Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
REAGAN
“Sorry about that.” I look over at Drew as we pull out of the parking lot and head to a coffee shop in the next town over. Neither of us wants to deal with the CTU or Durham crowd speculating, so we are driving farther for more privacy.
He smiles, and it turns into a chuckle. “You have nothing to apologize for, beautiful. I know your brother and fully expected him to push back. It’s like I told you earlier, I’m not afraid of a fight.
If I have you right now, I don’t care about the rest.” Typical Drew Cole confidence shows on his face.
Pulling into the coffee shop, I go to get out, and Drew is right by my door waiting with his hand out.
I take it, and he helps pull me to standing.
His hand lingers in mine for a little longer, and I can feel a little excitement in me build.
I take a small step back, and our hands unclasp.
I can’t rush anything, and I think Drew sees it because he doesn’t push like I expected him to.
We walk in and go to the counter to order. Drew pays, and we both thank the barista for our drinks before choosing a booth in the corner to sit down. I don’t really know where to start, so I hope Drew will take the lead here. Thankfully, he does.
“So, Rea Rea, tell me what you’ve been up to for the past four years?” He has a grin on his face.
“Could you be any vaguer?” I say with a laugh.
His eyes go to mine, and he gets serious. “Well, I want to know anything and everything, so you start wherever you want.”
Swoon, right?
“Well, I’m graduating in May. I’ve spent the last four years studying business with a minor in sports marketing.
I’m applying for graduate school this spring.
I want to get my master’s in sports administration and be an athletic director one day.
” I take a breath after that, realizing I probably said way too much at one time. Drew is studying me with admiration.
“That is incredible and not surprising in the least. I always knew you’d find a way to make sports your career.” I smile at him, a genuine smile.
Drew and I spent a lot of time together during our final two years of high school. That is when my feelings for him really grew, because I thought I was getting to know the real him. However, when everything went down, I felt like such a fool.
He shocks me with what he says next. “Honestly, I am glad we didn’t start anything in high school. I felt overwhelmed by my mom and didn't feel good enough for you. I’m still not good enough for you, but I want to be. I want something real. With you.”
“Drew, I can’t make any promises…”
“I get it, but I want you to know that I am in this all the way. We can go slow, but just know this is real for me. I won’t pressure you.”
“Drew, I don’t really know what to say. I do want to get to know you better. The Drew right now, not Drew the NBA prospect or the high school Drew. The real you. Tell me about him.”
He shoots me another smile, and man, he really is gorgeous.
“That right there, what you just said, is exactly why I’ve always liked you.
You care about the person, not the persona or image that the world sees.
As for me, basketball runs things. You know that.
But I’m getting my degree in sports marketing.
If basketball doesn’t pan out or last long, I still want to keep myself close to the game. We are the same that way, I think.”
I just nod, smile, and let him continue. Drew Cole isn’t really who others think he is. Slowly, my walls are crumbling, but I don’t know if I’m ready to let him all the way back in yet.
Drew pulls into the parking lot outside my apartment a few hours later. Jordan let me know that he would be late, so Drew offered to bring me home. We are having a great time, and it feels like it did in high school. Our time has been full of laughter and comfortable conversation.
Turning the car off, he gets out and comes around to open my door. As I step out, he closes it, and then I’m caged between his arms, back pressed against the passenger window. It feels intimate.
Is Drew Cole going to kiss me? Sixteen-year-old Reagan would be giddy knowing this was happening right now.
“I had a great time with you, beautiful,” he says softly, and I see the desire written all over his face as he looks down at my lips and then back up to meet my eyes.
“Me too, Drew.” I lick my lips, and apparently, he likes that.
“Tell me I can kiss you, Reagan,” he says, and I freeze. Do I want him to kiss me? Yeah, I think I do.
I nod. “You can kiss me.” He dips his head and presses those soft lips to mine.
I apply a little pressure to kiss him back, and he takes it as a sign to keep going.
He puts his hand on the back of my head and pushes the kiss deeper.
Sparks ignite between us, and we stay like that until he slowly pulls back with a smile lighting up his entire face.
“I’ll text you later, okay?” I nod. And with a small kiss to my cheek, he walks over to the driver’s side of his car. Starting it up, he looks at me, and I smile and wave. He does the same, and then, he’s gone.
I stand there for a moment, my mind racing. I just kissed Drew. The boy who got away is the man who just put his mouth on mine.
Opening the front door, I go to the couch and pull my Kindle out of my purse.
I read for about twenty minutes before I hear Jordan opening the garage.
He walks in, and without a word, we eat dinner.
I know he isn’t happy with my decision today, but I’m not ready to discuss it.
We will, though. It’s a fight in the making.
I clear the dishes and head straight up the stairs to my room. A message from Drew sits waiting for me. I open it with anxiety taking over my body.
Drew
That was even better than I ever imagined. And trust me, I imagined it hundreds of times. I want to see you again soon. Sweet dreams, beautiful girl.
What is noticeably missing is my nightly text from Riggs.