I was right. She didn’t call me last night. I bet I wasn’t even half way to Josh’s condo when John spilled the beans to Jackie about my past.

I sit here pondering everything from last night as I eat peach cobbler and ice cream for breakfast. Damn, that was some kiss. It rocked my damn world. The only thing that could bring me down from the high of her soft delicious lips is the look on her brother’s face when he saw me last night.

I first met John Winston a few years back. It was my twenty-first birthday and I celebrated at a local redneck bar. I drank way too much and flirted with the wrong girl, so her boyfriend decided to kick my ass. I got a few good punches in and so did the boyfriend before Officer Winston busted us both. Drunk and disorderly was the charge that cost me a night in jail. But the deepest humiliation that night was not the night in jail. It was the fact that the old man would not bail me out.

Officer Winston was actually nice to me. I don’t have any ill will toward him. He sat me down, once I sobered up, and talked to me. Really talked to me, like an older brother would. He said he’d been watching me ever since the knee injury. He knew about the drinking, the occasional pot smoking, and my addiction to my pain meds that almost cost me my life.

He knew more about me than my old man did. He told me if I ever needed to talk to anyone, to come find him. He even suggested I go to the gym with him and work out some of my frustrations there, instead of through the booze and drugs. If only I would have taken his advice.

The last time I saw Officer Winston before last night, was when I was fighting for my life three years ago. It was shortly after my little night in jail. Too many pain pills and too much booze at a buddy’s birthday party had sent me to the ER having my stomach pumped.

After spending hours trying to convince the doctors and him that I was not deliberately trying to kill myself, he gave me the best advice yet. Get your ass back to school and make something of yourself.

This time, I took his advice, and against the old man’s wishes, I signed up for classes that fall. I have thought about calling him several times before and thanking him, but my embarrassment kept me from doing that. I’m sure he would have been cool with talking with me, but dating his sister, that is a whole other ball game.

It figures the moment I get things straightened out with her, something else messes it up. At least this time, it isn’t me.

Jackie’s friends ended up spending the night and are sneaking around now, trying to act like they weren’t screwing their brains out with my buddies last night. It’s comical the way they act all innocent.

“Good morning, Tyler,” Amber says, looking around the kitchen.

“The Keurig is next to the microwave,” I tell her, assuming she is hunting for coffee.

“Thanks. So, I guess you and Jackie made up last night.” She smiles as she fixes her coffee.

“Did you speak with her?” I ask.

“She called me just a few minutes ago to check in.”

“Did she say anything else?” She has me curious now.

“Not really, but the laughter was back in her voice. Whatever you did to bring it back, thank you.”

“No problem. I’m happy she is feeling better.”

“Listen, she will probably kill me if she knew I told you this, but she really likes you. It’s been a long time since she’s liked someone.”

“What do you mean?”

“Jackie hasn’t dated anyone since Jason died. It took a lot of us to even get her to go out with us these last few weeks.”

I process the information for a moment. A beautiful girl like Jackie not dating for over a year and half? It doesn’t seem real. “What about Holly’s bachelorette party?”

“She was around family, she felt safe. Her family is her comfort zone, in case you haven’t guessed that already.”

Everything Amber is telling me is making sense now.

“I’m not trying to get into your business, but she’s my best friend. If you are not interested in her that way, tell her now. I don’t want to see her get hurt.”

I nod as she passes me to head back to Josh’s room. Last night Jackie told me she wasn’t looking for a commitment, but now after listening to Amber, it looks like that is exactly what she is looking for.

I reach for my phone, getting ready to send her a text, when it starts ringing. It’s Jackie.

“Hey, there.”

“Good morning. How’s your day so far?”

“Good, what are you up to?”

“Well, I was wondering if maybe you would like to hang out at the water park today with me?”

“Is your family going to be there?”

“Yes, is that okay? It’s not like we will be stuck babysitting or anything.”

“I’m not sure. Is it okay with them?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

I’m sure big brother John can list several reasons, but for some odd reason, he hasn’t laid down the law to her yet. “Sure, I’d love to come hang with you, as long as I’m not barging in on the family day.”

“Winston family motto—the more the merrier. Would you like to meet us there? Or do you need me to pick you up?”

“I’ll meet you there. What time?”

“In an hour. We still have to get the kids fed.”

“I’ll see you in an hour, then.”

I stare at the sign above the entrance, Nimo’s Island Water Park. I haven’t been here since eighth grade graduation. You know you really like a girl when you are ready to show your face at a family water park.

I get ready to text her to let her know I have arrived when someone comes up, hugging me from behind.

“You made it! I’m so happy you decided to come,” she says as I pull her in front of me. Her smile is so bright and her enthusiasm is contagious.

She wraps her arms around my neck, waiting for a kiss hello, instead I start to look around for the rest of her family.

“Aren’t you going to kiss me?”

“Not sure yet,” I say seriously, looking for her brothers.

“Who are you looking for?” She laughs.

“Your family, especially your brothers.”

“Oh, they are already inside.”

“Really?” I say, looking down at her lips, ready and waiting. I give her a quick peck before taking her hand and walking inside.

“That’s it? That’s all I get?”

“I don’t think it’s cool to be caught making out in front of the family water park, do you?”

“No, I guess not.” She pouts.

“Come on, you said I need more fun in my life. Let’s go find the largest slide.”

“The largest?” she asks and I can see that spark of fear in her expression, just like when we went parasailing.

“Don’t worry, I’ll catch you if you fall.” I give her a wink and take her hand.

We spend the afternoon having fun going down all the slides, including the taller ones. Jackie is brave as long as long as I am with her, but if you dared suggest she did it alone, she looked panicked.

Luckily, we didn’t see much of her family, just in passing. Everyone was cool to me, even John. Jackie isn’t treating me any differently than last night, so her brother must have not told her about my past. Now, I’m curious why he didn’t. Looking at my phone, I check the time. I need to get back soon so I can get ready for work. I wish the day didn’t have to end.

“Would you like to go grab a late lunch or early dinner? My treat,” I ask her.

“I’m not very hungry, but thank you. I wish you didn’t have to work tonight.”

“I know, but I have bills to pay. I get off at ten tonight. You want to meet me at Oasis, maybe hang out a bit?”

“I would love to. I better get back and help Maggie and Nancy round up the kids.”

“Okay, but come here a sec,” I say to her, bringing her to a vacant corner out of sight from family and gawkers.

“What are you doing?” She laughs as I pull her to me.

“I owe you a proper kiss,” I say as she stops laughing and I take her lips in mine. All day, she has been driving me crazy in her cute lavender tankini and her hair done up in a French braid. She is a little more conservative in her attire today, but by no means less sexy. I finally stop kissing her, letting her come back up for air. She looks dazed and I wonder if I took it a little too far.

“You okay?” I ask her.

“Yes, of course.” She smiles.

“You sure? I can walk you to your family, if you need me to.” I can’t help smiling, knowing my kiss wowed her to the point that she looks intoxicated.

“No, I’m fine. I’ll see you tonight. Tonight at ten.”

“Tonight at ten, Cinderella.” I kiss her hand and head out to my truck.