It's What You Do

by C L Wesley

  “I’m sorry I spoke to your mother that way. That escalated the wrong way rather quickly.” I murmur into his chest.

  “Come on, I want to take you somewhere.” Noah pulls my hand and I thank God that Noah refused to ride with his parents to the restaurant. After opening my door for me and scooting around to the driver’s side, Noah pulls away from Chili’s and starts pointing out things to me as we drive. “That is my high school.” He shows me the crazy large building all lit up. “And that is Dow Chemical, where my Dad works.” He points out the large company as we start up a large bridge. I take in Dow and how large it is. It almost looks like its own city. He puts the window down a little as we descend from the top of the bridge. “Can you smell it?” He asks.

  “The Gulf!” I say excitedly while trying to see what I could in the dark.

  “There is the surf shop I worked summers at.” He points out a little shack that featured rentals for surf boards, jet skis, and parasailing tours. We took a left onto a highway before making a quick right. “I bet you can’t do this in Ohio.” He smiles as we drive onto the beach.

  “This is too cool.” I giggle while putting my window all the way down and hearing the waves crash against the shore. “Are we allowed to get out?” I ask and my wish is his command. Noah puts the car in park and gets out coming to get me but I was already standing outside the car. “It feels warm here compared to home right now.” I walk towards the water. “Is it warm at all?”

  “You can touch it but it is not going to be swimming warm at all.” He walks slowly behind me while I run like an idiot to find out. “Not very warm is it?” He says when I pull my hand back quickly.

  “Nope. Is that a lighthouse?” I point South. I could see a light revolving at the top of a slender building.

  “Yeah. There is a marina just on the other side. Helps the sailors find their way. The light always shows home.” He pulls me into his arms. “I’ll bring you here in the daytime and you can take some pictures if you want.”

  “Please.” I smile and lean up on my tiptoes for a kiss. I find it amazing how quickly an innocent kiss can turn into something so feverish. I keep my body pressed firmly against his, feeling his want for me pressed firmly against his jeans. I run my finger along his belt, Noah eliciting a growl that instantly made me wet and ready for him. Noah leans down and grabs the back of my legs, picking me up so that I wrap my legs around his waist. He never breaks our kiss when he lays me down on the hood of his car. The warmth of his car aiding in the temperature of my overheated body.

  Lifting me into a sitting position, Noah lifts me just enough to slide my leggings and panties down. He undoes his jeans and dips beneath my pants clad ankles before pulling me forward and sliding inside me. “You are so wet.” He whispers into my ear before nibbling at my neck. I laid back onto the hood, unable to hold myself at that angle and watch Noah thrust into me. The actual act of watching him had me so damn horny I couldn’t help but reach down and rub my clit while he continued to drive into me. “Taryn, you are too fucking hot.” It only took me a minute or two to release the tension I was building, Noah following me just seconds later.

  When we got back to his house, the house was dark and I was praying to every God I could think of that his mother was not waiting up on her brown leather sofa in the dark. We walked into the dark house, Thor sneaking up on our side to check out who is entering his house like the stealth badass he is. I bend down, “Hey big guy.” I scratch at his ears before standing, Thor’s nose very close to my inner thigh. I rub between his eyes and shove his snout away.

  “He smells me on you.” Noah kisses my neck before grabbing my hand and leading me to his room. “Need anything, a drink or anything?” He stands there unsure of what to do with himself. I pull my shirt off over my head and I have his full attention.

  “Bed babe. It’s after 3AM and I’m still on Ohio time.” He smiles and pulls me into his arms.

  “I know you need your sleep. You are cranky otherwise.” He kisses my shoulder. “My mom has to work until two tomorrow, so we just have my dad.”

  “Okay. Bed.” I tell him as I shimmy out of my leggings and change into one of Noah’s t-shirts laying on his dresser. I crawl into his bed and snuggle up on my left side, Noah falling into place behind me. “Right side?” I giggle as he turns the light off. A moment later, I feel a giant thump and watch Thor circle twice before laying in front of me, his head nudging my arm. I pet the gentle giant and realize I am going to die tonight from heat stroke between Noah and his massive best friend.

  “Merry Christmas Eve Day.” Noah tells me as soon as I open my eyes. “One more day and I can give you my present.” He smiles like a little boy. Thor rolled onto his back looking for his belly to be petted when I scooted out of bed and into the hallway on my way to the bathroom. The house was quiet and I didn’t see anyone as I padded back into Noah’s room.

  “Okay, I feel better. You two are like furnaces.” I fan at my face. “Does he need to go out?”

  “Probably.” Noah opens his arms for me. Before I have a chance to dive into the bed, Thor beats me to it and snuggles his master. Noah jumps up and puts on a t-shirt calling for Thor. I slide on a bra and some shorts walking out to the living room when I hear John call for me in the kitchen.

  “They’re out back.” He yells and I saunter into the kitchen cautiously. “Taryn, I am very sorry for how Marla acted towards you last night. She is very protective when it comes to our boys, almost to a fault. She drives me batshit crazy but it is just something you put up with.”

  “I’m sorry for how I reacted.” I tell him taking a seat by the counter. “I’m protective of my relationship with Noah.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” He scooted a mug towards me. “There is one of those Keurig things over there. I don’t know if you do hot chocolate or coffee. I miss a normal coffee maker.” He smiles before picking up his morning paper while I walk over to the personal coffee maker.

  Noah and I spent the morning napping and playing in the pool much to Thor’s distaste. I love that dog more than I thought I could. My big guy was very protective of me when Marla came home from work. “I see you are still here.” Marla walks in with grocery bags in hand. I didn’t say a word, I stood up and went outside to help carry in the additional bags. Marla noticed what I was doing and was so kind to allow me to carry in the rest of the groceries all by myself.

  On my last trip in, Noah came through the back door with Thor. I placed the last of the bags on the counter and earned a kiss on the cheek from Noah who caged me against the counter facing his mom. He obviously noticed his mother’s distaste for me. “Thank you for helping my mom.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the living room. When I got to the doorway, I called for Thor who started towards me when Marla also called for him. The dog stopped and looked at Marla before turning back and heading towards me, nudging my hand with his nose. Smart dog.

  Later that evening when I couldn’t avoid Marla any longer, I found myself sitting next to Noah at the dinner table across from his brother George and George’s girlfriend Holly. Holly and George have been dating for about six months. It was horrible of me to think but it was nice to see that it was not just me and that nobody would be good enough for Marla’s boys. Holly is a nurse at a hospital in Galveston and met George during an emergency and she’s not even enough. A pretty woman who saves lives for Christ’s sake.

  One of Marla’s Christmas traditions was to have everyone in matching pajamas and that was the gift they opened each Christmas Eve. It made me miss my parent’s and our traditional pizza and wing night. Both boys opened their red plaid pants and black t-shirt pjs. Noah whispered that we will see his parents in theirs in the morning.

  John stood up, handing Holly and I boxes similar to the guys. Her and I shared a smile, as we’ve quickly bonded over Marla’s dislike for us, and opened our gifts to reveal the same pants and V-neck black long-sleeved shirts. Marla took in a deep breath, “John, I didn’t know you wer
e including the girls or I would have gotten their sizes.” She looks at him as if he’s in trouble.

  “I got their sizes from the boys.” John smiles at his wife and it was then I realized that is where he went today. He is sticking it to his wife.

  “Thank you!” I say in general, Noah rubbing my back as he sits next to me.

  “Yes, thank you.” Holly says, leaning back into George. Clearly, we were staking our claim as well.

  We retired to our rooms where I was excited to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It is a tradition with my family to watch this particular movie every Christmas Eve. Noah had asked my parents if there was anything I’d be missing while I was in Texas about our Christmases in Ohio. The movie ended at 12:33AM. “Merry Christmas.” I lean up and place a kiss on his nose.

  Noah jumps up. “It is Christmas!” Noah goes into his closet and pulls out a large wrapped present. “Open it!”

  “Oh my God, Noah!” I smile before going into my suitcase and grabbing the envelope with the smashed bow on it. “Sorry, mine had to travel.”

  “Come on, open it.” He sat on his knees like a little kid. I torture him by opening the gift with an excruciating slow pace only to find another box…wrapped. I open the second box to see a third…wrapped. And a fourth…wrapped. Fifth, sixth, seventh…wrapped. Finally, when I get to the eighth box, I unwrap it to reveal a white gift box and inside was a black velvet box with a note.

  Because no amount of time will ever be enough

  Love,

  Noah

  I open the box to reveal a sterling silver necklace with an infinity piece holding the two sides together. “I love it. Thank you.” I take the dainty necklace out of the box and hold it to him. “Can you put it on me?” Noah grabs the necklace and latches it around my neck. I place my hand over it to make sure it stays put. “Your turn.”

  Noah looks at the blank envelope before sliding it open and pulling out a paper. I watch as he reads the paper stating his admittance to the Ohio State University Soccer Clinic for two weeks this June. “Taryn!” He grabs my cheeks and presses a kiss to my lips. “This is too much, Darlin’. I know what this costs.” The clinic costs $700 for two weeks.

  “Did you know that they give scholarships to top athletes? I didn’t pay for this Noah. I just sent in a video of you doing your thing.” I smile. “I may have forged your signature though.” I winked before he attacked me, Thor jumping onto the bed and nudging between us.

  “Sorry Buddy, you are going to need to sleep out in the living room tonight.” Noah gets up, shoving the dog out the door before coming back to make me bite his palm…all night.

  Christmas day was okay in the Grodnowski house until dinner time. Marla ended up getting into a fight with Holly. George said some quick goodbyes and offered for Noah and I to stay with them in Galveston until we had to fly back so that we wouldn’t have to put up with his ‘mother’s shit’. The next day, we took him up on it.

  13

  “Taryn?” I hear Noah’s sexy morning voice in my ear. “Come on Darlin’, time to wake up.” I barely move until I feel Noah’s warm tongue trace a path from my bare hip up to my collar bone. “There you are.” He says when I open my eyes. Noah smiles at me and I push my lips against his.

  “I enjoyed most of Texas but it is so good to be home.” I tell him as I squirm beneath him. Christmas was good and I really like Noah’s family sans his mother who continued to treat me like shit straight up through our leaving for Galveston. We had spent the rest of the break chilling at his brother’s beach cottage and being tourists. They were loving having us there because I cooked dinner each night for all of us to save on going out to restaurants and Holly was delighted because she worked twelve-hour shifts and hated to cook. The last night before we were to fly home, George surprised us with a secretive mission inside the Coast Guard helicopter to watch some dolphins at sunset over the Gulf. It only lasted a few minutes, but it was by far the coolest thing I’ve done in my small-town life.

  “My dad called yesterday. He is still not really talking to my mom.” Noah tells me as we lay together, Noah’s large body hovering over mine.

  “I’m so sorry that I caused issues with your mother. I really don’t know what I did besides get defensive at some of her comments.” I find myself frowning.

  “Darlin’, no apologies needed. I have no clue what her problem is. My dad loves you, George loves you, hell even Thor loves you and he’s a tough guy to win over.” Noah smiles, rubbing his nose against mine, and I already feel better.

  “Well, I may have slid Thor some of that pork belly under the table. Any port in a storm and I needed someone on my side.” I laugh.

  “I’m always on your side.” Noah kisses my left shoulder, “This side.” He traces his tongue across my collarbones to my right shoulder. “And this side.” I squirm as he runs his tongue down between my breast to my belly. “This side too.” He slides his tongue along my slit making my back arch before climbing up my body. “And inside too.” He pushes himself inside of me and reassures me that he’s definitely on my side…for hours.

  “Noah, we have to get dressed. My parents will be home soon.” I giggle as I watch my boyfriend frantically try and get some clothes on while I lay in my bed still completely naked. “Babe, I didn’t say they were home. I just said we had to get dressed soon.” I watch Noah pause realizing that he must look ridiculous when he jumps on the bed and takes out his frustrations tickling the shit out of me.

  Thank God my parents enjoy Noah because they are letting him stay here with us until campus reopens on Monday. I think they love coming home to hot dinners even when I have to work. My mother is in her element teaching Noah how to cook. My dad is still waiting for the ball to drop and for me to end up like my sisters but he’s laid off for the most part. I laugh to myself as we walk down the steps to go start dinner. One big happy family.

  “Hey Darlin’.” Noah comes out to the back porch after helping my mother clean up the kitchen and slides onto the chaise lounge behind me. “Did you see the text from Jensen?” He snuggles up.

  “Yeah. What do you think? Want to go to a college party?” I lean back against him and relax.

  “Why not? As long as your off. I don’t have indoor practice starting until Monday, just gym hours for now. Let’s go be college kids.” He squeezes me. “How the hell do you sit out here? I’m freezing.” He says and I giggle forgetting he is from the South where winter coats are worn when it is sixty-five out.

  Friday night rolls around and this is where I need Izzy to help me get ready. The party is being thrown at a frat house and has adopted a 1920’s theme. Noah and I went to a few local thrift stores, finding a dress that is beyond short should it not be for the fringe and a black fedora for Noah. I check myself out in the mirror, I looked hot. I snap a picture so I can prove to Izzy I did her proud. It took me almost two hours to pin my long brown hair up in an era-friendly updo and another hour to pin the damn head band around my head so that the feather stayed suspended in air. I shake my ass and watch the red fringe sway back and forth. “You are so damn sexy, Darlin’.” I turn around to see Noah standing there dressed in all black with a red bow tie.

  “You are pretty damn sexy yourself, Striker.” I walk over to him in my sky-high heels and point to my cheek so the bright red lipstick will not smear all over his face. “Ready to do this?”

  I was pleasantly surprised at how clean the frat house was when we arrived. I turned out to be Noah’s arm candy as most of the soccer team was in attendance tonight and the fist bumping got out of control. I stayed on his arm as we listened to the football players say how they can run faster, move quicker, blah, blah, blah. I excused myself to find a bathroom, passing Brittany half-dressed on the stairs making out with some poor guy. She was too consumed to notice me as I continued around the corner.

  Making my way back towards the makeshift dance floor, I decide to grab my own drink before finding Noah. Walking into the kitchen I run i
nto Matt, resident frat boy, and football player who asked me out in the Fall. “Hey Taryn.” Matt smiles. “Need a drink?”

  “Yes, please.” I respond to Matt, watching carefully as he primes the keg. I end up standing in the kitchen talking to Matt about life for a while before heading out onto the back porch to catch some air.

  I was standing along the porch railing when Josh stumbled out the door. “Damn Taryn, if that dress were any shorter your ass would be hanging out.” I roll my eyes and head towards the door only for Josh to stand in front of me. “Oh come on. No need to get all upset.”

  “Not upset. Just cold.” I wrap my arms around myself and try to sidestep Josh when he wraps his arms around me.

  “I’ll warm you up.” Josh slurs and I push against his chest only for him to tighten his grip. “Taryn, don’t be a prude. You know you are a groupie.” He holds my shoulders so tight I can’t move and I feel my heart start to race when the panic sets in.

  “Josh, let me go, please. You’re hurting me.” I ask him calmly, hoping he is just really fucking drunk and this is not going to escalate.

  “I’m hurting you? Do you know what hurt is Taryn?” He pushes me back as he walks forward, still holding me tight. “Hurt is busting your ass to earn something only to have it taken away by some JC reject.”

  “Josh, let me go.” I wiggle trying to break from his hold.

  “Um, I don’t think so.” Josh grabs the hem of my dress near my ass. “Let’s see how he feels to have something taken from him.” Anxiety and fear collide as I continue to push against him until my feet hit the snow and I let out a blood curdling scream just in time for a soaring pain to come across my left cheek. I continue to scream and kick trying to knee him while Josh took another hit at me. “Shut up bitch!” He pulls me further into the backyard, my shoes coming off as he drags me towards the garden shed. Josh threw me on the floor of the shed, my head hitting the ground so hard, all I saw was stars while he kicked my abdomen. I couldn’t open my left eye but I could see Josh undoing his zipper. I screamed ‘No!’ over and over until I felt him grab at my knee. I scratch at his arm and crush my knee into his groin as hard as I could, Josh rolling over holding himself. “You fucking whore!” I make the short dash for the shed door when he got ahold of my ankle, causing me to trip and sending me through the door face first into the snow.