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It was dark when I opened my eyes, barely able to see anything but the low light of the pale violet moon. A hand reached for mine and held it. I might have been afraid or surprised, but I knew Peter climbed the treehouse and was watching over me the entire time.
“Rae,” he whispered softly. “You don’t ever have to be alone.”
“I know,” I whispered back, my voice hoarse from crying. “But I want my daddy back.”
Saying the words aloud unleashed a new wave of grief and I started crying uncontrollably. I remember Peter scooting closer and letting me weep on his shoulder. I remember how he whispered words of comfort and rubbed my back, promising to never leave me alone ever again unless I asked.
Peter was my more than my friend or family. He was a part of me.
“Pete?” I lay next to him on a blanket, watching the sky as the stars began to glow.
“Yes?”
“If I asked you to stay close and protect me like daddy, would you?”
“I already do, Rae.”
“Yes, but like daddy,” I clarified.
“Do you mean like love?”
I nodded, “Uh huh.”
“I do, Rae. I love you just as much as Ron.”
“Promise?”
“I promise Rae.”
“Always?” I pressed.
“Always Rae, as long as we both live.”
I REMEMBERED KISSING Peter’s cheek and the relief I felt knowing that he would love me like my father did. It was important to me, even at such a young age, but I never understood why. Maybe there were other memories that I had forgotten. Maybe I wanted him to take my dad’s place, a male figure to idolize like my wonderful father. I’ll never know.
As Peter held me, I realized how much he always kept his word. He protected me from bullies as we grew up. From my first boyfriend who broke up with me in eighth grade and spread rumors only to show up with a black eye and tell everyone the truth. From my stepfather and his violence. From the lonely nights when I missed my dad so much I couldn’t sleep.
My entire life from age nine to seventeen Peter had always been my knight in shining armor. Always faithful, always present, and always by my side.
I turned my head, his eyes locking on mine instantly. Before he could say a word, I leaned in and kissed him. This wasn’t just any kiss. I put all of my heart into those magical seconds his lips were pressed against mine, determined to show him the depth of my feelings.
A small moan vibrated low in his throat as he leaned back and broke the kiss, “This is too public.”
Peter stood and grabbed my hand as we picked up our snacks and ran for the truck. Jake and Hayley were nowhere to be found. R.J. was leaning against the hood of the Nova when he saw us approach.
“I’ll take a walk.”
He nodded to us and left as Peter picked me up and deposited my backside onto the bed of the truck. He leaped up behind me, turned his head in every direction, and then lowered my back against the blanket.
“Tell me what that kiss meant to you.”
“Everything,” I whispered. “You’re everything Pete.”
His eyes glazed over as he inhaled a shaky breath, “I’m not gonna lie baby. That just turned me on.”
I laughed lightly as he grow
led low in his throat and lowered his body on top of mine, “Kiss me,” I begged. “Kiss me like you mean it.”
