Page 38 of Overdue

“No problem. I’m on the pill. As long as you don’t have anything nasty, we should be good.” She won’t meet my eyes. I’ve fucked this up royally this time.

“No. I was tested before I left the military, and I haven’t been with anyone since.” Not exactly the sexiest conversation.

“Ahh, good.” She quickly gathers her clothes. I’m handed my towel, which I secure back around my waist.

“Austen. Are we good?”

“Yeah, yeah.” She pushes past me. I’m getting confused. Was it so bad that she needs to run? Have I forced her into something she’s still not ready for? It seems like with every step we take forward, we dance back at least two. We need to talk this out.

“Then why do you act like you can’t wait to get away from me? Did I force you to do something you didn’t want to do?”

“No, no. It was more like me forcing myself on you. I don’t know what I was thinking. You were great. Really. We’ll just chalk this up to a monumental mistake on both our parts. I’ve got to go. I’ll see you around.”

She reaches the front door. It’s still open. We had sex with the door open. That should make for interesting headlines around town. I don’t care. Austen said something that hit me hard.

“I’m a mistake?”

She pauses with her hand on the doorjamb. “No, you’re not a mistake. But I think this was.” Her eyes finally meet mine. “Let’s just agree to forget this ever happened. Okay?”

“No. Not okay.” I’m getting pissed now. “I don’t agree this was a mistake. I thought this was the start of something amazing.” Gran and Mel appear on the porch. Austen nods and runs from the house. Fortunately, she had managed to pull most of her clothes back on.

“We’re not done!” I yell, stepping outside. She runs the entire way to her house. Neither Gran nor Mel say a word. I’m sure they can guess by the state I’m in, nothing needs to be said.

fourteen

AUSTEN

“Why am I so hopeless?” It’s a rhetorical question. If anyone knew the answer, I’m sure they would have told me by now.

I had sex with Reed. Hot “push me up against a wall” kitchen sex. Right before I panicked. Not just a little either. I freaked out hard. I’ve driven Reed away for good this time. He’s not going to want anything more to do with my crazy ass.

I grab the half-full bottle of wine sitting next to my bed and take another swig. It’s not like we live in a big city either. We’d never have to see each other again if that were the case. Knowing Reed, he’ll come stomping into the library demanding to know what my problem is at the next opportunity. Or worse, he’ll just give up.

Seriously, what is wrong with me? I’ve wanted him since high school, and the first chance I get, I bolt. This whole thing has been a disaster since it began. Now I’ve blown my one opportunity just like I did at sixteen.

* * *

Things are changing too fast. Reed and Eliot graduated from high school tonight. Eliot is heading to college in the fall. Reed leaves tomorrow for boot camp.

Our families are throwing a big party inside to congratulate both of them. I’m not in the mood for a party. At least I have a few more months with Eliot.

What if I never see Reed again? Will he even think about me while he’s gone?

Mindlessly, I push back and forth on the swing in the backyard. Reed and I are like two star-crossed lovers destined to forever be apart. Okay, no more romance books. He’ll find a girlfriend pretty soon. Who will be able to resist Reed Campbell in a uniform?

“Hey, brat. Why aren’t you inside with everyone else?”

I jump. I didn’t even hear him sneaking up on me. He plops down on the other swing.

“Why do you care? You’re leaving,” I snap.

“Are you going to miss me?”

“No.” Chancing a glance at him, I find him smiling back at me. “Maybe a little. Like a sick day from school. You think it’ll be awesome, but then you have so much homework to make up.”

He chuckles before growing solemn again. “I guess now you won’t have to worry about me dragging you out of a party.” He swings over, bumping into me. “You can smoke all you want. Even weed. I won’t be around to stop you.”

“That’s right. Thank goodness I’ll finally be free of you. I can become the weed-smoking party girl I’ve always dreamed about.” He laughs a little louder before bumping into me again. “No one to stop me but Brontë.”

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