“Got any more popcorn up here?” he asked in a throaty whisper as he worked his hand up her sweater, fingering her bra.
Madison didn’t know what to do. Her mind said stop but her body yearned for more. A knock on the window startled them both. Miles pulled away, and they both looked out the driver’s window. An older man was standing there.
Miles lowered the window.
“Would you guys mind taking it somewhere else?” the guy asked. “You’re blocking my driveway, and I need to pull out.”
“Uh, sure. Sorry about that,” Miles said. He started the motor and pulled his seatbelt back on. Madison adjusted her clothes and belted herself in, too. As they drove off, she pulled out her cell phone and checked the time. 10:45.
“I’d better get home,” she said. “My parents are expecting me by eleven.”
He pulled over to the curb. “Are you sure? Maybe you could call them and say the game is running late.”
She didn’t want to sound like she was still under her parents’ thumb at sixteen, but she also didn’t want to raise any questions that might lead to them discovering her deception. “I’m kind of tired, anyway,” she lied. “It’s been fun, though,” she added with a smile.
“Yeah,” he replied, pulling her close for one last lingering kiss. “We’ll have to do this again soon.”
As they drove up to the front of her house Madison said, “You can just drop me here. My parents are probably getting ready for bed.”
“Okay,” he replied.
She unlatched her seatbelt and reached over to retrieve her coat from the backseat. “So you have my number,” she said.
“Yeah.” He didn’t say whether or not he’d call her over the weekend, and she wanted to get into the house as quickly as she could, just in case her dad peered out the window and saw an unfamiliar car.
“Well, I’d better get inside.”
He nodded. “See you Monday.”
Her heart sank a little, but she tried to sound casual. “Sure. Monday.” She started to open the door.
“No goodbye kiss?” he asked.
“Oops. Yeah. Of course,” she replied, leaning over and giving him a quick kiss then pulling away before it could lead to another.
Miles looked disappointed. “Bye,” he said.
She got out of the car and leaned back in. “Bye. Thanks for tonight. I had fun.”
He nodded and gave her a half-hearted smile. “Me, too.”
Then she closed the door and hurried inside. Her father was sitting in the front room. “Have a good time, honey?”
“Yeah.”
“How’s Lucy? Did you girls meet up with her friends from school?”
Madison walked past him toward the stairs. “Yeah.”
“You’re not very talkative tonight,” he observed.
She turned and forced a casual smile. “Sorry, Dad. I’m just a little tired.”
“Okay. Goodnight, princess.”
She cringed inwardly. “Goodnight, Dad.”
CHAPTER NINE
Miles didn’t call all weekend, although Madison kept her phone nearby at all times, checking it numerous times a day, even during her long runs. She could hardly wait for Monday’s history class, replaying over and over in her mind how the other girls had looked at her so enviously at the game. This was going to be her year. The year she finally became someone.
She got to history class early on Monday, but Miles’ desk was empty. He slipped into the room at the very last minute, talking and laughing with one of the girls they’d seen at the game. As he slid into his seat, he turned and smiled at her.
Her heart leapt in her chest, and she smiled back. He’d probably put his arm around her as they walked out, right? Just like at the game. Not wanting to embarrass herself again if the teacher called on her, she flipped open her notes and tried to focus. Having Miles in her peripheral vision didn’t help. But if he sat behind her, that would probably be just as bad. Then she’d be tempted to turn around all the time.
Mr. Barnes launched into his discussion of the Constitutional Congress, and Madison decided to volunteer an answer before he could call on her. He seemed impressed with her response, and Miles turned and gave her a thumbs up.
“Did you have something to contribute to what Madison just said?” their teacher asked him.
“Nope. She hit it on the head,” he replied.
After class, the same girl he’d been talking to on the way in started walking beside him and asking him something. Madison moved to his other side but had to back off when they got to the door, which would only allow two people through at a time. She was a little disappointed that he didn’t wait and walk through with her. Once they were out in the crowded hall, he looked over his shoulder and tipped his head to the side to indicate she should come alongside him.
Moving next to him, she felt a rush go through her body again.
He looked down at her and said, “How was your weekend?”
“Good. How about yours?”
“Fine,” he replied without putting his arm around her or taking her hand.
When they got to his locker, he turned to her and said, “Have a good one. See you tomorrow.”
She felt confused and rejected, even though he’d at least wanted her to walk with him. Her face must have shown it, because he asked, “Are you okay?”
Nodding, she turned to head for her locker. “See ya,” she said over her shoulder.
As she walked away, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning she found herself looking into his face. “Hey, are you upset that I didn’t call you this weekend?”
She shrugged.
He leaned down and kissed her. “Sorry about that. I’ll call you tonight.”
Her heart raced and her spirit soared. She couldn’t believe he just kissed her right there in the hall where everyone could see it. He must like her after all. “Okay,” she replied with a smile. “Talk to you then.”
He studied her for a moment. “You should get more sweaters like the one you wore to the game,” he said with a wink.
She just grinned. I think I will, she promised herself silently, planning on how she could always change her top once she got to school.
After dinner, Madison went up to her room to wait for his call. She worked on homework, answered some emails, got ready for bed, and spent a half hour on Facebook before he finally called at ten.
He sounded down, apologizing for calling so late.
“No big deal,” she replied. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. I’m just a little worried about my Mom.”
Madison’s heart swelled. What a sweet guy to be worrying about his mother like that. “Why?” she asked.
“She’s been going through pictures of my dad again. She does this every year around their anniversary.”
Madison didn’t know what to say. “She must miss him.”
“Yeah.”
The phone was silent for a moment then he said, “I’m not much in the mood for talking.”
“Okay,” she replied. “I understand. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah. Bye.”
As she put the phone on the nightstand, she found herself praying for Miles and his mother. A thought came to her —maybe she should invite them to church. But first, she should probably figure out a way to talk to her parents about him again.
Her mind flashed to their date and the popcorn game, and she felt conflicted. Time alone with Miles was her first priority, but then once they were established as a couple, she’d figure out how to introduce him to her mom and dad.
“Want a ride home from school today?” Miles asked her after class on Tuesday.
“Uh, yeah! Sure,” she replied. Since her mother and brother didn’t get home for at least an hour after she did, it would give them a little time alone together. Remember what Amber told you, a voice within said. She flashed to a warning Caleb’s birthmother had given her when she’d been out to visit a couple of years ago. She�
�d told Madison about how she and her boyfriend, Caleb’s father, had spent a lot of time alone together at the beach after school. That was where Caleb had been conceived.
I’m not Amber, Madison thought to herself. I’m not going to do something stupid like that.
“I’ll meet you in the parking lot,” Miles said. “Right after sixth period.”
She nodded and smiled. “See you then.”
He didn’t kiss her this time before walking away, but he did look over his shoulder and give her a big smile.
The next period seemed to drag on forever. Finally the last bell rang, and the halls filled with students eager to vacate the premises. Madison made a quick stop at her locker and then headed out to the parking lot. Searching for his car, she spotted Miles in the far corner of the lot, talking to some guy. As she approached them, the guy took off.
“There you are,” Miles said.
“Sorry. I had to stop at my locker,” she replied.
“No problem.” He clicked the key fob to unlock all the doors but didn’t come around to her side to open hers. “Wanna stop for something to eat?” he asked.
“Whatever you want to do is fine with me.” She noticed she was starting to feel more at ease with him, more confident of their new relationship. After all, hadn’t he confided in her about his mom? He must feel pretty safe with her. And she felt safe with him, too.
“Let’s go get some ice cream,” he suggested.
Madison remembered a new place beside Jessie’s that had lots of flavors. She could look at some clothes while they were there. But she’d have to keep track of her time. She gave Miles the directions, and they headed over.
“Rum and coke, now that sounds good,” he said with a grin as they perused the various ice cream flavors.
They each sampled several, and then Madison asked if she could just have a couple of bites of whatever flavor he chose. “I’m not that hungry,” she explained, thinking again about how she’d normally be running right now, not eating something fattening like ice cream.
“Sure,” he replied, ordering a double scoop cone of the rum and coke.
It was funny to think that just a couple of weeks ago, she would have felt really awkward licking off of someone else’s cone, especially a guy’s. But after Friday night, it seemed like just one more way to solidify their relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend. She only took a few licks as they walked toward Jessie’s. Then she boldly took his hand and led him over to the window of mannequins.
“This is one of my favorite stores,” she said.
Miles studied the frozen models. “I like that black top,” he said, pointing to a low cut clingy tank. “And those shorts,” he added.
Madison’s eyes followed his to a mannequin wearing black short shorts. She nodded. “Cute. I like those, too.”
“You should get them,” he replied. “They’d look good on you.”
She felt herself flush. Looking away, she said, “Thanks.”
Her phone buzzed and she pulled it out of her purse. There was a text from her mother. I’ll be home a little late today. Meeting with my department. Dad’s picking up Caleb at Kelly and Ben’s on his way home.
Madison texted her mom back and then dropped the phone into her purse. Perfect. Now she wouldn’t have to hurry home.
“Everything okay?” Miles asked.
“Yeah. My mom’s just running late today.”
He nodded. “Want to go to your house? Or we could go to the beach if you want.”
She thought about it for a minute. “Let’s go to my place so I can change. Then we can go to the beach.”
“Sounds good,” he replied, draping one arm over her shoulder as they walked out to the car.
Madison was a little nervous about him being at her house, but she really wanted to change into one of her other new tops and some shorter shorts her mother wouldn’t let her wear to school.
She unlocked the front door and called out, “Anyone home?” just to make sure they were alone.
Silence.
They walked into the living room and Madison said, “I’ll be right down.”
“Need any help changing?” he asked her with a grin.
She looked at him with a smile and shook her head. “I think I can manage.”
“Just asking,” he replied, holding his hands up in surrender.
She hurried up the stairs, went into her room, and changed. Checking her image in the mirror, she hoped her legs didn’t look too fat. The shorts rode up pretty high in the back, so she adjusted her underwear to make sure it wouldn’t show. She’d bought a low cut tank similar to the one they saw at the mall, so she pulled that out and put it on. Then she grabbed an off-the-shoulder sweatshirt she could layer over it if she got cold down at the beach. Pulling her cell phone out of her purse, she headed downstairs.
I should take my running shoes, she thought. That way if Mom or Dad are home when we get back, I can tell them I was out running. She retrieved the shoes from the bottom step where her mother had put them the day before.
“Okay, I’m ready,” she told Miles, who was still standing where she’d left him.
“Planning on going running?” he asked.
She hesitated before answering. “I’d rather not answer a bunch of questions if we get back after my parents do. I’ll just tell them I’ve been out running. You know how parents can be,” she added. “They’re pretty old-fashioned about knowing where I am all the time.”
“Got it,” he replied, adding, “Nice outfit.”
“Thanks.” She grinned. It felt so good to be appreciated. And he didn’t seem to notice her fat legs.
The beach was empty when they got there. Miles led her by the hand as they walked to a wide stretch of sand and sat down. “What’s this?” he asked, reaching over and fingering the silver ring on the chain around her neck.
“Oh, it’s just something my great grandfather left for me when he died,” she replied. “Actually, he gave it to my dad to give to me. We went out on a special date when I was twelve and he gave it to me then.” She flashed on a memory of her father taking her out to dinner giving her the purity ring, all wrapped up in a pretty box. She’d worn it on her finger for a while, but then she decided she liked it better on a chain.
“Cool,” Miles said, placing it gently back in place on her chest. Gazing out to sea, he rested his elbows on his raised knees. Then he clasped his knees with his hands and leaned back, lowering himself to the sand. Madison looked over at him lying there beside her. He grinned up at her. “It’s warmer down here,” he said, patting his chest to indicate a pillow for her head.
She scooted down in the sand and stretched out beside him, following his lead by resting her head on his chest. He pulled her body close, and they lay there quietly for a few minutes, his heart beating in her ear. “This is nice,” he said.
She nodded. “Yeah.”
Everything seemed just perfect. The sound of the waves, the warmth of the sand, and the rhythm of their breathing in harmony. Madison felt happier than she remembered feeling in a long time. And to think how upset she’d been when Luke left. Everyone was right. That had just been puppy love. This was different. The way Miles touched her and kissed her. It was the way a real boyfriend acted.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked her.
She smiled to herself. “Nothing. How about you?”
He shifted onto his side, stealing her pillow away. Leaning over, he kissed her. “I was thinking how glad I am that we moved here.” Before she could respond, he kissed her again, wrapping both arms around her and pulling her body tightly up against his. She melted into him and didn’t resist when he reached his hand up under the back of her tank top and unhooked her bra.
As they drove to her house an hour later, Madison reminded herself about the running shoes. She made sure her clothes were all in place. Although she felt a little guilty about how physical she and Miles were getting, she knew her limits and was not about to get herself in
too deep. Miles seemed fine with it when she’d pushed his hands away from trying to open her shorts. Now he knew what she would and would not let him do.
She could see her mom’s van in the driveway, as they turned onto her street. “Why don’t you pull over here,” she said, pointing to the curb half a block from the house.
“Got it.”
She reached over the seat, grabbed her running shoes, and put them on. “See you tomorrow,” she said, leaning over to kiss him goodbye, and completely forgetting about her sweatshirt. Getting out of the car, she closed the door and waved as he drove off. Then she jogged toward the house, thinking about how she’d manage to get a real run in that day. Maybe I’ll ask Dad to go with me. He’s been wanting us to run together.
As she opened the door, she called out, “Mom?”
“In here, honey,” her mother’s voice replied from the kitchen.
Madison mussed her hair a little and then walked in. “How was your day?” she asked.
Her mother was sorting the mail. “Fine,” she replied. “Been out running?”
“Yeah. I did a short run, but I’m going to see if Dad will run with me after dinner, too.”
Her mother looked at her and smiled. “He’d like that.”
“When’s dinner?” Madison asked.
“Dad’s picking up tacos after he gets Caleb. Probably around six-thirty.” Her mother’s face lit up. “Hey! There’s a letter for you from Luke.” She handed Madison the envelope.
“Cool. Thanks.” Madison headed out of the room. “I’ll be upstairs doing homework.”
Her mother nodded. “Okay. I’m making chocolate chip cookies for dessert,” she added.
“Great. The guys will be happy about that,” Maddie replied. Up in her bedroom, she stretched out on the bed with Luke’s letter.
Hi Maddie,
So how’s life at SCHS? Hope you like Mr. Barnes. Great discussions, huh? Most of his tests will come from those, so be sure you pay attention. The book’s a guide, but Barnes always talks about the stuff that matters in his opinion. If you’re ever absent, be sure you get good notes from someone. Hopefully you’ve got some friends in there.
Behind Her Smile Page 9
