Chapter Nine

Celeste 

 

Once Skeet started kissing me, I didn’t want him to ever stop. I wanted to climb right into his lap and stay there forever. It was as if time had stood still being in the same spot where I gave myself to him when we were both sixteen.

“Celeste, I get my license in a few days... Are you going to be ready to take a drive with me?” I grinned knowing we had been talking about going up to a hilly area of another peach farm not far from ours that was known as a make-out spot.

The owners of the property didn’t seem to mind that remote areas were invaded by teenagers. Even my parents knew about it when they were teens. I didn’t want to hear their stories. It was bad enough that they teased each other about how my father took advantage of the farmer’s daughter. Every time I heard a joke or song about farmers’ daughters I had flashes of yuck!

It was a bit strange being there as an adult but still as exciting as it had been years ago. Second time around, I had an idea of how things worked and there was no mystery or fear... Maybe a little fear still lurked in the back of my mind, but for a different reason. I was no longer anticipating physical pain associated with the first time. It was the emotional pain that stuck in my mind.

“Let it go, Celeste.” He seemed to be reading my mind or maybe it was the way my body tensed. “We have tonight. We have days after... no reason to make decisions or plans... or even think.” He caressed me as if to calm my thoughts away.

“I’ve missed us.” I had to be honest. Years without him, even if I had other dates and men in my life—after I realized he wasn’t coming back—there was always something missing. We had such a connection. A connection that didn’t require work. Everything was always easy and natural between us.

“You have me.” His breath was warm against my neck. He smelled clean and manly like leather mixed with something citrusy. 

How long would I have him if he knew the truth? The Skeet I knew so well didn’t like secrets and was always open. Even the reason why I no longer trusted him years ago had nothing to do with him hiding things from me.

Other people told me that Skeet had cheated on me. He told me he didn’t to his knowledge. That he would never knowingly do anything to harm me and being with anyone other than me was not even something he would ever desire. He did say that he woke up without clothes on in a room with several other naked people.

We had gone to a crazy “turning twenty-one” birthday bash at an old Georgia plantation. There were a variety of bands and food trucks providing entertainment and food. Drinks were “on the house” and flowing freely. The place was filled with wall to wall people, inside and outside of the huge mansion on the property.

It was easy to get lost in the crowd. That’s exactly what happened. Conrad found me totally out of my mind and when I made no sense and nearly passed out in his arms, he carted me home. I couldn’t have protested even if I wanted to.

The following morning I felt terrible. It was the worst hangover I had ever experienced. Skeet came to see me that afternoon and I couldn’t even get out of bed. I told my mother to tell him I would call him when I felt better. That was so unlike me. We didn’t spend many days apart, ever. I’m sure that was the reason why rumors escalated.

“Skeet was at the diner without Celeste.”

The next time we were in the diner together sitting next to each other in a booth, all eyes were on us. It was our last time in there together and our last day as a couple. By the time evening rolled around, there were photos floating around the internet—and the town—of Skeet kissing someone else. It was probably the other information that hit me the hardest when the full details were given to me by my best friend.

Fast forward six years, I had even more information and I was the one not giving out details that Skeet needed to know...but only when the time was right. I didn’t know who was watching us or if anyone was watching us. The note had been vague. The only thing I knew was that until a locket arrived Veeta wasn’t safe.

So though I wanted to open myself to love and rekindling our old romance, I had to slow things down a bit. Even if I wanted to feel him all over every part of me... I had to think with my head instead of my heart.

“Hey Skeet,” My words were breathless with his lips and tongue brushing along my neck. “...can we just enjoy the stars and not...” His head came up and his eyes met mine about the same time his fingertip touched my lips, stilling my words.

“We don’t have to go all the way.” He smirked at me.

I felt like the biggest tease ever. Only a few weeks ago I let him into my panties. Maybe I could just offer a reciprocation... “I’m sorry. Maybe I could just...”

He was shaking his head and moved his body away from mine, allowing us a better view of each other’s face. “Let’s just be together. Tell me about something I missed over the last few years.” Oh, no. That was not the direction I wanted the night to go at all. I’d have much preferred to give myself to him all over again.

“You know what life is like here. Nothing changes much.” I was quick on my feet—metaphorically—turning things around and putting him on the spot. He was the one that had left and started a new life. He had to be far more interesting. “Tell me about your adventures from here to California.”

“I have a better idea. Let’s plan a trip together.” I looked at him a bit confused but interested. “I have to go out of town for a week, but as soon as I return have a bag packed for a road trip. I’ll have a vintage bike ready for us.” I smiled and nodded.

I could do that. Away from everyone, I could be someone else. I hoped.