Page 114 of When The Rain Falls

Who knew Aimee could cut hair? She’s full of surprises. I never really cared for surprises. Until now.

Eventually things get settled. Dad gets his haircut. Aimee keeps gushing over how handsome he looks. And I finish cleaning up the dessert dishes. I keep clearing my throat and mentioning the time, but my family is showing no interest in leaving.

"Well, I better get home," Aimee says. "It was really nice to meet you all."

And it’s my family. And they’re a giant pain in my ass. So of course, they make a big fuss, the lot of them stepping in to give her a hug. My dad, twice. The bastard.

"I'll walk you out," I tell her. I guide her out the front door and follow closely behind. We step out into the cool evening air and I shut the door behind us. For the first time all evening, it’s quiet. And calm.

"I'm sorry about today. And them." I hike a thumb over my shoulder. “I know it was a bit much.” We haven’t talked about what we are. What this is. And I hadn’t planned on introducing her to anyone so soon. But I think everything went well.

"It’s ok. I like them.” Aimee takes my hands as we’re standing face to face. As I twine my fingers through hers, I realize she fits in all the parts of my life so easily. Nothing has ever been so obvious.

“Well, they like you, too. Especially my dad. Maybe too much, in fact.” I pull Aimee into my arms and rest my chin on the top of her head. Aimee met my family. And it wasn’t a disaster. I’m unaccustomed to things in my life not turning into a complete fucking shit show. It’s going to take a bit of time to get used to.

I look over Aimee’s head in time to see the curtain of the front window move and the distinct shape of Jenna’s head disappear. I take it back. The night is not over. There’s plenty of time for everything to fall apart.

“Bear, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Aimee says as she gives me a squeeze and prepares to pull away.

“You’re fucking kissing me goodnight, woman,” I scold her, holding her tighter.

“Listen to you, such a gentleman,” Aimee teases. “What would your mother say?” I guide her against the exterior wall and lean into her.

“I don’t want to think about my mother right now. I want to think about you.” My hand cups the side of her neck and she cups her hand over mine. And when I lean in to kiss her, I feel suspended. Lost in her. Full of her. The world falls away as I hang there, in the moment, on our kiss. But then the world isback. Our kiss swirls of warming rays of sunshine and the chill of rain on heated skin. It swirls of soft clouds overhead and quiet, midnight skies. Aimee is everything. And she’s mine.

“Aimee, I want to talk about this. About us,” I tell her quietly. “But not here.”

A noise behind the front door tears me away. I glance towards it, but Aimee’s fingers pull my head back to her. She kisses me again. With her eyes open. The warmth of her irises telling me things like,I wish you were bending me overandI don’t ever want to let go.

“I’d like that,” she says, pulling back slightly.

“For now, I just need you to know that I like you. I like us,” I say as I cradle her face in my hands.Likehas never seemed like such a flimsy, pathetic word more than it does right now.

"And I likeyou," she says. “Maybealmostas much as I like your dad.” She laughs as I pinch her round ass. Then I kiss her one more time, brushing my thumb across the front of her throat. Delicate. Dainty. I feel her swallow.

Then she pulls away. And I don’t like it. She should always be with me. I should always be with her.

"I better go," she whispers. I nod and, reluctantly, let her go. She gives me one more smile before she turns to walk across the street.

"Aimee," I call after her.

"Hmmm?" She spins and takes a step backward.

"What's your favorite flower?" I shout into the night.

"Why?" She tilts her head to the side.

"Just curious."

"Canadian thistle,” she says before she spins and walks away. That’s not one I’m familiar with. I decide to Google it later.

I somehow make it back into my house even though I don't remember how I got there. I don't realize I'm grinning like a buffoon until I close the front door and practically run into Tyler,Jenna, and Mom. The smile plastered across my face slowly falters as I face them.

"Alright,” I scold. “I expected that peeping garbage from him," I point at Tyler, "but not you, Jenna."

"Oh, I did it, too," Tyler confesses proudly. "I just didn't get caught."

My mom is beaming. Her hands clasped under her chin. "Finn, she's lovely." I glance over my shoulder out the front window. She's already made it to Alicia's porch. Her approach triggers the automatic light sensor.

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