Exposed - Chapter 21
Monday
Matt
Brooklyn blew on the steam wafting up from her mug. “What are you thinking?” she asked.
“That this is everything I’ve ever wanted.” I reached out and pulled a leaf out of her hair.
She laughed and ran her fingers through her hair, even though I’d already gotten the only leaf. “Really, what are you thinking?”
“I’m serious.” I scooted closer to her on the front steps, until my thigh brushed against hers. I stared out at where my parents and Jacob were still jumping in leaves. Or…just Jacob really. My dad kept raking them up. And my mom was tossing Jacob into the piles.
“I thought I might be bitter,” I said. “But I don’t feel that way at all. Or maybe I’m just able to let that all go because I’m so damn happy right now.”
She smiled up at me.
I wanted her to let go of everything too. I set my mug down and stood up. “Come with me.” I put my hand out for her.
She slid her hand into mine. “I should tell you…I’m kind of bad at surprises. I get a little panicky. Not knowing what’s about to happen reminds me of how my dad used me.”
That killed me. I wanted to take away her pain. And I would. One day, she’d look at me and she’d forget how much her father hurt her. She wouldn’t think about him at all. But first I needed to make sure I never hurt her again.
I pulled her around the side of the house and into the backyard.
We stayed close to the wall and stared at the covered pool.
“I’m sorry that you saw what you saw 15 years ago.
I need you to know…I would have traded anything for it to be you in that pool with me instead.
I was drowning that summer. I’ve been drowning for 16 years. And I finally feel alive again.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you. I’m sorry I ran away.”
I shook my head. “I just want to bury the past. I just want to move forward. Replace this memory with a new one.” I leaned down and kissed her.
She stood on her tiptoes, deepening the kiss.
I pushed my varsity jacket off her shoulders.
She laughed and caught it before it could fall. “Your parents and Jacob are right out front.”
“You don’t recall how many times I’ve had you in my bed here? While my parents were downstairs. And Mason was just down the hall.”
“I also remember Mason seeing my boobs once.”
I laughed. “Well, he’s not here today, so we have nothing to worry about.”
She raised her eyebrows at me.
“I just want to erase all the hurt,” I whispered against her lips.
“You’re doing a really good job of that.” But instead of kissing me, she pressed the side of her face against my chest. “I’d convinced myself that I’d never fit in your world. But I was wrong. I can picture it all with you.”
“Us against the world, baby.” I rested my chin on the top of her head. “The three of us.”
She held me tighter.
“And you always fit.”
She didn’t respond.
“So that’s a no for taking you in my parents’ backyard?”
“Let’s put a pin in that for later. When we’re not about to be caught.”
“Is this revenge?” I ran the tip of my nose down the length of hers. “Making me your dirty little secret instead of the other way around?”
She laughed. “No. But…it is kind of fun sneaking around.”
“I shouldn’t have done that to you back in high school. But it was kind of hot, right?”
She lightly shoved my shoulder.
But I could tell she thought it was too. I loved sneaking around with her. “I’ll accept putting a pin in this for later. After all, there’s a Halloween party coming up in a few weeks. I’d rather take you in my old bed. Besides, that’s not why I brought you here.”
“Then why did you bring me here?”
I grabbed her around the waist and threw her over my shoulder.
“Matt!” she screamed as I carried her back out front. “Put me down!” She slapped my butt.
I tossed her into a pile of leaves and jumped in beside her. I’d brought her here to make her smile.