Page 20 of Rock and a Hard Place

He slowly pulled away. “Now can you take the phone?” His forehead rested against hers.

“Yeah, I think so,” she answered with a breathy voice and a sly smile.

“I’d better be sure.” Empowered by their perfect chemistry, he leaned in for more. Her body melted against him. He wrapped his other arm around her and pulled her close.

“Wow,” she whispered, her eyes dark and smoky. “Haven’t you ever been kissed before?” His eyes searched hers.

“Not like that.”

“Good.” Nothing like kissing a girl senseless to boost his confidence. “I think I’ll just stay here all day. The rain’s not so bad.” He caressed her damp cheek with his thumb.

“I’d like that.” She leaned her head back against the rock wall, gazing contently up into his eyes.

“The tour is overrated anyway,” he said. Libby leaned into him. Everything about her brought Peter alive. His life was great, a dream come true; he had nothing to complain about. But this simple girl turned everything upside down. He couldn’t get enough. He wanted to sneak her onto the bus and take her with him.

They parted, breathless and secure in each other’s arms.

Peter’s phone suddenly rang. His family was back. “I should have sent them to Iowa for lunch.”

“You can’t leave me now.” She sighed from her spot in Peter’s arms.

“What are we going to do?”

They had opened a new door and complicated their lives. Neither wanted to walk away.

“We’re going to talk as often as possible and text in between,” he said, hoping to reassure her that this was only the beginning.

“Okay, but when will I see you again?” she asked, the angst clear in her eyes.

“I don’t know. We’re leaving the Midwest for a while.” Not knowing worried him, too. “But that isn’t going to stop us from being together. I’ll figure something out. I promise.”

He meant it with every fiber of his being. They barely knew each other, but they would soon. He refused to let her go. The connection they shared couldn’t be denied.

Libby nodded, her trust in him absolute. His phone played music again.

“You’re ringing.”

“They can wait. I’m with them all the time.”

He lowered his lips to hers once more, feeling neither the cold nor the rain.

Peter jogged through the steady rain, his heart bursting with joy. The silver bus waited, surrounded by a thick fog. He hammered on the door twice. It opened smoothly.

He returned to the other part of his life, energized and empowered. He could conquer the world.

“Peter, where’s Libby?” his mother asked.

He pushed the hood of his jacket back and shook his head like a dog, spraying water on everyone around him.

“Dude, grab a towel, would ya?” Adam blocked his face with his arm.

“She didn’t want a ride. She’s not far from home and wanted to walk.”

His parents exchanged concerned glances.

“She’s really shy, that’s all,” he added.

“Apparently, not too shy,” Adam said, noticing Peter’s euphoric mood.

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