Chapter 30 A Baseball Jersey Never Looked so Good
-Drew-
Annie has invited us over while her parents are out of town.
I gave her a hard time when she invited me, referencing, “Where did my sweet Annie go?” She sent me back an angel emoji.
I followed with 'I’ll be there’ and told her to ‘look for the guy from my photos.’ I feel like I’m that guy from last summer, crushing on the girl next door again, but this time she has been flirting back.
I’m concerned about Meg… When she ended things, we stayed friendly.
I heard from Craig that she has started dating someone new, and I am happy for her, but is trying to date her best friend crossing a line?
It feels like it could be, and I have been worrying about it, knowing that I want to flirt with Annie in person.
Meg is going to be at this little party too— will that be weird?
I can hear people outside my window, and I pull the curtain to the side.
I can see Craig and a girl walking up to the gate, with Luke and a few of the guys from the baseball team shortly behind them.
Taking one more deep breath, hear goes nothing!
I wave at the guys. “Long time no see, Davis,” Luke says as I round the corner into Annie’s backyard.
“Glad you didn’t forget about us in all our summer GLORY,” he laughs and gives me a fist bump.
I joke, “What can I say, I’m a big deal.
” This makes the other guys laugh, and we start to give each other a recap of the summer.
For a few guys, it is more of a recap of the girls of summer.
The girl of my summer comes out of the downstairs back door, and I can’t seem to focus on what the guys are telling me.
Craig playfully punches me in the gut. “Cat got your tongue, man? You zoned out, I was asking you about travel ball.” “Sorry, I did zone out,” I reply and give him the short and sweet version of the season.
As I do, Annie makes her way to the others in the group.
She is giving hugs and welcoming people as she makes her way around the group.
When she gets to us, she pauses, listening to me finish my review.
Before Craig can ask me any follow-up questions.
I scoop up Annie into what is supposed to be a friendly hug, but I know I pull her a little closer, pressing her body against mine.
I pull back and give her a big smile. “Missed you, Annie.” When I release her, Craig wraps her in a big hug and spins her around, making her laugh, “Missed you, too,” Craig says, giving me a hard time mimicking my words.
Luke pipes in, “Where is my Annie hug? My arms are right here.” Annie steps out of Craig’s hug and into Luke’s arms.
If I didn’t already know that they both were her friends, this would feel awkward, watching her being touched by them both.
As I think it can’t get any weirder, Meg and her new guy appear.
It’s not awkward to see Meg with another guy.
I feel awkward because I can’t seem to stop looking at Annie in front of her.
Annie isn’t in some skimpy outfit; she’s dressed in jean shorts that show her legs to perfection and a tank with an open Griffons jersey over the top.
She is the most dressed down I’ve seen her for a party, and it’s the best I think she’s ever looked.
Meg breaks into my thoughts by asking, “Anyone game to play any Truth or Dare?” Everyone seems to nod their heads in agreement, and we head onto the porch set up with chairs.
“I’ll start,” Meg offers. “Annie, Truth or Dare?” I get a weird feeling of déjà vu.
“Dare,” Annie answers, looking a little confused at Meg.
I start to panic. I will not let what happened at the party last year happen again.
She isn’t going to kiss anyone but me, I think as I hear Meg say, “I dare you to kiss Drew.” Annie’s eyes open in shock, then narrow at her best friend. Annie walks over to stand next to me.
Annie whispers when she is standing in front of me, close but not touching me, “Drew, either sit down or lean down so I can complete my dare.” I lean down and whisper back, “All yours, Annie.” She wraps her hands in my hair, then she uses her hands to pull me to her.
Our lips meet in a crash. I wrap my arms around her back and pull her into my chest, enjoying the fact that there isn’t a place our bodies don’t touch.
I let her drive the kiss, and she runs her tongue along my bottom lip before she sucks it into her mouth.
I hear a whistle, and that seems to bring Annie back from taking the kiss further.
She runs her tongue along my lips one more time before breaking the kiss.
Her hands moved during the kiss to wrap around my neck.
She pulls back, and I have to force myself to release her.
She takes a small step away but stays next to me on the porch.
She turns and faces Meg. “Truth or Dare?
***
Much like the last time we played this game, most of the players chose to dare each other, and it resulted in the removal of many clothing items. By the time it gets to me, I’m finally a little more settled from the kiss.
My heart doesn’t feel like it's going to hammer out of my chest, at least. “Truth or Dare, Drew?” Craig asks me. “Dare.” He looks at Meg. Why is he looking at Meg? He gives her a wink, then looks at me. “I dare you to spend seven minutes in heaven with—” (he drags a long pause, looking around the group before saying… “—Annie.” I think our friends are scheming, and if it continues, I’ll have to send them each a present, because they are giving me alone time with Annie.
I’ve never been more excited to make out in a closet.
I offer Annie my hand, and she wraps her fingers in mine, and then she leads us into her house.
But we don’t stop downstairs; she rushes up the stairs, almost pulling me along.
I haven’t been in Annie’s house a lot, but I think we are headed towards where I remember her bedroom being.
She opens the door and pulls me in behind her, shutting the door.
I don’t hesitate. I pin her against her bedroom door: this time, I’m the one kissing her.
I pull her little trick from earlier and suck her bottom lip into my mouth, and I give it a little nip with my teeth.
Annie gives a little moan. I am getting hard just kissing her.
I can feel my dick pinned between us. I’ve never been this turned on after a few minutes of kissing.
Maybe it is the fact that I’ve wanted to kiss Annie for the last year.
Or the fact that I’ve been staring daily at the photos she’s sent me.
If she were anyone else, I’d push her, maybe figure out a way to get my hands under her shirt.
My mind is conflicted because I want that, but I also know taking my time with Annie will be better.
I start to bring the kiss down from the inferno it started as.
I break the kiss and pull back to look at her.
Her lips are swollen from our kisses tonight, and her pupils are so big, I almost can’t see the blue-gray of her eyes.
I am enjoying seeing Annie undone by me.
“Why did you stop?” Her words break the silence.
Why had I stopped? I am trying to get blood to return to my brain.
“I wanted to look at you, Annie. You’re so fucking hot in this jersey.
” My answer makes her smile, and I know that I’m wearing the biggest smile on my face, too.
“Do you want a picture? It will last longer,” she smarts off.
Her brain is responding better than my own.
I pull my body back from pinning her against her door.
Her eyes seem to follow my movements, and as I reach into my pocket, her eyes go wide for a second before registering that I am pulling out my phone.
I pull her back against me and turn towards the camera.
I whisper into her hair, “Say cheese, Annie." I snap a few photos of us in this moment and then lock my phone. I want to stay in this room alone with her for the rest of the night, but I know someone is going to come looking. So, I take her hand back in mine and guide us back to the party. When we get back, the group gives us all whoops and whistles, causing Annie to blush. They aren’t playing Truth or Dare anymore; everyone is hanging out and catching up. I pull Annie into the porch swing, and she snuggles into my side. I wrap my arm around her shoulder, and I don’t leave this spot for the rest of the night.