Page 7 of Paved Paradise

“If this date goes badly, I might just leave town. Good luck finding me then,” she jokes, making my heart sink. Luckily, she laughs and continues, “These are beautiful, Beck. Thank you.”

“Anything to make you smile.” I lay it on thick. If I only have this one chance, this date, I will use every bit of charm I possess and hope against hope she gives me more.

“Alright, Casanova. Where are we headed?” she asks, smelling the flowers again before opening her eyes and looking at me. I can't help but grin.

“What do you say to a little competition… maybe in skeeball?”

Chapter Five

Frankie

“That's right! Suck it! Another win for me!” I holler, throwing my hands in the air as I dance around the air hockey table.

“Alright, Wayne Gretzky, let's cash in these tickets and get out of here. I think they have wanted to close for the past thirty minutes,” Beck says, smiling and holding out his hand for me to take. I don't think twice before placing mine in his. This date has been a true eye-opener for me.

Beck has surprised me the most, though. No matter how many times I whooped his butt in everything from motorcycle racing, skeeball, to basketball, with each loss, his smile just grew. Every celebration dance from me got nothing but laughs from him. I haven't had to put on a show. I don't have to “calm down,” as so many people in my life have put it, and with him, I just feel… safe. That part scares the living shit out of me because it's something I’ve never had before. I’ve never felt truly safe. My van is my only real comfort, but I’m not stupid enough to think someone couldn't break into my home. I’ve never had this feeling before, and damn, I’m not ready to let it go.

By the time we leave the arcade, Beck’s arms are loaded with so many prizes it's ridiculous. Starting with the huge stuffed panda and then the giant bag of candy, not to mention the assorted cheap toys you get for five tickets. Still, I can't help but think this is the best night ever, and I’m not ready for it to end. Beck must have the same thought if his next comment is anything to go by.

“Do you need to get back home?” he asks. I love that he didn't call it my car or bus, but my home without even flinching. That's no small feat.

“Not really. To be honest, I’m kind of not ready for the night to end,” I tell him honestly.

“Thank the heavens,” he laughs, breathing out the breath he was apparently holding. I laugh but look at him with my eyebrows raised. “I wasn't ready for the night to end either, but I didn't want you to have to deal with my present charm for as long as you had to.”

That makes me laugh and roll my eyes, but still, I need him to know how much I’ve enjoyed our night.

“Your charm is great and all, but your heart is better. Thank you for showing it to me tonight,” I whisper and place a small kiss on his cheek before he can realize what I’m doing. When I pull back, I smile at the red tint that hits his cheeks and the goofy-as-hell smile.

“Since you don't have to be home. I have the perfect spot. Come on,” he says, throwing me that smile again, the one that shows his dimples. I swear, if he keeps giving me that smile, I’ll follow him anywhere.

It's not twenty minutes later, and I completely regret that decision.

“What are we doing? We could get caught!” I whisper hiss at him as he leads me through the golf course on the ritzy part of the island. This is the furthest place from where I belong.

“Stop worrying so much! We’re almost there,” he says, smiling and dragging me further across the putting green. I keep my eyes vigilant. Scanning the area for any sign of cops or security. I’ll dive and ditch if I have to, diving behind bushes and ditching Beck is what it takes. Hey, don't judge me. He’s the one who brought me here to trespass.

“Beck, I really don't think this is a good idea. Rich people don't like you messing with their things,” I say nervously, as he hikes the blanket he brought under his arm again.

“Stop being such a wuss. You know, I’m starting to think that your tough exterior is just a front. Somebody is a scaredy cat,” he teases, which has the desired effect.

“I’ll show you scaredy cat.” I give him no warning before jumping on his back and trying to wrestle him. It does absolutely no good, and he just laughs until I tire myself out.

“Are you done back there, killer? Cause we are here,” he says, and when I look up, I see the most magnificent view of the ocean over the small cliffs lining the golf course. You can barely make out the black water, but the stars from above still twinkle in its reflection.

“Wow.” That's all I can get past my lips.

“Come, lie with me,” he says, and I turn to look at him nervously. This is a part of the date I’m not ready for. I realize now the position I put myself in. If he advances and I tell him no, there is no one around to hear me.

“Just laying down. I won't even hold your hand if it makes you uncomfortable.” This time, his voice lacks all teasing and is nothing but sincere, and I realize I have forgotten for a moment just who I was with. Beck would do anything to hurt me. I know it deep in my soul. So, with that, I lower myself to the blanket and lay back beside him. Touching thigh to thigh, shoulder to shoulder, and then I reach down and grab his hand. I should have never doubted him.

“So, is this where you pull out all the romance? Tell me about the constellations with your smooth game?” I joke with him.

“Well, of course, you see that cluster right there?” he asks, pointing toward our right, “That the big dropper and that one right there, they call that one The Duck.” As he finishes, I can't help but burst out laughing.

“I think you mean the big dipper and the swan…. And I don't think you're pointing out the right stars.” I laugh again, and that's how we spend the night, pointing out stars and Beck naming them something completely wrong and hilarious. I don't even feel my eyes droop, but the next thing I know, I’m cradled against something hard and warm, but I hear a phone ringing and feel the sun's heat on my face. I pop up when I feel Beck move, then answer the phone with a sleepy “Hello? … Yeah, I’ll be right there… Ten minutes max…Alright.”

When he hangs up, I look at him, confused, with sleep still in my eyes.

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