Chapter 14 Sloane
Sloane
I’m quickly becoming the queen of putting my foot in my mouth with Eden. Twice I’ve done something to make her uncomfortable. Well, the first time was voicing the reality of our time together. On our first date, no less. Second was coming on way too strong in the locker room this afternoon.
I don’t want to be one of those people who seems to be sex obsessed or pushy.
Eden told me she wasn’t ready to jump into bed with me, and I totally support that.
The problem is my body’s reaction to her.
Take this afternoon, for example. I walked into the locker room with every intention of getting showered and changed.
Then I saw Eden and suddenly turned into a creep.
She was visibly uncomfortable with my behavior, and I felt gross. Still do. Even though we’ve just had a very nice make-out session with some over-the-bra action, I’m worried Eden will think I’m just in this to get laid.
It’s clear I have to take a massive step back, even with flirting.
Eden needs to be the one setting the pace.
As for me, I intend to step up my dating game.
Our first date was nice. The view from the lookout point was spectacular, but it wasn’t the best date ever.
Doing a half date, half exercise session kinda took away the shine.
Then, as I mentioned before, I opened my mouth and ruined the mood.
We haven’t even had a second date yet, and I’ve already acted like a dog in heat around her. This is not how I hoped our relationship would start. We should be wining and dining each other. Doing all the romantic crap I’ve dreamt about over the past three years.
Time to get my shit in order and show Eden just how serious I am about building something with her.
First, though, I have to get through an art lesson. Not easy when my pulse is hammering through my skin. Eden certainly knows how to get a girl going, even if she didn’t mean to.
I follow her to the garage, which turns out is less suited for vehicles and more for stacks of canvases. White drop cloths cover the entire floor. There are three easels positioned in the space, with a painting on them. Each is very different from the other.
The walls have paint splattered across them as if Eden walked around flicking her soiled brushes. There’s a stool with an apron in front of one of the easels.
“Welcome to my art studio.” Eden beams. She looks so relaxed. “This is where the magic happens.”
Magic is the right word. I love her art. Even though I don’t know a thing about it, I love her creations because they somehow mimic her. It sounds stupid when I say that, but I can see a part of her in each canvas.
“What inspired this one?” I ask, pointing to the canvas with multi-colored splats all over it.
Standing next to it, Eden takes a beat to survey her work. “You did actually. I did this when I was feeling mixed up after our first date. Painting helps me work through things.”
After I ruined the first date, Eden said she needed time. I didn’t realize what she needed was to paint. A note I will tuck away. I suppose it’s like me when I need to clear my head. I either go on a run or practice a cheer routine.
“I like it. I think this style is my favorite. Like, I can feel the emotions behind it, of you. Know what I mean?”
Eden twirls her body towards me. She has a huge smile on her face. “See, you do understand art.”
Shaking my head, I chuckle. “I really don’t. Maybe I’m just getting to know you?”
“Well, I like that even more,” she says, taking my hand. “I think this style will suit you. I want you to enjoy our lessons. Sometimes art is about causing chaos and mess. It’s not always shading and perspective.”
“Tell that to Billings,” I grumble.
Eden wiggles our hands. “Billings has a curriculum to stick to. We don’t have that problem in here. You can do whatever the hell you want.”
Maybe this isn’t going to be as painful as I thought. I must admit, I imagined Eden trying to teach me how to draw a fruit bowl or something. Throwing some paint around sounds much more fun.
Eden takes the canvas off the easel and replaces it with a fresh one. She picks up the apron and slips it over my head, tying it around my waist.
She nips me on the side of the neck, causing me to shiver. “I don’t want you to spoil your clothes.”
Taking my hand, she pulls me over to a collection of paints. There is every color imaginable. She must spend a fortune on art supplies.
“Pick any colors you want. Take your time to connect with them.”
I raise my eyebrow at her. How the hell do you connect to a paint can?
She rolls her eyes. “Connect to the colors. Take a second to really feel your feelings. Then ascribe those feelings to a color that fits. There is no right or wrong answer.”
I feel kind of silly, but I trust her. Closing my eyes, I take a second to look inside myself. I can’t lie, most of my emotions are still tied up in what just happened in Eden’s bedroom. The second I think about it, dark purple pops into my mind. Followed by white and gold.
Smiling, I open my eyes and pick out the colors I saw. Eden is grinning at me like an idiot, which makes me feel a hundred feet tall. Stepping up, she takes the cans from me and walks them to the easel.
“Do you want to sit or stand?”
Feeling full of energy, I choose to remain standing. Eden pours a generous amount of paint into three separate trays.
“So, do I just throw it at the canvas?”
Eden shrugs. “What do you feel like doing? Is it a paint brush kinda deal, or would you like to dip string in the paint and whip it? You can use your fingers, or simply chuck the tray at the canvas.”
“Are you serious?” I laugh.
Circling my waist with her arms, Eden kisses my neck again. “Totally serious. Art is about expression, however that transpires. No wrong answers, remember? Do what feels right.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to say something naughty when I pull it back. This isn’t the time. Instead, I turn to face her and place a delicate kiss on her lips. “Let’s do this, Sawyer!”
Squeezing my hips and chuckling, Eden pulls away. “Have at it.”
I am covered in paint. I don’t think there is an inch of me clear of color, but wow, did I have fun.
The canvas is a mess of paint, as is Eden.
I may have taken my artistic expression a little too far.
The first splat of paint hit her by accident as she circled the easel.
I was in the zone and didn’t see her. A nice streak of purple paint hit her straight in the face.
The second color hit her with purpose after she dipped her hand in the tray and pressed it to my face. I looked like a crap Orc extra from The Lord of the Rings.
After that, it was every woman for herself. My creation went ignored, as we ended up in a full-on paint war. The apron didn’t save my clothes.
I’m bent over laughing when the studio door opens. A waft of something delicious filters through.
“Lesson went well then?” Eden’s mom says, chuckling.
Standing up straight, I do my best to smooth down my clothes, but it’s no use. I’m a complete mess. “Very informative,” I reply.
“She’s a fast learner,” Eden adds.
“Well, how about you get cleaned up and come inside for some food. I’ll go grab you some clothes to change into.”
She’s already gone before I can agree. It’s getting late, and I hadn’t intended on staying for dinner, but it would be rude to say no now. And let’s be honest, I want as much time with Eden as possible. Plus, I haven’t officially met her dad or sister yet.
“Do you want to stay?”
Turning to Eden, I snicker. She’s covered from head to toe. “I think you might be my finest piece of art.”
“Right back at ya, babe.” She winks.
Before I can latch onto her lips, Liz pops her head around the door. “You both need a bath, but dinner is ready so just wash up best you can in the sink and get changed. You’ve got ten minutes.”
Things get silly again as we wash the paint off our arms and face.
Eden is just so easy and fun to be around.
I doubt there are many people outside her close social group who get to see this side of her.
I’m just grateful I get to be one of them.
Hopefully she’ll show me a lot more of herself as we get to know each other.
That sounded sexual, but I meant emotionally.
Although I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to seeing more of her… you know…
Washed and changed, we join the rest of the Sawyer family at the table.
Mr. Sawyer beams at me and offers his hand.
I shake it and smile back. Jenna flicks her eyes up for a second and then drops them back down to her plate without saying a word.
That’s cool. I remember what it was like to be fourteen.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Sloane,” Mr. Sawyer begins. “Eden hasn’t shut up about you for bloody ages. Nice to put a face to the name.”
I turn to Eden, who is now scarlet and glaring at her dad. He is none the wiser, or he doesn’t care.
“Call me Rick, by the way. None of this Mr. Sawyer crap.”
“It’s lovely to meet you too, Rick,” I say politely.
“That’s our Jenna,” he barrels on. “Don’t take it personally if she doesn’t speak. She hates life at the minute.”
That earns him a scowl from daughter number two. Rick just chuckles at them both. Both Rick and Liz are in band t-shirts. Eden told me he is a banker, so this outfit is surprising. Same goes for Liz, the lawyer, actually. They’re not who I imagined at all. They’re so laid back.
“How did the art lesson go? Oh, how was gym?”
He’s like an excitable puppy.
Eden helps plate up what looks like vegetarian chili. My mouth waters at the smell.
“Sloane got more paint on me than the canvas.”
“I got a lot on myself to be fair, babe.”
I notice the smile Liz and Rick exchange when I call Eden babe. My gut feeling is they are as involved in Eden’s dating life as my parents are in mine.
“That’s true.” She laughs. “As for gym, it was okay. I did two sessions on the app. Sweated like a pig, but it wasn’t terrible.”
Rick leans over and high-fives Eden. He then turns to me and holds up his hand. Smiling, I give him what he wants.
“Good job. Both of you.”
“What about you, Sloane? You’re the cheer captain, right?” Liz asks. Everyone starts to eat. Jenna still hasn’t said anything, but I see her tilt her head slightly my way at the question. If my observational skills are correct, Jenna is interested in cheerleading.
“I am. I love it. We have a fantastic squad.”
“Will you continue in college?”
I feel Eden stiffen slightly.
“I hope so. Thankfully I don’t rely on it for a scholarship, so it wouldn’t be the end of the world if I couldn’t continue.”
“And what will you major in?”
“Sports and Exercise Science. I’ve already applied to Columbia and Harvard.”
I hate this is the first time Eden will learn about my college choices. We should have already discussed it days ago in private. Probably after our first date.
“Wow. Good for you,” Rick says.
Eden is quiet. I turn to look at her without making a big deal of it. Before I can panic, she slides her hand on my thigh and squeezes it gently.
“What about you?” I ask Eden. Might as well find out now.
“Oh, um, CalArts and Rhode Island.”
“They’re great schools. Have you applied yet?”
“I have the applications. Just need to sit down and do them.”
“She has her portfolio done, though,” Liz chimes in. “Some beautiful work. She’ll get in, no problem.”
Eden blushes.
“Can I see your pieces?”
“’Course. I’ll show you after dinner if you want.”
So the bandage has been ripped off. The schools have been named. We will more than likely end up in completely different parts of the country in September.
“You’ve both got plenty of time to think about college. Don’t forget the here and now,” Liz says, looking at Eden and me with serious eyes.
“Aye, that’s true,” Rick tacks on. “Eden’s gotta crush this 5k.”
The reminder makes Eden groan and drop her head to the table, which breaks the tension. I stroke her back, laughing. Eden squeezes my thigh one more time and winks.
We get through dinner and dessert without any more talk of the future. Rick, Liz, and Eden try to coax Jenna into a conversation, but she’s just as stubborn as her sister by the look of it.
When I’m shepherded into the living room with the youngest Sawyer, I grab my chance to talk to her. I’ve got a feeling I know how to get her chatting.
As soon as Eden is in the kitchen helping her parents clean up, I drop in the seat next to Jenna. Clearly, my sudden proximity catches her off guard. I can already see the scowl forming.
“So, you want to cheer, huh?”
Instead of a scowl, I get two very wide eyes. “How…how did you know that?” she says quietly. Her eyes dart to the living room door. Is she worried about her family knowing?
“Just a hunch. I’m right, though.”
She looks like I’ve caught her cheating on a test or something.
“M-maybe.”
Cocking my head, I give her the room to elaborate. When she remains silent, I try again.
“You know we have a junior squad at Holcroft, right?”
“Yeah, I know.”
“I didn’t see you at try outs. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen you around at all.”
She shrugs. Just like Eden, Jenna scratches the back of her neck. “I usually stay in the library.”
“Do you not want your parents to know?” I ask quietly.
She sighs, and I swear to God I see some of the tension she carries around with her drain away.
“I’m not like them,” she begins. “Mum, Dad, and Eden are all these artsy fartsy people who like alternative music and band t-shirts. I…I like pop music and dancing. I’m not artistic at all.”
“And you don’t think they’d understand if you wanted to be a cheerleader?”
“I don’t know. Probably. I don’t want them making fun of me.”
Oh, there is a lot more going on with this girl than I think anyone is aware of.
“Hey,” I say, bumping into her shoulder. “I don’t think they would. But if you want, you can talk to me.”
Jenna visibly relaxes. “Really?”
“Yeah, really.”
Laughter comes from the kitchen, breaking our little tête-à-tête. Jenna gives me a small smile. I give her a wink before Eden and her parents spill in.