Chapter 30 Sloane
Sloane
Last day of summer.
Where the hell has the summer gone? One minute I was saying goodbye to Holcroft and making plans for my birthday and dates to hang out with my friends, and the next it’s over.
No more lazy days hanging by the pool or hiking with Eden.
No more diner hangouts with the whole gang, or cooking with my mom.
No more sleepovers with Becca, or sexy sleepovers with Eden.
Just. No. More.
I’ve done my very best to keep a smile on my face as the days counted down. I congratulated Eden when she got her acceptance to CalArts. We celebrated with a family dinner at her place.
For every party Bryce hosted I put on a bigger and brighter smile, all for the sake of Eden and my friends. Inside, I felt the panic settling in for the long haul.
Eventually I had to talk to someone. My mom was nothing short of amazing. We decided I needed to see a doctor before heading to college. There’s no way I could go away to school feeling so out of control.
With two weeks left of the summer, I told Eden about my anxiety.
I’d been prescribed anti-anxiety medication and referred to a therapist who could continue helping me over Zoom.
Of course Eden was supportive, if not a little hurt that I hadn’t confided in her sooner.
It’s something I really need to work on.
Becca, Bella, Pia, and Todd are already gone. Bella to MIT. Becca to Florida. Pia and Todd are the only ones sticking around Colorado, but they’re still…gone.
The past few days have been a whirlwind of packing and shipping my belongings. I will start my journey tomorrow. Columbia awaits. I decided against Harvard. I couldn’t give a tangible reason why, it was just a gut feeling.
So, a twenty-seven hour car journey is in my immediate future. Mom and Dad will follow behind with a trailer full of my belongings. I’ll be rooming with two other girls in an apartment.
Eden wanted to come too, but she has her own trip to plan. Her apartment is off campus in Santa Clarita. She’ll only have one roommate, which I know she’s happy about.
So, today is the last day we get to spend together. I was up all last night finishing any last-minute chores in preparation. There’s no way I’m missing out on a single second with her. It’s why I asked if she’d come over super early. As in 6 a.m.
To my joy, she agreed. Which is why I’m pacing the porch, waiting for her. Two minutes and she should be here. The closing of a car door pulls me out of my head. Eden glides up the path lazily. She’s taking her time because she wants to look at me, and the barely visible sleepwear I’m in.
It was a risk considering Mom and Dad will be up soon, but I needed to do this. I need to sear the image of me like this into Eden’s brain. There will be plenty of times she’ll need to use such a visual to get her by. I plan to do the same when I strip her down. We have some lonely nights ahead.
“Morning, beautiful,” she says in a low, gravelly voice. It’s part sleep deprivation and part horniness. Her eyes have yet to make it to my face.
“Good morning, baby,” I reply, reaching for her hand. I know she’ll want to hold me, but I’m too impatient. Tugging her inside and up to my room is the only thing I have time for. Her quiet chuckle reaches my ear as we make our way upstairs.
My room is dark save for one lamp, which I covered to create a more romantic atmosphere. Our last time together needs to be special. Eden’s amusement falls away when she sees my room. She doesn’t comment, simply shuts the door, locks it, and pulls me into a scorching kiss.
I immediately pull off her hoodie and bra. She’s already managed to get her jeans halfway down her legs. Like me, Eden doesn’t want to waste a second of our time together. We will have each other as many times as possible before the sun sets, or my parents order us out of my room to eat.
Eden has me naked in seconds. Her hands are everywhere as she steps us back to the bed.
She’s definitely a natural top. We always start out like this.
Eden towering over me, pleasuring me until I can’t see straight.
Only when I’ve had a couple of orgasms will she give up control.
I never thought I’d enjoy someone else taking the lead in bed, but I was very wrong.
Letting go and allowing Eden to do whatever the hell she wants to me is so freeing.
It allows my brain to stop thinking, something I sorely need.
I’m halfway towards tipping over the edge of my first climax when she pulls me up.
I’m so surprised I think I squeak. Another fantastic thing about my girlfriend: she’s spontaneous.
I never know what she’s going to do next.
My head is still trying to figure out what’s going on when I’m pulled down to her lap.
She’s sitting up, leaning against my headboard.
My legs straddle her and my hands go straight to her neck.
Scratching her scalp, I dive in for another kiss.
I want every part of my body touching hers.
One strong hand runs up and down my back. The other snakes between my legs.
“Ride my fingers,” she pants into my mouth.
Bracing my thighs, I wait for her to position her hand at my entrance before I bear down onto them.
There is no resistance, which isn’t surprising.
I’m unbelievably wet for her. She sets a slow yet punishing pace.
I love this position because Eden holds me in her arms. I get to look down into her grey eyes as I take what I need.
Eden loves it, too. She’s got a couple of favorite positions, and this is in the top two, for sure.
Holding me close as I shudder through one of the most intense orgasms she’s ever given me, Eden kisses my neck and I feel the tears coming. I knew I’d get emotional, but I thought I’d at least manage to get through the first hour before it happened.
My head drops to her neck and I sob. I’m going to miss her so fucking much.
Eden
My jaw aches as I clench it. I’m desperate not to fall apart as Sloane cries on me.
I knew it would be hard, but I really underestimated just how tough it was going to be.
We still have hours together, but it’s like time is on fucking fast forward.
Summer sped by, and I got nowhere near enough of her to see me through the next few months.
That’s how long it will be until we see each other in person again. Our calendars are synced and we know exactly when we’ll call and video chat. Obviously shit will change when we get our class schedules, but at least we have some sort of plan.
I intend to spend my road trip to California on the phone with her.
We’ve got hands free and unlimited call time.
We’ll walk each other around our apartments via video as soon as we’ve unpacked.
I have every intention of sending her flowers as often as I can afford, because I want her to know I’m always thinking about her.
We will beat the odds. We have to. I might be eighteen and at the beginning of my life or whatever, but I know my mind, and I definitely know my heart. It has a giant S tattooed across it. Our story is only just starting.
“Sorry,” she murmurs against my neck.
Stroking her head, I wait until she’s ready to sit up and look at me. I hate it when she cries, but I know she needs to get it out. Her new meds have made her moods a little unpredictable, but she’s on the right path. I’m just pleased she’s opening up to me and not bottling her feelings away.
Shifting her head, she leans our foreheads together. I wipe her face and hold her in place as we watch each other. I could never forget a single detail of Sloane Bishop, but I’ll continue to take my time looking at her until I have to leave.
“What do you need?” I ask.
“You.”
Normally I wouldn’t agree to sex when she is this upset, but it’s different today. I’m just as anxious and sad as she is, and the only thing that will make me feel even a tiny bit better is being close to her in the most intimate way.
We spend the next few hours touching, kissing, and bringing each other to climax. My body is knackered, if I’m honest, but if Sloane wants more, I’ll rally.
“Oh my god, Eden. I think I’m dead,” she sputters. Her breath is short and fast. Mine too. That last round was a freakin’ marathon.
“Uh-huh.”
“I don’t think I can go again.”
I don’t think I can talk, let alone do anything physical. My body is a lead weight and I can feel sleep trying to pull me under. That’s not an option, though. I have something I want to do that requires leaving this bed, and if I don’t do it now, I’ll be unconscious.
Groaning like an old lady, I sit up and shuffle to the end of the bed. My back, legs, and arms protest as I stand. Sloane rolls her head to the side and looks at me questioningly. I can’t reply because I’m too busy looking at her naked body. God damn, she’s gorgeous.
“Babe, why are you out of bed?”
Right. Focus!
“I need you to come and shower with me. We’ve got somewhere to be.”
“Where?”
“It’s a surprise.”
She looks seconds away from protesting, but I hold out my hand and wiggle my fingers. She latches on and lets me pull her up.
We take a shower and get dressed. I tell her to wear something light. We’re going for a hike. We’ve only got a few hours until we’re expected to have dinner with her folks, so we need to get a wriggle on.
Our destination is the lookout Sloane took me to when we first started out.
The one I almost died getting to because of the slight hill.
Back then I refused to call it a hill, insisting it was a bloody mountain.
Now I have some stamina I see how pathetic I was, and it makes me roll my eyes at myself for ever being so whiny.
Sloane isn’t as bouncy as she usually is, but I think most of that is because she can’t walk straight at the minute. A fact I’ll gladly take credit for.
Our trek takes half the time of the first attempt, and I don’t even need to stop for water. We reach the clearing and look out over the vista. We’re completely alone, and it’s perfect. For a few minutes, we can pretend our lives aren’t changing.
“This is our place,” Sloane says wistfully as she looks out.
“Damn right it is, babe. That’s why I brought you here. Oh, and to give you this.”
Sloane turns and takes in the slim box I’m holding out to her. It’s nothing expensive but I hope she’ll appreciate the thought I put into it.
She turns to me fully and clasps the box. Her eyes are swimming again, but she’s keeping it together. Sort of. My heart rate picks up as she opens it and regards the necklace. A broad smile stretches across her face and a delightful giggle escapes.
“Sneakers,” she says, laughing. I smile back at her. The necklace has a small pair of silver sneakers dangling from it. A testament to how we became what we are to each other.
“I thought it was appropriate,” I say, taking the necklace as she turns and moves her hair out of the way.
“It’s perfect,” she replies, twirling around and planting her lips on mine.
“I’m so glad I agreed to take that walk with you, S. I know these next few years are going to be hard, but I need you to know…I’ll always want to walk with you. I’ll follow you anywhere, Sloane Bishop.”
And I mean every damn word.
To be continued in Run Back to You
Summer 2026