Chapter Twenty-Nine #2
Usually, after class, I always headed to the library to sit underneath my favorite reading tree. It was the best spot to people watch while reading my favorite magazine.
That afternoon wasn’t any different, except my usual comfort levels were gone, and my heart was beating so fast it felt like it was going to burst out of my chest like a foreign alien.
He shifted slightly so he could face me. That beautiful smile I hadn’t stopped thinking about since the day we met.
Say something, you idiot!
“Hey, it’s Eddie, right? You’re Pippa’s friend?
” It wasn’t my best attempt at conversing with a cute boy, but somehow, he found my awkwardness charming and chuckled.
That sexy smile of his had me by the tits and wasn’t letting go.
Nervous bubbles built in my belly. I wanted to look away, but his eyes had me mesmerized.
“Well, isn’t that funny? We already have something in common!” I noticed his eyes lit up when he smiled. His hair was longer than I thought too. I guess I didn’t see it curling around his ears under his cap.
“Are you counting?”
“One, we have one thing in common. AH. AH. AH.” His impression of the Count from Sesame Street was flawless, and I giggled so hard my sides hurt.
“God, you’re so beautiful when you laugh.” His comment caught me off guard, and the giggling stopped immediately, replaced quickly with my tomato-colored cheeks and awkward silence.
“Um… thanks.” It came out kind of squeaky and he probably thought I was a total dweeb, but Eddie just smiled, his chocolate-colored eyes fixated on me.
“Hold still.” He brushed his fingers against my cheek, and I swear it was like the Fourth of July, because fireworks were bursting in my brain.
His hand weaved into my hair, briefly tangling his fingers around one of my massive blonde curls.
I felt him tug, and he pulled something out.
When his hand retreated, he was holding a golden leaf, and I swear his eyes started to twinkle.
“You know what the problem with fall is?” he asked.
I shook my head, swallowing a breath that had gotten lost in my throat.
“The leaves are like tiny assassins, and if you’re not careful, they will end up attacking you.”
“Death by foliage? That’s a new one!” I replied, after I somehow found my voice.
We grinned simultaneously.
“Not many people know about it. Luckily, I was here to save you.”
“I will be forever in your debt.” We shared another awkward silence until he cleared his throat.
“So, I was wondering if I could take you out sometime?”
“Really?” I’m not sure why the question surprised me.
There was an undeniable chemistry surging through us, but Eddie didn’t strike me as the kind of guy who dated women exclusively.
A good-looking guy, who’s not only funny but can also do a mean impression of the Count had to have groupies.
I’m sure every girl out there was just dying to be with him.
“Why do you sound surprised?”
“I just figured a guy like you would have a girlfriend or something. You’re cute and funny. Guys like that don’t stay on the market.”
“True, I am quite the catch. I’m going to have to add leaf remover to my top ten best qualities.”
“Definitely.”
“So, is that a yes?” I nibbled on my lip and sucked in a breath.
“I’d have to ask Pippa first, but I think so… I mean, yes.”
He looked at me a little cross-eyed and wiggled his nose, which was absolutely adorable.
“Why do you have to ask her?”
“Girl code. I just have to make sure she’s not into you.” He nodded, but I could tell girl code meant nothing to him.
“Right. So does Friday night work for you?”
“You seem confident that your charm hasn’t worked on her yet.”
Now he was blushing, and I silently cheered, because I just added color to his already vibrant smile.
“No, I just know our relationship. Pippa is my friend. So, how does Friday sound?”
“I guess it sounds good.”
He grabbed my hand and magically pulled a pen out of thin air before writing his number on my palm.
“Old school, I know, but my cell phone is at home.”
I took his hand and as I scribbled my number onto his skin, his fingers curled around my wrist. Tingles crawled up my spine, and I tried not to sigh, but couldn’t help myself.
Eddie’s touch made me do things I couldn’t control.
When I’m finished, he took the pen out of my hand, but the hand he had wrapped around my wrist stayed there for a moment longer just holding me.
“It was good seeing you again, Amber. I look forward to Friday.” He stood up, swiping at the grass stuck to his jeans. “I’ll call you later.”
I nodded, watching as he walked down the sidewalk, my gaze glued to his ass. He turned briefly and caught me staring at him again. He should get used to it because it wouldn’t be the last time he caught me staring at his ass.
Friday Night…
“Be home by midnight, Amber, not one minute past…” my father’s voice trailed off, his tears welling with unshed tears filled with pride. He brushed a stray hair away from my face, then hugged me.
My mother stood there next to him, the same look of pride shimmering in her eyes. She was better then… sober. She was never not smiling when around him. It’s why it tore me apart to watch her crumble after he passed away, how every part of her deteriorated and his loss ate away her soul.
“I know, Dad. You don’t have to remind me.
” I rolled my eyes at Eddie who stood behind them.
He looked different tonight… all done up and presentable.
There wasn’t a speck of grease on him, and his hair was perfectly styled, no backwards cap to smash it down.
He shook my dad’s hand when he entered the house and handed my mother a small bouquet of wild flowers before handing me a bigger one made of pink roses.
“Have fun tonight,” my mother encouraged, just as my father turned to Eddie.
“If you hurt her, I’ll murder you.”
All blood drains from Eddie’s face, staring at my big burly dad that was all beard, big muscles, and leather. You’d think he was a biker by looking at him, but he wasn’t. He was just a big guy with an even bigger heart.
“Dadddd…” I chastised him.
He didn’t even look bothered by it, just took a step back, allowing me to join my date that was two sheets whiter than when he entered.
“Don’t worry, Eddie. He’s a big teddy bear underneath all that beard and gruff.”
My father crossed his arms, eyes narrowing on Eddie.
Eddie shifted uncomfortably. “I’ll take your word for it.”
This was my first official date. Going to the movies with a group of friends, or walking through the mall hand in hand with my middle school boyfriend Travis, was about all my dating world had involved before this.
The few kisses I experienced at parties were gross and not worth remembering. Basically, I was a virgin prude.
“Come on, Fraidy Cat, let’s go.”
My parents gave me a friendly wave when I looked over my shoulder at them. Come to think of it, that was one of the last times I saw them standing together… both of them smiling and happy.
Once outside, there was a slight chill in the air, and I contemplated turning around to grab a coat.
“Wait here a sec.” Eddie ran up to an old beat-up Ford truck in my driveway that was still running and emerged with a heavy leather jacket. He draped it around my shoulders and clasped the top button just at my collarbone.
We locked eyes as the chemistry sizzled between us, both of us feeling it in the air. I could tell he wanted to kiss me, but he held back and smiled at me instead. “You really do look beautiful, Amber.”
“Thank you. You look nice, too.”
“So, I’m not necessarily the romantic type, but I have something pretty special planned if you are up for it?” I try to hide my smile, but he sees it and takes my hand, tugging me towards his truck.
I pictured him having something faster—prettier.
I had him pegged as a hot rod guy, the ones who like to drive fast and not look back.
This truck was the opposite of fast. It was a rusty pile of bolts, with squeaky hinges, and quirks that you just couldn’t make up.
The engine sounded like a freight train and had a slight miss that you could feel right through the balls of your feet. The paint was rusted and chipping.
“I know she looks beat to shit, but I plan on painting her all black when I get the money. Well, all black with a single silver stripe that will go up the sides.”
“Its definitely got some personality…”
He laughed, admiring the dents in the sides, and the bumper that was dented in.
“It’s beauty marks,” he exclaimed, his face nothing but infectious grins.
“That front bumper dent was from a run in with a pesky raccoon. And these,” he explained, pointing to the sides where a sledge hammer looked like it had some fun.
“These my dad got while driving through a tornado in Oklahoma.”
“A tornado?”
“Yeah, this old girl has seen some shit. She’s like the ‘Little Engine that Could’, she just keeps chugging along no matter how many knocks are thrown her way.”
He caught me eyeing the tailpipe that was currently dripping something.
“Yeah, I need to get that fixed,” he told me, scrubbing at the back of his neck.
“That’s not supposed to do that.” The truck backfired loudly, causing both of us to jump.
“It shouldn’t do that either,” he said sheepishly, just as my dad threw open the door.
“Sorry about that, Mr. Collins. I’m getting it fixed soon!”
My dad’s glare only intensified.
“We should go before his empty threats get worse,” I whispered, giving my dad another friendly wave, urging him with my eyes to cool it.
Eddie smiles over at me and I watch his hand as it nervously taps his knee.
We are quiet for far too long and he turns on the radio so that it drones out the awkwardness of our conversation.
Britney Spears’ song ‘Toxic’ plays in the background, and I look up at him a little surprised over his choice of music.