Melody of the Heart (Runaway Train Book 4) by Katie Ashley (1)

To the readers who loved the men of Runaway Train enough to keep the series going.

And to Kim Bias & Paige Silva—my two wranglers who keep me sane, make me laugh, & keep me focused.

* D P G R O U P . O R G *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

BRAYDEN 

        THE PRESENT

 

The wind whipped through my hair and rippled through my clothes as I drove over the Bull River Bridge that connected Tybee Island to Savannah. I couldn’t help feeling seventeen again. With a Beatles CD blaring, I sang along at the top of my lungs like I didn’t have a care in the world. Of course, a day at the beach always made me young again. It reminded me of summer vacations with my parents and grandparents. A smile tugged at my lips when I pondered how in the world we were able to get my two younger sisters, my parents, my grandparents, me, and all of our shit into one van. Of course, I’d faced a similar predicament today with the convertible I’d rented for the day at the beach. It had taken two or three times of repacking before I’d managed to get my three children and all of our beach gear inside.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I dug it out. Glancing down at the screen, I motioned to my eleven-year-old son, Jude, who sat next to me. “Cut the volume. It’s your mother.”

After he reached forward to turn down the music, I answered the call. “Hey, baby. What’s up?”

“Where are you?” she demanded.

I could tell by her tone I was already in deep shit. “Almost back to Savannah. Why?”

“Because we’re supposed to be sitting down with Giovanni Coppola right now for an interview, remember?”

“Shit!”

“Daddy!” my daughter, Melody, admonished from the back seat.

“Sorry, sweetie, but at the moment, that’s the only word that will suffice.”

When I glanced in the rear view mirror, my less vocal daughter, Lucy, shook her head at me in disapproval. Although their father was a rock star surrounded by men, and sometimes women with mouths like sailors, their mother taught them that swearing was wrong. I don’t know what Lily was thinking when she started that up with them. It was like she was setting my bandmates and me up for failure. Besides, she’d been known to let a few juicy words slip before, especially in the heat of the moment when we were in bed.

“Time just slipped away from me, baby. I’ll put the lead out and be there in ten.”

“Don’t you be driving crazy with my babies in that car. You’re carrying precious cargo.”

I smiled at her admonishment. “I won’t, I promise.”

“Bye,” she said, tensely.

“Bye, honey.” Grimacing, I hung up the phone.

“Is Mommy mad at you?” Melody questioned.

“Just a teeny bit.”

“What did you forget this time?” Jude asked, with a grin.

It was common knowledge among my children that I was a little scatterbrained. Without a wife like Lily, I’m not sure if I would be able to survive. It was a personality quirk that had been a part of my life since I was sixteen years old. “This interview thing with a very important rock magazine.”

“Epic fail, Dad,” Jude said, shaking his head.

With a chuckle, I replied, “Ya think?”

Eyeing the speedometer, I then eased my foot down on the accelerator, slightly increasing the speed. I kept my promise to Lily to be safe, but I still wanted to get back as fast as I could. For over half of my life, Lily Marie Gregson had been keeping me on my toes. More than that, she’d been the love of my life through thick and thin, the good and the bad, for better or worse and all that jazz. She’d given me the family I’d always dreamed of with our three beautiful children. And after all these years, she could still get my blood up and running.

The five of us had left our family farm in Roswell, Georgia and had descended on Savannah yesterday. Actually, the entire Runaway Train family, sans Rhys and Allison, had flown in on our band’s jet. We had come to the capitol of Southern grace and charm to see our last single bandmate tie the knot. That was also the reason I had Lily on my ass to get back for the interview. Rolling Stone had decided to do a feature on Rhys and Allison’s wedding. After all, it wasn’t everyday a rock star married his bandmate’s little sister, who was also a rising star in the fashion industry.

 But it wasn’t just the soon-to-be newlyweds they wanted to focus on. They wanted to devote a large part of the spread to Lily and me. While the media often loved to focus on Jake and Abby being music's power couple, Lily and I had been singled out this time as music's lasting couple. To them, we were an enigma—high school sweethearts whose twelve-year marriage had stood the tests and trials of the rock star lifestyle. Our envied relationship was put on a pedestal for the rest of my bandmates and their significant others to aspire to. All the attention was a little overwhelming. It was one of the reasons I'd wanted to escape to the beach.

The other reason being that today was Allison’s bridal luncheon. Since Lily was a bridesmaid, I had offered to take the kids to the beach to get them out of her hair. AJ and his girls had joined us as well.  Poor Jake, as the brother of the bride, had been roped into staying for the luncheon and helping Abby out with their twins, who rounded out the wedding party as the ring bearer and flower girl.

With all the fun in the sun, I had let time get away from me. I cherished every damn minute we had off the road. Although I now had my own bus that enabled Lily and the kids to travel with me, I thoroughly enjoyed the time away from all that craziness. In the last few years, we had drastically scaled back our touring. Once AJ and Jake became fathers, coupled with Abby wanting to be a hands-on mother, the call of the road was no longer as alluring as living at home with our families. In the end, fame, Grammys, and money are fleeting. Your family is really all you have, all you can count on, and everything that keeps you centered in this crazy world.

I eased the convertible up to the valet stand. After Jude and I hopped out of the front, we worked to quickly extract the girls and our plethora of beach gear. I then handed off the car keys to the attendant and corralled the kids inside the hotel. After the elevator let us out at our floor, I drew in a deep breath as I neared our suite. I dug in my pockets for the key card but came up empty. “Dammit, what did I do with the key?”

“Daddy!” Melody admonished again as Jude waved the key card in front of my face.

“Sorry,” I mumbled before taking the key from Jude. “Thanks.” I didn’t even want to begin to wonder how he had the card.

The girls pushed past me to run into the suite. As I drew in a breath, I couldn't help feeling like a pussy. I mean, I was a grown man for fuck's sake, but I was practically cowering from the impending wrath of my wife. Maybe it was because Lily was usually so easy going and laid back. She very rarely lost her temper, and she was the level-headed one who evened out my manic side.

I hustled down the short hallway. Peeking around the corner, I watched as Lily embraced our girls, planting a kiss on the tops of their dark-haired heads. They had both inherited my dark hair and eyes, but they each had the same dimple in their left cheek that their mother did. While the reporter might've thought Lily’s affection was all for show, I knew better. The sight caused warmth to flood my chest.

Glancing over Lucy's head, Lily met my gaze. The beaming smile she had for our girls tightened considerably. "So glad to see you finally made it home safely." While the reporter might not have caught her veiled hostility, I heard it loud and clear. I had to do something fast to get my ass out of the doghouse.

Plastering on my most apologetic smile, I power-walked around the corner. I then threw my hand out to the reporter. "Brayden Vanderburg."

As he pumped my hand, he replied, "Giovanni Coppola."

"I'm so sorry I'm late. I'd love to blame the kids, but sadly it's all my fault."

He laughed good-naturedly. "It's okay. You guys have a lot on your plate with the wedding. I just appreciate you making time for me."

"We're just honored that an esteemed magazine like yours would want to interview us,” I drawled, laying it on extra thick.

When Lily raised her brows at me, I winked. She ignored me and turned to the kids. “Okay guys, Mia is waiting on you next door. She’s had an early dinner delivered from her dad’s restaurant.”

“Mama Sofia’s!” Melody squealed while Lucy gave an enthusiastic smile.

“Good. I’m starving,” Jude replied before he headed to the door with Melody and Lucy trailing behind him.

Before Lily could ask me if I had also managed to forget to feed our kids, I held up my hands. “He ate everything you packed as well as raiding the concession stand twice. I swear that kid will be eating us out of house and home when he turns thirteen.”

Lily cocked her head at me. “I seem to remember you having the same appetite when you were a little older than him.”

Sensing an opportune moment for interrogation, Giovanni asked, “Just how hold were you when you met?”

“Sixteen,” Lily and I replied in unison.

Our shared reply brought a beaming smile to Giovanni’s face. “Do you finish each other’s sentences, too?”

“Sometimes,” Lily replied.

“I’m usually forgetting what I want to say so I need her to finish,” I joked.

Giovanni scribbled something down in his notebook. When he glanced up, he motioned to the patterned sofa. “Why don’t you two sit there, and I’ll have a seat here?” His hand fell on the back of one of the antique chairs.

I nodded. Easing down on the sofa beside Lily, I leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. “You smell good,” I complimented.

The tight expression that had been on her face since I came in receded, and a genuine smile appeared. “You smell even better because you smell like the ocean.”

I then turned my attention to Giovanni. “Once again, my deepest apologies for being late.”

“It’s all right.”

Cocking my head at him, I asked, “Did my lovely wife give you the sad sap story as to why I’m not always with it?”

Giovanni grinned. “Yes, she did. And I have to say it was quite fascinating hearing about your head injury and how without it, you might not be where you are today.”

With a chuckle, I replied, “I would have to say that’s the truth because if it weren’t for the short-term memory issue shit, I would have been here a lot earlier.”

Waving his hand dismissively at my joke, Giovanni said, “I don’t think most of our readers or your fans know you didn’t grow up playing guitar or having the desire to be a rock star. That without the football related injury, you would have never taken up the guitar or written your first song.”

I shifted in my seat. Talking about my injury always made the hairs stand up on the back of my arms and neck. It was one of those life-altering moments that set me on an entirely different path I could never have imagined. At sixteen, my entire universe revolved around the emerald green grass of the field and the smell of pigskin in my hands. I had my eye on a college scholarship and maybe some time in the NFL. I was that good.

But life changes in an instant—a play you had executed flawlessly a hundred times before can go so very wrong. Instead of being carted off victoriously on the shoulders of your teammates, you leave in a neck brace laid out on a stretcher. A brain injury coupled with a cracked vertebrae that narrowly missed severing your spine brings the curtains down on your dream. But then you realize the life you thought was ending was truly just beginning.

The squeeze of Lily’s hand brought me out of the past and back to the present. I cleared my throat. “Yes, it is true that my life would be so very different and not for the better. But I don’t mean in the sense of not having the fortune or the fame.” I turned to gaze at Lily and smiled. “I might not have Lily by my side.”

She brought my hand to her lips and kissed it. “When I was seventeen, I told you I’d follow you anywhere and everywhere. If your life had taken you somewhere else, I would have been there.”

“Thank God,” I murmured.

“So was it love at first sight for you?” Giovanni asked, leaning in expectantly.

Lily tilted her head at me before giggling. “Not exactly.”

Giovanni’s dark brows knit together. “Oh?”

I couldn’t help the smile that stretched across my face as the familiar memory played in my mind. “I owe my marriage to my lovely wife’s penchant for apple thievery.”

Lily sputtered with outrage. “I was not stealing apples. We had just moved in, and I wasn’t sure where our property ended and your grandparents’ began.”

After winking at her, I focused my gaze on Giovanni’s amused one. “The first time I ever laid eyes on Lily she was wearing a blue sundress with a satin ribbon in her hair. She could have had the face of an angel, but I wouldn’t have noticed because she had the hem of her dress flipped up to cradle the apples she was picking from my grandparents’ tree. All I could focus on were her long, tanned legs and the brief glimpse I got at what was between them.”

“Brayden Michael Vanderburg!” Lily exclaimed. Just hearing her call my full name caused warmth to enter my chest. I loved her voice, I loved her outrage, and I loved that a woman as amazing as she was actually loved me.

“I’m just answering the man’s question, sweetheart,” I replied. Leaning forward in my chair, I then began the story of the day that changed my life….

 

BRAYDEN

    THE PAST

 

With my guitar resting on my lap, I closed my eyes and began strumming the familiar chords. The peace I often searched for through the music hummed throughout my fingers and then spread throughout my body. I focused only on the music while the rest of the world faded into the background—the heave and sigh of the porch swing, the shrieks of happy children, and the soft snores of my grandfather who slept in a rocking chair across from me. In moments like these, I was one with my instrument. It became an extension of myself—the best and purest parts. 

“Speaking words of wisdom, let it be,” I sang softly. Although I had been a Beatles fan all my life, the song had come to mean more to me in the last six months. Learning to let things be was the very reason I’d taken up the guitar in the first place. And like Paul, I’d had my own hour of darkness to which music pulled me out of and sent me to the light.

My foot tapped out the rhythm on the worn floorboards of my grandparents’ front porch. Even from my place outside, I could hear the faint laughter and chatter of my father and his siblings. The noise barely lessened even when I worked the strings of my guitar harder. My cousins, ranging in age from three to eighteen, roamed about the large two-story, plantation-style house as well as the massive front yard.

Sunday dinners held a place of reverence in my family. I suppose they did in every old-school Southern family. I couldn’t remember a time in my life when we hadn’t spent every Sunday around the antique table that overflowed with home-cooked food.

My fingers hit a wrong note, and I grimaced as I remembered the one time I was absent. It had been six months ago. While a colorful array of red, orange, and yellow leaves coated the ground, I remained a prisoner in a white-walled room. Even if I had been able to leave, I doubt I would have noticed the colors. My world had faded to black the moment a doctor in a white coat had held up an X-ray and started rattling off my prognosis.

“Intense trauma to the cerebellum.”

“Irreparable damage to the C1 and C2 vertebrae due to the cervical fracture.”

“Inconceivable to play contact sports of any kind. Ever. Again.”

And while the physical pain was bad, the emotional agony that clawed its way through me had me ringing the nurse for more medicine. I’d toddled out onto the Pee Wee football field at barely three. As a freshman, I was starting on the varsity team. The next two years, I racked up more titles and broke even more records. On that crisp, October evening, I had scouts from both Georgia Tech and Auburn watching me play.  Unfortunately, they had a front row seat to the demise of my football career.

I’d spent a week in the hospital, and then three months doing physical therapy to repair some of the nerve damage I’d experienced. It was in the middle of therapy that a guitar was put in front of me. Before that day, I’d never even considered playing an instrument. But the therapist thought it might be good for me. While she’d explained that it would help rewire the parts of my brain that had become scrambled, I think she really suggested it because she thought I needed an outlet. The anger, the frustration, and the grief about what had happened to me were at a boiling point. I’d started lashing out at those around me—those who just loved me and wanted to see me get better.

But what neither one of us could have imagined was how easily learning the guitar would be for me. It was like a switch had been flipped in my brain. What had once looked like a bunch of jibberish on a sheet of music suddenly made total sense to me. The neurologist gave some name for it—acquired savant syndrome. While savants were usually geniuses, I was nowhere near being a Paul McCartney or Jimmy Hendrix. And even though reading and playing music came a lot easier to me, it didn’t hurt that all the time I’d once spent practicing football or watching it on television was now focused elsewhere. Any spare time I had, I was sure to have my guitar on my lap, just like today.

“Hey dickweed! Get your pansy ass out here and play,” my cousin, Mitch, called from the front yard. I didn’t even have to glance up to know that he was tossing a football up and down in his hands. Growing up, we both lived and died for football. But Mitch was the only Vanderburg still playing.

“Go fuck yourself,” I shouted.

“Language, Brayden,” my grandfather chided. I guess Nick and my yelling had woken him up.

“Sorry, Papa.”

Mitch came to the edge of the porch. Gazing up at me, said, “Come on, man. You can at least throw it back to me.”

“Leave him be, Mitchell,” Papa said, as he shuffled across the floor and then into the house.

Ignoring Papa, Mitch bounded up the stairs. “Dude, you’re wasting a perfectly good day sitting up here on your ass, screwing with that guitar.”

“Once again, go fuck yourself,” I growled. Trying to tune him out, I started playing Let It Be again.

“Hmm, hello, hottie.”

My fingers screeched to a stop on the guitar strings as I jerked my head up. Mitch’s hungry gaze was trained off the porch and far down the hillside where a grove of apple trees stood. Rising up from the swing, I peered farther into the distance. With her arm raised to one of the branches, a tall blonde was picking apples, her long hair cascaded over her shoulders. Even from where I was, I could tell she was beautiful, and it wasn’t just the way her sundress molded to her body.

Mitch flashed me a wicked grin. “Let’s go have some fun.”

I groaned. “Can’t you for once not let your dick make every decision for you?”

“And what would be the fun in that?” As he started down the porch, he glanced at me over his shoulder. “That kind of attitude is exactly why you’re still a virgin.”

“Douchebag,” I muttered, as I put my guitar back in its case. I then followed reluctantly behind him. Since we were kids, he had been the Pied Piper, leading me from one adventure to the other. Most of the time, he got us both in trouble. He was the closest thing to a brother I had, and although he was an overbearing, egotistical jackass most of the time, I still loved the hell out of him.

We trailed down the grassy hillside. Silently, I hoped the blonde would leave before we could get to her. Mitch had a way of being a sexist pig around girls. He was a legendary ladies man at school—the love em’ and leave em’, manwhore type. Although I probably didn’t stand a chance with her, I sure as hell didn’t want Mitch tainting her.

As we neared the tree, the blonde reached up on her tiptoes to pick another apple. “Fuck me,” Mitch murmured. The blonde had the hem of her dress flipped up, cradling the apples she’d picked. If she moved just another inch, I would be able to tell what color her underwear was. But even if I didn’t get a peek of that, her tanned thighs were enough to cause my dick to twitch in my pants.

When I stepped forward, a branch snapped beneath my sneakers, causing the blonde to practically jump out of her skin. One of her hands holding onto her dress’s hem flew to her chest, causing a few apples to tumble to the ground.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” I apologized.

As she rubbed her dress over her heart, she gave me a weak smile. “That’s okay. I just wasn’t expecting anyone.”

Mitch cut in front of me. “You know stealing is a pretty serious offense around here,” he said, a teasing lilt in his voice.

Her brows creased in confusion. “Excuse me?”

“You’re stealing our apples.”

She gasped as her blue eyes widened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I thought the trees were on our property.”

“Your property? So you’ve just moved in next door?” I asked.

“Yeah, well, we’ve been here a couple of days.”

“My grandfather said his new neighbor was the chief of police,” I said, finding it easier than usual to make conversation with her.

She bobbed her head. “That’s right.”

Mitch nudged me and chuckled. “How ironic that the new chief of police’s daughter is an apple thief?”

She jerked her chin up at him. “I said I was sorry. You can’t fault someone for not knowing.”

“Don’t mind Mitch. He’s just being an asshole as usual.”

Her expression lightened. “Okay, I won’t.”

“What do you want with those apples anyway?” I asked.

“I wanted to bake a pie for my dad. Apple is his favorite, and I wanted him to have some tomorrow on his first day at work.”

“Damn, you’re just as sweet as you are pretty,” I blurted, to which the girl giggled. 

“What’s your name?” Mitch asked.

“Lily.”

“Nice to meet you, Lily. I’m Mitch, and that’s Brayden.”

I gave her a lame wave. “Hi.”

“Hi,” she replied, with a smile.

“Why don’t I make a deal with you for the apples, Lily?” Mitch asked.

“What do you want?” she asked cautiously.

“I let you have the apples, and you let me have a taste of your pie.”

Smacking him hard on the chest with my palm, I tried pushing him away from Lily. With a determined raise of my brows, I said, “We should be getting back now. We’ve bothered Lily long enough.”

Unfortunately Mitch didn’t back down, and Lily didn’t get the message. “You really want me to bring you some pie?”

“Aren’t you generous?” Mitch remarked, with a wolfish smile.

“Mitch,” I growled in warning. I knew my cousin all too well, and if I had a breath left within me, I wasn’t going to let him work his usual sleazy numbers on Lily. Even though I had just met her, I could tell she wasn’t like one of his usual conquests. And I sure as hell didn’t want him corrupting her. Even if I wanted to corrupt her seven different ways, I didn’t want Mitch to.

Ignoring me, Mitch closed the gap between him and Lily. “Mmm, yeah, baby. I want that sweet, warm pie that’s between your legs.”

Lily’s eyes widened in shock. “You’re disgusting!” she shrieked. Throwing down the hem of her dress, the remaining apples bounced onto the ground before she turned and fled up the hillside.

“You’re a fucking jerk,” I muttered.

Mitch grinned. “Just wait. I’ll be tapping that ass before homecoming.”

Ignoring his comment, I swiped up four apples and then ran after her. It had been a long time since I had done any running. Within seconds, my body ached from the exertion and my lungs burned. When I started to feel a little lightheaded, I debated stopping. But then Lily’s enraged and embarrassed face flashed before my mind, and I trudged on.

Just when I reached her, Lily abruptly stopped and threw her arm straight out, clotheslining me at the throat. I flew back, tripping on my own feet and stumbling. I got my bearings again just as the world cloaked dark around me.

***             

Something warm and soft cradled my aching head while someone was stroking my cheek. As my eyelids fluttered, I tried desperately to bring myself around. Where was I? What had happened? At the pain throbbing through my skull, I groaned. “Shh, you’re okay. I’ve got you.”

My eyelids snapped open. When my vision finally focused, it was Lily I was gazing up at. It only took me a few seconds to do the math that if I was staring up at her I was flat on my back. It also meant that I had come off looking like a fucking pansy in front of the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen. “Oh shit,” I grunted, trying to pull myself into a sitting position.

“Easy now,” Lily murmured, her fingers stroking through my hair. At that moment, I realized I was a fool to try to get up when I had such an angel of mercy looking after me. Her blue eyes locked with mine. “You had me really scared there for a minute. I mean, I didn’t think I had hit you that hard, and then you were passing out. I thought about going for help, but I didn’t want to leave you.”

“Yeah, well, what the fuck were you doing closelining me anyway?” I demanded a little too harshly.

“Y-You were chasing me…After what your friend said, I thought you were going to try and do something…,” she swallowed hard as her cheeks reddened. “Nasty to me,” she whispered.

“First of all, I would never, ever hurt you. Second, that guy is not a friend—he’s my cousin and generally a pain in my ass.”

“Oh,” she murmured.

“I came after you because I wanted to give you the apples.”

She gave me a sheepish grin. “I realized that a little too late.”

I couldn’t help smiling back at her. There was no way in hell I could be angry with her considering her delicious thighs were pillowing my head, and her fingers threading through my hair felt amazing.

“I really am sorry,” she said, softly.

“It’s not your fault—” When she started to protest, I shook my head. “Really it’s not. Most dudes wouldn’t have had that reaction to being hit by a girl.”

“Is that right?” she questioned icily.

“I didn’t mean it like that. You see, six months ago, I got hurt playing football.” My hand automatically went to my neck. “I guess that’s putting it lightly. After getting tackled, my helmet sorta malfunctioned, and I got a major brain injury along with a cervical fracture. A few more inches and I would have been paralyzed.”

Lily gasped in surprise. My heart did a funny little sputter at the concern and empathy that washed over her face. “I’m so sorry.”

“Yeah, I was lucky in some ways, but it means no more contact sports like football. If I got hit hard enough again, I could end up in a wheelchair.”

I nearly jumped out of my skin at Lily’s shriek of horror. “Oh my God, what if I hurt you that bad when I hit you? Or what if when you fell, it caused more damage?” Her blue eyes left mine to gaze below my waist. “You haven’t moved your legs yet.”

“Lily, I’m—”

Remorseful tears streaked down her pretty cheeks before she buried her face in my shoulder. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

“Hey now, stop crying. I’m fine. I can move my arms and legs. Everything is fine,” I reassured her.

With a sniffle, she pulled her head up and then peered down where I was shaking my legs and feet. A long exhale of relief escaped her lips. “You had me so scared.”

“I’m sorry I scared you.”

“It’s okay,” she sniffled.

I reached one of my hands up to brush away some of her tears. With my head still throbbing, there was no way to censor my thoughts. “God, you’re so pretty.”

Lily giggled. “Is that you or your head injury talking?”

“It’s me,” I replied. The moment between us seemed to be broken, so I sat up. Glancing at her over my shoulder, I said, “Guess a compliment like that doesn’t mean much to you.”

Her brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“A beautiful girl like you—I’m sure you get told that all the time.”

“Maybe,” she replied. As I brought my knees to my chest, Lily leaned closer to me. “A compliment like that only matters when it comes from someone you want to hear it from.”

“You care that it came from me?” I questioned incredulously.

“Of course I do.”

Before I could think better of it, I blurted, “Do you want to go on a date with me?” The moment the words left my lips, I cringed. Although I wasn’t bad to look at, I had never been good with girls. When they would flirt or come on to me, I was too shy to follow through. I was a sixteen-year-old virgin who had only gotten to second base with a girl and had one short-lived hand job.

Her blue eyes widened. “Seriously?”

“Um…yeah. I mean, it’s only if you want to. I don’t want you doing it out of pity cause you hit me and caused me to pass out.”

Lily laughed. “I would never go on a pity date with you, Brayden.”

“You wouldn’t?”

She shook her head. “But I would love to go on a regular date with you.”

I couldn’t keep the goofy grin off my face. “Really?”

“Yep.”

“That’s awesome.”

Cocking her head, Lily asked, “So where are you taking me on our date?”

“Hmm,” I muttered. I hadn’t even bothered to think that far ahead. “Well, next Friday night I’m playing at a frat house.”

Lily’s brows shot up in surprise. “You’re in a band?”

“Not exactly. You see, I have an audition with these guys on Friday night. If everything goes well, then I’m in their band.”

“Wow, that’s really cool.”

“So would you want to come to the party? I’d have to meet you there since I have to help with set-up and sound checks.”

“I’d love to come.”

“Great. The set starts at nine, and then I could take you to dinner afterwards. You know, so we could actually talk rather than having to shout over the loud-as-fuck music.”

Lily grinned. “That sounds like a great plan.”

A throat cleared above us. Lily and I jerked our heads up. I could only guess it was her father staring down at us. “Hi Daddy,” Lily said.

“Hello,” he replied. The corners of his lips twitched. “Would you like to tell me what’s going on here?”

“Oh, yeah, um, I was just meeting our new neighbor.” Pointing to me, she said, “This is Brayden…”

“Vanderburg,” I finished for her.

“Hello Mr. Vanderburg,” Lily’s father replied dryly.

Turning to me, Lily said, “This is my father, Paul.”

I threw my hand out. “Nice to meet you sir.”

“Likewise.”

Shooting to my feet, I quickly said, “Actually, it’s my grandparents who are your new neighbors. I live across town.”

This time Paul gave me a genuine smile. “That’s good to hear.”

A nervous laugh escaped my lips. Breaking Paul’s intense gaze, I stooped over to pick up some of the apples I had been bringing to Lily. Lamely, I thrust them out to Paul like a peace offering. “They’re from my grandparents’ tree. She kinda forgot them when my cousin was being a dick.” I winced at my language. “I mean, I was bringing them to her because she wanted to bake you a pie on your first day at work.” When I realized my mistake of ruining Lily’s surprise, I muttered, “Oh fuck.”

Paul cocked his head at me. “Damn son, you sure know how to put your foot in your mouth, don’t you?” I didn’t realize I was fully off the hook until Paul started chuckling. Amusement danced in his blue eyes—the same ones as Lily’s. “I’m sure there’s a very interesting story about how the two of you ended up on the ground. Together.”

“Uh, yessir, there is.” I then proceeded to have the worst word vomit ever by telling Paul not only about Mitch being an asshole, but also all about my injury.

“Sounds like you’ve have a rough couple of months.”

“Yessir.”

“Since you’re supposed to avoid physical injury, do you really think it’s a good idea for you to start dating my daughter?”

My brows lined in confusion as I asked, “Excuse me?”

Crossing his arms over his chest, Paul shot me a hard look. “I’m merely stating the fact if you hurt my daughter, I’m going to hurt you.”

“Daddy!” Lily shrieked in horror.

Paul shook his head. “You see Mr. Vanderburg, I was blessed with four daughters who are my heart and soul. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to ensure their physical and emotional safety. While I’m thankful that two of them are now happily married, I still have Lily and Kylie to worry about. Lily just turned sixteen—to me, she’s still my little girl.” Narrowing his eyes, Paul added, “I’m a lawman, so I can ensure the body is never found.”

Lily smacked her father’s arm. “Daddy, stop it right now!” She glanced from him to me with tears sparkling in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Brayden. I’ll understand if you don’t want to go out with me considering my father is an overprotective jerk.”

“No, no, of course I still want to go out with you.”

“You do?” both Paul and Lily asked.

“With all due respect, Mr. Gregson, I know I just met Lily and don’t really know her, but I do know that there’s really nothing you could say or do that would keep me from wanting to date your daughter.”

To my utter shock, Paul gave me a beaming smile. “I’m glad to hear that.” He drew Lily to him. “I think you’ve made a wise choice in accepting this boy. He’s certainly passed my test.”

My eyes widened as his comment. “Really?”

He nodded. “I’ll even talk her mother into extending her curfew a little.”

“Wow, thank you, sir.”

“Just don’t disappoint me.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

Lily gave me a shy smile. “Thank you, Brayden.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Why don’t you come up to the house and meet the rest of the family?”

Jerking my thumb over my shoulder, I replied, “I appreciate the offer, but I really better be getting back.”

“Well, at least let my oldest daughter, who is a nurse, take a look at you. I don’t like the look of your pupils.”

“Oh, um, okay.”

Paul nodded. “You can call your parents from the house. Let them know where you are.” With a wink, he added, “Maybe we can get Lily to go ahead and make us some pie.”

I laughed. “I would like that a lot.”

He started on up the hillside, leaving Lily and I to walk together. Feeling a slight ego boost from my encounter with her dad, I held out my hand for Lily to take. She smiled and quickly slipped hers in mine. We then started walking hand in hand up the hillside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LILY

    THE PAST

Turning left and right, I surveyed my appearance in the bathroom mirror. Even though I was only going to be in a frat house tonight, I had dressed up a little. It was Brayden’s and my first official date, and I wanted to look really nice for him. After going through my entire closet, I’d decided on a pink and purple floral, baby-doll dress. The material flowed when I turned, and with its spaghetti straps and low cut back, I felt sexy. I’d spent extra time putting waves into my long, blonde hair, and I was also wearing way more makeup than I did to school.

To say I wasn’t as nervous about tonight as I had been about starting my new school last week would be a lie. The last time I’d been the “new girl” had been in sixth grade when we moved from Slidell, Louisiana to Birmingham. At my high school in Birmingham, I’d been a cheerleader and found myself on the Homecoming Court. I had no idea how I would be accepted here in Roswell. My mom always said I was a natural born pleaser—someone who wanted everyone to like me. I guess that was true. But as much as I always wanted to please people, I also wanted them to be happy. My disposition often resulted in good-natured teasing from my sisters who loved to mock the people who praised me for my sunshine disposition and big heart. “Lily is just so lovely, isn’t she?” they would say with a teasing lilt in their voice.  

But as soon as my shaky legs took me through the front door, Brayden had swooped in to meet me and make me feel at ease. “You okay?” he asked, as we started down the hallway.

“Oh, I’m fine. Never better,” I lied. When Brayden cut his eyes over at me, I wrinkled my nose. “Yeah, I’m petrified.”

He smiled. “It’s going to be okay, I promise. We’ll stop by the counselor’s office to pick up your schedule. The secretary is a friend of my mom’s, so I can get her to put you in the classes with me. Then you won’t have to worry about not knowing anyone or getting lost.”

My brows shot up in surprise. “You would do that for me?”

“Of course I would. I’ve lived here all my life, so I don’t know what it’s like to be the new kid. I just know how much it sucked being the ‘injured kid’.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it so much.”

“It’s good for my popularity, too. Getting to be seen around with the prettiest girl in school.”

My cheeks warmed a little at his compliment. “I’m glad it works for both of us then.”

He laughed. “Come on, Lily. Let’s show Roswell High their newest star.”

Fortunately, Brayden’s group of guys and girls welcomed me with open arms, and I was really enjoying school. Through his former football connections, he had even managed to score me a late tryout for the cheerleading squad. I’d secured my spot yesterday with what the coach had called a “flawless routine”. While some of the girls hadn’t been very welcoming, most of them became fast friends, making my transition even easier. 

Although I’d barely known Brayden a week, I found myself already falling for him hard. I’d had a few boyfriends over the years, but I’d never had a relationship that lasted over a few weeks. Surprisingly enough I could see myself being with Brayden for the long haul. I’d never met a guy who was as sweet and caring as he was handsome. When I’d randomly in conversation expressed how much I loved kids and wanted to be a teacher one day, he’d even managed to get me the hookup for an afterschool program job at the school where his mother taught. Even though I would only be working two days a week, I loved every minute being with the kids.

After spritzing some perfume on my neck and wrists, I headed out of the bathroom. I found my thirteen-year-old sister, Kylie, lounging on the bed, reading my latest issue of YM magazine. “Hey Kyles, I know we’re still getting used to the house, but this is my room. Your room is across the hall.”

“Har, har,” she muttered. She then glanced up and took in my appearance. “Wow, where are you going tonight?”

“Nowhere special.”

She rolled her eyes. “Bullshit.”

“Watch your mouth. Mom and Dad will ground you in a millisecond if they hear you cussing like that.”

“Don’t change the subject.”

Ignoring her, I went over to my jewelry box to dig out a pair of earrings that would go with my outfit.

“Come on, Lily. Give me the dirt. You know I won’t tell the ‘rents.”

“That’s because you’re already too much of a troublemaker,” I mused.

“And you’re too much of a goody two shoes,” she countered with a grin.

Throwing my hands up, I replied, “Fine. If you must know, I’m going to a frat party tonight to—”

She squealed with excitement as she bounded off the bed. “Oh my God, Lils, I’m soooo jealous!”

I shook my head at her. “When you turn sixteen, Mom and Dad better never let you out of the house.”

“Whatever. So you’re seeing a college guy?”

“No, it’s not like that. Remember Brayden you met the other day?”

Lily’s blonde brows furrowed. “I thought that guy was in high school.”

“He is. But he’s auditioning for a band that happens to have college-aged guys in it.”

“Hmm, he must be really good.”

I shrugged as I finished putting on my earrings. “I don’t know. Tonight will be the first time I’ve heard him play.”

Lily’s blue eyes widened. “What if he like totally became a famous rock star? You’d be a famous rock star’s girlfriend.”

With a giggle, I replied, “We’re not even dating, Kyles. I mean, I haven’t even kissed him yet.” It’s not that I hadn’t wanted him to the last few times we were together. Just when I thought he was going to lean in and lay one on me, he would abruptly turn away. I chalked it up to him being nervous, not that he didn’t want to kiss me as much as I wanted him to.

“Damn, what if he’s a shitty kisser?”

I rolled my eyes at her. “I need to wash your mouth out.”

“No, you need to start talking this way to keep up with your filthy rocker boy.”

“Brayden is not filthy.”

“He could be if the band asks him to. Besides, I heard Daddy telling Mom how he cussed like a sailor in front of him because he was nervous.”

“You don’t miss anything, do you?”

She grinned. “Nope.”

I glanced at the clock on my nightstand. “I gotta go.”

As I started for the door, Kylie hopped up to follow me. “So does Mom and Dad know you’re going to a frat party?”

My purple Sam and Libby ballet flats skidded on the hardwood floors as I came to an abrupt stop. When I turned around, Kylie smirked at me. “I’d take that as a no.”

“Why do you have to be so annoying?” I growled.

“Because I’m your little sister, that’s why,” she replied diplomatically.

“They think I’m going to the ten o’clock movie with some of my new friends from the cheerleading squad, and that Brayden and I aren’t going out until tomorrow night.”

“Good lie, especially since I assume you’re going into Atlanta…alone.”

“Are you going to say something to them?”

“Nope.”

I eyed her suspiciously. “And why not?”

“Because I’m going to file it away for the next time I need a favor…or a lie from you.”

“Why am I not surprised?” I muttered.

Kylie smacked me on the butt. “Go on. You don’t want to be late for your rockin’ Prince Charming.”

I laughed in spite of myself. “Okay, okay. I’m out of here.”

“Be safe. Don’t forget to take the phone.”

For my sixteenth birthday, my parents had gotten me of those bag cellphones. It was for emergencies only—not to be calling my friends to chat. I hated the huge thing, but Kylie had a point. “Don’t wait up for me,” I called over my shoulder as I headed out the door.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she replied, her voice laced with amusement.

I didn’t reply. Kylie’s rebellious attitude already worried me for her and for my parents. My two older sisters, Natalie and Melanie, were pretty much on the same level as me. They might’ve had a few moments where they snuck out or lied to our parents, but for the most part, they were kind of boring. I had a feeling Kylie was going to end up giving my parents even more grey hair.

After I pounded down the stairs, I grabbed my purse and keys off the end table in the foyer. “Lily?” my father called from the living room.

Just when I thought I was in the clear to escape down the hallway and out the garage door, my father would have to call me in. “Yes, Daddy?” I asked, after I stuck my head in the living room archway.

My dark haired, dark eyed two-year-old nephew, Asher, sat on my father’s lap. They were watching Aladdin for probably the hundredth time. My parents spent most of their Friday and Saturday nights babysitting their grandchildren so my sisters could have some alone time. No one loved and appreciated their two grandsons and granddaughter more than my parents.

“You be careful tonight. Make sure to take the phone.”

“I will, Daddy.”

He smiled. When I turned to start out the door, he said, “Tell Brayden I said hello.”

I froze. For a few seconds, I couldn’t blink, least of all breathe. Slowly, I turned back around to face my father. “But I’m not seeing Brayden tonight. I’m going out with the girls,” I argued feebly.

Daddy gave me a look that clearly said I wasn’t fooling anyone. “Just remember you have to be back by midnight.”

“You’re still letting me go?”

“Sure. Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because I lied to you about where I was going.”

Daddy adjusted Asher on his lap. “I like Brayden. Most of all, I trust him. He personally called me up to ask if it was all right for you to come hear his band play.”

“He did?” I asked incredulously. While I thought it was terribly sweet of Brayden to do that, I wished he had let me know, so we could get our stories straight.

“Yep. So any boy who goes to that extreme to make nice with me has only the best intentions when it comes to you.”

“Okay,” I replied.

“So go on, and have fun.”

I grinned. “Thanks, Daddy.”

Just when I thought my father couldn’t be any cooler, he said, “I’ll be waiting up for you to do the breathalyzer, so don’t even think about drinking.”

“Yes, Daddy.” I silently cursed having a father in law enforcement before I hurried out of the living room and down the hallway before he could say anything else. Unfortunately, my quick escape plan had issues when I ran into my mom and my four-year-old niece, McKenzie, in the kitchen.

“Lily, you look pwetty,” McKenzie said.

I grinned down at her. “Thank you, sweetie.”

“You gots a date?” she asked.

“Um, no, I’m going to meet some friends,” I lied. I wasn’t sure if my dad had made my mom aware of my real plans.

Apparently he hadn’t because Mom just smiled at me. “Have fun. Maybe next time you can invite the girls over here so you won’t be out so late.”

As my hand reached for the doorknob, I replied, “Sure. I’ll see.”

“‘Bye, honey. Have fun.”

I exhaled a sigh of relief when I was finally out the door. I hustled over to the early 90’s Honda I had inherited from my older sister, Melanie. It would be mine until I could buy my own car, and then it would go to Kylie.

Thankfully, there wasn’t much traffic, so it only took me the usual thirty minutes to get downtown. When I got onto Fowler Drive, cars lined the street. Since there were a lot of frat houses on the street, I glanced down at the sheet of paper with the directions. Once I found it, I quickly parked as best I could.

Taking a few calming breaths, I then did a final check at my reflection in the rear-view mirror before I grabbed my purse. The yard was packed with people, and it took a while to get through. A glance at my watch told me I had ten minutes before Brayden was supposed to go on. When I finally got inside, it was just as packed. As I made my way through, I was offered a red solo cup by at least three different guys. I shook my head in refusal and kept weaving my way in and out of the crowd, trying desperately to reach the stage. When I got as close as I could, I craned my neck as I searched for Brayden. Four guys worked on setting up equipment like amps. As I squeezed in closer, I recognized Brayden’s dark head of hair.

“Brayden!” I cried over the roar of the crowd and the music.

His head jerked up before he whirled around. A broad smile lit up his handsome face. He held up a finger before turning back to the guys. After they exchanged a few words, he came to the edge and hopped down. “I’m glad you made it. I was afraid you might’ve backed out.”

“And miss hearing you play?” I shook my head. “Never.”

He chuckled. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“Yo, Vanderburg. Get your ass back up here,” one of the guys called from the stage.

Brayden grimaced. “Listen, I’m sorry, but I have to go finish setting up. But I’ll catch you after, okay?”

“Of course. I’m holding you your promise to buy me some dinner.”

He grinned. “I’m a man of my word, I promise.” He then surprised me by leaning in and kissing me on the cheek. “See you later.”

“Okay,” I murmured breathlessly. Just the simple touch of his lips on my skin had me enflamed. I knew in that moment I wouldn’t have anything to worry about when it came to Brayden being a shitty kisser. I knew he would be able to make my toes curl. 

I remained by the stage as the guys hurried around getting everything ready. From time to time, Brayden would meet my gaze, and he would wink or smile at me. I felt like I was in heaven.

“Well, hello again,” a voice said behind me.

I instantly recognized it belonged to Brayden’s jerk cousin, Mitch. Reluctantly, I turned around and gave him a smile. “Hi.”

“I didn’t think I was going to know anyone here.” He flashed me a wolfish smile. “I’m glad the one person I know turned out to be so fucking pretty.”

“You’re such a flatterer,” I responded sarcastically.

“Now don’t be that way, Lily. If you and Brayden get serious, we’ll practically be family.”

“Shouldn’t family not hit on each other?”

He laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind for later on.”

Before I could respond with some smart remark, a screech came over the microphone. I turned my attention away from Mitch and put it back where it belonged on Brayden. My heart stopped and then restarted at the sight of him. With his guitar strapped over his shoulder and with the stage lights coming down on him, he had been transformed. He looked every bit the rocker.

A tall, blond-headed guy with a major ego stood in front of the microphone. “Thanks for coming out to the party. We’re the Benders. I’m Tom. That’s Raul on bass, and Grayson on drums.” His lips curled into a smirk at the pleasurable female shrieking. “So, how the fuck are you tonight?”

The crowd roared in response to the question. Tom nodded in approval. “I hope you all came to rock tonight. First up, we’ve got a special guest who is going to be playing and singing lead on two songs. Let us know what you think, and we may give the sad little fuck a place in the band.”

My gaze went from Tom to Brayden. His face flushed at Tom’s words, but he managed to wave to the crowd. When Tom motioned Brayden to the microphone, he didn’t hesitate. Instead, he strode confidently up there. “Hey guys, I’m Brayden. Hope you like what I have to play and sing tonight. I thought we’d start off with some Green Day and When I Come Around.”

The applause around me was somewhat more subdued than when Tom was up. Cupping my hands around my mouth, I screamed his name. As he adjusted his guitar and pick, he grinned at me. “Two, three, four,” he said. Then he strummed the opening chords of the song. The loud amps blared the music as the drummer came in.

“I heard you crying loud all the way across town…” Brayden sang into the microphone. Like being hit by a lightning bolt, I immediately fell in love with his voice. Even though the song didn’t call for it, his voice had a deep and soulful quality. I couldn’t believe that until the last six months of his life he hadn’t been singing, least of all playing the guitar. He had such a natural talent for both.

When it came time for the guitar solo, Brayden totally nailed it. The audience screamed their approval, which caused Brayden to grin. The song came to a close, and he took a bow. “Thank you,” he said breathlessly into the microphone.

I clapped until my hands were blood red and stung from my efforts. Gripping the microphone, Brayden said, “To change things up a little bit, I wanted to do one of my favorite songs from Bush—Glycerine.”

Brayden pinched his eyes shut and strummed the opening chords of the song. He looked so sexy when he was deep in concentration, focusing on the music and the lyrics. I thought he was handsome walking around school in jeans and a T-shirt. The muscles he’d developed from playing football were not really hidden behind his shirts, but tonight they seem larger than life. But it seemed amplified by a thousand with the glow of the lights on him, his fingers working magic over the strings of the guitar, and his heart and soul being poured out as he expressed the lyrics.

He finished his performance to another round of applause and cheering. He ducked his head, but I could see the grin that spread across his cheeks. “Thank you again. You guys have been great,” he said.

Tom slid over to stand beside Brayden. “So what do you guys think? Should we give the fucker a chance?” Tom asked, to which the crowd roared their approval. I yelled until my throat burned. Tom grinned and turned to Brayden. “I guess you’re in.”

Brayden’s face broke into a beaming smile. “Thanks. I appreciate it.” He then turned to the crowd and held up his hand. “Thanks to you guys, too.”

As Brayden started to leave the stage, Tom grabbed him by the arm. “Where ya going, man? We still got a show to play.”

A red flush crept along Brayden’s cheeks. “Oh, yeah, sure, I’ll stay.” He then eased to the side to let Tom take back the lead singer role. I didn’t know if Brayden was prepared to play with them or not, but when they started up the next song, he fell right in.

“Wanna dance?” Mitch asked.

Since it was a fast-paced song, I didn’t think it could hurt. “Sure. But if you try to molest me once, I’m going to knee you in the balls.”

Mitch threw back his head and laughed. “I’ll be a good boy. I promise.”

True to his word, Mitch didn’t try to grind on me or do anything disrespectful. After two fast songs, it changed to a slow one. We just stood there staring at each other in the middle of the dance floor. “I can still be a good boy even though the song is slow.”

Reluctantly, I nodded. “Okay.” Tentatively, I reached out to wrap my arms around his neck. He pulled me close against him.

“So you think you’re going to like it here in Roswell?”

“Yeah, I think I am. I mean, everyone’s been so nice, it’s hard not to like it.”

“I wouldn’t know. I’ve lived here all my life.”

“You’re really not missing anything. Moving basically sucks.”

“But then you get a chance to meet new and interesting people. Especially guys.”

I laughed. “I guess so.”

When I glanced over Mitch’s shoulder, I noticed Brayden glaring at the two of us. Feeling uneasy about what I was doing, I tried to pull away. “Where are you going?”

“This isn’t right. I shouldn’t be dancing with you.”

Mitch tugged me back to him. “You’re not dating Brayden, so there’s no reason why you can’t dance with me.”

Thankfully, the song came to an end. “Thanks everyone. Give us a ten minute break, and we’ll be right back.”

The loud screech of a guitar came from the stage, and when I looked up again, Brayden had torn off his guitar and stormed off the stage. He made his way through the crowd to us. But then he started past me. “Brayden, where are you going?”

“Don’t talk to me right now,” he growled, as he brushed past me.

I didn’t even have time to ask what was wrong before he shoved Mitch hard against the wall. “Fuck you, man!” he shouted. He then stalked out of the room. Without a word to Mitch, I rushed after Brayden.

“Would you please wait!” I called after his hastily retreating form.

Brayden ignored me. He blew through the front door and stomped out onto the porch. I followed close on his heels. “Look, I’m sorry I danced with Mitch. If I had known it would bother you so much, I never, ever would have done it.”

He whirled around and pinned me with a glare. “You can’t possibly understand it. Mitch is never satisfied until he has exactly what I do. It’s been that way since we were kids. He knew how I felt about you, but he wasn’t going to be happy until he had you, too.”

“But I’m not his.”

“It didn’t look that way in there.”

My eyes widened at his accusation. “It was just a slow dance, Brayden. There’s nothing going on between Mitch and me, and there never will be. In case you forgot, I came here to be with you tonight. You and only you.”

He shook his head. “Yeah, and that was a mistake.”

I gasped. “How could you think that?”

The clouds that had filled the sky for most of the day opened up and a driving rain started coming down. Drops slapped angrily against the sidewalk. Brayden glanced off the porch before turning back to me with a forlorn expression. “I’m really sorry, Lily.”

When he started off the porch, I followed right behind him. The rain pelted down on me, stinging my cheeks. I grabbed Brayden’s shirt. “Don’t you dare walk away from me!”

Without looking back at me, Brayden said, “Trust me, it’s for the best. You’re too good for me—too beautiful.”

“That isn’t true.”

“I’ll always have to be fighting some guy for you.”

“Stop it. You don’t know me well enough to be saying that.”

“No, but I know me.”

I skidded to a stop. Glaring at his back, I shouted, “You know what you are? A fucking coward.” My hand flew to my mouth, but it was too late to stop the harsh words or cursing. When Brayden froze, I almost apologized. But then I thought about the emotional whiplash he had put me through, and anger once again boiled within me. “You think that just because your dream of football was taken away that you’ll never be who you once were. In case you missed it back there, you rocked that audition. People were riveted by your performance. But more than any of the strangers in the room, I was riveted. Just hearing you sing and play made me feel things and want things I never had before. But now you’re telling me I can’t have them simply because you’re afraid I don’t want you? Or that you can’t bear the thought of having to vie for my attention with other guys?” I stalked over to him. “Man up, Brayden. Stand up and fight for me right now, and you’ll never have to worry about me and another guy again. You’ll have me.”

He stared at me, unblinking and unmoving, as the rain soaked us to the bone. I knew my words were heavy handed considering we had only known each other a week. But I wanted him to know how much I wanted him—that he was worth wanting. “Fight for me,” I murmured.

Just as I had resolved myself that the boy I was falling in love with was just an illusion, Brayden launched himself at me. His lips crashed against mine as his hands came around my waist. As his warm mouth moved against mine, he jerked my body flush against his. When I moaned at the contact, his tongue darted into my mouth. I shuddered as he ran his tongue against mine. My arms came up to encircle his neck.

In that moment, time seemed to stand still. The world around us melted away. We didn’t acknowledge anyone else around us. I didn’t feel the harsh rain on my skin. Instead, I felt the smooth touch of Brayden’s fingers as they wound their way through the strands of my hair or up my arms.

I don’t know how long we stood there kissing in the rain. When Brayden finally pulled away, I gasped in a breath. He cupped my face in his hands. “I’m sorry I acted so stupid.”

“It’s okay.”

He shook his head. “No, it’s not. I promise you I won’t ever stop fighting for you.”

I smiled up at him. “I’m glad to hear that. I’ll fight for you, too.”

He laughed. “You’re a little scrappy thing to be fighting, aren’t you?”

“I can be pretty tough when I need to be.”

Leaning down, Brayden bestowed another kiss on my lips. This time it was chaste, but I still enjoyed each and every second of it. No one had ever kissed me like Brayden had.

When he pulled away, he brushed his thumb across my cheekbone. “Wanna get something to eat?”

I nodded. “I’m starving.”

As Brayden surveyed our drenched clothes and hair, he exhaled a defeated breath. “I had planned to take you somewhere really nice tonight for our first date, but I’m thinking that’s not going to work right now.”

“I don’t care about any of that.” I swept a damp strand of hair out of his eyes. “I just care about the part where I get to eat.”

He grinned. “Come on, you can ride with me, and then I’ll bring you back to your car.”

“Sounds good.”

When we got to the car, he held open the door for me like a true gentleman. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied. Glancing back at the house, he grimaced. “Give me five minutes to go tell the guys I’m cutting out.”

“You won’t be in trouble, will you?”

He laughed. “No, I was only playing with them until the first break.”

“Oh, okay.”

He shut the door and then ran back to the house. It didn’t seem like he was gone a minute before he was back. He hustled around the front of the car and then slipped inside. “There’s some napkins in the dash if you need to clean up.”

“I don’t think they’re going to help.”

He grimaced. “I’m sorry you got so wet.”

“I didn’t mind.” With a grin, I added, “It was for a worthy cause.”

“It was the cause of a stupid idiot.

“Hey now, that’s my boyfriend you’re talking about like that.” When the word escaped my lips, I realized it was too late to take them back. Brayden hadn’t asked me to be his girlfriend. We’d barely even had one date. “Well, um, you know.”

“You want me to be your boyfriend?” he asked.

“Do you want to be my boyfriend?”

With a grin, he said, “I asked you first.”

I smiled back at him. “This is all new to me. I don’t have a lot of experience with guys.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“It’s the truth. I’ve dated a few guys, gone to the movies, held hands, that kind of thing.”

Brayden’s eyes widened. “So you’re a virgin?”

I couldn’t help the warmth that flooded my cheeks. Ducking my head, I questioned, “Is that a problem?”

“Of course not. Why would it be an issue?”

Shrugging, I replied, “Some guys aren’t interested in a girl that won’t sleep with them.”

“Those guys would be douchebags,” he answered, as we turned into the parking lot of an older looking restaurant. The illuminated sign with red letters read “The Varsity.” While there was a place to go inside and eat, Brayden drove over to the drive-in area.

Taking my hand, Brayden said, “If we’re being honest, I’ve never had sex either.”

Now it was my turn for the wide eyes of shock. “You haven’t?”

He shook his head. “Is that a problem?” he asked, repeating my question.

“No. Never.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

As we sat there staring at each other, Brayden’s thumb rubbed circles over the top of my hand. “Lily, would you—”

A man’s loud voice bellowed outside the window. “Whadda ya have?” he questioned, with his order pad in hand.

“Shit,” Brayden muttered. After he rolled down the window, he said, “Can you give us a minute?”

The man nodded before he ambled over to one of the other cars. I glanced up at the menu. “So what’s good here?”

“Oh no, you’re not going to do that.”

“Do what?” I questioned innocently.

“Change the subject.”

Glancing over at him, I said, “I was trying to give you an out. You know, in case you felt pressured.”

He shook his head. “I don’t ever need an out when it comes to you. Now are you going to be my girlfriend or not?”

I grinned. “I am.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear it.” Rubbing his hands together, Brayden said, “Now that we have that out of the way, it’s time to get serious about food. We’re lucky this place is close because it’s legendary.”

“It is?”

“Oh yeah. Best chili dogs in the whole state.”

“Hamburgers?”

“They’re awesome, too.”

“Why don’t you order a little bit of everything, and we can share.”

Brayden grinned at me. “I sure do love a girl who isn’t afraid to eat greasy, artery-clogging food.”

When the guy came back, Brayden placed an order for what should be a carload of people. At my expression, he laughed. “Trust me, I can put all that away even if you don’t eat any.”

While we waited for the food to arrive, we talked about anything and everything. Conversation seemed to flow so easily between us. I felt like I could tell him anything.

After biting into a hot dog smothered in chili, I moaned in delight. “Oh my God, this is good.”

“I told you so.”

Chewing thoughtfully, I then asked, “So what happens now with the band?”

Brayden swallowed the large bite of cheeseburger he’d taken. After swiping his mouth with a napkin, he said, “I guess I just see where it goes. I needed to get my foot in the door with college bands since they’re usually the ones who have more gigs and resources. I don’t know if these guys will go anywhere, but that’s not the point for me right now. I just want to play.”

“I think you could go all the way.”

His brows arched in surprise. “You do?”

Dabbing a French fry in some ketchup, I nodded. “You’ve only been playing for six months, and look how amazing you are? Think about what it might be like in a year or two years?”

“Thanks,” he murmured.

“For what?”

“You’re the first person who has ever really believed in me and my music. Well, besides myself.”

“Don’t your parents think you’re good?”

Brayden took a long gulp of his drink—something called a frosted orange. “My dad still hasn’t come to terms with my football death sentence. I think he somehow believes that in a year, my prognosis will magically change, and I’ll be back to where I was.” He glanced at me. “He just thinks the music is something I’m screwing around with while I heal.”

“I’m sorry,” I murmured.

“It’s okay. He’s not a bad guy. He’s just one of those Southern men who lives and breathes for football. My mom, well, she’s just so thrilled that I’m all right compared to the alternative. She wants me to be happy, so I guess once she realizes it’s music that makes me happy, she’ll be okay with it. As long as I still plan on going to college.”

“Where do you want to go?”

“I’m hoping for Georgia Tech.”

“So you can be close to the guys in the band?”

“Sort of. But it’s where I wanted to go before I got hurt.” After polishing off his chili dog, Brayden asked, “What about you?”

“I don’t really know enough about the colleges around here yet to decide.”

“I think you should go to Tech, too.”

I giggled. “Is that right?”

He nodded. “Or at least Georgia State.”

“Let me guess. Georgia State happens to be close to Tech?” With a wink, Brayden’s hand dove in the bag for more fries. “All right then. I’ll start checking on the teaching programs at Georgia State.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.”

A glob of ketchup remained on the side of his lip, so I leaned forward and slid it off. Not taking his eyes off mine, he flicked his tongue against my thumb before sucking off the ketchup. The suction of his mouth, along with his expression, caused a shiver to run through me. To get my mind off what he could possibly do with that mouth, my eyes went to the clock on the dash. “Shit. I don’t have much longer before I have to be back.”

“Okay,” he said softly.

Turning back to him, I said, “I wish I could stay out all night with you.”

“You do?”

At the possible implication of my words, I felt warmth rush to my cheeks. “I-I mean, I wish I could stay out talking to you. I like being with you.”

“I know what you mean.” After he had managed to get our trash back into the bag, he hopped out to throw it away.

“Thanks for dinner.”

“You’re welcome. I hope I was able to convert you to being a Varsity fan.”

“Oh yeah, I think I’m sold.”

“Good,” he replied. We made the drive back to get my car. Thankfully, nothing crazy had happened to it while we were gone. Like a true gentleman, Brayden got out and came around to get me out. As we stood there in the dark, staring into each other’s eyes, words seemed inadequate.

“I just realized how historic this night really was,” he said, with a smile.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I got in my first band and I got my first real girlfriend all on the same night.”

His first girlfriend? Is he for real? He was one of the sweetest, gorgeous boys I have ever met. How had he never had a girlfriend?

I smiled back at him. “That is pretty momentous.”

“It feels fucking amazing, if I was honest about it.”

With a laugh, I leaned forward to bestow a kiss on his lips. He pulled me to him and kissed me back. After just a few seconds, it had become an all-consuming, all-powerful lip-lock. One I didn’t think I would be able to pry myself away from. Finally, Brayden released my mouth and pushed himself away. “You better get going. I promised your dad I wouldn’t mess up.”

“Oh yeah, about that. As much as it was thoughtful of you to call my dad, let me know next time so I can get our stories straight, okay?”

Brayden gave me a sheepish grin. “Oops. Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay,” I replied. On shaky legs, I slipped inside my car. Brayden waited until I cranked up and started down the street before he got into his car. I couldn’t think of anything but him the entire forty minutes home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LILY

                  THE PRESENT

 

Giovanni furiously scribbled on his notepad before looking up at us. “That was quite an interesting story about how you two first got together. Although if I had to argue that from the sound of it, it truly was love at first sight.”

I laughed. “I guess you’re right. At least it was for me after our first kiss.”

Brayden held up his hands in defeat. “Trust me, I was pretty much a gonner from the moment I laid eyes on her.”

“And you were pretty much inseparable from the day you met, correct?” Giovanni asked.

With a grin, Brayden said, “I couldn’t let her out of my sight. I mean, you see how gorgeous she is. I didn’t want her running off with anyone else.”

I gave his thigh a playful smack. “We just got a long so well that we didn’t want to spend any time apart. We had our separate interests, but luckily, we were able to support each other in those.”

Giovanni nodded as he chewed thoughtfully on his pen cap. “Now Brayden, during her story, Lily touched briefly on your first band, The Benders. How long were you with them?”

Scratching his chin, Brayden became contemplative. “Let’s see I was a junior in high school. And then we broke up when I was twenty.”

“What happened there?”

Brayden remained silent for a moment. I knew the sordid details from being in the thick of everything with him, but it wasn’t my place to talk about it.

He drew in a ragged breath. “Tom and Grayson had issues with addiction. Lots of alcohol and some drugs. It derailed the entire creative process for them, but they never wanted to include any of my songs. We weren’t getting anywhere on the music scene, and then things just seemed to be spinning out of control personally with them. So I left.”

Giovanni nodded. “Do you ever see or hear from them?”

“Grayson died from an overdose about a year after I left. I think after that, they just dissolved the band.” After looking down at his hands, Brayden shook his head. “No, I don’t hear from any of them. You know, the guilt is hard sometimes. I’ve heard different artists talk about how you have this guilt about making it. Kind of like survivor’s guilt. Like, what was it about me that deserved to make it, but Tom and Grayson didn’t?”

Tapping his pen on his pad, Giovanni smiled. “I think that shows a great depth of character. So many artists lose their hearts and souls with fame and fortune.”

When I tensed at Giovanni’s words, Brayden sighed dejectedly. “Trust me, I went down that road. It wasn’t pretty.”

“We’ll come back to that one in a few minutes. I’m trying to keep to the timeline of your relationship, and I have a feeling that comes during the part when the two of you were broken up.”

“Yes,” I murmured. When I had first agreed to the interview, I hadn’t envisioned having to relive some of the darkest times of Brayden’s and my relationship. It was even harder knowing that it would be documented in a magazine for everyone to read the sordid details. I guess in the end, our breakup didn’t come from anything salacious like I caught him having an orgy. To some it might not even seem like that big of a deal. But for me, it was life altering.

“Lily?” Giovanni asked.

I jumped. “Yes?”

He smiled. “From those early days together, what is the most romantic thing Brayden did for you that truly cemented your feelings for him?”

Glancing over at Brayden, I found that he was giving me a concerned look. I knew he wasn’t thrilled about having to dig up the past either. I smiled reassuringly at him. “I know some people will think that this was a planned response, but the truth is the most romantic thing he ever did for me was write me a song.”

“Ah,” Giovanni replied, scribbling something down. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that song was the first of Runaway Train’s hits.”

“You are right. It was the first song of ours to ever be played on the radio. Our first Billboard hit,” Brayden replied.

Giovanni smiled. “And it’s all because of Lily.”

Bobbing his head, Brayden said, “You got that right.”

“So where did you first play it for her?”

Brayden glanced over at me with a sheepish grin. “I guess you could say it was a very acoustic performance.”

 

LILY

THE PAST

I bolted upright in my bed out of a dead sleep. Just when I thought I had been imagining things, something scratched against my window, and it wasn’t a branch caused by the wind. With my heart beating wildly in my chest, I threw back the covers, poised to run down the hall to my parents’ bedroom for help. But then a hushed voice outside stopped me.

Brayden’s voice.

For a minute, I thought I might just be imagining things. After our first date last Friday night, we had been pretty much inseparable for the next few days, so it made sense I would think I was hearing his voice. Not to mention the fact, that he had taken me to the preseason bonfire at the school earlier tonight.

Just when I had discredited it as my imagination working overtime, I heard, “Lily!”

Sprinting over to the window, I peered out. He stood on the lawn, his guitar slung over his back. “What in the…?” I muttered, as he beckoned me with his hand. Glancing over my shoulder, I groaned as I read the time on the digital clock. It was three in the morning.

My curfew was eleven o’clock during the week, and I was pretty sure that didn’t include a lawn rendezvous in the middle of the night. After hurrying out of my bedroom, I then crept down the hall, silently willing the creaky, old floorboards not to rat me out. Once I got to the backdoor, I entered the code for the alarm before heading outside. The moment I opened the door, the gentle strings of guitar music floated back to me. I ran across the steps of the deck and peered down at Brayden where he stood strumming his guitar.

“What are you doing?” I hissed.

A beaming smile lit up his face. “I just wrote a song.”

“Um, that’s wonderful, but couldn’t you have waited until the morning to tell me?”

“It is the morning.”

“I meant like when I wasn’t asleep.”

Brayden shook his head. “After I dropped you off tonight, I couldn’t go to sleep. My mind kept spinning and spinning, and then I would hear this melody in my head. And when I finally got up and started writing down the words, it wouldn’t stop. It felt like I was on a roller coaster or something. Then when I finished, I just had to come over here and tell you.”

Glancing over my shoulder, I nibbled anxiously on my bottom lip. “That’s really cool, Brayden, but you’re going to get me in trouble.”

“I don’t care,” he replied, with a chuckle.

My mouth dropped open in shock at his attitude. “Well, I do! And you should too. If I get grounded, I won’t be seeing you until after graduation.”

Taking a step forward, Brayden said, “Don’t you get it, Lily? I’ve never written anything in my entire life. Hell, I could barely string the right sentences together to write the essays for my English classes.” He stared determinedly up at me. “But then you came into my life just when everything had gone to shit, and I thought I could never be happy again without football. But I’m fucking happier than I’ve ever been. And when you chose me, it changed everything.”

“Oh Brayden,” I murmured, my heartbeat accelerating wildly at his words. For a moment, I had to resist the urge to pinch myself. Could it truly be possible a handsome guy with a beautiful heart was on my lawn in the middle of the night to sing a song he wrote just for me? Surely, I would wake up in a minute and find out it had all been just a dream.

“Want me to sing it for you?”

At that point, I didn’t care if my parents caught me and grounded me for the rest of my natural born life. I needed desperately to be serenaded. “Oh yes, please.”

Brayden grinned. His talented fingers began working over the strings of the guitar. A melancholy melody floated up to me, one I knew came straight from Brayden’s previous suffering.

 

Disappointments twisted and crippled me with rage.

Darkness held me bound like a prisoner in a cage.

Sadness wrecked me and brought me to my knees.

Suffering had me begging “Oh lord, help me please."

There was no reason to go on

Until there was you

Winking up at me, Brayden switched chords, and the sound of the sound changed to one more hopeful.

You drove away all the dark clouds with your smile.

You made life once again seem worthwhile.

You gave me a reason to go on.

A purpose to escape the twilight for the dawn.

Your love has the power to transcend and transform. 

You’re my Lily of the Valley, my savior from the storm.

Nothing really mattered in my life until there was you

 

When he finished strumming the last chords, I couldn’t hold myself back any longer. I raced over to the deck gate. I flung it open and pounded down the stairs. The moment my bare feet hit the grass, I began to run. I couldn’t wait to get to him. I had to touch him to know that he was really real. Tears blinded my eyes as I threw myself into his arms.

His guitar screeched between us. He chuckled against my ear. “I guess that means you like it.

“Oh my God, I love it!” I cried, before leaning back so I could smother his face with kisses.

“I’m glad to hear it,” he murmured, in between me kissing him.

“This is the most romantic thing a guy has ever done for me,” I gushed.

He grinned. “Now you’re going to make it hard for me to ever top this.”

I laughed. “I don’t know how you could.” Tilting my head at him, I asked, “Did I really do all those things like you wrote in the song?”

“You sure as hell did, babe. Every. Single. Word.”

When I reached to pinch his arm, he gave me a funny look. “What was that for?”

“I wanted to make sure you were real.”

“Why don’t you kiss me again and see just how real I am?”

“Okay,” I murmured. Just as I leaned in to bring my lips to his, the flood-lights came on all around the house. With a squeal, I jumped away from Brayden and glanced up at the deck. My dad stared down at us with his arms crossed over his chest. My mother stood behind him. While she wanted to look stern, I could see she was trying hard not to smile.

Brayden threw up one of his hands to my parents. “Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Gregson.”

My dad grunted. “All right, the shows over. Lily, get your ass up here and get in bed. Brayden, get your ass to your own home and go to bed.”

“I’m sorry for waking you up, Mr. Gregson. I didn’t mean to cause any problems by coming over here. Lily didn’t know I was coming, so please don’t punish her for my mistake,” Brayden pleaded.

My dad huffed out a breath. “I’ll take that into consideration.”

“Thank you, sir.” He started backing away from me, and then he stopped. In a flash, he was back at my side to plant a chaste kiss on my lips. “Goodnight, Lily.”

“Goodnight,” I called, as he started running around the side of the house. Ducking my head, I walked over to the stairs. I went up them a lot slower than I had come down them. When I got to the top, I dared to peek at my parents.

With his arms still crossed firmly over his chest, my dad’s jaw clenched and unclenched. “I’m sorry, Daddy. He just wanted to sing me a song he wrote. I promise we weren’t doing anything wrong.”

“Excuse me that I might misinterpret the situation after seeing you two with your hands all over each other.”

“Paul,” my mother cautioned.

“What?” he demanded.

“They didn’t have their hands all over each other. They were just hugging.”

His brows shot up. “Whose side are you on, Marie?”

She smiled. “I’m not taking sides. I’m just stating facts.”

He muttered something under his breath before he eyed me contemptuously. “I should ground you for this. Not only were you out past your curfew, but your boyfriend woke me up out of a dead sleep.”

“I’m sorry, Daddy,” I said again.

“Fine then. Get in the house.”

“Yes, sir.”

When I started past him, he reached out for my arm. “You could smooth things over by giving me a goodnight kiss,” he said, with a wink.

I grinned and reached up to kiss the salt and pepper stubble on his cheek. “Goodnight, Daddy. Goodnight, Mama.”

My mother reached in to kiss my cheek. “Goodnight, sweetheart. Your Brayden sure does have a romantic side, doesn’t he?”

Before I could reply, my father groaned. “You’re killing me here, Marie. Don’t encourage her.”

She waved her hand dismissively at him. “I seem to remember someone else being awfully romantic when he was Brayden’s age.”

“Hey, I’m still romantic,” he argued.

“Of course you are.”

As my parents bantered flirtatiously at each other, I headed back into the house. I didn’t know how I was going to go to sleep. I was still so wound up. Brayden had written a song just for me. He’d come to my house in the middle of the night because he had to sing it to me. It still was unbelievable.

Until There Was You—the song that started it all for the two of us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    LILY

        PRESENT DAY

 

“How impressive that you wrote your first song when you were just sixteen,” Giovanni remarked.

Brayden nodded. “Looking back, it’s not the strongest one I’ve written musically or lyrically, but I wouldn’t change a thing about it. The song represents such a time of rebirth in my life.”

With a smile, I said, “I like it just the way it is.”

Brayden chuckled. “I’m sure you do since it’s singing your praises.”

“You got that right.”

Giovanni grinned at the two of us. “So that was the most romantic thing Brayden did. I’m curious to find out what was the most romantic thing Lily ever did.”

Tilting my head, I replied, “Hmm, I’m interested to hear his answer for this one, too.”

“I’m surprised you even have to ask. I would think it would be a given.”

“Being the mother of your three children?”

He laughed. “Okay, I guess you need to think a little more superficially than our kids.”

“Is it sitting at home in our garage with its own custom-made covering, and no one is allowed to get too close to it?"

“Bingo!” Brayden replied, his eyes wide with amusement.

“Hmm, let me guess? It’s a car,” Giovanni said.

Brayden winked at me. “It isn’t just a car. You can’t call a ‘68 Challenger just a car. It was my pride and joy until Lily came along, but she managed to make it special, too.”

Giovanni’s brows creased in confusion. “Is that where the most romantic thing comes in?”

Brayden held up a hand. “Hang on. To understand why the Challenger is the most romantic thing, we have to give you a little backstory with the car and with us.”

Feeling warmth flood my cheeks, I said, “I don’t know how much I can actually say about us and your car that is appropriate.”

“While you’re giving him the just the basics of the story, I’ll be remembering all the good details…or maybe I should say the naughty details?”

“You’re impossible,” I muttered.

Brayden merely grinned. “But you love me.”

“Yeah, I do.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  LILY

        THE PAST

 

Friday night after the last football game of the season found me in the back seat of Brayden’s car. All four windows were fogged up from the heavy breathing of our exertions. The top to my cheerleading uniform lay crumpled in the floorboard along with Brayden’s shirt. The rough denim of his jeans chafed against my thighs as his hips worked against mine. The friction caused more and more moisture to grow between my legs.

It had been two months since he had serenaded me in the middle of the night. We’d been an exclusive couple ever since. Any free time I had after school and work was spent with him. If I wasn’t with him, I was on the phone with him. Friday nights I usually went solo to cheer at the football games while Brayden went to Atlanta to play with his band. I’d usually join him on Saturday nights. There was nothing I loved more than to listen to him sing. Of course, I loved it the most when we were alone, and he would sing into my ear.

That’s what had originally led to tonight’s make-out session. Something about his voice did things to me, made me squirm with an ache between my legs. After kissing in the front seat for a few minutes, Brayden had climbed over the backseat and beckoned me to join him. While we might have moved fast with our initial attraction and becoming a couple, we hadn’t gone full speed with the sex stuff. I was glad that Brayden was being patient with me and taking things slow. At the same time, the more I felt for him, the more I wanted to eventually give him my virginity.

As his hand drew down one of the straps of my bra, he jerked his lips from mine. His warm brown eyes questioned if I was okay with this next step. I bobbed my head, causing a lazy smile to drag across his lips. One of his hands delved beneath me to find the clasp of my sports bra. Grunting, his fingers worked to unhook it. After a few minutes, he blew out a breath of frustration. “Dammit, I can’t do it.”

I giggled. “Big bad Brayden can’t get a little bra undone,” I teased.

“I think they’re really made to keep guys out.”

“Here. Let me.” Pushing him off me, I sat up. As my arms reached around my back, I caught Brayden’s intense gaze. Even though we were in the dark, I couldn’t help feeling a little shy. I’d never let a guy see my breasts before. I’d never really wanted to until Brayden. He had been so good not to pressure me into anything. Although he was dying to lose his virginity, he wanted me to be ready. While I wanted everything with him, I was still nervous. Once the clasp came free, I hesitated, keeping the loose fabric of the bra pressed against my chest.

Brayden’s hand came to tenderly cup my cheek. “Baby, if this is too fast, we’ll stop.”

With a shake of my head, I slowly slid the bra down to my lap. “God, you’re beautiful,” he said, before the hand that had cupped my cheek came to my bare breast. As he cupped and kneaded it, his lips found mine. Once again he pushed me back down onto the leather seat. He feathered kisses down my chin and neck, which caused me to shiver. 

When his lips closed over my nipple, I gasped. His head jerked up in alarm. I grinned down at him. “It’s okay. It felt good.”

“Let me see if I can make it even better,” he replied.

This time his tongue flicked back and forth across my hardened nipple, teasing it and me. The ache between my legs began to grow. He sucked at it again before pulling away to blow air across the tip. “Mmm, very good,” I murmured.

As he moved to the next breast, I opened my legs wider, letting him ease deeper between them. We both moaned when he began to rub the hardened bulge in his jeans against my center. Sensing I needed more, one of Brayden’s hands slid underneath my cheerleading skirt. When his fingers grazed against the cheerleading bloomers I wore over my panties, my hips bucked against him. “Please, Brayden,” I said, breathlessly.

He released my nipple with a pop. “You okay with under?”

We’d been playing the over the shirt and panties feel up the last few times we had made out. But I knew I was ready for more. I wanted him to make me come with his fingers the same way I had learned to. His hand slid beneath the elastic band of my bloomers. I sucked in a breath at the feel of his hand cupping me. As he stroked me, I arched my hips in time. Although it felt good, it still wasn’t enough.

I tugged at the strands of his dark hair. As if he knew what I wanted, Brayden pushed one finger inside me. “Mmm,” I murmured, closing my eyes to the sensation. After swirling one finger inside to tease and test me, Brayden slipped in another. Once again, my hips rose involuntarily.

“Oh, Lily, you feel so fucking good,” Brayden groaned against my neck. He continued rubbing his erection against my thigh as he pumped his fingers furiously in and out of me. As I started to climb higher and higher, I grabbed his shoulders, my fingers molding into the flesh. Although I was embarrassed, I couldn’t stop the pants and noises I was making—it felt too good. When his thumb pressed against my clit, I cried out, convulsing against his fingers. I clung even tighter to him as the waves rolled through me.

When I could breathe normally again, Brayden had removed his hand from my panties. Hazily, I watched as he slid his fingers into his mouth. “Mmm, baby, you taste good. I can’t wait to put my tongue inside you.”

Shivering at his words, I said, “I can’t wait either. I know it’ll be good. Everything you to do to me is good.”

He gave me a sheepish grin. “I’m not sure I know exactly what I’m doing.”

I shook my head. “I wouldn’t want you any other way.”

“And I want you, Lily. I want all of you.”

“I know. I want you, too. Just not here in the backseat of your car. I want our first time to be special.”

“So do I.” His expression grew serious. “But I don’t just want to fuck you. I want to make love to you.”

My thumb ran across his jawline. “And I want to give you everything I have, mind, body, and soul.”

His brows lined while his jaw clenched and unclenched. I knew he was trying to find the way to say something important to me. Finally, he whispered, “I…I love you.”

I gasped. “What did you say?”

“I said, I love you.”

“Oh Brayden,” I murmured.

“And I didn’t say it just because I want to have sex with you. I said it because I mean it.”

Tears filled my eyes, and I couldn’t help letting them overflow my cheeks. “I love you, too. And I know you would never tell me you love me just to get me in bed. You have too good a heart for that.”

“My heart is all yours.” He then grimaced. “Am I sounding like a dopey sap?”

I giggled. “No, you sound pretty amazing to me. But I promise whatever you say to me will go no further than here.”

“What happens in the Challenger, stays in the Challenger, kinda thing?”

“Yep. That goes for you especially when you’re buddies want to know if we’re hitting it.”

Brayden rolled his eyes. “Trust me, Mitch is on me all the time wanting to know if we’ve lost our V-cards.”

“Ugh, he’s such a jerk.”

Brayden laughed. “I know.” He dropped his head to nuzzle my neck. “So to answer the jerk’s question, when are we going to lose our V-cards?”

I smacked his back playfully. He jerked his head up to grin at me. “I thought it was a good time to ask while we were on the subject.”

“Of course you did.” Brushing the hair out of his eyes, I whispered, “Soon. I promise.”

“You really think you’re ready?”

“Even though I probably should want to wait until I’m a little older, I always knew I wanted to have sex when I was in love. I know I love you, Brayden, so there’s no reason not to.”

He groaned. “God, you’re killing me.”

“Would you rather I said no?”

His eyes bulged as he shook his head furiously back and forth. “Oh no, I’m good. I swear.”

I couldn’t help laughing at him. “So where would we go?”

“Hmm, let me think.” Brayden remained contemplative for a few seconds. “I think I have an idea of a place that is private. I’m not sure how romantic it is.”

“I’m sure it would be better than a hotel room.”

“Maybe.”

“Why do you sound skeptical?”

“Well, it’s just an old tree house behind my grandparents’ house. My Papa built it for us grandkids. The only reason I thought of it is because it’s private.” He glanced sheepishly at me. “I’m not sure if it’s nice enough for you.”

I gave him a lingering kiss for his thoughtfulness. “Anywhere with you will be nice enough.”

He quirked his brows at me. “Except in the backseat of this car?”

I laughed. “Exactly.”

“Then the treehouse?”

“Yes. But when?”

“Next weekend?” At my hesitation, Brayden said, “Two weeks?” When I still didn’t respond, he laughed. “Hmm, I’m thinking it’s going to be never.”

I nudged him playfully. “Next month is your birthday, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

“Then we’ll do it on your birthday.”

He grinned. “That’s a helluva gift.”

“I hope it will be.”

“Oh, I know it will.” His brows lined. “Do you think it’ll be too cold in November in the tree house?”

“Won’t you keep me warm?” I teased.

A gleam of desire flashed in his eyes, causing me to shiver. “Oh yeah, you don’t have to worry about that one bit. I’ll keep you nice and warm,” he replied, his voice husky. He made me feel so loved and so desired all with one look. And given how hot I felt just from what we’d been doing and talking about, I knew he would indeed keep me warm.

Reaching between us, I felt the hardness in his jeans. “I think it’s only fair I take care of you since you took care of me.”

He sucked in a harsh breath before giving me an erotic smile. “I won’t argue with that at all.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRAYDEN

                                                                                   THE PAST

Glancing down at my watch for probably the millionth time in the last hour, I once again surveyed the time. Lily was late. Five minutes to be exact. As I paced around the inside of the tree house, I began to worry she had second thoughts and decided to back out. I sure as hell hoped she hadn’t for many reasons. The first being I was never more ready to have sex in my entire life than I was with Lily. Before I met her, I thought I wanted it, but it wasn’t until I was with her, kissed her, and tasted her, that I knew there was no one else in the entire world I wanted to lose my virginity to.

The second reason was the fact I had gone to a hell of a lot of trouble transforming the old tree house into something romantic. I’d dragged up a queen-sized inflatable mattress and made up the bed. I’d also lit a ton of candles. For the final romantic gesture, I’d gotten a ton of silk rose petals and scattered them across the worn floorboards. I had to admit it looked pretty amazing. It wasn’t some classy hotel room, but it was a hell of a lot better than the backseat of my car.

“Brayden!” I heard Lily call from outside.

I opened up the hatch in the floorboards and peered down at her. “Hey,” I said, lamely.

“I’m sorry I’m late. I didn’t think my parents were ever going to go to sleep.”

I smiled. “It’s okay. Come on up.”

She started up the ladder. When she got to the top, a cloud of her sweet perfume filled my nose. “Hmm, you smell good.”

With a giggle, she replied, “Thanks.” I helped pull her up the last step and into the tree house. As she fell against me, we just stood there, staring at each other. Unable to stop myself, I placed my hand over her heart. I could feel it beating fast.

“Don’t be nervous,” I whispered.

“Aren’t you even a little bit nervous?” she countered.

Ducking my head, I replied, “Yeah, a little.” The truth was as much as I wanted to have sex, I was still petrified. With both of us being virgins, neither one of us knew what we were doing. I sure as hell didn’t want to ruin Lily’s first time by being totally inept.

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” she urged. Because of the love and understanding in her eyes, I told her everything that had been running through my head. “Oh Brayden, you could never ruin my first time. The very fact that it’s with you—the man I love—means more to me than anything in the world.”

I laughed nervously. “You can say that now because we haven’t done anything yet.”

She smiled. “It doesn’t matter.” Dropping her gaze from mine, she then took in the tree house. “Oh my God…” she murmured.

I winced. “I’m sorry that it’s not what you were thinking it would be.”

Shaking her head furiously, Lily replied, “It’s so amazingly beautiful. And the fact that you did it to make it better for us, well, that makes it even more special.”

“You really like it?”

“Yeah, I do.”

A broad smile curved on my lips. “I’m so glad to hear that.”

We then stood around rather awkwardly. Neither one of us sure who was supposed to make the first move or what that first move should be. “Uh, I brought my CD player with me. Let me put on some music,” I said, before I went over to the rickety table by the mattress. Thankfully, I’d remembered the batteries or we would have been out of luck. I switched on the mix CD I had made for the occasion, and U2’s All I Want Is You came out of the speakers. I turned back to smile at Lily before I went back over to her.

“Want to dance?” I asked.

“Sure,” she said, softly.

I drew her to me, wrapping my arms around her waist as her arms went around my neck. We swayed back and forth to the music for a few moments before Lily started giggling uncontrollably. “What’s so funny?” I asked.

“I was just thinking how everything was so romantic except I’m here in a T-shirt and my sweatpants.”

I laughed. “Well, you had to have a get-away outfit. It wasn’t like you could come here naked under a trench coat.”

She cocked her head at me. “Is that what you would have wanted?”

“No, I mean, it would have been cool if you had, but you look great just as you are.”

She gave me a teasing smile. “I have on something underneath this—something I thought you might like.”

My brows shot up so far they probably disappeared into my hairline. “You do?”

“You want to see it?”

Considering my mouth had run dry, I could only nod my head. Lily stepped back from me. Her hand hesitated at the hem of her shirt, so I reached forward to gently pull it over her head. I got an eye-full of her breasts that were pushed up by some lacy, white number. It was like what women back in the day wore. A corset or something.

Lily kicked out of her shoes and shimmied her sweatpants down her legs. When she stepped out of them, my heart shuddered to a stop and then restarted at the sight of her. White lace stockings came up her legs and stopped mid-thigh. Above them a pair of frilly, white panties met the corset. I don’t how long I stood there staring at her.

“I guess you like it, huh?”

“I-It’s amazing.” I swallowed hard. “You’re amazing.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she ducked her head. “I asked my sister, Melanie, to help me with something to wear. You know, for my first time and for your birthday.”

“She won’t tell on you, will she?”

Lily shook her head. “No, our secret is safe.”

I smiled. “Good.”

“Now it’s your turn,” Lily said, as she stepped forward. Her fingers gripped the hem of my Georgia Tech T-shirt and then lifted it over my head. Her hands then smoothed over my chest. I closed my eyes at the feel of her touch. I sucked in a breath as her fingers went to waistband of my sweatpants. She dropped down onto her knees as she tugged them down. I wasn’t wearing any underwear, so my aching hard on sprang free.

Taking me in her hand, Lily stroked me up and down before sliding me into her warm mouth. It was probably only the third or fourth time she’d given me a blow job, but fuck, she was so good at it. She seemed to pick up a new move to drive me wild, each and every time. Just as I got carried away, I gently tried to push her away. But unlike all the other times, she didn’t let me go. Instead, she kept bobbing up and down my length. “Lils, if you keep that up, I’m going to come,” I groaned.

She still didn’t let up at my warning. I gritted my teeth and jerked my hips forward, as I came into her mouth. That was certainly a first since I had pulled out all the other times, but Lily didn’t seem to mind. When I finally finished convulsing, she rose off her knees. “Why did you keep going?” I asked, my mind still hazy from the amazing blowjob.

She gave me a shy smile. “Melanie said it would be better if you…well, you know, if you came once before we started to do it. Like it would help you last longer when we were together.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I asked, “You told you sister I was a virgin, didn’t you?”

“Maybe.” When I huffed in exasperation, she reached out to cup my cheek. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you. Her first time was with a guy who was a virgin, too. Well, that guy is her husband now, but that’s another story. She just thought the tip would help.”

Deep down, I knew it was stupid to care if Melanie knew I was a virgin. I already owed her one for getting Lily the sexy-as-hell lingerie, and I’d probably owe her more in the morning. “I’m sorry for being stupid about it.”

“It’s okay. You were just being a guy.”

I laughed. “An over-sensitive guy about my virginity, right?”

She smiled. “Maybe.”

Pulling her to me, I kissed her lips. “Now it’s your turn. I think you need to come before we get started to.”

“Okay,” she replied.

Easing us down on the mattress, I stared into Lily’s blue eyes. “You are so beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

I pushed her onto her back. Then I bent my head to kiss around the frilly lace where her stocking ended on her thigh. I eased one down her leg and off her foot, and then I went to the other one. Lily kept her eyes on me the entire time.

My hands came to her top. I couldn’t help saying a silent prayer of thanks that it was laced up, rather than me having to work with the clasps like on her bras. Gently, I untied the ribbon, and then tugged it through the holes. The sides came apart, revealing Lily’s gorgeous tits. I couldn’t keep my hands or mouth off of them for one more moment. I took one breast in my hand while I began to suck on the other. Lily’s fingers came to run through my hair. Taking my time, I went back and forth between her breasts. I knew I had to get her ready to take me.

Skimming my hand down over her abdomen and between her legs, I began to stroke her over her frilly panties and then under. Panting, Lily opened her legs wider. When she did, I slipped a finger inside her already wet walls. Damn, she felt so good and so tight. If her mouth around my cock had been enough to make me come so quickly, I couldn’t imagine what being inside her hot walls was going to be like. I was already hard just thinking about it. Shit. My lips came to hers, and I flicked my tongue inside her mouth the same as I did the finger inside her.

Usually she came easily when I touched her, but I knew she was nervous. So I abandoned her mouth to trail kissed down her chin, her neck, over her breasts and stomach, and then between her legs. I eased her panties down over her thighs and then down her legs. Tenderly, I kissed up her legs and thighs until I once again reached her pussy.

My tongue lapped long strokes up and down her wet slit. With her legs trembling, Lily began to raise her hips against my mouth, her fingers gripping the sheets. When my tongue began to thrust rhythmically inside her, she came apart, calling out my name.

Wiping my mouth, I then kissed a trail back up her stomach and over breasts. “Feel okay?” I asked.

She gave me a lazy smile. “I feel amazing.”

I grinned. “I’m glad I could help.”

I brought my lips to hers. After kissing her passionately for a few minutes, I pulled away, surveying her expression. “Are you ready?”

“Yes. Make love to me, Brayden,” she urged.

I didn’t need any further persuading. Instead, I reached for the packet of condoms I had placed on the nightstand. Taking one, I tore into the foil. I didn’t dare tell Lily that I had practiced putting one on, so I wouldn’t look like an idiot tonight.

After slipping the condom on, I positioned myself between her legs. As I stared into her beautiful blue eyes, I couldn’t believe this was actually happening. Both of our chests rose and fell with heavy breaths, and our bodies both trembled with nerves and need.

Slowly, I began to slide into her. “Are you okay?” I whispered.

“I’m fine,” she murmured.

When I pushed all the way in, she sucked in a harsh breath. “Still okay?”

She nodded. “Just a little sting…a little pressure.”

I furrowed my brows. “I thought it was supposed to be horrible for a girl.”

With a grin, Lily replied, “Would you rather I be screaming and clawing at you to get off of me?”

“No, no, of course not. I guess, I was just afraid I was doing something wrong.”

“Oh, babe, you’re doing just fine. Athletic girls like me usually have easier times. Something about the stretching or something.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.” She raised her head to give me a kiss while one of her hands slid down my back to my ass. She gripped my cheek, urging me on.  I didn’t stop to check on her anymore. Instead, I began to pump in and out of her. It was instinctual, and I simply couldn’t help the need to thrust inside her. Her warmth and wetness – it was so inviting. Pinching my eyes shut from pleasure, I concentrated on the flexing of my hips. She felt so fucking good, so warm and tight around my dick. I could see now why Melanie thought I should come before. I wouldn’t have lasted a second inside Lily had I not come before.

“Mmm, Brayden,” Lily panted, her hands gripping my shoulders. With her words spurring me on, I thrust harder and faster. Even though I wanted it to last forever, I felt myself tightening up.

And I then with a mumbling of “Fuck yeahs!”, I came. Collapsing onto Lily, I buried my face in her sweet smelling hair. We lay there panting hard, our bodies even a little sweaty in the cold. “That was amazing,” Lily murmured.

“You really think so?” I asked, when I pulled my head up to look at her.

She grinned. “Oh yeah.”

“I thought it was pretty amazing, too.” Nuzzling my head against her neck, I added, “I can’t wait until we can do it again.”