Page 42 of Theo
"That doesn't sound promising," I said.
"Why?"She looked up at me again."I mean we can work that future out together.One day at a time.I love being back in Trayton.It feels as if I never left, and my parents are getting older, so it's nice to be nearby them.I wasn't talking about us or this relationship as one day at a time.As far as I'm concerned, Theo, the years between me leaving and returning were lost years.I wasted so much time chasing dreams, while all the time, my dreams were right back here."She kissed me."With the boy I've always loved."
TWENTY-FOUR
LACEY
It took some good deep breaths to get the denim skirt buttoned.I stepped back and glanced in the mirror and instantly tugged at the very short hem.Had it always been so short, I wondered, or was my ass just big enough now to make it inch up?Either way, I'd agreed to wear it for our trip back in time, but I wasn't going out in actual public in it anytime soon and most likely never.I'd put on a special pair of pink lace panties and immediately felt heat surge through me thinking about Theo pulling those same panties off.Every inch of me was alive with wanting that man.I hadn't felt that way since—well, since I left him behind in Trayton.I'd had other boyfriends and then, of course, there was George, but none of them had ever made me feel like this.All I could think about was being wrapped in Theo's arms and having his hands and mouth all over me.
My parents went out to dinner, so I didn't have to suffer the embarrassment and certain judgmental scowls while walking out in my very tight, very mini skirt.Theo had texted that he was on his way.I'd considered driving because I had a bigger and better car, but he wanted to recreate a night we'd spent up at the point.I thought it was adorable, though I didn't dare tell him that.Stones weren't usually known for being adorable.
I finished brushing my teeth for the second time as he knocked on the door.I hurried to it just like I would have as a teen.And I wasn't pretending or reenacting.I was just that anxious to see him again.
I opened the door.He was wearing a dark blue T-shirt and board shorts."Oh wow, you weren't kidding about the reenactment."
Theo held out his arms."Pulled these babies right out from the back of the closet.They're a little faded, but I think they still do the trick."He tilted his head and looked me up and down."There it is.Hey, little skirt, where the fuck you been?"He offered me his hand."Are your parents home?I could have your dad pull me in and sit me down for one of his lectures and then we'd really be back in time."
"They're out to dinner.Thank goodness.I'm sure Mom wouldn't love me walking out in this skirt."I tugged at the hem as we walked down the porch steps."Please tell me it wasn't always this short."
He leaned his head down to take another look."Hmm, I might be seeing a glimpse of those pink panties, and I don't think that was the case back then."
"Good to know.Of course, that means I've grown and not in height."
"Far as I'm concerned, you've grown in all the right places."We reached his car, and before he opened the door, he pulled me in for a long kiss."Shit, not sure I can make the drive to the point.If your parents are out—" He started.
"Not in my old bedroom.Mom kept the same flowery print curtains and sheets.At least she boxed up all my old crap.I'm not fucking in that wobbly twin bed."
"I used to love that twin bed.And somehow fucking in your room was always the hottest damn sex."
"Nope, not going to happen."
"It was worth a try."He opened the door and I climbed in.I spent the next few seconds trying to pull the skirt lower and then finally gave up.
Theo got in, reached back and grabbed a bag."Here."He started the car and drove in the direction of the point.
I opened the bag and smiled."Red Hots, my favorite."I pulled out a pack of chocolate donuts and looked at him.My throat was tight."It's the night you told me you loved me.I was wearing this skirt and you were in those board shorts and we munched on chocolate donuts and Red Hots.Theo, I can't believe you remembered all those details."
He got quiet, and I worried that I'd hurt his feelings.
"I remember every minute with you, Ace."
"I was such an idiot to leave you," I said."I remember we were looking at the stars.I was sitting on the hood of the car, and you were standing between my legs."I looked pointedly at him."A place you spent a lot of time.And you took hold of my hands and said, 'Ace, it's you and me and that's the only way I see it cuz I fuckin' love you.'"I had no idea why I was surprised to remember all of it.My time with Theo had been etched into my soul.
Theo reached over and took hold of my hand but didn't say a word.We drove in silence.Not an awkward silence but a profound silence, one that was filled with our memories.One that assured us we'd come full circle back to each other, and all of it felt right.I'd never felt so right about anything in my life.Theo had always been the man for me.
The headlights glowed into the starry sky as we headed to the farthest point on the vacant stretch of land.There were two other cars parked, but that didn't matter.The area was vast enough for all of us to have our own privacy.Theo parked in the same location we used to park years ago.It gave a great view of the cove to the left and the town lights to the right, and directly in front of us was the ocean.It looked endless and kind of scary at night, and its salty scent coasted through the cracked windows.
"Not sure how I walked away from this place," I said."I guess I was in one of those 'grass is always greener' phases.I was sure this town wasn't going to be big enough to make me happy, but after spending time in more than one big city, I realize vastness is overrated.You can lose your soul in places like that."I turned to him.He looked so fucking gorgeous it made my heart ache."Thank you for waiting for me to come to my senses, Theo."
"My pleasure.Always knew you'd come back to me."He looked down at my legs."Should we hop into the back seat and get all nostalgic?"
I threw off my seatbelt and laughed as I climbed over the seat into the back.Theo was much bigger now, so it took him a few seconds to get unwedged from between the ceiling and seat.I was laughing hysterically by the time he landed with a plunk on the seat next to me.
"I need a bigger fucking car," he muttered.In one swift move he had me straddling his lap.The skirt pushed up to the tops of my thighs.I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him.My knee hit the door handle.
"Ouch.Uh, everything feels a bit snugger than it did when we were teens."
"Hmm, snug?I like snug."He pushed the skirt up higher and slipped his finger beneath the crotch of my panties.
