The Crush (14 page)

I opened up the refrigerator to pour myself a glass of iced tea and sneak a few of Grams chocolate chip cookies that she always kept stocked up for us. I needed to get my fill of them before I left even though I’m sure I would be getting plenty of care packages.

“You look happy.”

“Jesus, you scared me half to death.”

I reached over and flicked the overhead light on and looked down at my mom who had been sitting in the dark with a cup of coffee and from the looks out of it crying her eyes out. They were all puffy and bloodshot, I don’t think I had ever seen her this unraveled before. She always seemed to put up a good front even with the mess we had went through.

“Sorry honey, I don’t like you to see me like this. I’m just a blubbering fool.” She dabbed at her eyes with one of the wadded up tissues that were covering half the surface of the small kitchen table.

“What’s wrong mom did something happen with Richard?” I slid into the seat across from her and handed her one of my cookies out of my stash. Those cookies could solve any problems.

“No, I’m fine really Wynn. There’s just so much going on lately it’s a bit overwhelming. Your heading off to school and I’m a single 40 something woman who lives at home with her mother with no plans for my life. I really wish I would have gone back to school and done something with myself all those years ago. I just don’t know what I’m going to do after you leave.”

Well this was all news to me. Mom had always seemed happy staying home and running the house, I never stopped to think that maybe she had dreams of her own.

“You don’t like being here with Grams and Aunt Gracie? I thought you were happy about coming back to Bayside. You could always move closer to Tuscaloosa to be by me. I wouldn’t mind.”

“Oh no honey I’ll be fine it’ll just take some getting used to. I’ve basically been with you for the past 18 years of your life, it’ll just be a big change. I love being down here with Grams and Aunt Gracie, I just don’t know if I want to stay at the diner for the rest of my life. Actually I’ve been talking to Anna about coming to work for her lately. Apparently her receptionist is looking to retire and with Grier leaving town too she’s starting to look for someone to help run the office. I thought something like that might be interesting and keep me busy.”

“That sounds nice mom. You would be great at that, you’re always so organized and you’re pretty good with the computer. Besides it would be so much fun to work with Anna.”

The two of them had been best friends throughout high school and although they had lost contact over the years when my mom moved so far away they had quickly become friends since we had come back.

“I’m so glad you and Grier finally found your way to each other honey. I know you’re still young and you have your whole life ahead of you but the way that boy looks at you is like nothing I’ve ever seen.”

“I know mom trust me I feel the same way about him.”

I knew life was just about as unsteady as the ocean right outside our window but I saw Grier like my lifesaver and I hoped that was one thing that would never change for me.

Grier

The day had finally come. We were official high school graduates. Now all the fun could begin, I would miss Wynn like crazy till she got onto campus but I couldn’t wait to step foot into the Bryant-Denny stadium. I think that moment would make all of it seem real.

A big group of us were getting together at Hallies afterwards for a dinner that her parents had planned out. I’m sure it would be something over the top, those were just the type of people the Schicks were but they didn’t let the money get to their heads like Mr. Brockett and Lexie.

“Oh my god look at all this food,” Wynn whispered into my ear as we walked into the elegant dining room hand in hand. “Is that lobster? I don’t even know how to eat that.”

“Don’t worry girl I gotch your back. I won’t let you make a fool of yourself and knock someone out with any flying lobster parts.”

She giggled back at me while I pulled her chair out and slid into my own seat. I could barely keep my eyes off of her after she removed that ugly orange graduation gown. She even managed to make that look good but what was underneath was so much better. All that time out in the sun had done her body good, her skin was dark against the white of her sundress that reached midthigh on her mile long legs and she had curled her hair in soft ringlets that flowed down her bare back.

I pushed her hair aside to give her a quick kiss on that graceful neck of hers and then moved down to graze her shoulder lightly with my teeth before she let out a small shiver and nudged me in the side.

“Ow girl what was that for?”

She gave me a quick sideways glance before turning to talk with her family that was seated on the other side of her. I knew how much she was going to miss Collins once her and Tessa left for Florida. I was glad her and Hallie had become quick friends though and they were able to be roommates on campus. Plus they would be able to go to games together. I was still surprised that her and Vance were together but they seemed to be going strong.

“She was probably trying to hint for you to keep your hands or should I say lips to yourself Grier Daniels. Mind your manners at the dinner table, I know I brought you up better than that.”

 My mom leaned in and gave me one of those mom looks that I hated but I would probably miss after being away from her after awhile. Dad was sitting on the other side of her and he seemed to behaving himself with only a glass full of water in front of him. Ever since he found out I was going to Alabama after all my hard work had paid off, he had started to get his act together. I’m not sure how long it would take me to forgive him for the way he treated me in the past but I was willing to try.

“Yes ma’m,” I answered back before handing her the basket of rolls that was being passed around the table.

I was glad we were here with our friends and family but I was ready for some alone time with Wynn. Vance and I had already loaded up my truck and we were hitting the road early. Dessert couldn’t come soon enough. I satisfied myself for the time being by running my hand up and down Wynns smooth thigh under the table, creeping up slightly under the hem of her dress and she didn’t mind that one bit.

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“Can I uncover my eyes yet?” Wynn had been asking me that same question only about a hundred times since we left Hallies after our big meal. I had thankfully been able to take my tie off that had been choking me all day and tied it around those big green eyes of her so she wouldn’t know where we were going.

“Just one step up,” I put her hand in mine to make sure she didn’t fall. We certainly didn’t need that happening.

“Are we near the water? Please don’t tell me your taking me for a swim blindfolded and I’m not about to ruin this dress Grier Daniels.”

“Stop worrying your pretty little head off girl.” I reached back and undid the knot, letting the silk tie slip to the ground.

“Oh my god, you did all this?” She held a hand up to her mouth as she took in the scene around her. I had convinced Hallie to let me borrow her family’s boat for the night so we could have some peaceful time alone before I had to leave.

“Did you do all this yourself?”

“Well I’d like to tell you I did but Tessa, Collins, and Hallie did most of it. I told them kinda what I wanted to do and they got all googly eyed at me and said they knew exactly what I was talking about. It turned out pretty good, huh?”

She was speechless as her eyes flicked over the interior of the boat, I was taking that as a good sign. They had really outdone themselves, covering almost every surface in soft white twinkling lights, sprinkling rose petals around the base of the queen sized bed and over the fluffy white comforter.

There was a small table that they must of brought out, covered with a table cloth and had a bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice set on top of it. Soft music flowed out through the built in speakers and I heard the familiar voice of Bruno Mars that Wynn seemed to like so much.
“
Girl, here we are
In this big old empty room
Starin' at each other
Who's gonna make the first move.”

 I think those girls were trying to insinuate something.

She moved over to stand in front of me, running a soft hand up under my untucked dress shirt and making her way up to my chest. I wrapped my arms around her waist, burying my nose in her hair breathing in the familiar scent that I was going to miss so much and gently swayed back and forth to the music.

“Just because I set all of this up doesn’t mean I expect anything to happen, okay? I don’t want you to feel pressured in anyway by me ever. I just wanted some alone time with you before I have to leave. I love you so much and I’m gonna miss the hell out of you. You sure you don’t want to ride along with me and Vance? We can stow you away in our room till the dorms are ready. No one would ever know.”

She laughed and stopped the motion of our feet to look back up at me. I was really going to miss hearing that sound every day. I knew I would be busy when I got to campus but when I wasn’t throwing a football I would have my phone glued to my ear.

“I don’t think that would be a very good idea, I can’t imagine what living with Vance is going to be like so I think I’ll pass. Besides it’ll be good for you to get there by yourself, you need to meet all your new teammates and get settled in.”

She leaned up to place a feather light kiss across the corner of my mouth before continuing on. “And I know you well Grier Daniels. You are just too sweet for your own good and I know you wouldn’t have any ulterior motives for tonight. But I think I’m ready if you are.”

I looked back down into her glittering eyes that looked like they were so full of love for me. I could tell she was nervous but she meant every word.

“Besides you don’t want to show up to football camp being the only virgin on the team. You might be the star quarterback around these parts but you’ll definitely be getting your head dunked in the toilet for that one.”

I barked out a laugh before scooping her up and gently laying her down on the waiting bed. She really didn’t have to tell me twice. Before I knew it our hands were everywhere on each other’s bodies and we were both stripped down quickly.

I ran my hands all over her body, kissing every inch as I went and couldn’t believe how beautiful she was with the soft light flickering in her eyes. She ran her nails lightly up and down my back before pulling my head down to meet hers.

I would never get sick of this. The taste of her mouth was like sunshine and our tongues twined together, finding a quick rhythm together while my hands continued to roam around her body like I was trying to memorize her. I wish I could freeze this moment right here.

She pulled back slightly and gave me a quick nod before I lowered my body onto hers, wedging her legs open with mine and joining our bodies together. I knew in that instant there was a reason I had waited all this time. Nothing had ever felt so right before and I knew Wynn would be the only girl for me until I took my last breath.

Wynn

Unfortunately the morning came too soon and we had to get dressed and say our goodbyes to each other.

“Here you missed some. Your mama might wonder why you were rolling around in a rose bush last night unless you tell her where you were really rollin’ around all night.”

He gave me a big grin that lit up his blue eyes and handed me a few stray rose petals I hadn’t managed to get out after our shower together. I was a little distracted.

“I’m pretty sure she’s thought we’ve been doing that for months.”

I saw Hallie and Vance waiting for us on the docks as we got closer and tried to contain the tears that I could already feel spilling over.

“Hey girl, don’t cry. We’ll be fine. You have plenty to keep you busy, workin’ at the diner and packing your stuff up, you’ll be with me before you know it.” He gently swiped a thumb across my cheek before grabbing our bag and throwing it to Vance.

Hallie was all smiles like usual and I figured I should pull myself together. I didn’t want to make Grier feel guilty for leaving me behind and I knew we would be together soon enough. Plus I would have some extra free time to spend with the girls before we all headed off.

Vance already had Griers truck running and waiting for them at the end of the docks and I could hear Kid Rocks version of Sweet Home Alabama blaring through the speakers. That song was truly fitting.

Hallies happy façade that she had put on didn’t last long and she burst into tears the minute Vance set her back onto the ground.

“You take of each other Wynnie.” He crushed me into a hug before grabbing a hold of Hallie one last time.

“Don’t worry sugar we’ll be back together before you know it and then you’ll get sick of me.”

 He leaned down to tuck a strand of Hallies blonde hair behind her ear and gave her one more lingering kiss before hopping into the passenger’s seat and pushing his sunglasses down over his eyes. We all knew what was going on there but Vance Nelson didn’t cry. Ever. He was too manly for that.

Grier and I gave each other one last kiss, our lips both wet from our salty tears that were mixed together. I buried my head into his chest not wanting to let go but I knew it wouldn’t be long before we were together again.

“Bye girl,” he whispered into my ear, cradling my head between his hands before he gently nipped my ear with his teeth. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

I swiped a few remaining tears away and wrapped an arm around Hallie who still hadn’t managed to calm down. It was probably taking everything Vance had in him to not jump out of that truck and tuck Hallie into his suitcase.

“Now get going, you boys have a long drive ahead of you.”

He gave me one more brilliant smile before turning and doing just that. Hallie and I stood there for awhile long after we couldn’t see the tail lights anymore, wrapped in a tight hug.