Page 17 of Cinnamon Cider Whiskey
“I know.”
Being with her like this brought back so many good memories. He wanted to relish in every single one. “I’m not the only one who could be possessive. I recall one time when youthrew horse manure at someone because you thought they were flirting with me.”
“That bitch Susie was absolutely giving you google eyes. And she made fun of the fact she had big boobs and I was in a training bra. She used to tell me that if she flashed you her nice round tits, you’d drop me like a hot potato.”
“That was never going to happen. But I got so much shit for having a twelve-year-old girlfriend when I was fourteen and a freshman in high school,” he said. “You’d come watch practice with all the other girlfriends and my teammates would call me a cradle robber, among other things. It eased up eventually. Two years isn’t a big age gap. But I had been in love with you since the fifth grade.”
“I used to tell JD I was going to marry you when I was like three.”
“He has pictures of you in a little wedding dress and cowboy boots.”
She groaned. “That’s so embarrassing.”
“I think it’s cute.” He reached out and brushed some of her hair from her face. The bruising around her eyes had turned a deep black and purple. It hurt his heart. “Everyone thought we were the most disgusting couple.”
“My dad thought you were a cornball, but he adored you.”
“I miss your dad. He was a good man.”
“I wish he were here,” she whispered. “I wish I could remember my mom.”
Austin hadn’t meant to bring up a painful memory such as her father's death. He tugged her closer. “You’re not alone.”
“I know that, but sometimes it feels like I am. Not only did Pete isolate me from friends and family, but I’ve been so ashamed of what my life has become.”
Leaning in, he brushed his lips over her mouth. A fire ignited deep in his gut. He cut the kiss short. This was not the time.They may never get the chance to rekindle their love and he had to be okay with that. His role right now was to offer her comfort, a shoulder to cry on, and to be a good friend. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but you’re still young. You have time to rebuild and start fresh. And you have an entire family of crazy people to love you.”
She smiled. “Thank you for invading my personal space tonight.”
“Anytime.” He sat up.
“Austin?”
“Yes?” He glanced over his shoulder.
“Will you stay with me?”
“Of course, but can we go to my bed? It’s bigger and more comfortable. As a matter of fact, I’m going to order a new mattress tomorrow. This one sucks.”
“Thank God. I wasn’t going to say anything, but it’s killing my back.”
He jumped to his feet and offered a hand. “Come on. I promise to stay on my side of the bed.”
She burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
“You said those exact words to me the first night we had sex.”
“The difference between that night and tonight is I had no intention of keeping that promise and I had a box full of condoms,” he said. “What you need is a good night’s sleep and maybe a nice long hot bath in the morning.”
“That’s sounds wonderful.”
He tugged her down the hall and into his room. “I’m also being a little selfish.”
“What do you mean?” She climbed into his bed, curling up on her side.
He turned out the light and joined her. “I won’t be able to sleep if I’m worried that you’re having another moment.”
