Page 1 of Changing Lanes

“Thank you, Mom. I appreciate the party. Everything you bought for my dorm is great. You shouldn’t have, though.” Leaning in, I place a soft kiss on the crown of her head. She pats my arm as I draw her closer to wrap my arms around her.

She returns my bear hug as vigorously as I give. “No thanks needed, honey. I’m proud of you.”

“I know.” I release her from my hold. “I’m gonna head out for a while. Say goodbye to a few people,” adding as I push the screen door open.

“Alright. Don’t be too late, though, you have a long drive tomorrow.” She smiles warmly as I let the door close behind me.

I take Highway Seventeen into the city until the beach comes into focus. My friends are on the beach with a bonfire and beers. It’s my last day here, tomorrow I leave for college. Hanging out with my people is exactly what I need before I go.

I park beside the last dune, taking the closest steps up to the beach. The sun is just setting on Myrtle, there’s a glorious hue of bright yellow and orange on the horizon. Waves crash the shore just as I spot my crew as the flames of the bonfire roar to life.

“Brannon,” Josh yells in the nick of time for me to catch a glimpse of the can flying at me.

“Damn. Seriously, dude. You trying to kill me?” Snatching the brew from the air just before it cold-cocks me.

“Shut the fuck up with your whining and get your ass over here.” Josh grins at me. We’ve been friends since grade school. Like most small towns, everyone knows everybody.

He’s such a smartass. “Fuck you,” I mumble as I settle in next to Josh by the fire. Josh is tall and wiry; I’d snap his head off his neck.

“You all packed?” Zack asks just as Kat settles in his lap. They’ve dated for two years now, it’s kinda weird because they were best friends before they hooked up. No one saw it coming, oddly enough. He’s a beast at six-five and broad as a barn. Kat’s small, blonde frame melts into his big bear arms.

I take a pull from my beer. “Yeah, I’m ready to roll.” I’ve gotten in more trouble with this bunch than I’d like to remember. Small town adventures, big time memories.

“Won’t be the same without you, man. But we all knew there were bigger things out there for you. Proud as hell of you.” Josh punches me in the shoulder as he speaks. What’s with the sad shit?

“I can tell. What’s up with all the abuse, numb nuts.” I punch his thigh, a little harder than the hit he gave me. Reminding him who can kick whose ass.

“Just showin’ you some tough love before you get out in the real world.” Everyone laughs at Josh’s remark. Tough love like this might make me stay away forever. I’ve had enough tough love in my life to last forever.

Three beers in, I know I’ll be calling a cab to get home tonight. I may be eighteen and drinking, but I ain’t stupid. Well, not totally. Just as I’m thinking it, I look up to see Ava walking toward me. Lord help me, she’ll be the death of me.

Ava is everything a guy could want. She’s curvy with long black hair and the deepest green eyes. A smile that could bring the strongest man to his knees. She also has a killer rack. A teenage boy’s wet dream, and she’s given me a many over the years. She’s also driven me mad.

Honestly, Ava is amazing, but we’re old news. After dating for four years, we ran our course. At least, I’m done. Ava, not so much. She refuses to understand; I don’t want to be in a relationship with her. She believes I’m having growing pains. Or I’ll go to college and get homesick. Not likely.

Nevertheless, I’ve moved on. At least, I’ve tried for six months now. She won’t give up. Other girls won’t date me because of Ava. So, college is a welcome change. Somewhere Ava isn’t.

I want to remain friends, but my choices as of late may make it impossible. I’ve made some bad decisions concerning this girl, and I’ll be damned if I’m not about to make another. Sam Hunt serenades us as the star’s shine brightly. The fire crackles making the goose bumps on my arm seem all too natural as Ava walks closer to me.

I can smell the lavender in her hair as the warm ocean breeze blows across her shoulders. Her hair is all over her face, some of it sticking to her full lips as they shine with my favorite cherry gloss that I’m positive she’s wearing just for me. Damn, I know better than this, but I struggle saying no to her.

Her cutoff denim shorts are just shy of indecent. What it doesn’t leave to the imagination, her tank finishes. Her nipples are erect and pointing at their prey. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a victim, but I sure as hell am a survivor.

Ava Cook is sex on legs. With me in her sights, I have no doubt I’m about to get lucky. Or is it, I’m about to become the unluckiest man ever? Who the hell knows? Who the hell cares? After one too many beers, I’ll be damned if I’m not in the bed of my truck under the stars with this girl.

The light of day brings an entirely different issue. Saying goodbye, again. Why the fuck do I allow the wrong head to make my decisions? I’m more intelligent than this, and she’s better than this. She might not know it yet, but one day she’ll realize it.

Ava is wrapped around me like I’m the prize and she’s the winner. I’ve got to get moving before my mom sends out the FBI. She’s gonna chew my ass good. But first, I have to get Ava moving so that I can. I nudge her slightly. She doesn’t move. I may have drunk too much last night but I do remember, she didn’t.

“Ava, I gotta go. Let’s get moving before my mom hunts me down.” Shaking her a little more now, Ava curls into my side as if she has no clue what’s going on. Suddenly, I’m saved by the bell. Well, buzz. My cell is going off. Picking it up, I don’t even look at the screen, I just answer knowing for certain who’s on the other end. “Hey, Mom. Sorry. I’ll be home in less than an hour.”

“You better be. And Brannon, if you’ve been drinking, you need to hydrate. It may be morning, but you may very well still be drunk. I’m waiting. I love you.” Yeah, she’s pissed. And right.

“I’ll walk over to the gas station and grab a Gatorade. I love you.” She hangs up without another word. My mom rarely gets angry. I’m sure it’s because of my present company. I don’t want to argue with my mom before I leave, I’d feel like shit all the way up there. Fuck.

“Ava. Now. I gotta go.” I push her off my chest. She rolls onto her back, laying there silently. I don’t have time for her shit. So much drama, so little time. I knew better, can’t even blame the alcohol.

“So, that’s it? Fuck me and leave me.” Bile rises in my stomach. Oh, shit. Not this, not today, I just can’t deal with this now. The perfect example of why I knew I should’ve stuck to my guns and not been with her last night. I know, hell’s comin’ and I’m gonna burn.