Page 14 of The Story We Wrote

Before last night, before I had his tongue in my mouth, I was more nervous around him, quiet and timid. Now though, I felt oddly comfortable around Boone, dare I saysafe. He didn’t push me any farther than I wanted to go. To be honest, I think I was the one to push him. It was like he sensed my uncertainty and let me control.

Flashbacks from last night popped into my head, I wanted to beg him to do it again. Shaking my head to clear them all I said, “I needed to make sure.” I needed reassurance that what we did wasn’t ‘wrong’, that the fact I didn’t feel guilty was okay.

“Why?” Boone’s simple question caught me off guard.

“I just… I haven’t really done anything like that before. I’d go as far to say I’m pretty inexperienced.” My eyes shot open.Whydid I say that? Boone doesn’t need to know that I have little experience in the realm of sex or foreplay.

Boone nodded, making a “hmm” sound.

“That came out wrong,” I rushed. “I’m not like a virgin or anything! I’ve had sex before. It just hasn’t been very good. Like mediocre. Sad foreplay and a couple seconds of action. I don’t think I’ve ever truly come. I’ve faked it a lot.” Now I was just word vomiting.What the hell was I saying?

Boone’s jaw ticked and the car fell silent besides the radio that was turned down low. If last night didn’t make things awkward, my big mouth sure would. I felt the urge to fix this and hopefully dig myself out of this hole instead of deeper in it, but Boone beat me to it.

“I don’t regret last night,” he said flat out. “I enjoyed myself, and I hope you did too, Darling.” I could tell by the look on his face he wanted to say more, something was bothering him. Igave him a nod and looked back out the window, watching the last of the trees pass before we hit town. I didn’t trust myself to say another word. Foot, meet mouth.

Boone and I pulled up to the hardware store, which happened to be the store my brother owned. It took everything in me not to run the other way. I hadn’t fully thought this through. Having Boone Cassidy come into the store with me was sure to spark conversation. I had to play it cool, something I wasn’t very good at. Boone held the door for me, and I walked under his arm into the crisp conditioned air. The store smelt like old wood and a little musty. This place had been in business for generations, not by my family, but another local bunch. My brother worked here since he hit the age to legally be employed. Just like I had planned for myself and The Coffee Cup, the owners offered to sell it to my brother at a discounted rate.

Parker and I didn’t grow up close, he’s fifteen years older than me. My parents had him young, seventeen-years-old to be exact. They didn’t know what they were doing, they were children themselves. His childhood was much different than mine, and I knew he held resentment towards the upbringing I had. By the time I was old enough to walk or carry my own, he was in his twenties and wanted nothing to do with his baby sister. Now that I was an adult too, we rekindled a relationship that I wouldn’t wish away for the world.

I came around the bend, able to see the front counter. In the middle of the store were aisles of shelving, holding a variety of different products. The shelves were full and organized, I wouldn’t expect anything less from Parker. He was an organization freak and very hard to please. It explained why when he hired someone, they wouldn’t last a week.

There are two employees at “Nailed It,”Parker and Harry. Harry was a sixty five year old man with salt and pepper hair. He retired from the medical field and needed something to fillhis time. He was reliable, hardworking, and one of the sweetest older men I knew. Every time I would come into the store, he would greet me with a big hug and a kiss right on my cheek. He reminded me a lot of my grandpa, stories for days and a belly laugh that could brighten any mood.

No one stood behind the counter, so I smacked the bell over and over taking the “ring for service” sign literal.

“I’m coming!” Parker yelled from the back. I didn’t stop hitting the bell until he was face to face with me. Parker laid his hand over mine, stopping the noise. “Of course, who else would be annoying the shit outta me right after opening?”

I batted my eyelashes, looking up at him with my sweetest smile. My brother looked like a surfer crossed with a bit of country. He had long blonde hair that fell right under his ears and tattoos up each arm covering every inch of bare skin. His eyes were almost the same shade as mine, just a bit darker. “No one, considering I’m your only little sister and it’s my right to annoy you until the day I die.” I held up two fingers, honoring the Scout’s salute.

“And to what do I owe the pleasure?” Parker asked, throwing a rag over his broad shoulders. Parker put all his free time into the gym, and it showed. His biceps were bigger than my head and his legs could crush watermelons. I’m pretty sure I asked him to try it once, and all I got was an eyeroll. I would really hate to get on his bad side.

“Well,” I started, “I came over with…” I turned around to point at Boone, but he was nowhere in sight. When I brought my head back towards my brother, Parker was staring at me with a raised eyebrow. “Alright, I know what this looks like, I swear Boone was…” and just like that, Boone popped out from one of the aisles.

“See!” I shouted, pointing at him. “Not crazy!” Boone came and stood next to me, extending his hand towards Parker.

“Hey, Park.” Parker shook it, his eyes darting between me and Boone.

“I went to start my car this morning, and it wouldn’t turn over. Boone was up and heard me complaining. He offered to drive me to get a new battery.” I wanted to clear the air so my brother wouldn’t get the wrong image and think that Boone and I were hooking up or something. I guess that image wouldn’t be “wrong,” but secrets are a thing for a reason. I felt it though, he knew. Somehow he knew.

With a simple nod, Parker turned around and went towards the back. I looked at Boone over my shoulder, scowling slightly. Boone shrugged his shoulders in response. Parker came out with a battery in hand, ringing me up with the family discount I always get.

“I heard from mom and dad you’re working the farm stand on Cassidy Ranch,” Parker said, holding the battery hostage on the counter even though I already paid. He was fishing for answers, not very subtle.

“Yup. I start tomorrow.” How was I supposed to respond with Boone standing right behind me? I couldn’t say how excited I was to start working there and sound desperate.

“I’ll have to come by one of these days when you get settled. Gotta see my baby sister at work,” Parker says, sliding the battery across the counter. “Keep your hands to yourself, Cassidy.”

“Ew!” I squealed, grabbing the battery. “We are leaving, goodbye!” I shouted, taking Boone’s arm with my free hand and dragging him out behind me.

“Nice seeing you, Parker!” Boone yelled back.

I can’t believe he actually said that out loud, in front of Boone. The last thing I needed was the sex talk from my older brother. I would rather curl up and die.

When I got outside, I heard Boone behind me laughing.

“You think that was funny?” I yelled “I’m mortified. He knew! He could probably smell it on me. Ugh!”

“Aspen, it’s okay,” Boone assured, placing his hands on my upper arms as he stood in front of me. I held the battery in my arms, keeping it close to my body. “He doesn’t know about last night. And, so what if he did? We’re adults and my hands can be wherever they want to.”

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