Finding My Way (Beaumont 4)

Our night continues with our friends. We dance, laugh and enjoy each other’s company. It’s nice to see everyone sticking around for this dance, knowing that it’s our last and in a few short weeks we’ll be graduating. I don’t want to think about that, at least not tonight.

After Josie and I are announced as prom king and queen we take our exit. I’ve been a patient man, but even my resolve is starting to waver. Too many times to count, my hands have found their way into the side of her dress and it’s taking every ounce of self-control to not find out how her dress is covering her breasts. However, when we get to the hotel, I’ll be finding out.

The limo drops us at the hotel. I hold her hand in mind, but feel her jitter. Is she nervous? This isn’t our first time, but it will be a night with no interruptions. No rushing. The first time we had sex with each other, we were both virgins. Our relationship was progressing and my horny teenaged self couldn’t keep my hands to myself or out of her pants. I rented a hotel room because I didn’t know where we could try and do it without getting caught. I was a nervous wreck and heaved my lunch before I picked her up. She brought her backpack with her and the whole time we were driving to the hotel I thought we were going to end up studying. I was pleasantly surprised when she took her bag into the bathroom and came out wearing lingerie. I knew in that moment we’d fumble through the motions, but figure it out soon enough.

We walk into the lobby hand in hand, not surprised to see other classmates here. A few offer us a chance to party with them, but we politely decline. I checked in earlier and set up the room. I don’t want prom to be a cliché, I just want the opportunity to peel this dress off of her. Had I known about it, we would’ve ditched slow dancing and went right to the Tango.

I open our room and allow her to enter first. The lamp is on in the corner, giving the room a soft glow. There are rose petals on the floor and bed with a bottle of champagne sitting on the nightstand.

The door shuts, the loud bang causing her to jump. I step behind her, my fingers dancing along her skin. I press my lips to her bare back before wrapping my arms around her.

“I know it’s not the Hilton, but I wanted to be alone with you for one night. I want us to be together without any interruptions or just some quick fuck in my truck. I don’t want to sneak around or have to muffle your cries with my mouth.”

Josie turns in my arms, her hands resting on my lapels. “Y

ou thought of everything.”

I shake my head. “I didn’t think about a change of clothes for the morning so we’ll be doing the walk of shame.”

“I’m not ashamed to be with you, Liam.”

I lean forward and ever so softly press my lips to hers. Her mouth parts and move with mine. Our tongues meet in a slow and tortured dance. My hand moves up and down her arms, to her neck and down her back. I can’t touch her enough. I pull away, hesitantly, and move into the room. I press play on the radio and music echoes throughout the room. I slip off my bow-tie and my jacket, resting them on the table. I undo my cuff links, followed by the buttons on my shirt. Josie stands there and watches, which is exactly what I want. I remove my shirt, leaving my pants on, but unbuttoned. I beckon her forward, she saunters as if she’s on a tether that I’m pulling.

“I want to take things slow, but I’m not sure if I can. Lately, I’ve felt like there’s a distance between us and I don’t know if it’s from me leaving soon or if it’s all in my head. Sometimes I feel like my world is going to blow up and I’m going to lose everything. But then I’m with you everything feels right. I can’t lose you, Jojo.”

She runs her fingers up and down my back before they rest on the waistband of my pants. “I’m not going anywhere, Liam. I know you’re under a lot of strain from your father about school, but I’m here, always. We can try to go slow.”

“I want to savor you.”

Josie nods, biting her lower lip. I run my thumb over her mouth before cupping her face and bringing her to me. My hands travel down her neck and to her shoulders. My mouth follows, blazing a trail on her skin.

“Jojo, how on earth is this dress staying in place?” I ask as I kiss the valley of her chest.

“Tape,” she says. I straighten and look at her. A smile creeps across my face. I bite my lip as I shake my head.

“Well then, by all means, let me unwrap my present.”

Chapter 18

In all my years at Beaumont High, I’ve never attended a party at the Appleton house. From what I’ve heard, they’re legendary. Candy Appleton is the youngest of four. Her older brothers are all off at college and have maybe even graduated by now. Growing up, the stories that have been told would put the stories in Playboy to shame. Most were told to me as a form of punishment. If you end up at their house you can kiss – insert whatever my prized possession is at the time - goodbye. I stayed away, mostly for fear that something would happen and I’d lose my scholarship. It also doesn’t help that Josie doesn’t like Candy, but I don’t like Nick and that doesn’t seem to stop Josie from talking to him.

Candy graduated with me a few short hours ago and while most of our classmates are still with their family, her house is bustling with action. I have a feeling it’s not just our classmates that are here. If her older brothers are home, it means the booze will be plenty and I for one, am eager to tie one on. It’ll be interesting to see whom I run into tonight and how much they’ve changed after a year or two in college. Maybe they can shed some light on the way I’m feeling.

I meander through her house, nodding at people I know. Bodies are pressed against each other; some are dancing and others are getting to know each other without talking. As I look around I notice that the people here aren’t my usual crowd. Only a few of my teammates are here, everybody else are people I’ve known for years, but haven’t really hung out with. Looking at them now, it makes me wonder why that was. I shake my head, knowing exactly why – Sterling. If it weren’t for Mason, I’d have no friends. Who the hell would want to be my friend anyway? I have nothing to offer them. You can’t party at my house or even come over. Why would anyone want to be friends with that kind of loser?

When I think about it, they don’t. Sure people are saying hi, they’ll talk to me and hang around me and according to some popularity vote with the yearbook, I’m the most popular guy in school, but I have no friends. I have Josie, Mason and Katelyn. That’s it.

I stand against the wall with a beer in my hand. I’m people watching. Looking to see how everyone interacts. Nick is in the corner talking to a brunette. Maybe that’s his Josie replacement. Short of actually kicking his ass, I’ve threatened him one too many times. I don’t think it’s too much to ask that he stays away from my girl, but apparently it is. He can’t seem to get it through his head that she’s mine. It’s not like we just started dating or we’re just having some type of fling. Two plus years together ought to stand for something. Nick claims he just wants to be her friend, but I’m not buying it.

I walk outside and check out the Appletons’ yard. Their set up is party central with a built in pool, pool house and trees offering privacy. I can only imagine what goes on back here. Rumor has it that Candy is a sure thing. I wouldn’t know. I’ve never been interested in her. I set my sights on one girl and she was receptive. I don’t regret spending all my high school years with her. Every single moment has been worth it.

The wind blows, but doesn’t cool down the air. Earlier today a storm rolled through making it impossible for us to have graduation outside. Instead, they packed us into the gym like sardines and forgot to turn on the air conditioner. It was stifling up on the stage with the bright lights shining down on us. I wanted to drop down behind the stage and leave. No one would’ve missed me, except for Josie.

Garbage cans are strategically placed every few feet, making the clean-up easy. I take a long pull of my beer and toss the empty bottle into the nearest can. I have no excuse not to get drunk tonight. I just had my last monumental high school occasion and my parents couldn’t be bothered to show up. To add to that my girlfriend is out with her family for what was deemed “Preston” only time. I think that’s what pisses me off the most, not being invited. I was just thinking about asking Mr. Preston if I can stay with them when I come home on breaks, but clearly this was a “you’re not welcome” memo.

I find a cooler and pull out another beer. The cold liquid does nothing to ease my anger. I’m pissed about graduation and everything that happened after. Josie and I weren’t able to sit together because the seating was done in alphabetical order, but I could see Josie from where I was. When her name was called, I stood and whistled, clapping loudly for her. She did the same for me and just like that we were free. Four years of high school and it was over with the calling of your name.

After all the pomp and circumstance was over, I found Josie outside with her family. Flashes of a fun-filled night sitting around a table with her parents, aunt, uncle and cousins ran through my mind. This was going to be the best night even if we’re doing the mundane family thing. We’d be together and that’s all that matters. Except that’s not what happened. Mr. Preston, while apologetic, informed me in a roundabout way that this was a family event.