“True. True. Alright I’ll catch up with you after a bit, Char.” He winks.
With that, he walks out of the barn, the muscles in his back rippling with each step as he takes off to help his father.
I slap my palms over my mouth and shriek loudly, bouncing on my toes. I can’t believe what’s happening to me right now!
How the hell am I going to get through this party without grabbing him and kissing him every chance I get? How am I going to face his parents? Is he going to tell them about us?
A million questions swirl around now that the shock’s wearing off.
I wish we could run away and spend the night together somewhere and just enjoy each other and figure out what this is.
“Okay, get a grip, Char,” I say out loud, steeling myself. Don’t let your lizard brain control your life right now.
I force myself out of the barn to find Joan and help her set up tables and food, trying but failing to ignore all the lustful thoughts flying through my brain.
Chapter Thirteen.
Time drags unbearably slow until the party. I catch glimpses of Ben here and there, but his parents keep us so busy that by the time the first car arrives, Ben is just getting in the shower to change. I end up sitting in the west barn, waiting for him by the food table and zoning out to the sound of sprinkling rain gently falling on the roof. This barn has music, food and decorations so I figure most people will hang out here instead of under the canopy.
I’m at the food table putting vegetables and dip on my plate when I get startled by a slap on the ass.
“Hey, you.” Ben walks around and gives me a quick peck on the cheek.
His hair’s gelled back, and his two silver rings are back on. Damn, he looks great in that tight black shirt, covered by a leather jacket and blue jeans. I want to rip it all offhim while we hide in the east barn together and explore this new intimacy we’ve uncovered.
“You almost made me drop my plate!” I playfully shoulder bump him. I pause, debating whether to tell him how good he looks, but I can only be so brave. “You look…cleaned up.”
“Is that your way of telling me I look good? If so, I'm flattered. You as always, are looking beautiful.”
I beam brightly, soaking in every single handsome feature of his… the sultry brown eyes with small slices of golden yellow in them, his full lips which were pressed on mine just hours ago… I bite my bottom lip and look down at my plate, too shy to keep eye contact.
He inhales sharply and his mouth brushes my ear as he whispers, “Careful biting that lower lip or I’m not going to be able to do anything else but steal you away and kiss you the rest of the night.”
“I’d be okay with that,” I bravely whisper back. I set my plate down at the table to sit down and eat but he grabs my hand before I can.
“Bring that with you. Let’s go socialize.”
“Do I have to? It’syourparty.” I’m serious. I don’t know most of his friends and I’ve only met a few relatives in his small family. I’d rather sit by myself and melt into the background until we can be alone again.
“No, you don’t have to. But I’d like you too.” He smiles down at me, his eyes softening.
“Alright, fine, but only because you asked me nicely.”
I squeeze his hand, feeling the rough callouses from earlier softened by the lotion he must’ve put on after his shower. Holding my plate in one hand, I let him lead me out the door with the other while he holds an umbrella over us. We go under the canopy where I have to set my plate down because he introduces me to so many people.
He doesn’t release his hand from mine the entire night and if he does let go for a minute, he makes sure to keep at least one hand on my low back.
I feel so safe and secure and flattered that he doesn’t care if people see us acting like this. I’m so happy, I don’t want the night to end.
The rain doesn’t let up all evening, turning the farm into a muddy mess. As the light fades, we all transfer back to the west barn and settle in with a mix of country music and alternative rock blasting in the background. Sounds of kids running around, people playing games and idle conversations fill the room.
The atmosphere’s euphoric.
Ben and I sit down with an uncle of his when a group of four guys walk in. They all dress similarly to Ben’s style and seem like they’re around our age.
“Heyyyyyyyy. Happy graduation my man!” The first guy sporting a brown leather jacket, blue jeans and a white T-shirt and his short brown hair speckled with raindrops greets Ben first.
“Paul! What’s up, man?” Ben stands up excitedly and gives him a handshake with a one arm hug as a greeting. He goes through the rest of the guys just as enthusiastically while I get up and wait nervously for an introduction. I’ve never seen them around school before.
