Chapter Fifteen

Elle

Saturday could not get there soon enough. Then of course, as it got closer to Seven-Thirty, I began to desperately pray for the clock to slow down. Nothing seemed to look right. Every top I tried was either too tight, too baggy, or the absolutely wrong color. My jeans made my butt look big, too big. Either I’d put on some pounds or they were shrinking in the wash. I was banking on the latter.

I couldn’t figure out my hair, everything just lay there like a dead squirrel sitting on my head. And I swear I saw the beginning of a pimple threatening to erupt right in the center of my forehead. Life was just not fair.

After screaming to myself for the third time, Nana stuck her head into my room and gave me a reassuring smile. The woman always knew when I needed help and was always there. Mom was useless, what she knew about guys could fit in a thimble.

“How’s it going?” Nana asked with that carefree smile of hers. No problem was ever too big. No crisis ever too dire.

“I can’t figure out what to wear,” I blurted out as I looked at the pile of clothes now covering my bed.

She didn’t laugh, she just stepped in, picking up tops and examining them before tossing them back onto the bed.

“What is your favorite color?” she asked as she looked at a yellow shirt with a shudder.

“Forest green,” I said. “But I don’t have anything in the right shade.”

“Forest green, just like your aura,” she said as she held up a cobalt blue top.

Smiling at me, she stood there until it sank in. Yes, Nate’s aura, maybe that shade of blue was his favorite color. I mean, I couldn’t see this supposed aura of his. But anything was worth a try.

“Thanks, Nana,” I said as I gave her a quick hug. “You are the greatest.”

“I know,” she said with a smile as she turned to leave. “And those jeans are perfect,” she added. “They make you look more like a woman and less like a girl.”

Like I said, my Nana is the greatest.

As the clock approached Seven-thirty I was pacing just inside the front door. This was sort of our third date after all. No way did he have to come inside and meet mom. No need for social pleasantries. Right? At least that was the excuse I was telling myself so I could avoid the entire situation.

The ringing of the doorbell made me jump.

“I’m going,” I yelled out to anyone who might be listening and then quickly opened the door and slipped outside before anyone could stop me.

Nate smiled at me and my heart fluttered. He was dressed in Levi’s, a button-down shirt. Not tucked in. Sleeve rolled up, exposing those strong forearm muscles of his that made my insides sort of melt. All I could think of was running my hands up and down his arms to satisfy this burning need inside of me.

“You ready?” he asked as he shot the front door a quick look. Obviously wondering why he hadn’t been invited inside.

“Yes, let’s go,” I said as I grabbed his hand and started for his truck parked on the street. We hadn’t gone two yards before the door opened behind me. My stomach fell. So close to freedom.

“Elle,” my mom called, like she’d caught me sneaking into the cookie jar and ruining my dinner.

“Hi Ms. Watson,” Nate said, pulling me to a stop.

“Hello Nate,” Mom said without taking her eyes off of me. “Not too late, remember, you’re going with me to the farmer’s market in the morning.”

“I know Mom,” I said with an exasperated tone that I could see irritated her to no end.

“I’ll have her back by her curfew, I promise. Midnight, right?” Nate asked.

Mom nodded. I could see she wanted to say something else but thankfully she held off.

“Have fun,” she said instead, but I could tell she really didn’t mean it. The last thing in the world she wanted was me having fun. The funny thing was. If she had known the truth. If she had known this was all just pretend. She wouldn’t have worried nearly as much.

Nate held the truck door for me and helped me up. “You look great,” he said. “I really like your shirt.”

I almost stumbled for a second but pulled myself together as I silently thanked my Nana.

Nate got in behind the wheel and shot me a quick smile. Nothing more, but it was enough to settle my nerves. This is Nate, I reminded myself. Don’t overthink things. Just let it happen. And remember, it’s all pretend.

We drove to the drive-in in relative silence. He told me what was playing, I assured him it sounded great. By the time Nate had pulled into a spot – middle, middle – I was a basket of raw nerves.

Why had I done this to myself?

Nate tuned the radio to the appropriate channel and leaned back, looking around.

“I can’t believe I’m finally going to a drive-in,” he said with a shake of his head. “I used to see them in the movies, and always felt cheated. Like it wasn’t fair that we didn’t have them.”

I laughed. “Yeah? I think we are here because you were afraid to take me putt-putt golfing again.”

A huge smile crossed his face and I sighed internally.

“Listen, I’m going to get popcorn and stuff. I assume you like yours with butter?”

“Of course,” I said as if it was the most ridiculous question ever asked.

He smiled and hoped out. “Anything else?”

“No,” I said. “Do you want me to come with you?”

He shook his head, “No, that’s okay. There’s something I’ve got to do. I’ll be just a few minutes.”

All I could do was nod my head and watch him walk away. What did he have to do? Was he meeting some girl in the snack bar? Was he afraid of being seen with me in public? Was that it? Maybe he’d met some girl who didn’t go to our school so she didn’t know he had a girlfriend. And he wanted to keep it that way.

These and a hundred other scenarios danced through my brain as my growing anger fought with my building doubts and insecurities.

Just as I thought for sure I was going to have to track him down, just to satisfy my burning need to know what was going on, he tapped on the window, his hands full of stuff, indicating I should help him.

“Where were you?” I snapped before I could stop myself.

He frowned. “The snack bar,” he said as he nodded at all the food and drinks in his hands.

“No, you said you had something to do. You made it sound like it was something other than getting something to eat.”

He finished sliding in behind the wheel and shrugged his shoulders. “I saw Joe McCain’s car. I wanted to make sure he knew that I knew he was here.”

I could feel my brow wrinkle up in confusion. “Huh?” I asked as I tried to make sense of what he had just said.

“If he knew that I knew that he was here. He’s less likely to think he can sneak up on me when I’m unaware.”

Unbelievable, I thought. Who thinks up this stuff? “Men,” I mumbled as I rolled my eyes.

He laughed and handed me a box of Juicy Fruits. “Jimmy said these were your favorite.”

I snatched them out of his hand. “My brother has been known to be right. Thank you.”

Nodding his head, he focused on the screen for a few seconds.

“You know, I must have seen a dozen kids from school in the snack bar.”

“Yeah,” I responded as I popped the first Juicy Mint into my mouth. “That’s probably normal for a Saturday night.” God, they were good. I was going to have to thank Jimmy later. And Nate had taken the time to learn what I liked. How sweet.

“Well,” Nate continued, shooting me a strange glance. “If they see you sitting all the way over there. They’re going to think we’re not really together.”

My insides froze solid as the candy got stuck in my throat. Forcing myself to swallow, I glanced at him. He was serious. Swallowing hard again, I slid over to sit in the middle. Nate smiled down at me as he put his arm up on the seat back.

My heart raced as his delicious leather and sandalwood scent enveloped me.

He sighed as he settled into his seat and leaned back.

All I could do was try to hold onto some of my remaining sanity and stop myself from leaning into him. It’s all pretend, I reminded myself. All pretend.

Not for the first time, I desperately wished it wasn’t pretend. I desperately wanted Nate to take me into his arms and hold me like I was special to him. Me and no one else in this world.

Sighing, I forced those dreams away and concentrated on not making a fool of myself.

.o0o.