by Donya Lynne
Julie consoles me a little longer, and then I check the time. I have to get back home. Mom will kill me if I miss dinner.
“Call me later, okay?” Julie says, hugging me at the door.
“Okay. Do I look all right? Can you tell I’ve been crying?” I brush back my hair and blink. I used more Visine to take the red out of my eyes, because I don’t want my mom to know I’ve been bawling my eyes out.
Julie smiles unconvincingly. “Just don’t cry on the way home and you’ll be fine.”
I meander to my car, repeating my new mantra, “I will not cry, I will not cry,” all the way home.
* * *
Gunner still isn’t at my house when I return home. And he doesn’t show up for dinner.
After we eat, Nick leaves to spend the night with Missy. He doesn’t even try to hide that he won’t be home until morning. Funny how he can be so blatant about the fact that he and Missy are having sex, and yet Gunner can’t even tell anyone he likes me.
“Tell Gunner to be ready to go by ten o’clock,” Nick says as he walks out the door.
The best Christmas vacation of my life has turned into the worst, and now my heart is breaking that he’ll be gone in—I check the clock—less than fifteen hours.
“We’ll tell him, honey,” my mom calls after him.
The house grows quiet except for the sound of the game on TV. I don’t even know who’s playing. I don’t care.
I curl up on the couch and close my eyes.
A short while later, just as I’m on the verge of falling asleep, I hear the back door open and close. I instinctively know it’s Gunner and sit up, looking toward the back of the house.
Gunner walks cautiously into the kitchen from the back hallway, looking around as if he’s inspecting the landscape before coming farther inside. He’s carrying a bouquet of roses. When his gaze finds mine, his shoulders lift and square, and he takes an emboldened step forward.
My pulse quickens. Anticipation wells in my soul as I watch him cross the room.
Entering the living room, he clears his throat again. My mom and dad turn.
“Oh, hi, Gunner. We were wondering where—” My mom cuts off, eyeing the roses curiously before glancing at me with a glimmer of hope. “Uh . . . where you were,” she finishes.
My dad frowns, but not in a mean or angry way. More in a what’s-this-all-about? kind of way.
Gunner remains standing, his gaze searching mine with something close to conviction.
“Mr. and Mrs. Coombs,” he says, “I wanted to, uh . . . I’d like to talk to you about something.”
“Honey,” my mom says to my dad, “turn down the TV, please.”
He does and sits forward in his chair, looking from me to Gunner. Somehow he knows this has to do with me. “What is it you want to tell us, son?”
Gunner squares his shoulders and lifts his chin. “I’m in love with your daughter, sir.”
My mom’s mouth falls open, and her gaze dances to mine, shining delightfully. I think the only thing that would make her happier right now is if Nick were to return home with Missy and announce that he just asked her to marry him and she said yes.
My dad’s a tougher customer. But I can tell he’s happy. He’s always liked Gunner and his family. There are a lot worse options out there, and he knows I just struck gold with Gunner. But he won’t let Gunner off that easily. “You think you love my daughter, son?”
Not to be deterred, Gunner shakes his head. “No, sir. I don’t think I do. I know I do. I’m in love with her.” He turns to me. “Cameron, I’ve loved you for a long time, and I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to get my head out of my ass”—he shoots my parents an apologetic glance—“um, sorry, what I meant to say is—”
“It’s okay, son,” my dad says, biting back a smile. “You’re doing good. Go on.” He motions for Gunner to get back to his confession.
Red-faced, Gunner turns back to me and steps closer. “Cameron, I know I haven’t said the right things in the past couple of days, but I’m in love with you, and I’m not afraid to say it. Not to your parents, not to the world, not even to your brother. Let him kick my ass. It’ll be worth it if it means I can hold your hand in public.” He kneels in front of me and extends the bouquet of roses, looking at them like he’s embarrassed. “I looked everywhere for an open florist, but there’s not a lot of places open on New Year’s Day. I found these at a convenience store a couple of towns over.”
Surely, he hadn’t spent all day looking for flowers.
“They’re perfect,” I say, taking them and drawing them up to my nose. “Absolutely perfect.” He could have handed me a bouquet of dandelions for all I care.
His smile warms the shadows of his striking face. “You deserve better.”
I shake my head. “It’s the thought, Gunner.” I close my eyes and sniff the lightly wilted roses then turn my gaze back to his. “I don’t need expensive flowers when the thought is the only thing that matters.”
He smiles and sits down next to me, wrapping his hand around mine as I lean my head against his shoulder.
My dad turns the sound back up on the TV, and both he and my mom try to act like they’re completely unaware of the romance blooming on the corner of the couch where I’m snuggled against Gunner.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers, brushing his lips over my hair.
I squeeze his hand and whisper back, “Me, too. Thank you for giving me back the bracelet.”
“It’s yours. I bought it for you.”
I smile and tuck my nose back inside one of the rosebuds.
Yes, it is mine. The bracelet and all its little charms. Tiny charms that a lifetime of thought went into.
Little things.
But little things that add up to something big.
Chapter 12
The next morning, I put on the bracelet and, with a spring in my step, join Gunner at the top of the stairs. We descend hand in hand, no longer worried about what my family thinks of our relationship. All but Nick. He hasn’t returned home, yet, so he still doesn’t know.
Gunner’s bags are packed and sitting by the back door, but I can’t find it in me to be sad. I’m too happy about going public to be sad.
Mom sets breakfast in front of us.
“What’s that?” She gestures toward my wrist.
I lift my arm, showing off the bracelet. “My Christmas gift from Gunner.”
My mom examines each charm as Gunner explains them one by one. She gets a little misty-eyed at some of the memories his charms represent.
“Oh, Gunner, it’s a lovely gift.” She circles the counter and hugs him. Then she hugs me. “I’m so happy for the two of you. I always thought you’d make a cute couple.”
She pulls back, studying us, and then points in the direction of the laundry room. “Since Nick will be home any minute, I’ll leave you two alone so you can say good-bye.” She takes a step back then addresses Gunner. “But you have to promise to go to Saint Martin with us on spring break. We’re taking the whole family.”
“Um . . .” Gunner glances at me.
I nod. “Missy’s going, too.”
“Okay,” he says. “But I have to pay my own way.”
“Nonsense.” My mom waves her hand. “You’ll be our guest.”
Gunner knows better than to argue with my mom, so he concedes the point. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Good. I’ll make the arrangements.” With a wink at me, she disappears down the back hall, in the direction of the laundry room.
“Looks like you’ve won over my parents,” I say as he takes my hand.
“They’re easy. It’s Nick I’m worried about.”
“Come on.” I hop off my barstool and give him a tug. “I don’t want to think about my brother right now.”
I lead him upstairs to my bedroom. He closes the door then joins me on the bed, where he lies down behind me and wraps me in his arms. We spent a lot of time in my bed while he was home. It will be awhile be
fore I can go to bed again without anticipating his quiet footsteps padding across the carpet as he sneaks into my room.
“You’ve applied to Ohio State, right?” he asks. Hope pulls at his words.
We’re back to this conversation. “Didn’t we talk about this already?”
He hugs me tighter, kissing my cheek. “Yes, but you never said you’d applied to Ohio.”
“This is really important to you, isn’t it?” I tease.
“Quit stalling. Did you apply or not?”
“Yes.” I wrap my arms around his. “I applied to Ohio State.”
His head tips against the back of mine. “Good. Then we can be together next year. We could probably even get an apartment on campus and—”
“Hey, don’t push your luck with my parents. They love you, but I’m not sure they would go for us living together. Besides, you still haven’t told Nick about us.”
“Only because he wasn’t here last night.”
“You’re not still worried about him kicking your ass, are you?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
He flips me over and rolls on top of me, stealing my breath. “Are we going to spend the last few minutes we have together talking about Nick or saying good-bye?”
“I don’t want to say good-bye.” The sadness finally hits me.
“I don’t either, but I have to go soon.”
“I know.” Tears burn my eyes.
“Ssshh.” He kisses me. It’s just a light kiss, but he lingers, as if he’s drinking in my essence, memorizing it.
I lift my head off my pillow and strengthen the connection.
His lips part with mine, and the comfort we’ve come to find with each other fuses our hearts into one.
All too soon, Nick yells up the stairs, “Gunner! Let’s go! Time to blow out of here!”
Gunner groans, breaking our kiss. “Vacation over.”
I nod, hating how cold it feels when he pushes himself away from my body.
Taking his hand, I follow him out of my bedroom and back downstairs. My mom is outside hugging Nick. He’s already got Gunner’s bags in the driveway along with his. When he lets go of Mom, he starts tossing everything into the back of his car.
I exchange glances with Gunner as he lets go of my hand and steps outside. It’s now or never.
“There you are,” Nick says, catching sight of him. “Let’s shake.” He slams the trunk of the car and makes for the driver’s seat.
“Hold up a second,” Gunner says, stopping Nick in his tracks.
Nick watches him over the top of the car. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong.”
“Then let’s go. We’re late.” Nick pulls open the driver’s side door, but Gunner remains planted by my side.
“Gunner, what the hell? Let’s go.”
“I, uh . . .” Gunner glances at me. Then he looks back at Nick. “I just wanted to thank you and your family for letting me stay with you over the break.”
Nick stares at him as if he can’t believe that’s what Gunner wanted to tell him. “Okay,” he says, as if he’s talking to a small child. “That’s great. You’re welcome.”
“Yeah,” Gunner says, “it was cool of everyone to put up with me for the last three weeks, and uh, well, I just wanted to say thank you. And by the way, I’m dating your sister.” He wraps his hand around mine.
Nick blinks a few times then just stares at him.
Gunner pulls me closer. “In fact, I’m in love with her. I just wanted you to know that.”
Nick’s perplexed gaze passes from Gunner to me and back. Then he barks out a laugh. “Well, it’s about fucking time.”
“Nicolas!” my mom says.
I exchange confused glances with Gunner. “Wait . . . you’re not mad?” I ask, looking back at Nick.
“Are you kidding?” Nick laughs again. “I’ve been wondering how long it was going to take for this douche canoe to get his head out of his ass to ask you out. He’s obviously had the hots for you since we were kids.” Nick comes around the car and sticks out his hand. Gunner takes it, and Nick pulls him into a man hug, clapping him on the back. “About damn time, Gun. Jesus, I was beginning to think it would never happen. Now, let’s go.” He gestures toward the car. “You two can suck face next time we come home.”
My mouth drops open, and my mom laughs.
Gunner’s face flames red as he grins impishly then bends to give me a chaste good-bye kiss. “I’ll call you later.”
I nod and fight back tears as he lets go of me and climbs into the passenger seat.
I already miss him, but at least now everyone knows we’re a couple.
“I’ll see you on spring break,” he says, holding his arm out the open window.
I take his hand and give it a squeeze, nodding, forcing myself not to cry. “How am I going to get through not seeing you until then?”
“Same way I will,” he says as Nick puts the car in gear. “Lots of video chatting, phone calls, and texts. Maybe I’ll even send you a card or two.”
“I’d like that.” I let go of his hand as the car begins to pull away.
“Bye, sis!” Nick calls. “I’ll take care of him for you, don’t worry.”
“You’d better,” I yell.
Gunner holds my gaze until they pull out of the driveway and disappear around the bend in the road.
Tears trail down my cheeks, but I’m happy. Really, I am, but spring break can’t get here soon enough.
My mom’s gentle voice breaks the silence. “You didn’t keep the bathroom door locked, did you?”
The air rushes from my lungs as fear grips my gut. I whip my gaze to hers. “Mom, I—”
She’s smiling. I wasn’t expecting to see a smile on her face.
“I’m not mad,” she says.
“You’re not?”
“I’m under no illusions, honey. You’re eighteen. You’re a young woman. I know how things are.” She takes my hand and squeezes. “Just promise you’re being careful.”
In other words, she wants to make sure I’m practicing safe sex.
I nod. “I am.”
“Good.” She wraps her arm around my shoulders. We stare at the empty street for a long time, until finally my mom pulls me against her in a brief one-armed hug. “I don’t know about you, but I could use a cup of hot chocolate.”
I turn my gaze to hers. She has tears in her eyes.
She and I are the same height. When did that happen? It seems like only yesterday when I was just a little girl who only reached her hip.
“Hot chocolate sounds good,” I say.
As she wipes her eyes, she gives me a little tug in the direction of the back door. “Come on, I’ll make you a cup.”
I lean into her shoulder and use my sleeve to blot the tears from my cheeks as I stare at my bracelet. The bracelet that’s so small but means so much. Each tiny charm represents a different piece of Gunner’s heart, and as the miles slowly widen between us, this simple bracelet will keep us connected. It’s our lifeline between one another.
“I’d like that, Mom.” I let her turn me toward the back door and guide me inside.
After all, it’s the little things that matter the most.
And it’s the little things that will get me through until I see Gunner again.
Until I can see him every day.
Until I walk down the aisle with him and become his wife.
But that’s years away. Until then, I’m going to enjoy all those little things Gunner and I have yet to share. Little things that will someday grow into the greatest gift of all.
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Turn the page for an excerpt from Good Karma, book 1 of the Strong Karma Trilogy.
Excerpt from Good Karma
She read the card. Her heart performed another perfect swan dive into the pit of her stomach, and she glanced warily at him.
“Go ahead,” he said. “I can already tell this one’s good.”
He had no idea.
“Okay, um…” She looked back down. Here goes. “Take me to a place in the house where we haven’t had sex.” Her gaze flicked nervously to his before she continued. “Kiss me…and then whisper what you would do to me if we were to…get it on there.” She lowered the card to her lap and kept her head down.
Mark waited a moment then lifted her foot from between his legs, leaned toward her, and reached for her hand. Without looking at him, she took it. As he moved into the middle of the couch, he tugged her onto his lap and situated her so that she faced him. Her legs straddled his thighs.
Her heart beat like a wild drum in her chest.
“Come here,” he whispered, caressing her cheek in such a way that drew her face to his. His lips found hers and held them in a static kiss. He didn’t move, and neither did she. All that mattered was the simple, chaste connection and the way a thousand tiny starbursts exploded throughout her body. His kiss seemed so innocent, and yet it sent shards of erotic desire into her blood.
He broke away, but held her close. “Since we haven’t had sex, yet, I choose here.” He patted the couch. “And as for what I would do to you here, I would make you stand in front of me, where I would slip my hands up your skirt and pull off your panties. I would invite you onto my lap and whisper how sexy you are…” He bent around and kissed her earlobe. “You’re very sexy.”
A shiver raced down her spine.
