Page 45 of Changing Lanes

“No, I did not forget. Forget what?” She smiles at my question.

“Country boy got skills.” We both laugh at my referencing her from years ago, her smile is beautiful.

“Yes, I do remember your mad skills. Still an Xbox master?” She giggles.

“Well, not as much, but I do still play. You still queen of HALO?” Shaking her head, she can’t stop smiling.

“Not in years. You asking for round two?” Her words fall from her mouth as she realizes what she’s said.

“Possibly. Let’s see how dinner goes.” The table gets quiet, she serious again.

“Well, I’d have to be a fool to do that, wouldn’t I?” She sips her wine while we wait for our food.

“I don’t think so, but I never took you for one; you’re too smart for that.” My eyes never leave hers, yet I still can’t see her. She’s buried deep, only breaking through this façade from time to time. “Listen, I know you’ve been hurt.”

“Damn straight, I’ve been hurt. I’m still hurt. You gutted me.” She throws the first punch, and I take it because I deserve it.

“I know. I’m sorry for the way things happened between us. I also want to apologize for the way they were left, I should’ve called or something.” Her eyes move from mine, it’s not enough. Not yet. “Torrie.” Her eyes still somewhere else. “Torrie, look at me.” Her eyes dart to mine, fierce and warm. “I am sorry I hurt you. It broke me, too. But right now, we need to find a way to work together.”

“I’ll try,” she rasps out, her eyes shine with unshed tears. “I will, I’ll try.”

Our food arrives moments later. “This looks delicious, I’m starving,” I say to her.

“It does smell wonderful. Thank you.” She smiles as we sit quietly and begin to eat.

After dinner, we drive back to her place. Although we’ve talked, there’s so much more that needs to be said. “You do know we need to have ‘the talk’ at some point, right?”

“She glances over at me. “Didn’t we just talk? I mean, is there a reason to bring up all that other stuff?”

“As much as I’d like to say no, we both know that’s not going to work,” I say to her.

“I know, Brannon. I’m trying, it’s all I can do right now, okay?” Her voice is low, I’m not sure if it’s anger or want. My hand reaches across the seat, waiting on hers. She drops her hand beside mine, and they lay there, so close. Mirroring our very souls.

When our fingers touch, we both draw in a breath, unsure. Unsteady. Do we fight or let go? So long ago, I just wanted to hold onto her. I felt I needed to let her go until she came to me. Lacing our fingers, I just want to hold on to her. Keep her here, forever.

Raindrops hit the windshield as a storm begins to rage. The rumble in the sky rolls over us, and a downpour falls from the sky. The windows fog so I move my hand to turn the defogger on, but she clasps my hand and squeezes. I can’t take another second. I pull the car off the road. Her head spins to me, I unbuckle and twist toward her. She looks at me for what feels like the longest time. Faintly, she nods her head. I take the opening. I take her face in my hands, and she presses into my palm as my thumb runs across her bottom lip. Her eyes flash to mine, telling me everything as tears spring from her eyes. I did this to her.

I unbuckle her, moving the belt. Curling my fingers around her neck, I pull her to me. Our breathing is rough and loud in the closed car. It’s just us and the rain on the roof. If we allow it, it could wash all the bad away, but she’s not ready yet. I can see it in her eyes.

The battle between her heart and mind have waged war. Smashing my mouth to hers, she can’t decide to fight or give in. My tongue sweeps over her bottom lip, and I kiss her for as long as I can.

She moans, giving me the chance I need to take her. She hesitates, pulling back slightly. Suddenly, her tongue slides over mine, and we melt into each other. Hands are everywhere they’ve missed, touching parts that need to be reminded they’re here.

She crawls into my seat, throwing her leg over me. Her hands drag up my chest while we forget where we are, maybe even who we are. Our tongues are at war with the other, wrestling for the advantage. Her body pressed against me, she begins moving. I meet her with my thrusts as we grind together.

A rumble of thunder shocks her back. She leans away, wiping her mouth. She frowns, cutting her eyes away from me. Whether in embarrassment or anger, she’s done. Opening my door, she moves off my lap and into the rain.

Jumping from the car, I wrap my arms around her. It’s now I can tell she’s crying. Her body heaves with every gasp she pulls into her lungs, trying to get it all out. Torrie fists my shirt, tugging and pulling at it. She hits my back, then again. I hold her tighter as she fights her heart and mind.

I hold her in the dead of night as the rain beats down on us. I keep reminding myself, I did this to her. The mistakes of my past continue to haunt me. When her crying slows, I pick her up and carry her back to the car. I grab Andi’s blanket from the backseat, wrapping it around her.

Again, the silence between us is deafening. I can’t stand this not talking. No. I have to hear what she has to say. I need to know her pain, her fears. I want all she felt ten years ago, I want it all. All of her, forever.

Pulling up to her gates, she leans over me to enter her pin code. Her breasts brush my arm, making me hard immediately. Plopping back into her seat, I drive through to her house. The rain is still falling hard, but she doesn’t wait to get out.

Following her, I yell as she steps onto her porch. “Torrie. Damn it, stop.”

She whips around, pinning me with her glare. “What?” she shouts at me.