“You think this spot will ever see the day that no one hangs out here anymore?” I take a drag of my cigarette and watch as the kids across the way pour more butane into the fire. I say kids, but we're all teenagers, acting like damn fools.
Grabbing my smoke, Affton takes a drag. “I think you losers will still be here every weekend even in your fifties.” Laying back, she closes her eyes. “I'll be long gone.”
I crack my knuckles and stare at her. She's my best friend, and she's hot as fuck and knows it. She’s got a lot going for her and all she's worried about is getting out of here and making money. And not her daddy’s money. She wants nothing to do with this country life anymore.
My gaze shifts to the burning pile of wood. “Where you going though? And how?”
A grin breaks out on her face and her eyes shift to mine. Before sitting up, she adjusts her bikini top and hands me back my cigarette. “Milan...Paris...somewhere big. And hopefully with my talent, ya jerk.” She shoves me and laughs, rolling to her stomach.
I mock her answer and kick her foot as I stand up and yank my shirt off. I don't want to talk about her leaving because I'm not okay with it and nothing she says will make me okay with it. I'll support whatever she wants to do in her life, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.
“Come on, let's swim. My swamp ass is starting to chafe.” I whip her ass with my shirt and have to bite back a groan when she yelps and jumps up. One night with this girl is all I need... Okay that's a lie. But one night would be a good start.
She runs toward the rope hanging from the tree and it's so dark, I'm worried she'll miss but I'll laugh my ass off because she's drunk as fuck right now. She doesn't miss, she swings into the water with a 'yeehaw!'
“Fuckin’ A, Affton!” Cash blurts from nearby. “Fat chicks shouldn't do cannonballs,” he grumbles, wiping the water off him. “Fuckin' emptyin’ the lake. Jesus Christ.”
I see red. I'm not sure if she heard it, but I know for damn sure everyone else around him did.
“What the fuck did you say?” I growl, darting toward him before smacking his hat off his stupid head then stomping it into the dirt. “Fuck you think you are? It's fuckin' water, asshole. You don't want to get wet don't fuckin' come down here!” I shove him, rage burning in my veins.
No one fucking calls her fat. Ever.
“It's cool, Tommy,” Affton calls to me from the water, floating in a circle.
This shit never gets to her. But it makes me fucking rage.
“Cash is angry he's got a baby dick.” She shoves a handful of water toward the shore, but it doesn't come close.
“Baby dick,” I mutter, trying to laugh it off. I don't want to know how she knows that. “Get the fuck out, Fayer. Go ruin someone else's night.” I shove past him and head for the water.
“Why do you show him the time of day? You know he's nothin' but trouble.” Leaning her head back, she dunks her hair then splashes me before a smile lifts her full lips. She's not unaccustomed to being called names, but I don’t usually let it happen.
“I'm starting to see that,” I mutter, watching her tits as she floats on her back.
It seemed like the right move getting an 'in' with Cash and his crew. When it all started I thought he owned this town. All he's turning out to own is the need to get a beat down. I'm still spinning from that comment of his.
“Come on. Let's get out of here.” I head for the shore, pissed he ruined my night. We’ll go chill at my place and have just as much fun. Anywhere away from Cash and his crew is better than being here tonight.
She lets out an annoyed groan, probably because I just made her get in the water, but she follows me out. I pull my shirt over my head and catch her eyes on me when I tug it down. I wink at her, unable to stop the slow grin lifting my lips when her cheeks flush.
“Ready?” Before she can answer, Cash steps in between us and his head cocks when he looks at her. My heart rate spikes and I try to push him away so we can leave but he shoves me back a step.
She folds her arms over her chest and huffs. ”What?”
“You know I was playin'.” He pushes her damp hair from her cheek and she slaps his hand down when his finger trails slowly to her chin.
“Yeah, well, I wasn't.” Lifting her pinky in the air, she says, “Baby dick.”
“Fat bitch.” He grabs the back of her hair and yanks her head.
I snap. Shoving him off her, I'm immediately on him, landing a hit to his jaw before I really get a grip on him.
“Fuck you!” I spit, ducking when he swings then I charge, taking him down.
He lands a few hits to my ribs but when my knuckles connect with his nose I feel the crunch and it makes my blood pump harder. I’m eating dirt, spittin’ mud. My adrenaline is pumping from the encouraging screams of the surrounding crowd, and I’m glad no one’s breaking this up or stepping in. I can take Cash Fayer. I can not take Cash and his goons at once.
“Grant! Help!” Hers is the only voice I can make out, and she tries to grip my arm, but we're still swinging.
I don't want to hit her, but I can't stop wailing on him. Each crack of my knuckles to his face minimizes my rage little by little. No one touches her or talks about her like that.
“Alright!” Felder yells before arms start tugging at me, but I'm still swinging.
When another set of hands grab at the back of my shirt and yank me off him, I don't stop. My boot connects with Cash's knee and I'm dragged back, kicking and punching as hard as I can, trying to break free.
“Party's over,” Felder announces. “Not a fucking thing to see here.” He's got a tight hold on my arm and Grant's blocking my view of Cash so I can't see the pussy limping away.
“I'm fine,” I blurt, shoving them both off and taking a few steps back, gasping for air. Every breath hurts, but it was worth it. Every one of those hits was worth it and I'd do it ten fold to any idiot that touches her or calls her any name. She's not fucking fat.
My boys glance at each other and I slide my hands through my hair, wincing at the pain in my side.
“Fuck,” I hiss.
“You're a fucking idiot,” Grant says. “Just gotta throw that out there.”
“Shut up.” Affton shoves him back and grabs my wrist, turning me to face her. “You fucking idiot!” she bellows at me. “Stay away from him! He'll fucking kill you!”
“No one's going to treat you like that and walk away without a bloody face, Affton,” I say, panting. Fuck he got some good hits in. “He ain’t gonna kill anyone. Guy's all bark, no fuckin' bite.”
Her finger swipes under my nose before she holds it in my face, showing me the blood. “Looks like he got in a few bites.” With a huff, she shakes her head. “Come on. Can you walk?” Her arm goes around my back and she grips my ribs, making me groan. “Shit! I'm sorry.” She covers her face and when her eyes hit mine, she's got tears. “Tommy,” she whimpers. She's always had a knack for crying when I get hurt.
“I got it,” I say, standing up straight and trying to hide the wince. I shove Grant off the minute he tries to help. “Just gotta walk it off.” Each step toward the truck makes a sting jolt my right side, but the more I walk the more tolerable it gets.
I glance over at Affton and notice her watching me with worry so I give her a small smile, then reach over and pull her toward me, wrapping my arm around her shoulder. No matter the pain I'm in, I can't let her worry about me.
“What if you have a broken rib?” she whispers, using her towel to wipe my face.
“Will you play hot nurse?” I wiggle my eyebrows at her and she rolls her eyes. “Seriously. I bet we could find a hot as hell nurse's outfit at the thrift shop.” Grant and Felder cackle in laughter and I glance at Affton who's glaring at me like she wants to kill me.
“Fucking gross,” she scoffs. “I'd sooner make my own nurse outfit.” She pokes my rib then runs for my truck.
“I'd like to see her in that outfit,” Grant mumbles, earning a punch in the arm from me.
“Shut your fuckin' mouth,” I say, then walk ahead of him and manage to climb up into my truck without showing too much pain. “Night's still young. Where we headin’, my lady?”
She glances around the cab of the truck. “Oh, I'm sorry. Were you talking to me? Because I'm certainly not your lady.” She sticks her tongue out at me. “And, you've got blood all over your face, Tommy. Your dad home? I can't bring you to my house. If my dad saw you lookin' like this, he'd whoop me.”
“If he is, he ain’t gonna see it. He's probably already asleep. Tomorrow's another early morning.” The rumble of my truck roars to life and I watch her glaring at me. “What? Am I scaring you? Does the blood not turn you on? I thought you were into gore and shit?” I smirk at her.
She laughs, but catches herself. “Why do I still talk to you?” Her fingers rake through her long brown hair before she twists it up.
“Because I'm the coolest person you're ever going to meet.” I shrug and glance over at her. “And you love me. I'm pretty easy to love.” The dirt road soon turns to gravel and the short drive back to my dad's house is filled with a heavy silence.
I've loved Affton for years. I mean...loved her. I stick around as the best friend because any way to get close to her is fuckin' fine with me. She's the most badass chick I know, which is how I also know that when she leaves this place for Paris or Milan, or wherever she ends up, she's never going to look back. I've never told her how I truly feel. I think she probably knows, but I'm not going to be the one holding her back from leaving this place. I don't want to be with her. I’m not like that. A one girl type of guy. And she's got bigger and better things to do in her life than this cowboy.
She follows me into the back door and we head for the bathroom. Quietly closing the door behind us, she whispers, “Let me see your ribs,” and nods to my stomach.
“I'm fine.” If they look anything like they feel, I’m sure they’re pretty nasty and I don’t need her worrying over me.
I turn on the sink and start to splash water on my face, reaching blindly for a washcloth after I scrub off what I can. “See, clean.” I smile wide at her. “I'm all good, I promise.”
She stares at me for a minute, not saying anything until her arms slide around me, but she doesn't squeeze too tight. “Thanks for always being there, Tommy.” Her head lays on my shoulder and her hands slide up the back of my shirt.
“I wouldn't have it any other way, Beany.”
She rolls her eyes at my nickname for her, but she’s had it so long it's more than just a nickname. It's my pet name for her. Granted she earned it as a kid, always eating the green beans off Farmer Moll's plants, but it stuck and now it rolls off my tongue easier than her real name. My hand slides down her back. Her skin feels good and I'm not even sure she knows what she's doing to me right now.
When her hands start to slowly push up my shirt, I tense. I don't know what she's doing, but I won't stop her. She steps back and looks me in the eyes before her hands glide to my chest. Just when I think she's going to fucking kiss me, she bends and starts inspecting my ribs. She tricked me.
“Oh my god,” she gasps. “You're really bruised. We...you should tell your dad! What if it's broken?” Her worried eyes flash up to my face.
I've always wanted her hands on me, but not like this.
“They're fine. Looks worse than it feels, I promise.” I grip her wrists and pull her up. “Can we not talk about my dad right now?” It's kind of killing the mood. My hands are still holding her wrists until I grip her fingers between mine. “Please don't worry about me. It wasn't my first fight and it won’t be my last.”
Shaking her head, she looks away from me. “Don't say that.” With a huff, she pulls her hands away. “Why are you boys so wild? You all love to drive me insane! You're like my brother! You live to get hurt!”
“Beany, I'm nothing like your brother.” I step closer to her, locking my eyes on hers. “He's a young idiot that's begging to get hurt. I'm defending the—” I stop myself short and shake my head. “I'll defend you till the day I die, Affton. Get used to it.”
Her eyes search mine but I don't back down. We're in this tiny bathroom and the only way out is behind me. She's trapped and I can't let her out yet.
Rolling her eyes she wipes something from my face. “I'm used to you actin' like an idiot.” She smiles. “You're my best friend, comes with the territory, I guess.”
Goddamn, she's friend-zoning me even though I was already in the zone.
“You're always actin' so tough,” I say, bringing my fingers to her hair and tucking a strand behind her ear. “Does it ever get old?”
She grins and bites her lip like she always does when she tries to hide a smile. “Nope. I'll probably die a single old lady with blue hair. No man's ever going to put up with my ass.”
I clench my teeth, biting back the comment about her ass and how I'd gladly put up with it until she's old with blue hair.
“Blue hair might look pretty hot on you, but I tend to favor the brown.” My hand falls to her neck and my thumb takes the bold move of swiping along her jaw. “Brown's always been my favorite color, Bean,” I whisper. She licks her lips and I take my shot. Leaning in, so slowly it fucking hurts, I push my lips to hers, hesitantly, because if I'm reading things all wrong I'm about to get my ass whooped for a second time tonight.
Lifting her chin, her lips press harder to mine but when my tongue slides over her lip, she starts to giggle and drops her forehead to my chest. “Why are you fucking this up, Thomas?” she whispers, glancing up at me.
I honestly didn't think this would fuck up anything.
“Is it? Or is it just making shit even better?” My hands cup her face and my eyes search hers. “I ain’t askin' for life, Affton. Neither of us have that to give. But you can't blame a guy, can you?” I chuckle through the lie, because I have everything to give to her but I'm not about to ruin her future by askin' her not to leave. “I mean, come on. You're fuckin' hot!”
Her eyes roll again and she shoves me back a step. “I'm not your type. Don't treat me like I'm stupid just because you're horny.” She reaches around me for the doorknob.
“Not my type?” I blurt, blocking her from opening the door. “You're fuckin' crazy, Affton.” I pause, watching her eyes as she locks her glare on me. Then I'm on her again, not giving her the chance to stop me.
My hand snakes around her head and my fingers tangle in her hair. Her lips against mine are fucking ecstasy. She whimpers when I push her back against the wall but she doesn't fight me. This time when she starts to slide my shirt up, I don't think it's to get a better look at my ribs. Her fingers slide over the bruising but I don't give a shit right now, I just want her to touch me. She yanks back to pull my shirt off before her lips hit mine again and her damp top presses against my chest.
This fucking room isn't big enough for what I want to do to her tonight. Groaning, I pull back and rest my forehead on hers, trying to catch my breath but unable to stop smiling.
“Bed,” I pant. “Room. Bedroom.” I can't even form a sentence because all the blood in my fucking brain has gone straight to my dick.
I pop the door open quietly, praying my dad doesn't hear us, then grab her hand to make sure she doesn't bolt now that she has a moment to process what we're doing. We tip-toe to my room and when the door clicks shut behind us I'm on her again, yanking off the t-shirt she tossed over her bikini. I throw it to the floor then push her tits together and groan, dipping my head to kiss each of them. Goddamn I've wanted to be able to do that for so long.
“Shit, shit,” she pants in a whisper. “Tommy, wait. Shit, wait.” Breathing heavily, she pushes me back. “What...what the hell are we doing?” she quietly barks at me. “I'm not trying to...” Her fingers start pointing at me, then to her. My focus is on her tits until she thumps me in the forehead. “What are you doing?”
“I’m sorry, what?” I flash my eyes back to her chest and slowly reach out, pulling down the bikini cup, letting her tit out. “Whoops.” I smirk at her and step closer. “Less thinking, Affton.” I dip my head and lick around her nipple before sucking on it gently then popping my mouth off. “More of this.” I push down the other cup and give her other nipple the same treatment.
I don’t want to give her time to think about what we're doing. I want her to feel tonight. That's it.
Leave the thinking for when she ditches this place.
“Yeah,” she breathes, pushing against me again. “More this.” Her nails scratch down my back before she latches her mouth to my neck.
Those lips I've fantasized about for years feel like heaven on my skin. My hands fumble with the fucking knot on her bikini top and when I realize it's not budging I growl and rip it off, throwing it to the floor with her shirt.
“That thing's fuckin' annoying,” I murmur, chuckling when she looks like she wants to stab me.
“I made that!” she blurts, her eyes drifting to the top before coming back to my chest, then my face. “You're a dick.” Her lips slam to mine and I don't have time to feel guilty that I just ripped something she made. Her mouth is on me, her hands shoving my trunks down. We tumble to the bed with so much noise I'm sure my dad heard us if he's awake.
“A magical dick,” I say mid-kiss, grinning at her. I shove off the bottoms to her suit and grab her ass. “I fuckin' love your ass, Beany.”
She laughs, still kissing me. “If I didn't have this for proof, I wouldn't believe you.” Her hand wraps around my dick and her eyes flash to mine as she pauses.
I don't give her time to back out. It's too fuckin' late now. I rock my hips into her hand and she bites her lip, trying not to grin. Pressing my lips to hers, I move them down her neck, nibbling my way to her tits. I cup them, pushing them together and groan when her grip tightens around me and she starts stroking.
“Fuck, Affton.” I puff out a breath of air, trying to stop myself from coming in her palm.
She locks her eyes on mine, stroking me slowly and we're in a stare down until she blurts, “This is just sex!” And smacks her face against mine while trying to kiss me but she just lost her cool.
I chuckle and lay her back, pushing her hair out of her face. She's fucking beautiful, even this nervous.
“Hey,” I whisper, hovering over her. Her eyebrows scrunch together and she looks so confused. I slowly trail my fingers down her stomach and stop right before I get to her pussy. “Just sex.” I dip my head and push my lips to hers just as I sink two fingers inside her.
“Can't we turn the light off?” she whispers, ruining the kiss.
“No,” I whisper. “I need to see you. I need to see us.” I massage her and she clenches around my fingers, letting out a small moan.
“It’s so weird,” she quietly says before moaning again.
“Stop overthinking this, Affton. You're so fucking sexy.” I pull my fingers out and taste them while I lock my eyes on hers.
She bites her lip, watching me until she reaches over to my nightstand. “Just sex,” she whispers, blindly digging in my drawer until she comes up with a condom. I cock my eyebrow.
“You looked pretty confident those were in there.” I take it from her, ripping it open and sliding it on, unable to keep my hands off her for too long.
“Remember last week you lost your butterfly knife? It's in your closet.” She grins. “I go through your room all the time.” Reaching down, her leg wraps over my hip and she pivots upward, trying to sink me inside her.
I look down at her and have to keep reminding myself this is just sex. Even though it's much more. So much fucking more. I dip my hips and push into her slowly, never breaking eye contact. My hands grip tight, her legs lock around me, and when I start to pull out I feel her tightening up. Holy fuck.
“God, Beany.” I sigh heavily and push into her again, enjoying the bounce of her tits. “Fuck, you feel good.”
“Shh.” She kisses me. “Don't say that.” Her eyes close tight and her hands pull at my back. “Just fuck me, Tommy.” She moans loud enough that her eyes go wide and she slaps her hand over her mouth, muffling, “Oh God,” behind it.
I'm breaking a fucking sweat trying to hold off. She feels too good and even the fact that she's loud during sex doesn't bother me right now. It's hot as fuck. My thrusts speed up, and I push deeper each time I sink into her. She won't let me talk, and honestly I'm not sure if I could get a full sentence out right now. Fucking her like this...hard and fast...hell. It's hell, because I know it's about to come to an end and I never want this to stop.
I slam my lips to hers, pivoting my hips harder, pushing into her as deep as I can go. She moans into my kiss, scratching at my back.
“Holy shit, Cindy Palmer was fucking right.” Her eyes roll back as she starts to arch off the bed.
I smirk, because I fucked Cindy and that just means Affton's been talking about me to someone, but I try not to think about it. Cindy's nothing compared to the woman I'm with right now. Affton's, well, she's everything. And she's fucking perfect.
“I need you to come on my dick, Beany,” I huff, fighting my own orgasm back with everything short of losing my hard-on.
“Yeah,” she moans. “Don't stop doing that. Oh god, that! Don't...fuck...don't stop d...” She gasps loud but slaps her hands over her mouth again and looks like she's about to cry before her thighs start to vibrate and she's whimpering, shaking her head no, but I don't think she means stop.
“Fuck,” I grunt, slamming into her over and over, keeping that perfect rhythm that sends her over the edge.
I shove her hands down and connect our lips, muffling our cries as my orgasm shreds me right as hers starts. Fuck, fuck, fuck. I wanted that to last so much longer but I’ve wanted this since I realized you can have sex with girls. Being she’s older than me, I always thought this would have happened sooner. I was starting to give up hope.
I catch my breath finally, shifting up to my knees and wince, remembering the fight tonight but happy I was able to ignore the pain. Because that was heaven. She's breathing heavy, her hands covering her face and all I want to do is recoup and go at it again.
I slap her ass when I stand from the bed to toss the condom, moving slow because my side's on fire right now. When I crawl back in bed I do it slow but she notices the awkward movement and she cocks an eyebrow before I get the 'mom look'.
“Tommy, you are so stupid,” she groans. “I forgot about your ribs.” A line creases between her brows and she reaches out to touch the bruise. “You're going to be hurting for a long time.” Worried eyes meet mine and I shrug.
“I’m fine.” I reach out and pinch her nipple. “I mean, if you'd like to make me not hurt as much you're just going to have to stay here so we can do this again.” I try to act serious but the corners of my lips start to lift at the look on her face.
She tugs the sheet from under me and stands, hiding herself. Affton wears bikinis, short skirts, and crop tops. Because she should. She's sexy as hell and she knows it. Her acting bashful right now isn't like her and it's starting to annoy me.
“Hey, could you stop with the covering yourself up please?” I stand quickly and tug the sheet, trying to get it away from her. “I finally got you here and you're not letting me enjoy it.”
“Lifelong goals, huh?” She rolls her eyes before making sure the sheet is secure around her then walks to my drawer. “God, one of my tits won't even fit into a shirt of yours,” she huffs and glances at me. “I need to dress...and leave.”
She's lost her goddamn mind.
“Turn that brain off, Affton.” I bring her face back to mine, my hand on her chin. “You need to get back in bed with me. I'm injured. Standing is hard but I'm not letting you walk out right now.” I yank out a shirt and hold it out to her. “But here. If this makes you feel better you can put it on. Your tits will fit, I promise.”
“Don't guilt me, Thomas,” she responds snippily while pulling the shirt on, awkwardly maneuvering the sheet and I groan at how annoying she's being. An angry glare locks on me when she gets the shirt down. “What? Why are you so huffy?”
“The Affton I know doesn't act like this, that's why. My Affton's sexy, smart, and doesn't give a shit. So why now are you suddenly worried what I'm going to think about you?” I pick up the sheet and toss it on the bed. “Now get in bed.” I storm over to it and lie back awkwardly, trying to baby my side.
“Tommy, I know every girl, or almost every girl you've had sex with. Out of every one I can think of, I'm almost two to three times their size. I love my body,” she claims with a confident expression. Doesn't seem like it right now, but whatever. “But I know I'm not your type, so don't patronize me, K? K.” She pulls her suit bottoms on. “I really do need to leave.” She looks toward my alarm clock.
“It's not even eleven yet. And if you weren't my type I wouldn't have just done that. I do have some morals, you know.” I could go on for hours about how she’s my type to a T, but in the mood she's in she wouldn't listen to me.
She laughs loud enough that she quickly covers her mouth. “Shit.” Her wide eyes fly to my door and the sound of my dad moving down the hall makes her gasp.
He knocks. “Tommy?”
I yank the comforter over me, panicked when I see my swim trunks on the ground but Affton notices them and kicks them under the bed.
“Yeah?” I take a deep breath, praying he can't smell the sex in the room because I fucking can. “Sorry, were we being too loud?” I mentally smack myself for that comment. The door opens slowly. God, this could have been real, real awkward.
“No, I just heard...” He stops and smiles at Affton. “I didn't notice your laugh, Affy. I thought he was sneaking in girls again.”
Affton’s the only girl allowed in my room because for some reason my dad doesn’t realize I’ve had a boner for my best friend for years.
“Uh, no girls. Just...me.” She cocks her eyebrow then shakes her head because she just said she wasn't a girl. She's definitely a girl. I know firsthand now and I'll never forget it.
“You guys need anything? I'm hittin' the hay.” He wipes sleep from his eyes, probably having fallen asleep on the couch.
“Nope, we're awesome, dad,” I respond, probably too loud. “I mean...we're good. Thanks.” I clear my throat. “Just...nope, we're good. Thank you. We'll try to keep it down.” I clench my teeth because with the look Affton's giving me right now I know I'm in for it when my dad leaves.
“Night you two.” He waves before closing my door and Affton's head jerks to look at me.
“Tommy, I need to leave!” Scooping up my trunks, she throws them at my face.
“No you don't,” I say, laughing. “You need to hang out and not make my dad suspicious. He hears you leave now he'll know we fucked.” I shrug. “He's used to you staying till all hours of the night. So...” I pat the bed. “Climb in and get comfy. We can Netflix and chill.” I smirk at her and toss my swim trunks to the floor again. I'm not letting her leave right now. I know she's freaked out, that much is evident, but I'm not about to let her walk away from tonight with regrets, and that's what's written all over her face. Typically I don't care, but it's different with Affton. I've wanted her for too long for tonight to end up a mistake.
“You're so lame.” She giggles before walking back to my dresser and pulling out a pair of shorts. She throws them at me and crawls up my bed, but doesn't get close. Reaching over to my nightstand, she grabs a bottle of nail polish that sure as hell ain’t mine so it can only be hers. “Want to paint my toes?” She cocks her eyebrow.
“Or we could just fuck again,” I answer, taking the bottle from her after pulling on the shorts she practically shoved down my throat. She's going to turn me down, but that's alright for now. Painting her toes isn’t out of the ordinary, and right now it’s strangely perfect. It’ll remind her I’m still her best friend even after what we did.
“Listen, not that you need to go and get a bigger head than you already have, but...I'm a little sore,” she mutters almost inaudibly, but I can decipher those words. She's sore.
“That's the fuckin' magic dick, baby.” I duck when she throws a pillow at me, ready for it the minute the words came out of my mouth.
“Idiot.” She chuckles then wiggles her feet, her eyes staying on them while I try to get comfortable enough to paint her toenails without painting her entire toe. “You're my best friend,” she whispers like she's not so certain anymore.
“I better be,” I mutter, trying to focus on not making her look like an idiot.
We do this a lot. Sit in my bed, watch TV, paint her toes. You'd think I'd be better at it after all this practice, but I just don't fucking understand these tiny ass brush things. After I get one toe painted correctly, I smile up at her but she's watching me with a weird look on her face.
“What? I thought I did a good job!” I boast, motioning toward her one black toenail. “One down, ten more to go.”
“What!” she shrieks. “I do not have eleven toes!” She yanks her feet away from me and I laugh, trying to grab them again. We go back and forth until she gives in, giggling as she lays back. “When I leave this place, whose toes you gonna paint?”
My heart drops for a brief moment. She talks so casually about leaving this place and it pisses me off. She's not just leaving this place. She's leaving me.
“Mine, probably. Not sure I could put up with anyone else's nasty feet like yours,” I joke, letting my hand rest on her shin, drawing small circles with my fingers on her soft skin.
“God, I hate you.” She laughs. Lifting her head, she looks at me. “You gonna visit me? I'll get your country bumpkin ass out of here one day.” She drops her head again and closes her eyes.
“Beany,” I whisper, pausing. When I wait long enough, her eyes find mine and my heart breaks. “You know I love it here. I'm not leaving this place.” The words hurt as they come out, but they're the truth. As much as she wants to go, I want to stay.
That's why I can't have her.
She sighs. “You're crazy. But that's why I love ya.” She smiles at me. “If I haven't made anything of myself by thirty, I'll come back and beg for a job on your hog farm.” She giggles, wiggling her feet when my fingertips softly run over her skin.
“Goats,” I say, grinning. “I'm going goats all the way. Have you seen baby goats?” I laugh and sigh. “But seriously. What say you? No husband...no kids. By the time you're thirty-five, if you haven't found what you need out there in the big old world you come back. Enjoy that big city life, then come back to our gravel roads... And come back to me.”
She quickly sits up, staring at me in confusion. “For what? I won't work on your goat farm.” A smile parts her lips.
“You could design tiny little goat outfits. I bet the local farmers would buy you out of stock.”
Laughing, she throws herself at me and wraps her arms around my neck, pulling us to the bed. This is my Affton. This is the girl she was before we had sex and I love this girl.
“That's really adorable and all, but hell no.”
“Okay, so what about...me? If by the time you're thirty-five, you haven't found the husband or kids or whatever it is that you probably won't find out there,” I pause when she jabs me. “I'm serious, Affton. We make a pact. If you're not committed to anyone by then, come back. And I'll marry your old, saggy ass, blue haired self.”
She shoves me. “Tommy, you'll only be a year younger than me, you ass. And some girl's gonna snag you right up. And I ain't a home-wrecker!” Giggling, she rolls to her back and lifts her legs, pointing her toes.
As fast as my ribs will let me, I shift and push her legs down, then move to straddle her and pin her to the bed.
“I highly doubt anyone from this town has what it takes, but I won't count them out of the race.” I wink. “Come on, what do ya say?” Her eyes lock on mine and I want to dip my head the few inches it would take to kiss her again but I want to hear her say the words.
“When I'm thirty-five? And if I'm not married. Ooo, what if I have a kid, but I'm not married?” She cocks her eyebrow and bites her lip to hide her smile until she bursts into laughter. “Will you take me then?”
“Absolutely,” I whisper, clenching my jaw because the thought of some douche knocking her up and leaving her pisses me off more than I like. Pisses me off, and makes me incredibly jealous. “You could have three kids and a dog for all I care. But like you said, I ain’t a home-wrecker.” I shrug. “Even with this magic dick.”
She squeals when I wiggle my hips over her and she grabs tight. “Thirty-five,” she hums. “At thirty-five, if I'm not married, I'll come back here.” She nods, but that's not what I'm asking her for.
“When you're thirty-five and unmarried, you'll come back here and marry me,” I state. “You ain’t just coming back here, Beany. You're coming back here for me. Plain and simple.”
She stares at me for a few minutes, and I know her, she's waiting for me to back down. I usually back down to her, but I'm not.
Lifting her pinky, I quickly hook mine with hers.
“I have two years of college left, you're not going to get weird and clingy on me now that we porked, are ya?” Her lips partially lift.
“Naw,” I scoff, not wanting to think about all the other guys. ”But just so you know, we will be doing that again.”
“Only friends with benefits.” Biting her lip, she cracks and chuckles. “I can live with that for two more years.”
And that's what happened. We spent the next two years in the best possible scenario either of us could have imagined.
And then it all went to shit the day I helped her load her car and watched her drive away.