Boys Like You(43)

I rode up the silent driveway, noting the low light that fell from the main plantation house, though Mrs. Blackwell’s cottage was in darkness. The night felt electric. I heard the cicadas buzzing, the sad hoot of an owl close by, and the always humid, damp air filled with the scent of honeysuckle and whatever else Mrs.

Blackwell had growing in her gardens.

I jumped off the bike and set it against the porch. Took one step up and froze.

Already erratic, my heart began to thump like a kick drum— fast and heavy. Ba-boom, ba-boom, ba-boom.

God, what was it about this girl that had me all twisted up?

I couldn’t see her face— it was in shadow— but her hair spilled 175

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over her white T-shirt like long fingers of ink. She leaned against the edge of the railing, wearing cut-off jean shorts and runners.

“Hey,” she said slowly, a husky tone in her voice that I liked.

I took two more steps up until my head was level to hers.

This close, I could see her features, the reflection of the stars in her eyes, the moisture along her bottom lip as if she’d just licked it.

I leaned forward and brushed my mouth against hers.

Couldn’t help myself. But it was a quick one. We had to hurry.

“You ready?” I asked, my hand seeking hers and tugging her down the steps with me.

“For what?” She sounded breathless.

I didn’t answer. We trudged along the side of the house and I made my way over to the maze. It was freshly trimmed— I know because I’d done it the week before— and I knew my way around it.

I didn’t stop until we were in the center, and pausing, I glanced up at the sky, nodding to myself as I let go of Monroe’s hand and reached for my backpack.

“Nate, what are we— ”

“Hold on,” I said, grabbing her once more and planting a kiss on those lips. It only lasted a few seconds and it took everything I had to break it off.

I whipped out a worn blanket, one I’d taken from my bed, and spread it over the grass. Then I motioned for Monroe to lie down.

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She arched one of those delicate eyebrows, a soft smile on her face, but pulled off her shoes and then knelt on the blanket, moving over when I did the same.

“So, a midnight picnic?” she said, nudging me with her elbow.

I shook my head.

“No?” she grinned. “I don’t think Gram will like us camping out together overnight.”

“I only need you for a few hours.”

“A few hours,” she repeated.

Damn, but I liked to see her smile. It made me feel like a king.

I lay down, and for a moment, she stared down at me, her expression unreadable, and I could tell she was a little nervous.

“I’m not going to bite you.”

“I know,” she answered quickly. “You’re going to kiss me.”

“Yep. That I am.” I reached up and grabbed her arm, tugging her down until she was sprawled across my chest. Her hair hung loose, the way I liked it, obscuring her face and tickling my nose. Her scent was all around me. It was in me, and I felt it as if it was alive. As if it made me alive.

She was so warm, so soft, and with a groan, I rolled her over so that she was beside me, on her back and tucked into my arms.

For a few seconds, her breaths fell rapidly, little puffs of mist that hung in the air and then disappeared like the fireflies along the edge of the maze.

“What are we doing out here, Nate?”

“Just wait. You’ll see.”

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“See what?”

I pointed to the sky and turned to watch her as she followed my finger. I’d already seen the beginning of the meteor shower as I’d pedaled like a crazy person to get here, but according the reports online, the big show was just about to start.

We lay like that for about ten minutes. Her body next to mine. Her breaths lifting me up. The soft sounds that fell from her lips were mesmerizing. This girl had her own rhythm, her own state of being, and it was addictive.

I could spend the entire night watching her.

I knew when the first wave of meteors broke through to our side because Monroe’s eyes widened along with her smile. Only then did I look away and turn to the sky.

“Holy shit,” she exclaimed. “What is this?”


“A meteor shower,” I answered, watching the shooting sprays arc across the sky. The last time I’d watched one had been a few years back. Trevor and I and a few guys from the football team had gone out to Baker’s Landing with a couple of six packs.

We’d stayed the night. Got wasted and watched the sky.

It had been pretty cool, but nothing compared to tonight. To being out here under an endless sky with Monroe tucked into my side like she belonged there.

We watched the light show for hours, it seemed, and when the dew fell and Monroe began to shiver, I pulled the blanket over us and wrapped us up like a cocoon. I felt…peaceful, and I would have stayed that way forever if I could have.

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