Chapter Fourteen
Darcy
One month later
“Thank you for an amazing night.” I glance down at my hands, suddenly feeling shy.
It’s like I’m finally letting myself believe we might work out. Until now, I’d been waiting for things to go wrong, especially since there’s so much at stake. Things have been cruising along too perfectly, and I’ve just been waiting for the moment where it all gets ripped away from me.
“You’re welcome,” he smiles. “Our one-month anniversary is kind of a big deal, so I thought I’d go all out. I know how hard this is for you, having to lie to your parents and Cindy.”
“Not Cindy,” I cut in, going red. Cindy has known about us for ages.
He raises his eyebrows, a flicker of worry passing through his eyes. “She guessed it was me?”
“No, Rick let it slip.”
“Typical,” he grumbles, shaking his head. “Well, it doesn’t matter, this is still hard for you. For the both of us, and I just wanted you to know how important you are to me. I think about the future a lot, and every time I do, you’re in it. I can’t wait until I can take you out anywhere I want, or kiss you in public. Hell, I can’t wait to meet your parents at something other than a parent-teacher conference.”
I giggle, remembering how awkward it was sitting through that last week.
“I think about us, too,” I murmur.
He leans over and cradles my face in his hands as he kisses me. My heart races as I press my lips against his, our tongues clashing. It doesn’t matter how many times he kisses me, that pleasure never goes away.
I feel like I’m falling. Like I’m driving a car at top speed and the brakes are failing. My heart races. I feel sweaty and I can’t breathe, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Everything else fades into the background, and it’s just him and me. Nothing else matters when I’m around him.
He pulls away from me and smiles. “You’d better go, or you’ll be out here all night with me.”
I nod, kind of wishing I’d told my parents I was staying at Cindy’s. The only problem with that is, I was there nearly every night. I think Mom was starting to get suspicious that something was up.
“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say.
It’s getting easier seeing him in class every day, but I still have to stop myself from reaching out to touch his arm, or from kissing him when he smiles at me.
I open the door, then lean over for one last kiss. When did I turn into such a sappy mess? It’s not a good look on me.
“See you tomorrow,” I grin.
I wander inside, saying good night to my parents as I pass them in the living room. I get to my room and lay back on the bed, wishing it was Lennon I was lying next to. Lost in my own thoughts, I jump at the loud tapping on my window. I panic, until I see his face peering in, and I laugh. I get up and walk over, sliding the window up. He leans through for another kiss, his mouth pressing against mine.
“Sorry, couldn’t resist,” he murmurs. “And there was something I wanted to tell you.”
“Yes?” I ask, biting my lip.
“I love you, Darcy.”
He backs away giving me a small wave as he heads back to his car. He didn’t even give me time to say it back, and he knows I’m not about to scream it from the window. Typical Lennon. He always has to win. I shake my head, but inside I’m deliriously happy.
I collapse back on my bed, unable to wipe the smile of my face, my thoughts interrupted by a knock on my bedroom door. I quickly sit up and run my fingers through my hair, hoping I don’t look as much of a mess as I feel.
“Yes?” I ask.
Mom pokes her head in. She gives me a smile. “Just saying good night. How’s Cindy? How was the movie?” she asks.
“Good and good,” I say.
She nods, a tiny smile forming on her lips.
“Oh, and Darcy? Next time your boyfriend wants to sneak through your window, tell him to use the front door.”
My eyes widen. “How long have you known?” I ask, my voice hoarse.
“Long enough,” she replies with a laugh. “He seems like a nice guy, and I understand why you need to keep things quiet, but I want you to know you can tell me anything.”
“You know who he is?” I squeak. I can’t breathe. This is like all my fears coming true at once.
She nods. “I had my suspicions, and last week, the parent-teacher conference confirmed it. I recognized him from Casey's wedding. I could see the way you were looking at him, and then when he spoke about you…” She shakes her head. “So being an overprotective mother who's trying to cut the chord and let my little girl grow up, despite the troubles you had in the past, I decided to investigate the situation to set myself at ease. I called Casey and asked her about Lennon, and she confirmed that you had called her out of the blue, asking questions about him. The two of you had never been close, so it raised suspicions with her as well. She just thought you had crush."
"I-I don't know what to say, Mom. I mean, I love Lennon, and I can't imagine..." A ball of emotion clogs my throat, and I can't find the words to express the unknown.
"Darcy, calm down." She pats my knee in a comforting gesture. "I’m not going to tell you to stop seeing him. You're old enough to make these decisions for yourself. Just be careful. I never want you to have to go through anything like you did back in Chicago. I love you, and I just want you to be happy. If he makes you happy, then I’m happy.”
I stand up and walk over to her, wrapping my arms around her, hugging her tightly.
“Thanks, Mom.” Her support means so much to me, more than she’ll ever know.
She smiles. “Get some sleep, Darcy.”
She walks out, and I close the door behind her. I lean against it and smile. I’m almost relieved she knows, because I hate lying to her. My biggest worry about Lennon was whether my parents would accept him, so tonight has made all the difference in the world.
I climb into bed, feeling more relaxed and content than I have in months. I pull the blankets up around me and reach for my phone. I bring up Lennon’s number and press call.
“Hello?” he answers. I smile, my heart swelling at the sound of his voice.
“I love you, too,” I say, then I hang up the phone before he can reply.
Chuckling to myself, I snuggle into my pillows and close my eyes.
I win.
~ THE • END ~