When August Ends

by Penelope Ward

  “Noah…fuck me. Please…fuck me.”

  Oh.

  Shit.

  I froze, unsure what to do. This felt like a violation, because I wasn’t supposed to hear her say those words. Yet they’d exited her mouth and were meant for me, in a sense. Do I wake her up?

  Her voice shook me yet again. “Fuck me, Noah.”

  Jesus.

  She did it again. “I want you so bad. Please fuck me.”

  This time I spoke back.

  “I want to. Believe me.” My words came out louder than I’d intended. I didn’t want to wake her up.

  “I want to tickle your ass.”

  Hold up. Say what?

  Did she just say she wanted to tickle my ass? Or was it…dick in my ass? I couldn’t be sure. Maybe I was just hearing things.

  “I want to tickle your ass, Noah.”

  Nope. Not hearing things. Tickle. That’s exactly what she said. Unable to help it, I lost it and started laughing.

  “God, girl, you’re something else.”

  My laughter must have woken her, because she stirred.

  Then she opened her eyes. She stared at me, looking dazed and confused.

  She scrubbed her hand over her face. “Hey.”

  My heart pounded. “Hi.”

  Heather blinked. “Wow, I dozed off, huh?”

  As she sat up against the headboard, she didn’t seem to have any knowledge of what she’d been muttering—or what I’d said.

  “Yeah. You sure did.”

  “Did I miss anything exciting?”

  I bit my bottom lip. “Nope.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  * * *

  HEATHER

  Even though I knew it was a possibility, I never expected to get an offer on the property so soon.

  When I got off the phone with the realtor on Friday afternoon, my mouth hung open. A man who had come to see the houses yesterday offered five thousand over asking. It was just a matter of us accepting, and then the realtor said he’d likely schedule an inspection. If all went well, it would be a done deal.

  We’d told prospective buyers we wouldn’t be able to vacate until September. But now that this was becoming a reality, I felt a little panic.

  I needed to calm down before I told my mother the news. I needed to talk to Noah.

  I raced over to the boathouse, only to find he wasn’t home. Sadness washed over me. I knew he wasn’t gone yet, but his not being home in this moment when I really needed him reminded me that soon he would be gone. Soon, my world as I knew it would be different.

  I sat on the porch of the boathouse and called him.

  He answered, “Hey.”

  “Where are you?”

  “I’m picking up some supplies from Home Depot. What’s up?”

  “I’m sort of freaking out.”

  “Why?”

  “We got an offer on the property.”

  He went silent for a few seconds. “No shit. Already? Really?”

  “Yes.”

  “Wow. Congratulations.”

  “Thanks.” I was getting teary eyed.

  “That’s fantastic. Are you going to accept?”

  I sniffled. “I think I should. It was a little over asking.”

  He paused. “Are you crying?”

  “Yeah. It’s stupid. I know.”

  “It’s okay to be emotional about it. Shit…I’m feeling emotional about it, and I didn’t grow up here.”

  “We’ll still have until the beginning of September to figure things out, but I feel really overwhelmed all of a sudden. Not sure I was expecting this to happen so quickly.”

  “That’s understandable. It’s getting very real.” He sighed into the phone. “Heather, listen. Take a deep breath, okay? We can start looking for a new place tomorrow. Is the thing with your mother’s sister a done deal?”

  His using the word we made me even more emotional. There was no way I could have done any of this without him.

  “My Aunt Katy assures me she’s moving here, yes.”

  “Maybe you should see if she can come up here soon, so she can look, too. If she’s going to be living there, she should have a say.”

  “That’s a good point. I’ll get on that.” Fear still bubbled inside me. “What are we gonna do with all of our stuff? I thought I’d have time to go through everything. My mother has so much crap.”

  “Well, maybe we can hold a yard sale. Some of it might have to go into storage for a while.”

  When I went quiet, he seemed to realize I was back in freak-out mode. His voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

  “Things are working out as they’re supposed to. It’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed. It would be odd if you didn’t. Change is scary, but it’s the only way to get to the next step.”

  I let out a shaky breath. “Yeah.”

  “There are big things ahead for you. I just know it.”

  Closing my eyes, I said, “Thank you.”

  “What are you doing tonight? We can celebrate.”

  My brief excitement over that was squelched when I remembered I had plans.

  “Oh…um, tonight is my date with Jared.”

  He was silent for a bit. “I didn’t realize that. I thought it was tomorrow.”

  “Yeah. We were originally going out Saturday, but he asked if we could switch it. He’s picking me up at eight.”

  He paused. “Gotcha. Well, maybe another night.”

  Things suddenly felt awkward.

  “Yes. Definitely.”

  “You want anything from McDonald’s? I shouldn’t be eating that stuff, but I’m driving through on the way home.”

  I smiled. It was nice of him to ask. He was always so considerate.

  “No. I just had an early lunch, but thank you. I’ll come by and say hello before I leave tonight.”

  “Yeah…okay…I’ll be home.”

  Home. A part of me loved this life so much, living here on the lake and having Noah nearby. I wasn’t ready for that to change.

  “Thanks for listening.”

  “Don’t worry, Heather. Everything’s gonna be okay.”

  ***

  Later that afternoon, Chrissy sat on my bed as I got dressed for my date with Jared.

  “Damn. You look hot in that dress,” she said, bouncing a little.

  “Jared said to wear something nice, so I figured I’d go all out. I didn’t think we were going anywhere dressy until he said that.”

  “What else would you expect from a Harvard boy?” She narrowed her eyes as she took a look at my face. “Is everything okay? Are you feeling weird about the offer on the house?”

  Actually, all I could think about today was Noah.

  “Can I tell you something in confidence?”

  “Yeah, of course.”

  “It’s about Noah.”

  She nodded. “I should’ve known.”

  “Should’ve known what?”

  “That something was up there.”

  “Nothing is actually up there. I mean, not really—other than in my head.”

  “You have feelings for him. I could have told you that.”

  “So, it’s obvious, then?”

  “I picked up on something the night of your party at Tito’s.”

  “You did?”

  “Oh, yeah. I just couldn’t figure out if it was my imagination or if it was real. Like, I wanted it to be real, you know? You two are both insanely attractive people, and even though he’s older, I don’t think that’s a big deal. You’d make a great couple. He’s clearly very fond of you. I can tell from the way he looks at you. And the way he treats you.”

  “He’s fond of me…but not in that way.”

  “You know that for a fact?”

  “When he first moved in, he treated me like a kid. I think now that he’s gotten to know me, he doesn’t see me as so young anymore. I’ve earned his respect. But he still says nothing can happen between us. Although…lately, I’ve been feeling a shift. I’m getting
this vibe I didn’t get in the beginning. I’ve been feeling like maybe he does like me as more than a friend, but he’s afraid to do anything. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking. Anyway, it’s a moot point. He wouldn’t try anything, even if he did feel something for me. He’s been the biggest supporter of my going away to school, and he wouldn’t do anything to interfere with that.”

  She bit the corner of her mouth. “But you wish he would…interfere.”

  “I can’t seem to shake these feelings for him no matter how hard I try. Regardless of what’s about to happen in my life, I just…want him. And the feeling is getting worse the closer we come to the end of his time here.”

  “Wow. How come you didn’t talk to me about this before?”

  “I’ve been hoping to get over it.”

  “Thus, the date with Jared.”

  “Well, yeah, I mean, Jared’s a great guy. But Noah…Noah takes my breath away—always has from almost the very beginning. Now that I’ve gotten to know him, it feels so much stronger than physical attraction. We undoubtedly have a connection. I’ve come to depend on him, to trust him. I’m just…really gonna miss him.”

  Chrissy offered a sympathetic smile. “If something is meant to happen there, it will. If not now, then maybe someday.”

  “Like what do you mean? Years down the line?”

  “Sure, why not? Maybe you go away to school, get settled in your career, and reconnect with him somehow when the time is right. You don’t know what life has in store.”

  “Or he could be married with kids by then.”

  “Well, that’s true.” She seemed at a loss for what to say. “Have you hinted at how you feel?”

  “I’ve more than hinted. I flat-out told him I was attracted to him a while back. He shot me down. So there’s that.”

  “Ouch. You did?”

  “Yeah, shortly after he moved in. I vowed that would be it. I’ll never make the first move again. I haven’t dropped any more hints, aside from not-so-accidentally dropping my panties in his laundry. Other than that, I haven’t done anything else.”

  “Holy crap. You didn’t…”

  I put on my earrings. “I did. And he hasn’t even acknowledged it. It’s the most bizarre thing. It’s like my undies disappeared into the Bermuda Triangle.”

  “Wow.” She laughed. “That’s so nuts.”

  “Anyway…I just have to get over this.”

  “Trust in fate. What’s meant to happen will. In the meantime, have some fun with Jared. You deserve it.”

  ***

  As much as I appreciated Chrissy’s advice about enjoying my date with Jared, deep down, I knew who I had really dressed up for tonight. As I walked over to the boathouse, my heart thundered in my chest.

  I’d told Noah I would stop in before my date. As I knocked on the door, I took a deep breath in, then exhaled.

  I knocked a second time.

  He wasn’t home.

  Feeling disappointed, I wondered if I wouldn’t get to see him before I left.

  Then his deep voice vibrated through me. “Quit knockin’. I’m not buyin’ what you’re sellin’.”

  I turned around. “You scared me.”

  My nipples stiffened at the sight of him. Noah had grease on his face and his T-shirt. A shimmer of sweat glistened over his forehead. He was dirty, but for some reason he’d never looked hotter to me. And my body’s immediate reaction never ceased to amaze me.

  He swallowed hard as he looked me over. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he liked what he saw. His eyes landed on the cleavage I’d very intentionally created by adding extra padding to my bra. My breasts were already pretty big for my frame—a full C—but I wanted to show them off tonight.

  “Why are you so dirty?” I asked.

  That was a dumb question, but I didn’t know what else to say as his eyes continued to wander over me.

  “I had to do some work on my truck.” He didn’t look happy right now.

  “Is it all set?”

  Instead of answering, he looked me up and down. “You’re not going out like that, are you?”

  “I was going to, yes.”

  “It’s too much.”

  “I don’t look good?”

  “I didn’t say that. It’s just…too much.” He moved past me and entered the boathouse.

  I followed him inside. To my surprise, Noah went straight to the cabinet and took out a shot glass. He poured himself a scotch and drank it down before slamming it on the counter. He was angry. Something about that was damn sexy.

  “Can I have one?” I asked.

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because you shouldn’t be going out on a date impaired. You need to be alert.”

  “One shot is not going to impair me. It’ll relax me.”

  He repeated, “No.”

  “Are you forgetting that I’m not underage anymore?”

  His eyes traced over my body. “That’s painfully obvious right now.” He grabbed the bottle and put it away. “You don’t want to drink that shit anyway.”

  “It’s good enough for you but not me?”

  “It’s too strong.”

  “Can I taste it?”

  “No.”

  “Why did you drink it if it’s too strong?”

  He spoke through gritted teeth. “Because I need to take the edge off tonight.”

  “Why?”

  He refused to answer me, but his eyes told me everything I needed to know: Noah Cavallari was jealous, and he was finally coming undone.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  * * *

  NOAH

  Heather had painted on bright, fire engine red lipstick.

  It felt like a knife to the heart for some reason. That look just wasn’t her. She was sexy as hell in that dress, but something about the lipstick bugged me, like she was trying to be something she wasn’t. That lipstick invited trouble. She didn’t need a drop of makeup; she was so incredibly beautiful without it.

  I was doing a terrible job of hiding my feelings tonight. But it was either take that shot of scotch or swallow her whole. Taking the shot was the right thing to do.

  She stared at me now with her beautiful blue eyes, her hair draped over her cleavage in waves. Her body looked too damn good in that dress, and I had the urge to kiss off all of that red paint on her mouth. Come to think of it, maybe another shot was in order.

  I took the bottle out of the cabinet and poured myself a second but didn’t drink it. I needed to know it was there if I needed it.

  “I’ve never seen you wearing lipstick that bright.”

  “Chrissy lent it to me. Does it look stupid?”

  “It doesn’t look stupid. It just isn’t you. It kind of hides your lips. Why would you want to do that?” All I want right now is to suck on them—lipstick or not.

  I’d been in a funk all day, and this moment was the culmination. The offer on the property had put me in a strange mood. I’d been once again second-guessing whether I’d made the best decision in steering her to sell. It had to be the right thing, but anything that made her sad at this point really got to me. And now, watching her get ready to go out with some guy who was likely just looking for a summer lay had put me in a really shitty mood.

  I was acting like a jealous prick. You’d think I was, well, her age—not mine.

  Her voice barely registered. “Should I take it off?”

  I was in a daze. “What?” Take off what?

  “The lipstick.”

  Oh, the lipstick. What the fuck else would she be taking off?

  “Does it make me look like a clown?” she asked.

  Instead of answering her, I walked over to the kitchen sink and ran some water over a paper towel. I squeezed out all of the moisture and came to where she was standing. I began to wipe the lipstick off of her lips. She remained still, seeming shocked. I could relate to the feeling. I had no right to do this. I didn’t own her, even though at times I wanted to.

  When
most of it was off, I dumped the paper towel in the trash. “Much better.”

  She licked her lips, and I could feel my dick twitch.

  “You think so?” she asked.

  “Yes. You have beautiful lips. You shouldn’t hide them.”

  But I don’t want them on anyone else.

  Her cheeks turned pink. “Thanks.”

  “Hang on.”

  I walked over to my bed and reached under it for the camera bag.

  “I thought you said you didn’t bring your camera here.”

  “No, I said I didn’t come here to take photos, but I never leave home without my camera. You never know when you’re gonna need it. The sun is setting now. It’s the perfect lighting. Let’s go outside. I’ll take a few shots of you in that dress.”

  “The famous Noah Cavallari is going to photograph me? I feel so special,” she teased. “Seriously, this is cool.”

  Seeing the smile on her face made me wonder why I hadn’t thought of this sooner.

  Once outside, I showed her where to stand but didn’t have to tell her what to do. She was a natural in front of the camera, smiling organically and laughing as I snapped away. The remaining sunlight cast a glow around her blond locks.

  At one point, her hair was in her face, so I reached out to move it to the side and noticed my hand fucking shaking. I was seriously losing my marbles.

  After I’d stopped taking photos, Heather asked, “Will you send them to me?”

  My mind was still in a haze. “What?”

  “The photos. Will you email me some?”

  Nodding, I said, “Yeah, of course.”

  “Are you alright, Noah? You seem out of it.”

  “I’m fine.”

  She looked back toward the main house. “I have to go. He’s gonna be here any minute.”

  What are you doing letting her go out with this guy?

  “I’ll see you later,” she said. “Thank you for taking the photos.”

  She lingered even though she’d said she had to go. She was waiting for me to say something. But I couldn’t find the words.

  We stood there on the porch facing each other until she stammered, “Have a nice night.”

  Despite how much I wanted to stop her, I let her walk away.