Chapter 31
HENRY
It’s almost pathetic how many times I’ve looked at the photos Maisie has sent me. Seeing her so confidently sexy in my sweatshirt sent so many dirty thoughts to my head.
I nearly hopped in my truck and drove back to her house to tear those red panties off her and wrap them around my cock and fuck myself to the view of her bare pussy.
I honestly don’t know how I’m going to manage getting through the rest of the day knowing I could have my face between her legs.
“Henry.” Miles’ voice ruins the daydream. “You could be an accountant with a finance degree, right?”
“Yeah.” I wipe the sweat off my forehead. “Why?”
“Just wondering… Anyways, I put all the bed frames in the rooms this morning, will you help me assemble them?”
“For sure, let me grab the tool box out of the truck,” I grab the keys off a makeshift table of plywood, “I’ll meet you upstairs.”
Nearly fifty bed frames and eight hours of sleep later, it’s a new day—one I’ve been looking forward to for what feels like forever.
Today is the day Maisie get’s to mark off another Fuck It List Item—Camping.
The last item we still have a rain check on, though.
I still think about that day a lot in my head.
Taking care of her and watching movies cuddled on the couch.
Hell, it felt like a date to me. Sometimes things happen for a reason and that day, I’m grateful it happened the way it did.
That was the day things changed between us. A mutual understanding that we weren’t meant to be friends, but more.
I talked to Elaine yesterday and am able to steal Maisie for the night until noon the next day—the perfect timeframe for a night of camping.
I spent the morning driving out to a bigger town to get all the camping supplies we need, and probably more than I should’ve. We’re just camping out by the small lake on Miles’ property but I still want to make it feel like we’re not just a few hundred feet from home.
I stood in the aisle with tents for way too long debating buying one or two of them.
In the end I ended up buying two just in case Maisie isn’t comfortable staying in the same tent as me, even though I hope she is.
The same internal debate happens when I question buying one large sleeping bag to share, or two smaller ones.
In the case that she wants to be alone, I buy two singles and also one meant for two people.
You can never be too sure, and I don’t want to assume.
Yesterday when I came home from work, I went out to the lake on the property to scope out the best area for us to set up camp. Even though I desperately wanted to nap, I wanted this night with Maisie to be perfect. I’d rather lose sleep now than have a lackluster camping experience.
The grass needed a little trimming so I found a Weedwacker Miles had laying around and used it to the best of my ability.
I found some firewood on my way home that someone was selling by the bundle on the side of the road. To my luck, Miles had some random bricks laying around that he no longer needed and I used those to create a fire pit.
I found some camp chairs Miles already had and thrifted some blankets at the second hand store in town that we can use to sit on, or do other things if I’m lucky, but I won’t push anything—I did come prepared with condoms just in case that does happen tonight.
To make the night extra special, I hung battery operated string lights across the trees. And of course I bought stuff to make s’mores and hot dogs with the approval from Maisie that she loves hot dogs.
To add one last touch, I found an old piece of plywood and some paint, then wrote “Maisie’s Campground” on it. I nailed it to a stake and stuck it in the ground next to where we’ll pitch the tents.
I worked until the sun set and I couldn’t see anymore, luckily the sun stays out later during the summer months. I know this isn’t a date but I want to make the night extra special for her, not only to mark something off a list but to really remember the memories… to remember me.
I need this to be perfect. I need her to know I’m here for her and I don’t plan to leave her.
We will find a way to make us work.
I try not to think about the fact that I won’t be here forever, an issue I’ll deal with later. I remind myself that at least I’m here now when I pull up to Maisie’s driveway.
The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen is running to me and jumping in my arms. Maisie is looking at me like I’ve hung the moon.
“I’m excited to see where we’re going camping!” I stay holding her as I walk her to the passenger seat. She’s giddy as I plant a kiss on her cheek and round the truck to get in the driver’s seat.
“It’s not far and not a real campsite, but you’ll understand more what I mean when we get there.” I reach over for her hand like this is something we do everyday. “I wanted to make it special and memorable for you.”
“I love surprises.” I feel her hand squeeze mine twice. “Thank you for making this summer one I won’t forget, Henry.”
Summer.
Another reminder that this summer is for Maisie and after it’s done, after she checks everything off her list, after I’m back home… it’ll be just a memory of our past.
But for now, I’m all hers and she’s mine if she wants to be.
I squeeze her hand back in response, afraid that if I speak, I’ll choke over the thought of this—us—not being forever.
Ten minutes pass by and as we’re about to approach the property, I pull over and grab a bandana from the glove box and tie it around Maisie, blindfolding her.
“Is this the moment where you blindfold the lovesick girl and take her out in the woods and kill her?” She giggles to herself.
“If you’re into chasing, I’m sure I can accommodate that.” I laugh. “But no, I need this to stay a surprise, so no peeking!”
“Will I get in trouble if I peek?”
Putting the car in park and leaning over I nibble on her earlobe and whisper in her ear, “Lots and lots of trouble.” I see her shiver and goosebumps noticeably form on her arms and legs.
I get out of the truck and make her stay seated where she is until I round the hood and can help her out. I open the door and take her hand in mine, guiding her to her feet. “Keep your blindfold on and hold onto my hand so you don’t trip. I’ll guide you and it’ll be worth it, I promise.”
She can’t see the smile on my face as I take her hand walking her through the grass and trees. The walk isn’t too far but part of me wants to throw her over my shoulder so she doesn’t have to do any work.
“I really think you’re kidnapping me,” she says as we arrive. I remove my hand from hers and step behind her, beginning to untie the blindfold.
“Would a kidnapper plan this?” I ask, fully taking the blindfold off.
I place my hands on her hips and rest my head on her shoulder. She gasps and claps her hands over her mouth before she turns around to face me. Instead of saying anything, she takes my face in her hands and kisses me so tenderly.
“Henry,” she breathes, “this is beautiful. You did this? For me?” Her eyes dart back and forth between mine, looking for something I’m not sure of.
“I want this to be the summer of your teenage dreams.” I brush her cheek with the pad of my thumb. “A summer you’ll never forget.”
I want to be someone you never forget, I almost say.