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I laugh. “I never said that I wouldn’t have sex for the rest of my life—only that I would wait until I got my career off the ground—and then I found the right girl who made me want to stop fucking around.”
Avery grins. “Are you saying that I’m the right girl?”
I take my eyes off the road to steal a glance at her. “I think you might be.”
“That’s good to know.” Her smile widens and she tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I think you’re pretty special too.”
That causes my heart to do a double thump in my ribs. “Guess there’s only one thing left to do.”
“What’s that?”
“Make it official,” I tell her. “Avery, I want you to be my girlfriend—for real this time. No fake shit. I’m talking the real deal, Tyler-and-Avery-sitting-in-a-tree kind of relationship while I’m still in town—even if I’m not here that long.”
She unbuckles her seatbelt and slides across the bench seat of my truck to sit right next to me. I throw my arm around her shoulders and she leans in and kisses my cheek. She feels good sitting next to me. I don’t think I ever want to let this girl go.
She leans her head against my shoulder. “You’re sweet. I hope you’re as nice as you seem.”
I know she’s probably worried I’ll hurt her like that asshole ex-boyfriend she has, but I want her to know that I mean it. I think with a girl who’s been hurt the way she has, actions speak louder than words, and I want nothing more than to prove that she can trust me with her heart.
I want to be honest and up-front with my intentions. While this thing between us might be short-lived, I want her to know that she means a lot to me, and my leaving has nothing to do with her. My plan to get out of this town has been in the works for a while, and I owe it to myself and my father to see it through.
We drive through the streets of Wellston and I pull up along the curb in front of Blake’s house. It’s an old two-story house with a bright blue paint job and a rickety front porch. It’s not much. Working for barely above minimum wage at the lumberyard doesn’t buy you a very lavish place to live—not even in this town where the cost of living is substantially lower than living in Columbus.
The screen door swings open and Blake comes stumbling out with a beer in his hand. He shields his eyes against the shine of the porch light and then waves us inside. “You comin’ in or what, asshole?”
I shake my head and open the door. He’s crazy, but I love the guy like a brother.
“Let me get the door for you,” I tell Avery before I hop out and walk around the front of the truck. Once outside I whip my head in Blake’s direction and flip him the finger. “What’s your big hurry?”
A crooked grin lights up his face. “You know why I’m rushing you. Let’s see her.”
Blake’s never been known for his patience, but you can’t fault the guy for wanting to get a look at the girl I’ve been talking about nonstop for a week now, ever since I first met her in that movie theater parking lot.
I point my gaze squarely on him. “Remember. Hands off.” I can’t stop myself from giving him one last reminder. Unlike me, Blake has zero self-control.
Blake throws his hands up in surrender. “I know, man. No trying to bag your new piece. I got it.”
I raise my eyebrows and point at him. “I mean it, Blake. Don’t even—”
“Dude, you sound like a psycho. Chill.” He laughs.
Maybe I do sound a bit crazy, but it’s probably because the very thought of someone touching Avery sends me over the edge.
I pull on the door handle, and Blake tucks his beer between his arm and torso so he can rub his hands together like a little kid whose Christmas present is about to be revealed. I turn my attention back to Avery and give her a hand to help her out of the truck.
She smiles up at me as she steps onto the ground. “Is it weird that I find it sweet that you’ve kind of lost your mind when it comes to me? It’s nice to feel so wanted.”
A smile tugs at my lips. “It’s no stranger than how being jealous is causing me to lose my shit, so I guess it’s a good thing you find my possessiveness endearing.”
“Holy shit!” Blake’s words cut between us. “I’m sorry, bro, but I may have to say fuck guy code on this one and go for her anyway.”
I wrap my arm around Avery and tuck her against my side. “Sorry, man. This one’s taken.”
Avery looks up at me and smiles and I know making a commitment to her was the right thing to do.
We slide up next to Blake on the porch and he grins. “Welcome to mi casa, where the liquor flows and clothing is optional. That especially goes for you, Avery.”
I throw a quick jabbing punch into his shoulder. “Dick.”
