I would laugh but I can tell she’s dead serious. I have been with one guy before; I’m not at all the person she seems to think I am. I’m not some über slut or anything like that. I’m a little hurt she would think I would bring some random guy back here to hook up with. It’s been too long since we’ve spent time together and had one of our long talks.
“Okay, hold up there. I didn’t have sex with anyone last night and, no, we don’t need to talk about birth control. Everything happened last night like I told you.”
She looks at me skeptically so I proceed to give her an edited play by play of the evening. If I were her, I wouldn’t want to know what my teenage daughter was doing in that park. That will be a secret between Flynn and me.
“After I left, I walked around for a while. When I got hungry, I went into the pub because there was live music streaming out, and I figured a loud atmosphere would be nice. Flynn was up on stage playing an acoustic version of “Somewhere in Neverland,” and you know how much I love that song, so I wasn’t leaving at this point. After he finished the song, he went behind the bar and I ordered a burger and a drink. I finished my food and realized I had forgotten my wallet so he offered to buy my food and walk me home. We talked and hung out. He walked me home and helped me get in because I was locked out. He gave me a kiss on the cheek, and that was it. When I told you earlier he was a perfect gentleman, I was telling the truth. The whole night was very PG. I swear.”
She’s grinning like an idiot now and I’m not sure I want to know why. “You like this boy. I can tell. I want to meet him.”
“Seriously, Mom? Out of everything I tell you, that’s what you get out of it? What makes you think I’ll ever see him again?”
“The whole time you were talking about him your face was lit up. You like this boy and after the story you just told me, I can guarantee you will. No boy would go to all that trouble for a kiss on the cheek at your doorstep and not attempt to see you again. Besides, you’re a very bright and beautiful young woman. Before you start, I’m not just saying that because I’m your mother, I truly believe that. So did you exchange phone numbers?”
“Yes, you do have to say that because you’re my mom, but you’re right. We spent the day by the pool today before he went to work. Before you even ask, he didn’t come into the house. We spent all day outside. And as for you meeting him, why don’t we wait on that? I barely know him myself and he might get the wrong idea if I want to introduce him to you. I don’t want to screw this up before it even starts.”
Mom dramatically sighs before replying, “I guess you’re right but I will be meeting him before the end of the summer. You can’t put it off forever.”
If only I could. Flynn and I could go into our own perfect little bubble. We could forget about reality and everything around us. At least that’s how it felt today and last night when we were hanging out.
I realize that Mom and I haven’t even talked about the divorce. How could I be so selfish? I guess I’ll have to bring it up because I don’t see Mom doing that anytime soon.
“What about you, Mom? What’s going on with you and Dad?”
She tenses up slightly and takes a deep breath. When she responds, there’s complete defeat in her voice. “Sometimes people just grow apart, Ashtyn. They fall out of love.”
“I don’t believe that for one minute. I think you both had too much going on with work and never saw each other. Then Dad was laid off and he realized how much you both had been working. The fighting didn’t escalate until then. I bet things would be different here. I wouldn’t be so reluctant to leave if I had my entire family back.”
“I know you don’t want to have a broken family but your father and I have discussed this extensively.”
“But…”
“No buts. The decision has been made and I would appreciate it if you’d respect that.”
I don’t need to look up to know she’s left the room. Her feet echo across the marble floors and up the stairs to her room. I’m a giant jerk bringing up the divorce but I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I can’t sit here and watch as my entire family falls apart.
***
After the long night I had with Mom, it was too late to head over to the pub before Flynn got off work. I quickly go through my nightly routine in the bathroom and settle into bed. I send him a quick text. At least he’ll wake up to a text from me in the morning.
Ashtyn: I’m not sure if you’ll get this tonight or tomorrow morning. Either way I just wanted to say sorry I couldn’t stop by and I hope you had a good night at work.
Almost immediately, my phone buzzes with a message and the picture of Flynn and I from last night pops up. It seems weird that I only just met Flynn yesterday, but I guess between last night and today I’ve already spent quite a bit of time with him. More than I’ve ever spent with one guy in such a short period of time.
Flynn: Work was work
Flynn: Uneventful
Flynn: How was dinner?
Ashtyn: I guess I better come visit you at work on a weekend :) I bet the groupies are in full force then. Dinner with my mom went well actually. Thanks for asking. What are you doing now?
Flynn: Masturbating to your picture
What the hell?
Did he just say that? What do I even reply to that? My face starts to heat and spreads throughout my whole body. I’ve never done the whole sexting thing. I never understood the point but now I get how it can be kind of hot. Before I get a chance to say anything back he sends another text.
Flynn: ;)
Flynn: Just kidding
Flynn: Unless you’re into that kind of thing
Ashtyn: I wouldn’t know. I’ve never done that before. Have you?
Flynn: No, but it sounded better than telling u I’m staring at the wall
Ashtyn: Well that doesn’t sound like fun. Aren’t you tired at all?
Flynn: No I’m wired
Flynn: Kind of an insomniac
Ashtyn: If you could do anything right now what would it be?
Flynn: Anything?
Ashtyn: Yeah anything at all.
He doesn’t respond back immediately, which has me worried. Is he contemplating what to say or is he not going to respond at all? Most guys would pull out some sleazy answer but Flynn isn’t like most guys. He truly seems to be one of the good ones. I’m playing a risky game here, knowing that I’m leaving in a few short months. This has to be casual, nothing more.
Flynn: Talk to my mom
Ashtyn: Were you two close?
Flynn: I’ve never met her
Flynn: She died when I was a baby
Shit. How could you not fall in love with a guy like that? I wish I could reach through my phone and give him a hug. Too bad teleportation isn’t a real thing. Texting isn’t doing it for me anymore so I call him instead. I click on his contact information and hit send. He answers after the first ring.
“Hey.” God, I love his velvety smooth voice.
“Hey,” I reply, smiling into the darkness of my room.
“Look, I hope I didn’t freak you out by that response.”
“Not at all.”
“I’m not sure why but I feel like I can be honest with you and tell you anything. You aren’t like most girls.”
“I hope that’s a good thing?”
“It’s…refreshing. They always want to play games and I’m sick of that shit.”
“I feel the same way. Is that weird? We barely even know each other but I feel like I can tell you anything too.”
“It might be weird but it doesn’t feel that way.”
“Not to me either. And I’m sorry you lost your mom at such a young age. That must have been hard.”
“I never knew any different.”
“Still, I can’t imagine not having my mom in my life.”
“That’s because you’ve always had her.”
“True. Other than Chloe, my mom is my best friend.”
He chuckles lightly and it
feels like my entire body is being wrapped up in it. I don’t ever want this feeling to go away.
“Well, now that we’ve sapped it up, there’s no turning back. So who’s Chloe? Your best friend?”
I forgot I hadn’t told him about Chloe yet. “Yeah, she’s my best friend from back home. Actually, she’s the one I was on the phone with earlier today and that’s why I didn’t get your text.”
“Maybe I should thank her for keeping you distracted and missing my text. Scaring you was pretty epic.”
I smile while thinking about it. Today was a great day.
“Well, you can thank her when you see her. She’s flying up next week.”
“What, she couldn’t have a summer without you? I mean I don’t blame her.”
“Her parents are leaving town and wanted to ship her off to her grandma’s. What are best friends for, if not to swoop in and save the day?”
“Ah, very heroic of you.”
“I thought so. I’m like Wonder Woman, but in a tinier package.”
“If you feel the need to show up to my place dressed up like Wonder Woman, I wouldn’t complain in the slightest.”
“Are you sure you haven’t changed your mind about me? Some crazy high school girl with lots of family drama?”
Shit, did I just say that out loud? Apparently, I wasn’t lying when I said I can tell him anything. It’s like I go crazy and can’t control the word vomit.
He’s quiet and I start to worry.
Why isn’t he saying anything?
I pull the phone away from my ear to a blank screen on my phone. Huh, I guess the call ended. Either we got cut off or he hung up on me. I’m not sure which is worse. If we got cut off, he hasn’t attempted to call me back so obviously he isn’t interested in continuing the conversation. If he hung up then he obviously isn’t interested in continuing the conversation.
Either way it sucks.
I’m sitting here contemplating what happened and why he doesn’t want to talk to me anymore when there’s some shuffling outside of my door. Freaked out, I sit up and try to be quiet. My heart rate picks up a little and I attempt to talk myself down. Maybe it’s windy outside and I just heard some leaves rustling.
When a light knock starts on my door, I freak the fuck out. There are two thoughts running through my mind right now. Option 1 is that a serial killer is here to rape and murder me and Option 2 is that a hot guy is here to whisk me away to have his way with me. I’m really hoping for Option 2.
I go over to where I left my purse and grab my pepper spray in case it’s actually Option 1. When I get to the door, I breathe a sigh of relief because Flynn is standing there. Obviously, the gods are happy with me because it is most definitely Option 2.
I open the door with the biggest grin on my face, and I don’t even have a chance to say anything before Flynn grabs me and pushes me against the wall while giving me the most passionate kiss I can imagine.
It’s so intense, it’s like he’s trying to prove something to me. I don’t complain if that’s the case because I’m enjoying every second of it. He forces his tongue into my mouth, leaving me no choice but to accept it. I wrap my arms around his neck and push my whole body into his, trying to get as close as I can.
I can’t get enough of him and I’m like a crazy person trying to climb his body as I wrap one of my legs around his waist. Understanding my need, he runs his hands down my body before grabbing the bottom of my butt and pushing me up the wall so I can wrap both of my legs around him. We never break contact even when he turns around and walks us both over to my bed where he lays us down and continues his assault on my mouth.
Unfortunately, he breaks the kiss too soon. His eyes are on fire with anger and desire. I’m out of breath and terrified to say a word to him. I wait for him to contain his anger and say whatever it is he needs to say. And when he does, I’m not prepared for what he says at all.
“Don’t ever call yourself a crazy girl. If I don’t want anything to do with you, I’ll let you know. Get out of your head and stop making up shit that isn’t there. You’re not one of the fan girls, as you like to call them. If I didn’t give a shit, I wouldn’t have told you that stuff about my mom. I like you. I want to continue whatever it is we have going on here.”
I’m stunned by his proclamation, and I’m at a loss as to what to say. Which is why the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “You like me?”
The anger leaves his eyes and he smiles down at me before replying, “Would I be here right now if I didn’t like you?”
He doesn’t give me a chance to respond before he leans down and continues kissing me. This time his kiss is gentler and less frenzied. It’s almost as if we have all the time in the world, and he wants to take the time to experience it this time.
I reach up and run my fingers through his hair, slightly tugging the ends, which causes him to groan. I try to deepen the kiss but he continues on with his slow tortuous kisses. Eventually he pulls back and he’s looking at me like I’m the most important girl in the world. The adoration in his eyes makes me melt into a puddle underneath him.
He gives me one more peck on the lips and presses his forehead against mine. Sighing heavily he says, “As much as I don’t want to, I should go back home.”
I don’t want him to leave so I ask, “Will you stay for a little bit? We don’t have to do anything but just lay here.”
I sound so needy and already attached. I hope he doesn’t read too much into it because I could scare him away quickly if I keep this up. This isn’t like me at all. What makes Flynn so different?
The internal battle he’s having flashes across his eyes before he agrees. “Okay, I’ll stay for a little bit longer but when you fall asleep I’m going to take off.”
I would much rather he stay the entire night, but I’ll take what I can get. He moves off of me and I scoot over so there’s room for both of us in the bed. When he lays down, he opens his arms for me, and I snuggle into his side. Laying my head over his chest, I let out a sigh and close my eyes as he wraps his arms around me. I’m in bliss and can’t imagine any moment being more perfect than it is right now.
Chapter 6
Ashtyn
I don’t remember turning the heater on last night but maybe I did and forgot. Either way, it’s boiling in this room and I don’t understand why. I try to roll over and get up but I’m pinned to the bed. I slowly open my eyes and after a minor heart attack from seeing another person in my bed, I realize the reason for the heat and lack of movement is that Flynn lying next to me. He still has his arms wrapped tightly around me and everything from last night comes rushing back. I guess he ended up falling asleep rather than leaving last night like he planned.
How could I have gotten so lucky?
This gorgeous guy is in my bed and he wants to be with me. He looks so peaceful and content. I can’t help myself so I lean up and give him a small peck on the lips. Underneath my lips, his transform into a smile. I lean back and look into his eyes.
“Good morning.”
While he’s still smiling up at me he says, “Waking up that way makes it a good morning. I had planned on leaving but I guess I got too comfortable. Sorry about that.”
Now I’m smiling. “No apologies necessary. I had an amazing night’s sleep and I’m glad you stayed.” I don’t add that I wish I could stay wrapped up in his arms forever.
A look passes over Flynn’s eyes and before I can figure out what it means he flips us so I’m lying on my back and he’s on top of me. He licks his lips and his eyes flick down to mine before he leans in for a kiss. I draw in a breath and pull my bottom lip in between my teeth, waiting for the inevitable. My entire body is buzzing with anticipation and as he draws near, I close my eyes.
When nothing happens, confusion plays through my mind and I open my eyes. He has a giant grin on his face and before I can register, he starts incessantly tickling me. I start squealing and wiggling all over the bed because I’m the most ticklish girl
out there. There isn’t a spot on my body that isn’t ticklish.
Although I’m yelling at him to stop, I can’t stop laughing, which defeats the purpose of me asking him to. I’m wiggling so badly, that I accidentally elbow him in the face, which immediately stops the tickle torture.
I’m utterly mortified. Flynn is leaning over and holding his hand over his eye. I can tell he’s in pain. I get up out of bed and run to the kitchen, pulling out all the drawers and opening all the cupboards, looking for a plastic bag or a towel. Eventually, I find some baggies in the pantry, fill one with ice, and head back to my room.
Feeling horrible, I ramble off my apology. “I’m so sorry. I got some ice for your eye. I hope you don’t get a bruise or anything. I feel absolutely terrible right now.”
Flynn doesn’t say anything for the longest time and when he finally looks up at me, he takes his hand down from his face and is smiling like an idiot again.
I don’t get it.
Why is he smiling?
“You should feel bad. You have bony elbows.” He takes the bag from me and places it on the palm of his hand.
“Shouldn’t you be icing your eye?”
He’s still smiling and I have no idea what’s going on. “I had my hand up in the air when you elbowed me.”
I elbowed his hand? “Why the hell did you act like I hit you in the face then?”
“Nurses are hot and I wanted to see how far you’d take this whole taking care of me thing. Thanks for the ice. My hand does kind of sting.”
Finding Flynn Page 4
