When Summer Ends (63 page)

“I might buy some stuff if we see anything,” I lied, knowing
that I wasn’t going shopping at all.

“Are you taking your birthday money? Maybe you’ll see some
things you want to buy ready for college?” Mom suggested, smiling a little
sadly when she said college. She’d already admitted that she wasn’t looking
forward to me leaving home.

I nodded, but knew I wouldn’t be spending any of the $150 I got
for my birthday from various relatives. “Sure, I’ll take it, you never know.” I
shrugged, hoping my blush wouldn’t give me away.

My dad groaned and pushed his bowl away, putting his
forehead on the table but gripping Nick’s shoulder at the same time, squeezing
gently. “You win, Nick. You win,” he grumbled, his voice muffled from the
table.

We all burst out laughing as Nick stood up and did a little
bow, smiling proudly. I think the boy had been starving himself for the last
day just to make sure that this year he beat my dad and ate the most. “I knew
I’d win at least one year!” Nick chirped, grinning like an idiot.

My dad raised his head from the table and looked at him.
“Next year I’m taking my record back. No two years a row record for you,” he
stated, but his voice wasn’t very confident due to the fact that it was barely
above a whisper.

I grinned and rolled my eyes, eyeing the clock on the wall.
The sooner we were done with this little lunch thing, the sooner I could go and
meet my gorgeous boyfriend. I’d told him I would call him when we were done,
but he’d insisted that he would just wait in his car in the parking lot of the
store where we usually parked in the mornings. Amy was driving me there so it
would look like I was with her instead of Will.

It was already almost an hour after he said he would meet
me. I knew he was getting there at twelve thirty, it was now one fifteen. I
looked at Amy helplessly as she was still working on her cake, a sickly
expression on her face as if she was two mouthfuls away from hurling.

“Think we’d better go hit the shops now, Amy?” I asked, almost
begging her with my eyes.

She frowned and glanced longingly down at her cake, shovelling
in the last three mouthfuls in one go; she could barely close her mouth as she
nodded. “Smumm um rbebby,” she mumbled, almost choking on her cake as she spoke
with her mouth full.

My mom clicked her tongue. “Amy Clarke, where are your
manners?” she scolded, but laughed at the same time.

Amy grinned sheepishly, still chewing. I pushed myself away
from the table and started to collect everyone’s bowls. A hand on top of mine
stopped me; I looked up to see my mom smile. “Go on, I’ll sort that out. Go
have a great day,” she said softly.

I smiled gratefully and hugged her tightly. “Thanks, Mom. Love
you.”

“You too. Now, go. Behave tonight, no parties just because
it’s your birthday,” she warned. But then she smiled and winked at me. “At
least just don’t let your dad know, and make sure you’re careful.”

I laughed and blushed as I nodded; kissing my dad on the
cheek and grabbing my overnight bag that I’d packed. Nick walked us out to
Amy’s car, hugging me tightly. “See you Monday,” he chirped.

I nodded and smiled happily. I was literally on top of the
world right now and it probably showed on my face. “See ya, Nick. Thanks for
the CD, and congrats on finally kicking my dad’s butt at eating cake,” I joked.

He laughed and reached into his pockets, producing a slice
of cake from each pocket. “I kinda cheated.” I burst out laughing, and he shrugged
as if it was no big deal. “Hey I had to win this year, there won’t be another
one what with you up and leaving me for the big apple next year,” he said,
crumbling the cake into the gutter next to the car.

I bit my lip. I wanted to tell him that I wasn’t going, he
looked so sad, but he was obviously trying to hide it. But I just needed to
keep it quiet for a little while longer; I needed to break the news to Amy
before I could tell Nick.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell him,” I promised, pulling him in
for a hug.

He hugged me back tightly before stepping back and opening
the passenger side door for me. “Romeo’s waiting for you,” he teased, rolling
his eyes playfully.

I went up on tiptoes and kissed his cheek before climbing
into the car, almost dancing with excitement. I could barely keep still as Amy
drove us to the meeting place we’d agreed on. I kept my eyes on the clock.
What
if he’s decided that he’s waited long enough, and went home again. Would he
really wait an hour for me?

The drive seemed to be taking forever. I tried to distract
myself by chatting to Amy about her plans for the weekend, but I couldn’t
concentrate on her words, my mind kept flicking back to Will.

Will. Will. Will. It was like he was the only important
thing in the world right now.

As we rounded the corner to the parking lot I spotted him
immediately. He was sitting in his car, his head back against the headrest, his
feet up on the dashboard. He’d obviously been waiting here for me the whole
time. I chewed on my lip as he looked and up saw the car. A slow smile
stretched across his face that made my heart crash in my chest.

I hadn’t spoken to him all morning. I told him not to call
in case people were around me or something because my family liked to crowd
around when you have a birthday. Of course hadn’t been able to resist sending
me a happy birthday text though, which was sitting on my phone as soon as I
woke up.

He climbed out of the car and started walking over to me,
pulling the car door open before Amy even had a chance to put the parking brake
on. I clicked my seatbelt just in time for him to pull me out of the car, press
me against it, and kiss me passionately.

I laughed into his mouth.
Someone was a little lonely
this morning! Or maybe he’s just as excited for tonight as I am.
When he
broke the kiss he put his forehead to mine, his eyes sparkling with happiness.
“Happy birthday, Cutie,” he whispered.

I sighed and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him
closer to me. “Thanks. You been waiting long?” I asked, smiling apologetically.
“Sorry. The whole lunch thing went on longer than normal. I told you I should
have just called you when we were leaving my house.”

He smiled and shook his head. “But then you would have gotten
here before I did because your place is closer than mine. Can’t have a girl
waiting around on her birthday, can we? Besides, I haven’t been here that
long,” he stated, flicking the tip of my nose playfully like he always did.

“An hour is ‘not that long’?” I mused, rolling my eyes.

“Not when I know I’m waiting for you. You’re worth waiting
for,” he answered, his eyes locked on mine, making my legs go a little weak.

Amy made a loud fake gagging noise in the car, so Will
stepped back and leant down, peering into the car. “Hey, Amy, everything okay?
I could get you a sick bag if you ate too much cake,” he teased.

She laughed. “It’s just the soppy conversation that’s making
me a little queasy.” I could practically hear her smirk in her voice.

I laughed and pulled Will back to me. “Ignore her, she’s
just jealous,” I joked, waving my hand dismissively. “Are we ready to go now?”
I chewed on my lip excitedly.

He nodded and opened the back door, grabbing my overnight
bag. He laughed when he pulled it out, looking up at me with one eyebrow
raised. “You plan on moving in or what?” he asked as he pretended my bag was
heavy.

Hmm, I guess I did go a little overboard when I was
packing.
He refused to tell me where we were going tonight, he said we were
going out for dinner somewhere, so I brought three choices of outfit. Outfit
one was very fancy – i.e., a black dress with sequins around the bust that fell
to just above my knee. That would be for if we were going somewhere posh and
respectable. Outfit two was another dress, but it was a little more fitting and
cut off at mid-thigh. Amy said I’d need that one in case we were going
somewhere a little more ‘slutty’ – her word, not mine. Then outfit three was a
nice black skirt and blue top combo for if we were doing something more casual.
On top of all that I had my brand new sexy lingerie, make-up, and clothes for
tomorrow.

I shrugged. “You wouldn’t tell me where we were going so I
had to pack options,” I countered.

Amy clicked her tongue in mock disapproval. “Men just don’t
understand the importance of dressing for the occasion. You should have just
told her what to wear, Will,” she scolded playfully.

He laughed and wrapped his other arm around me, pulling me
close to his side. “Aww, and there was me getting all excited that my
girlfriend wanted to move in with me, now I’m kinda disappointed,” he joked,
winking at me as I elbowed him in the ribs.

I smiled at Amy. “Thanks for the ride. See you Monday, and
if my parents call then just tell them I’m in the bathroom and I’ll call them
back,” I instructed. I didn’t need to go over the plan, my parents thought I
stayed at either Amy’s or Nick’s every weekend, when in reality I was with my
sexy teacher at his place. We all knew the drill and how to avoid trouble.

“Have a great day, and night, and morning!” she called, smirking
at me knowingly. She’d kind of guessed this was somewhat of a big occasion by
how nervous I’d been, and how I had painstakingly chosen my underwear for the
date, and preened myself to within an inch of my life.

“I will, and thanks for the sweater.” I smiled gratefully
and moved back waving as she pulled out. I turned back to Will who was smiling
a little nervously for some reason.
Hmm, I wonder if he’s nervous about us
sleeping together, it has been a long time since we’ve actually done the deed.
“You ready?”

He sighed and stepped closer to me, taking my hand in his,
making the familiar warmth spread throughout my body. “I can’t believe you’re
finally eighteen. Thank heavens for small mercies,” he said, laughing. “So, I
wanted to give you my present later, if that’s okay?”

I smiled and raised one eyebrow at him suggestively. “I
wasn’t expecting you to give it to me right in the middle of the parking lot,
Will,” I purred, running my free hand up his chest. He closed his eyes and made
a little moan sound that made my whole body tingle with excitement. He didn’t
answer, just blew out a big breath and then turned and walked towards his car,
tugging me along with him. I smiled and pushed my free hand into the back
pocket of his jeans. I sighed contentedly.

When we got to his car he opened the door for me and smiled.
“So, I’m supposed to take you to my parents’ house for a little while, they
want to see you on your birthday. That okay with you?” he asked, looking at me
apologetically.

I nodded and shrugged, getting comfortable in my seat. “Sure.
I don’t care what we do today. As long as I’m with you I’ll have the best
birthday ever,” I confirmed.

He laughed and pressed his lips against mine. “My, aren’t we
soppy at the age of eighteen,” he teased, smirking at me.

I rolled my eyes and gripped the front of his shirt, pulling
him towards me roughly. “Just shut up and kiss me,” I ordered, narrowing my
eyes at him, trying to look masterful. I probably didn’t pull it off though,
Will was definitely the strong one in our relationship, we both knew it, but I
appreciated him always playing along with me.

“Anything for the birthday girl,” he whispered, kissing me
fiercely.

We spent almost three hours at his parents’ house. I could
see the pained look on Will’s face. He desperately wanted to leave but I was
actually enjoying myself the same as I always did when we visited them. Sam was
hilarious as usual, making me laugh and teasing the life out of Will whenever
he got the chance. I witnessed more than one play fight between the Morris
brothers, all of them ended with them both being scolded by their mother like
three year olds whilst I just sat there giggling.

Angela was lovely. I got on really well with both of his
parents, but she was like a second mom to me. I felt like I knew her and was so
comfortable around her that I could just be myself instead of having to put on
an act or anything. I felt just as comfortable lounging around on their sofa
with Will, as I would do if I was in my own lounge. I was just one of the
family.

When we finally left the house, it was almost five in the
evening. I had my arms full of presents, ranging from notebooks for college, to
earrings, to a digital camera. Sam being Sam, bought me a diary and asked that
I fill it with all things ‘non Will related’ and then let him read it.

I sighed contentedly as we drove away from the house. Today
had to be the best birthday ever. We hadn’t done anything much, but just being
with Will was incredible. The only thing that could make what had already
happened better was if Will had been there for the lunch tradition. I’m betting
he could have kicked my dad’s butt at the eating contest and wouldn’t have had
to cheat. Next year we’d see if I was right.

As we were driving down the road Will suddenly pulled over
and shut off the engine. I looked around curiously wondering what he was doing,
but I had no clue where we were. It was just a random street as far as I could
make out.

“What are we doing here?” I questioned.

He smiled. “I want to take you somewhere, but I want it to
be a surprise so you need to wear this.” He reached into the back of the car
before turning back to me and producing a grey knitted winter scarf.

I laughed, a little shocked. “Really? I thought we were
going for dinner tonight,” I inquired, a little lost as to what was going on in
his very fine head.

He laughed. “We are.”

I frowned and looked at the time on his dashboard clock.
17:42. “Well where are we going now then? I mean, what time are we going out to
eat and stuff tonight, because I want to get changed first. I can’t go to
dinner like this,” I countered, waving my hand down at the jeans and plain black
V-neck top that I was wearing.