When I mentioned to Dad that I had a date with Avery, he immediately suggested the rooftop. As soon as he said it, I knew it was a great idea. I wanted to impress her, show her I put thought into our date, not just the normal dinner and a movie. She deserves more than just normal. I was a little worried that it would be too intimate for a first date, but Dad assured me that for girls who are worth the effort it can never be too soon. I’m out of my element with wanting to impress a girl, so I took his advice and ran with it. Before I went to pick her up, Dad helped me set up the TV and carry everything upstairs, then ordered the pizza when I left so it would be here when we got back. Everything to this point has been great.
When I felt the goose bumps against her skin, I was glad he suggested a blanket. It might be odd that he set his teenage son up with a girl on a private rooftop with a blanket and a couch, but he knows me better than that. He raised me to respect women, and no way is anything more than a kiss going down on this rooftop tonight, no matter how much my hormones scream otherwise.
As we sit here, I try like hell to focus on the movie and not the feel of her soft skin under the rough pads of my fingertips. She’s so damn soft. Focus, Knight. I turn my attention back to the television.
“What the hell?” I ask when the movie ends. I turn to look at Avery. “They can’t just leave us hanging like that.”
She laughs. “They can and they did.”
“Have you already seen this?”
“I have. It came out earlier this year.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? Is the next one out yet?”
Again, she laughs. I like making her laugh. “Nope. Not until next year sometime.”
“Shit. Well, pencil me in. We’ve got to watch it.”
She tilts her head to the side and studies me.
“What?”
“You think this”—she points between us—“will still be… a thing next year?”
Well hell. “I don’t know, Aves. I like you. I mean, I know you’re going to college and stuff, but maybe when you come home to visit, we can watch it then.”
“That’s right, no college for you?”
I hate talking about this with her. I know she deserves someone better than me, but I won’t lie to her either. “Nah, not my thing. I’m struggling with high school. I’m not good with taking tests and things. College just isn’t for me.”
“Dylan.” She pulls her hand over mine that’s resting on her thigh under the cover. “You can do anything you want. Don’t let the fact that testing is not your best thing keep you from it.”
“I’m not,” I say, probably a little more defensively than I should. “Look, I’ve always known what I was going to do after high school. I want to work here with Dad. Take this place over some day. That’s always been the plan.” I’ve never been good in school. Even if my football skills are good enough for a scholarship, I would never be able to keep my grades where they need to be to keep it. Not with the vigorous football schedule and sleeping. I have to study twice as hard, twice as long, and it’s just not something I want.
“Sorry, I don’t mean to preach. You have your dad for that. I just… see more in you.”
Leaning in to her, I cup her face in my hands. “You’re beautiful.” She seems shocked and so am I. It’s not like me to wax poetic to a girl. I’ve never cared enough to tell someone I think she’s beautiful. I’ve never dated anyone like Avery either.
“You already got me here, Dylan. You don’t have to try and woo me.”
“Woo you?” I laugh. “Aves, you’re beautiful. No wooing needed. I just call it like I see it.”
She looks up at me from under her lashes. “Thank you,” she whispers.
I can’t take it anymore. Leaning in, I press my lips to hers. It’s slow and I can tell she’s hesitant, so I just leave my lips there, feeling the softness of hers. I can feel her jaw relax in the palm of my hand. That’s my cue to press for more, just a taste. I trace her lips with my tongue and she gasps. Taking advantage, I slip my tongue past her lips. She doesn’t kiss me back at first, but I start to explore her mouth and that seems to spur her into action, her tongue mimicking mine.
I don’t want to push her too far, but I’m not ready to stop kissing her. Slowly I lean back against the couch and bring her with me. I have one hand behind her neck, the other across her lower back. Once my back hits the arm of the patio couch, I relax and bring her into my arms.
“Dylan,” she whispers between kisses.
“Aves.”
“What are we doing?” I can hear the hesitation in her voice.
Pulling away, I hold her face mere inches from mine. “I’m kissing you, Avery Stanton. I’m memorizing the taste of your lips. I don’t know if you’re ever going to give me another date after tonight, and I don’t ever want to forget this, forget you. So for as long as you let me, or until I have to get you home for curfew, I’m going to kiss you.”
She licks her lips. “I-I want that. All of it.”
My heart literally skips a beat in my chest. I’m not shitting you. I feel like I’m living out some sappy chick flick. Only this one I want to watch to the end. Hell, I don’t ever want it to end. I bring her lips to mine and get lost in her. Lost in her taste. Lost in the feel of her in my arms. Lost in the idea that this doesn’t end tonight.
I don’t know how long we’ve been lying on this couch in what feels like our alternate universe, but reality comes crashing back when I hear the beeping of her cell phone.
“That’s my alarm. I have to be home in a half hour.”
“You set an alarm?” I ask her.
She blushes. “Yeah, I just… didn’t want to get caught up in whatever it was we were going to do and be late.”
I kiss her nose. “I better get you home before you turn into a pumpkin.”
Her musical laughter echoes into the night. “No pumpkin turning, I promise.” She sits up and I follow her. “I’ll help you clean up first.”
“No, I got it.” I stand to stop her. “This will take me no time. I’ll have Dad come up later and help me move the TV back downstairs. Let’s get you home.” I hold out my hand and she takes it. I want to scream into the night that this girl, this beautiful, amazing girl, is mine, but she’s not. Not yet. Time to step up my game. Now that I’ve had a taste of her, I never want to let her go.
When we make it to the bottom of the steps, I see the light on in the office. “Let me tell Dad I’m taking you home.” I don’t let go of her hand; instead, I lead her down the hall and stop in the doorway of his office. “Hey, Dad, I’m taking Avery home. I’ll be back.”
“You kids have a good night?” he asks.
“We did. It was a great idea, thank you,” Avery says.
“Son, you weren’t supposed to tell her it was me,” he says, smiling and shaking his head.
“Can’t keep it from this one.” I squeeze her hand.
“You kids be safe. Straight home, Dylan. I’ll meet you there,” he says, closing his laptop.
“You got it.” With a final wave from both of us, we head out to my truck. I hold her hand all the way there, not ready to end this night or this newfound connection we have.
I kill the headlights when I pull into her drive and see lights on in the house. “Can I see you again?” I ask, turning to face her.
“I’d like that. Thank you for a great night, number seventeen.”
“Me too, Aves.” I bring our joined hands to my lips and kiss her knuckles. “Can I kiss you for real? Should I worry about your dad coming outside after me?”
She chuckles softly. “Yes, please, and no.”
It takes me a minute to process her answer before I lean in and kiss her softly. “Thank you for coming out with me tonight.”
“Thank you,” she says, kissing me one more time.
Reluctantly I release her and climb out of the truck. With my hand on the small of her back, I walk her to the front door. “Sweet dreams, Aves,” I say, my lips next to her ear.
“Night, Dylan. Please drive safe.”
I nod and watch her disappear behind the door. When I know she’s safely inside, I head back to my truck and drive away. It’s dark in the cab, but if I could see my face in the mirror I know what I would see. I can’t erase the grin the whole way home.
I’m going to make Avery Stanton my girl.