Page 22 of Wasted Oil

"Well ,you could have, you know, maybe picked me flowers like Rhett did for Mel and not put your foot in front of me to trip over and face plant in the sandbox.” I look at Mel at the memory of me giving her the dandelion I found at recess, remembering I thought she was beyond pretty and that I wanted to shower her with flowers because I've seen my dad do it to my mom growing up and it just felt like the gentleman thing to do to show her that I like her. Her gray blue eyes look up at me as if she’s also reliving that moment and gives me a smirk and I wink at her.

"In my defense I handed him some he just said that was too sappy for his taste.” I confront.

“Yeah flowers are so sappy and gross, god, what girl would ever want those.” Alex says with an eye roll and turns out from under Johnny's arm.

“I'm gonna get another drink. Does anyone need a refill?” Alex turns to ask me and Mel. At the same time we both say “no thanks” we look at each other and laugh.

Alex turns and makes way to the bar with Johnny following. I love that kid like a brother but he truly is a dick sometimes and I am curious how much longer Al is going to put up with that.

Shaking my head I turn and see Mel is fanning herself with her hat.

"You wanna go outside and get some air?” I ask her.

"Absolutely I feel like I’m dying of sweat in here.” She responds. Tossing back the rest of her Rusty Nail mixed drink then setting it down, I grab her hand again and lead us out. We make our way to the back of my truck and drop the tailgate so we can sit.

"You’re coming to my graduation party right?” I nudged her knee with mine.

"Now why would you think I would miss that?” She says.

"Just wanted to make sure, I wanna spend as much time with my best girl before college starts.” Mel lets out a laugh.

"Smooth vaquero, real smooth.” She rolls her eyes, shaking her head.

"Why do you say it like that?” I glare at her.

"How many ‘best girls’ did you have this year?” She questions leaning back. Yeah, I’ll admit senior year was a bit messy for me but Janelle threw me a curve ball, pun intended and blindsided me with her visit to Juilliard. I was hurt. Hell I gave that girl my whole heart and she physically ripped it out of my chest and stepped on it. Well, at least that’s what it felt like.

"I didn’t know that was a bother to you.” I give her a snide comment. Mel was there for me through the fall out even though half the time it was little to no words and more of just being taking a backroad drive to our favorite spot.

"Rhett, it's no secret I was never really jumping for joy or trying to befriend the girls you had relations with, I mean sure I didn’t talk much at school already but I know I still need to work on my facials because they speak more than I actually do.” She quips. I reach my arm around her shoulders and tug her close and shake her shoulder.

"Awww was somebody jealous." I joke with her but somewhere deep down, I hope I’m right. For god sakes, I know for a fact I’ve had a crush on her since we were kids it was pretty obvious. I mean every time I saw a dandelion I picked it and gave it to her. I still do, to this day, any chance I get. I know she’s shy and it takes a lot for her to push out of her shell but she never asked me out or really said anything of the sort so I took it as she just wanted to be friends as in brotherly friendship.

As she is still leaning in and I still have my arm around her, I look down and she looks up at me.

"Actually yes I was.” She confesses. We fall silent just staring at one another but with the lingering sound of Jansens playing The Bullet by Derek Austin. I lean my forehead on her's so close I can feel the heat from every breath she takes. My heart feels like it's beating so loud you can hear it through my parted lips.

"Boots,” I whisper.

"Yes cowboy”. My hand slides up her arm falling on her neck and my thumb grazing her chin so lightly, I swear I’m shaking. Just do it, you pussy. With the words from my inner thoughts giving me the push I needed, I pull her in and gently kiss her. I feel her hand snake through my hair on the back of head pulling me as close as she can. My entire body hums with need. We were so lost in our make out that we didn’t hear the footsteps walking up the side of my truck.

"Hey Mel can we leave, me and Johnny got into a fi–” we pushed apart, stopping suddenly acting like we were just caught, which we were but it's not like we were really hiding it. As I'm pulling away I’m resting my thumb on my bottom lip while Mel has her hands fixing her hair like she’s trying to play it cool. With eyes wide and jaw dropped in shock Alex leans crossing her arms to lay on the side of my truck.

"Don't stop on my account. Please. Proceed.” She winks at us both leaning her hand to rest her chin on.

We look at each other and I can see Mel's cheeks turning red. She brings her hands to her face and we all just burst out laughing.

"Omg guys, yesssss this turned my night right around. Thank you all mighty Lucifer.” Alex claps her hands together and closes her eyes.

"Perfect timing bangs.” I say.

"Sorry guys, I can totally call my mom to come get me. What kind of best friend would I be if I didn’t let you two continue” My excitement fades as fast as it builds up.

"No, it’s ok. I can take you home.” Mel tells Alex then turns to me.

"I better go and see if she really is ok. But you’re coming to my graduation party tomorrow right?” She chews on the side of her cheek and I find it the most adorable thing in the world. I place my hand on her cheek and rub my thumb in that exact area.

"Wouldn’t miss it, boots.” I kiss her on the lips. She hops off the bed of the truck and heads to her car. Dammit I wish she would let Alex find her own way home. Leave it to Johnny to always be the biggest cock block even when he isn’t physically present. Fishing my phone out of my pocket I text Johnny saying to find a ride home and that I’m leaving.

---