51. Storm
Sean was nice enough to let us borrow his pickup truck for the rest of the weekend so we could pick up my things. I want nothing more than to stay at the hotel for a few more nights, but the better thing to do is get to Campbellton and back before Tuesday so Auden can settle into our place before she starts work with Sean on Wednesday.
I enjoy driving with her. Conversation flows. Laughter pools. Everything is so natural.
She tells me about her darkest moments; a scar on the back of her neck I was always curious about was from almost decapitating herself because of the alcohol. The nights she woke up without a clue on how she got home. I understand her pain. Her constant need to drink so her mind shuts off. I did that with pot, booze, and women. Nothing worked.
She knows about my suicidal thoughts, my past, my every waking thought. We speak about our quirks, our likes, and dislikes—most of which are the same. Our taste in music is identical. The only difference is my love for country music and her taste in movies. It’s okay, though. We’ll listen to country music and watch girly movies. It’s a win-win.
It’s almost midnight when I pull up to her parents’ house. Auden fell asleep two hours before we arrive; her head is on my lap, and her hand is holding mine. She takes my breath away and she isn’t even doing anything other than sleeping. I thank God for her every single day.
I sit back and let her sleep a little more. We’ve been driving for almost eighteen hours. It was nice to get a goodbye from Ross, Rick, and Heath at the bar. Heath’s a lot better now, happy for me. He gave us a framed drawing he did; her hair is drawn so orange, I think he used a highlighter. I take the frame from the back seat and smile at the drawing. It’s Auden and I holding hands under the willow tree. I have a fishing rod in my hand and Auden has a bunch of sunflowers in hers.
When I look down at her sleeping on me, it makes me so happy that I made the right decision. There’s no telling what would happen to me if I stayed.
Denny is out and I’m sure he’ll seek revenge. I have to do everything in my power to stay hidden; my parents know this and I’m sure Rick does, too. For years I wondered what it would be like to see Denny again. I imagined him to be happy to see me. I’m sure he’s proud of Rick, and I wish I could be there when he meets Heath for the first time. I wonder what Denny thinks of me after all these years. I wonder if he’s happy for me now that I’m moving on with my life. I wonder if he’ll love Auden as we all did when we first met her.
All these thoughts cloud my head, but there’s nothing I want more than to shut them out. Because I know Denny. The moment he sees me, I can say goodbye to her. I won’t be seeing the light of day again.
“Auden?” I wake her quietly and she groans, yawning. “Hey, baby, we just got here.”
She nods, rubbing her eyes, and stretches. “Let’s go to bed, then.”
She gets out of the truck and takes my hand, quietly brings me into her parents’ house.
It’s pitch black, but she tiptoes her way around and leads us to her room. It’s nothing like I expected. Turquoise with white Christmas lights hanging down the wall behind her single bed. She has pictures on the wall by the door of her life. It’s cute seeing Auden throughout her years of high school. Millie sure grew into her looks. Sean looks the same, except for the beard and he’s a little more muscular now. I feel like I walked into who Auden used to be before meeting Frank.
Auden has built-in shelves with a little reading nook under the window. I can picture her sitting there as a teenager with a book in her hand and headphones on to drown out the world. I feel like I know everything about her just by walking into her room. Everything is so organized and clean that walking into my apartment must’ve been a panic for her. I’m a mess in life and in my home. I appreciate her overlooking it.
Her shorts fall, her t-shirt next, and it’s like she’s teasing me as she slowly takes off her bra and that sexy thong.
“You sleeping naked?” I whisper.
She toys with me. “Maybe.”
I get naked next, watching her walk on her knees on the mattress. She’s breathtaking in the moonlight and the shine of those Christmas lights. I’m going to ravish her tonight, no matter who’s in this house, they’ll get a free fucking show.
Her soft lips meet mine in a boast of ecstasy, we’re lost on what happens next. Our bodies roll around her bed until we’re in a position we want to stay in and the passion begins. We make love before we call it a night. And it’s not enough. Even when I’m kissing her and inside her I feel like I need more. Call it obsession, but again, she’s my everything.
We’re laying side by side. She’s facing me as I’m staring at the glow-in-the-dark stars on her ceiling. Reminds me of Heath’s room.
“You’re amazing,” I whisper, taking her hand and kissing it.
She giggles quietly. “So I’ve been told.”
“We’re unofficially together,” I say, moving her hair behind her so I can see that perfect neck. “Should we make it official? I want you to call me your boyfriend.”
“Then I’ll call you my boyfriend,” she says, smiling. “Much better than my fuck toy.”
“Wait, I kind of like that,” I say, chuckling. “‘Auden’s fuck toy’.”
She giggles. “Auden’s orgasm maker?”
“Auden’s sex machine.”
“Unofficial vibrating dildo?” She stifles her laugh.
“Auden’s poker stick? No, that one doesn’t work,” I say, putting my arm above my head.
She giggles again and exhales, adjusting her head on the pillow we’re sharing. I wonder what she’s thinking. I love hearing about her life, her stories are hilarious, especially when she starts to laugh at something I don’t understand during her reminiscing. The sound of her voice is soothing enough to calm my scattered mind. Denny being back is eating away at me. I’ll have a constant paranoia whenever I’m out and about. I don’t want her to worry, either.
She pokes my armpit. “You have such hairy armpits compared to your chest.”
I marvel at how easy it is to forget life when she’s around. “What am I supposed to do? Shave them?”
“No.” She giggles, poking my armpit again. “I like your hairy armpits.”
“Don’t poke me,” I say, twitching and putting my arm down. “I’m very ticklish.”
“Good, because I’m a very good tickle monster.” She laughs. I turn onto her, kissing her lips before the thought of tickling me crosses her mind. It’s too late, she digs her fingers into my ribs and I let out a laugh, trying my hardest to stop her.
I don’t notice how loud we’re being until her bedroom door opens and her mother walks in. She clears her throat and I look over my shoulder with a grin, slightly embarrassed.
“It’s past midnight,” she says, her voice raspy. “Go to sleep.”
Auden apologizes with a giggle. “Sorry, Mom.”
“No sleeping in, either. I’m making breakfast and we’re bringing boxes to your new place by ten,” she adds, shutting the door.
I push my lips together, staring down at Auden. I’m embarrassed, but I don’t think she is. “Should I have apologized to your mom?”
“No, this isn’t the first time she’s walked in on me. I told you, we’re open about sex around here—well, not open that getting caught is normal, but you get the gist,” she says, bopping my nose. “We should get some sleep.”
“We should, but I think you should know how much you mean to me first,” I whisper.
“More than breathing?”
I kiss the tip of her nose. “Definitely.”
“I really like you, too, Storm,” she whispers, caressing my face. “Now get some sleep and I’ll smother you with kisses in the morning.”
“Mm, can’t wait,” I say, kissing her once more before we settle into a comfortable position.
I can finally rest easy knowing she’s beside me.