Four nights and I’m never going to be the same. It doesn’t matter how much time or distance is between us—Avery will always own me. My skin is branded from her touch.
We’re on our way back to drop her off at her place, but I’m fighting a losing battle as I try to keep the grin off my face. That’s all I need to do is drop her off with the “I just made love to your daughter more times than I can count and I’m planning the next time I can be inside of her” face on. Not a good plan.
Grabbing her bag in one hand, I lace her fingers through mine with the other. No way can I not touch her. I need the connection for a few more minutes.
“Thank you for—”
I drop her hand and place my finger over her lips. “I love you, Aves. Never thank me for spending time with you, or for… anything else, for that matter.”
She smiles up at me. “I’m not ready to say goodbye.”
“I know, but I’m sure your parents miss you. Dad has texted me twice wanting to know when we’re going to be home.”
“Tonight?”
“Yeah.” I push her long locks behind her shoulder. “You just text me and I’ll come and pick you up.”
“I really want to kiss you,” she whispers.
I’m tempted, I am so damn tempted. It’s not like they assume we’ve never kissed, but I just spent four days inside of her; not sure I’m willing to push my luck at this point. I know they’re watching. “Tonight.”
“Tonight.” She stands on tiptoes, kissing my cheek. She’s grinning when she pulls back.
I wait for her to be safely inside before I head back to the Tahoe. Our next stop is Harley’s house, where she and Brad pretty much have the same goodbye as Avery and me. When he climbs back in the Tahoe, he rests his head back against the headrest and exhales.
“That was harder than I thought,” he says.
“What’s that?”
“Dropping her off.”
“The sooner we get home to our parents, the sooner we can get back to them,” I remind him. At least that’s my plan. I’m not sure what he and Harley are doing, but I know I’ll be seeing my girl in a few hours.
“Yeah, we’re going to hang out at my place tonight.”
“I’m picking Avery up later but we didn’t make definite plans. Just hanging out.”
“You all can stop by if you want.”
“Thanks, I’ll let you know.”
The rest of the ride back to my place is in silence. We’re a couple of lovesick fools and neither of us wants to talk about it to the other. We know where we are with our feelings and that’s all that matters.
Lugging my bag inside, I find Dad sitting on the couch. “Hey, I thought you would be at the shop.”
“Can’t a guy just be home to see his only son?” he asks, placing a hand over his heart as if he’s offended.
“I hear ya, old man.” I laugh.
“How was your trip?”
“Good.”
“Just good?”
“Amazing.” I can’t stop my grin from showing.
“Avery have a good time?”
“She did.”
“Dylan,” he says.
“Yeah?”
“Were you safe? I mean, I know we discussed this before you left, but please tell me you took my advice to heart.”
“We were safe, Dad.”
He studies me for a minute and I fight the urge to squirm under his gaze. “You love her.”
It’s a simple statement but means so much more. Not only to Avery and me but to Dad and me. Over the years, he’s told me story after story about Mom and how much he loved her. How she was the light of his life. He’s always told me to never settle, and when I find the light to follow it. “I do.”
“She’s going away to college soon.”
I nod. “Yeah, it’s a couple of hours’ drive. I figure I can drive up a couple weekends a month to see her.”
“Long distance is hard.”
“It is, but she’s worth it.”
“She okay with this plan?”
“We’ve not really talked about it too much. I mean, she knows I love her and that I want her for as long as she’ll have me. Forever.”
“Seems like something you two should be discussing. When does she leave?”
“Two months from tomorrow.” I know he’s right, but I’ve been dreading the conversation and the date. It’s going to suck ass to not see her every day, but this is her dream and she has a full scholarship. That’s huge for her and her family. It’ll also be nice for us when we start our lives after she graduates. We won’t have any loans hanging over our heads.
“That’s not a lot of time, Dylan. You need to talk to her. Work it out. Remember, being open and honest is the only way to make a relationship succeed. Without honesty, your love means nothing.”
“I will.” I take a seat next to him on the couch. “So fill me in on what’s been going on at the shop. Did you get the Shelby fixed?”
We spend the next hour or so talking about the shop and my transition in. Dad wants me to work part-time this summer and then full-time once Aves goes off to college. He said I should enjoy my summer being a kid before all the responsibility hits.
My friends get their college years, not me. I’m okay with that though. I plan to save it all while living at home with Dad. I’ll help out with the bills, but I want a nest egg built for us for when she graduates. I should have a really good down payment on a house in four years.
I’m just getting ready to grab a shower when my phone vibrates in my pocket.
Aves: I’m riding to Alan’s with him to help with paint colors. You want to just pick me up there?
Me: Sounds exciting. Yeah, just tell me when to be there.
Aves: Give us an hour or so.
Me: Got it. Love you.
Aves: Love you too.
“I’m going to hop in the shower, then go pick Avery up at her brother’s.”
“You just spent four days with her.” Dad chuckles.
“And if I had it my way, I never would’ve dropped her off.” I rush upstairs with the sound of his laughter following me.
I rush through a shower; it’s not near as fun without Avery here to help me. I’m ready thirty minutes earlier than I need to be, so I head out early. I’m sure Coach won’t mind. No man wants to discuss paint colors for an hour.
I pull up behind his truck and I hear voices in the backyard. I’ve been here a few times for team meetings. Couch has a huge back deck, and if they’re sitting out there, I know the paint conversation is done. Walking around the side of the house, I stop when I hear my name.
“How does Dylan feel about you leaving for college?” he asks her.
“I don’t know. We haven’t really talked about it.” She’s quiet for a minute and I’m just about to walks around the corner when she starts again. It’s wrong to listen, but I can’t stop.
“What if I told you I was thinking about staying local… you know, for college.”
“That depends. What’s your reasoning?”
“I don’t want to leave him. I know we care about each other, but long distance is hard and I can’t ask him to do that.”
“Don’t you think that’s his choice to make?”
“Not really. I mean, it’s my education. I should have the final say on where I go.”
“What about your scholarship?”
I’m now leaning against the house, trying to process what I’m hearing.
“It’s too late to apply for a closer school. I can get a loan. I won’t be the only college kid doing that, Alan.”
“I know that, Av. I just know a full ride is a big deal. When you graduate you won’t have any debt hanging over your head.”
“We’ll figure it out.”
“Are you sure he’s worth it? Don’t get me wrong, Dylan is a great kid and one hell of a ball player, but how are you sure that he’s it, the one? Look at me, Avery. I’m twenty-eight and still living the single life. You really think you’ve found your happily ever after at eighteen?”
“I know.”
My girl is steady in her answer, and that makes me want to kiss the hell out of her, but I can’t let her do this. I can’t let her give up her scholarship, her dream to go to college with her best friend, just because I’m not smart enough to go too. I won’t let her do this. I’m going to have to convince her that long distance is the best option. But from the conviction in her voice, I’ve got my work cut out for me.
Taking a deep breath, I school my features and walk around the side of the house and up the deck steps.
“Hey! You’re early.” Avery stands and gives me a hug.
“I was ready early. How’s the paint colors coming?”
Coach laughs. “She thinks this place is too much of a bachelor pad. How I let her talk me into changing the living room, I’ll never know.”
“It’s because I offered to do all the work.” Avery laughs with him.
“I can help,” I offer automatically. Anything she needs. Always.
“What are you two getting into tonight? Didn’t you just spend four entire days together?”
“We did, and we’re going to spend a few hours tonight too.” She turns to look at me. “Harley said they’re hanging out at Brad’s if we want to come over.”
“If that’s what you want.” I should really tell her that we need to talk. Maybe I can convince her to hang out on the roof of the shop with me tonight. Stargazing sounds like a good idea; get her nice and relaxed before we start our talk. I know she’s going to fight me on this.
“Sure.” She shrugs. “You.” She points to Coach. “We’re going this week to pick up the paint and supplies. You need a little color in your life.”
“Uh-huh. You two have fun tonight.”
“How about the rooftop?” she asks as soon as we’re in my truck. “I didn’t want Alan to think we were trying to be alone after four days, but I think we have some things to talk about.”
“I was going to suggest that. We need to get our plan together for when you leave for college. Visits and things like that.” I say it even though I know that’s not what she’s thinking.
“We can talk about it,” she says. I’m not convinced, but that’s because I know better. If I hadn’t heard their conversation, it might’ve been too late. She might’ve given up her scholarship before I figured it out and she would grow to resent falling in love with the guy who’s not smart enough for college.