.

  I snicker under my breath and drop all the stuff by Pierce. “Here ya go.” I turn around and walk away, avoiding Travis. I don’t know what in the hell I was thinking… that he would ever be interested in me. Stupid.

  “Hey.” His voice stops me around the corner, and I take a deep breath before turning around.

  His eyes scan me from head to toe and back up again before stopping at my eyes. I see his Adam’s apple move before he speaks again. “How are you?”

  “Good. I’m good.” I awkwardly shift my feet. “How are you?”

  “Good. I had to work today so I just got here.”

  “Cool. Did you eat yet?” He shakes his head. “Come on.”

  Without thinking, I grab his hand and pull him toward the garage. My mom always said, ‘the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’. On the way, he shifts his fingers so they’re intertwined with mine. The butterflies that were in my stomach have dissipated into something else, something bigger. This guy touches me, and everything inside me melts. Once inside the door, I let go of his hand and make a grand gesture toward the buffet.

  “Damn. That’s a lot of food.” He grabs two plates and hands me one.

  “Oh, I already ate.”

  “You don’t want anything?”

  “Nah, I’m okay,” I insist.

  “Not even cake?” He angles his head toward the dessert table.

  “Fine. For you, I’ll eat cake.”

  I’m rewarded with a panty-melting smile, and I follow him around the makeshift buffet. He waits for me as I grab a couple pieces of dessert. His plate is bending, it’s so full, and I laugh as I follow him out to a picnic table. Their yard is so big we’re practically alone.

  “Hungry?”

  He holds up his finger while he chews. “You have no idea. So, what did you do this week?”

  “Not much.” I’m about to ask him the same question when Meara and Liam walk up. So much for privacy.

  “Hey, hoochie!” she yells. I don't think I’ve ever heard her speak in an ‘indoor voice’.

  “Hey, Meara. Hi, Liam.” I scoot over so she can sit down, and my leg rubs against Travis. I get goosebumps at the contact and start bouncing it up and down.

  “Hi, Travis.”

  “Meara.” He smiles at her and gives Liam a chin lift.

  Travis puts his hand on my thigh and gives a gentle squeeze. I stop bouncing, but his hand remains on my bare skin. His fingers start to make random patterns on the sensitive area on my inner thigh. My skin is on fire, and I shudder under his touch.

  “How’s the band?” I ask Liam, desperate to get my mind off what Travis is doing. His fingers start to make their way north, and my lips part as my breaths come out in short bursts. Travis chuckles but doesn’t stop his assault.

  “Great. I’m so excited to go on tour. I’ll miss the hell outta this girl,” he grabs Meara in a mock chokehold and kisses the top of her red head, “but this is a huge dream come true for all of us.” I can tell how passionate he is about his band with all of his crazy hand gestures and animated voice.

  “Pierce has the fire going, let’s go make a s’more.” Meara pulls Liam in the direction of the fire, where pretty much everybody is now. It’s dark except for the decorative lights twinkling and citronella candles.

  “You want a s’more, sweetheart?” he asks continuing his travel up my leg. I look over at him and see his chest rise and fall with every breath, nostrils flaring slightly. Is he turned on, too? No way, not from me. This isn’t right. I shouldn’t feel lightheaded from one touch.

  Frantically, I stand. “Umm, maybe in a bit. I have to go to the bathroom.” Why the hell did I tell him that?

  “You alright?”

  “Yeah, I’m great.”

  I rush inside and lean against the bathroom door. My sister’s words ring through my mind. She was so young when she died in the car accident, but she was also very wise for her age. I was starting to realize that boys weren’t gross, and while we were rocking on our front porch swing, I asked her how to tell if a boy likes you. What she said has stayed with me, and up until Travis, I didn’t understand what she meant.

  ‘It’s about how you feel. He should make you feel dizzy, like you want to faint, but is there to catch you when you fall.’

  It’s so wrong, though, I’m only seventeen. And he’s older, although I don't know how old exactly. I’m leaving in a little over a month. I guess he could be a summer fling. People do that, right?

  With new resolve, I walk outside and become a new type of dizz
y when I see Travis straddling Johnny, beating the shit out of him.

  4

  Travis

  I watch Charlotte walk into the house and shake my head. I don’t know what the hell it is about this girl, but when I see her, all I want to do is throw her over my shoulder and lock her in my bedroom. I haven’t felt like this about anyone… ever. Not even Tammy, and that scares the shit out of me. I know she’s leaving in a few weeks, and I don’t want to start something I can’t finish, but damn if she isn’t all I’ve thought about this week.

  “You hit that yet?” My thoughts are interrupted, and I look up to see Johnny with a cocky smile on his face. I’ve seen him at the gym before and can’t stand the prick. He’s one of those guys who make loud-ass grunting noises when he lifts.

  “Come again?” I want to make sure I heard him correctly. Because I know he didn’t just say what I thought he did.

  “I said, did you hit that yet? Man, that girl’s got an ass on her.” He laughs and makes a round shape with his hands.

  I stand from the table and step so I’m face to face with him. “I’m giving you one pass. One. Now shut your fucking mouth and walk away.” I have to clench and unclench my fists to keep from pounding his face.

  “Whoa. Whoa. She’s hot, you can’t expect a guy to see her in those cowboy boots and not picture her riding–” He stops talking when I land a right hook to his jaw. He stumbles back, and the cocky grin is replaced with a sneer.

  “It’s like that, huh? I thought we were cool, man.” He charges at me, and I land on my back. He gets a couple hits to my ribs before I flip him.

  “Yeah, motherfucker. It’s like that.” I connect with his face and block his shots. Anger like I’ve never experienced before rips through my veins, and all I can think of is this dirty fucker talking about my girl.

  “Stay the fuck away from her.”

  Fuck, she’s not even mine. I’m so lost in my annihilation of Johnny that I don’t see Pierce until he grabs me in a headlock and yanks me away.