Page 38 of Give In To Love
“I just need another moment to remember how to move.”
I chuckled, loving that he was letting me see a little more of his sense of humor. “I’m taking that as a compliment.”
I stepped under the spray, pushing my hair back off my face.
“You should. That was…amazing.”
I opened my eyes and pulled him into me. “Good. There’s more where that came from. Whenever you want it.”
18
JIMMY
We were indeed aboutten minutes late picking Tyler up from his frat. He gave TJ shit about it before hopping into the backseat with a smile. I offered to move to the back, but TJ insisted his boyfriend got front-seat privileges while his brother could slum it in the back with the balloons. I blushed furiously, but Tyler just laughed, and they moved on to other topics.
The ride out to Astaire was pleasant. The rain had tapered off, leaving a cloudy sky, but Tyler had checked the weather app and assured us the sun was supposed to make an appearance sometime after noon. That was good because, apparently, they were expecting enough of a crowd that they figured the party would overflow into the yard. I’d expressed surprise that they weren’t holding a gathering this size at the VFW or a church social hall as people tended to do in small towns like Astaire. TJ said his grandma didn’t want any of that bullshit—her word—and had insisted on having the party in her own home. And since no one ever argued with his grandma, that was exactly what they’d planned. His aunt had spent the week helping to clean the house and get it ready to host such a large event while TJ’s mom worked on the rest of the details related to food and decorations that could be done from the city.
As we got closer to Astaire and I began to realize just how big of a party this would be, the nerves started ratcheting up. By the time we pulled into the driveway of his grandma’s house, an old Victorian sitting on two acres of land at the edge of town, I had a knot in the pit of my stomach and had nearly chewed off all the nails on my left hand.
Tyler hopped out of the car, taking the balloons with him, while I remained in my spot, staring straight out the front window, trying to keep the panic attack at bay. TJ gently pulled my left hand away from my mouth where I’d been going to town on my thumbnail and gave it a kiss.
“Sunshine? Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”
“It’s just… Are you sure you want me here? This is, like, a really big family thing, and I’m just…” I didn’t know how to finish that sentence, but I supposed it was how I’d always felt. I wasjust…Jimmy. The poor kid. The baby brother. The abandoned son. The pale, anxious kid who didn’t know how to talk to people.
“Just, what? My boyfriend? My kind, sweet, smart boyfriend with a sneaky funny side who I want to show off to everyone?” I turned to look at him as he continued. “Listen, honey, I promise I want you with me. I love spending time with you. I already told you my family likes you. This isn’t just a casual thing for me. Like, what we did this morning in the shower was amazing, and I definitely want more of that, but it’s not all I’m after. I’ve never been into casual hookups, and I’m not interested in fucking around with you just because you’re my roommate and it’s convenient. I want arelationship.To share our day. Eat meals and study together. Hold hands as we walk across campus. Meet each others’ friends and families. Celebrate accomplishments. Commiserate over failures.”
He brushed a thumb across my cheekbone. “I’m not saying we have to do all of that at once, but to me, that’s what a relationship means. I know I’m a bit extra, so tell me if it’s too much, but that’s what I want with you.”
Warmth spread through me, wrapping around my heart like a tea cozy. This was all happening so fast, yet somehow not fast enough. I’d never thought to want any of those things before and now, suddenly, Ineededthem desperately. It was terrifying. And wonderful.Hewas wonderful.
“I’m sorry I’m so needy. I do want those things. I’m just not used to having anyone want them with me.”
“Then I’ll keep telling you. And showing you. Until you believe it. You’re neverjustanything, sunshine. You’reeverything.”
He leaned forward and kissed me then. It was sweet and tender and packed with so much depth of feeling that I knew I’d relive this moment for the rest of my life.
The sounds of yelling from outside the car interrupted the moment, and we broke away to see Tyler and Trent standing in the driveway, laughing and hollering at us. TJ flipped them off and, with his finger still held high, kissed me again, laughing into my mouth as he did so. He tasted like happiness.
“We should probably get inside and help,” he said as he pulled away a moment later. “You good?”
“Yeah. I’ll be alright.”
“If it gets to be too much, let me know. We can always take a breather.”
I nodded, and we headed inside.
* * *
By mid-afternoon,the party was in full swing, and I’d been right about it being a big one. Thankfully, the clouds had burned off as advertised, and people had spilled onto the back lawn. Earlier, we’d set up tables and covered them in lavender tablecloths topped with jars of wildflowers. Folks were taking advantage, sitting in groups, eating and chatting as they enjoyed the celebration.
TJ and I stood off to the side, taking a break from mingling while sipping some water. Hearing someone approach, I steeled myself for more small talk but was pleasantly surprised to see the Johnsons heading our way. Mr. Johnson had been my high school principal, and Olivia Johnson’s son Will had dated my brother the summer our mom left us. We’d spent a night at their house after our roof sprung a leak and we didn’t have anywhere else to go. She’d been incredibly kind to us that summer, but it had been awkward when Sammy and Will broke up, and our paths hadn’t crossed much since we’d moved to Brinkley.
“Jimmy, it’s so good to see you! I didn’t realize you were still in touch with Mrs. McGee.”
My forehead scrunched in confusion. “Mrs. McGee? Our landlady in Astaire?”
“Yes… That’s who we’re all celebrating today…” Olivia’s face held her own look of confusion.
