“What are you doing?” I ask, though it’s obvious. Mostly I want to know why. He doesn’t seem interested in helping without getting something in return, and fixing the cracks in the parking lot wasn’t part of that deal.
“I really don’t feel like dragging your busted car out of the cracks again,” he says as he wipes the road tar from his hands onto his jeans. He’s dirty from working. I imagine him walking into the shower, water glistening over his strong, naked body.
I shake my head to rid myself of the thoughts. I haven’t been able to stop lusting after him since the time we spent together. He’s stuck in my head and I have a feeling I’m not going to be able to get him out of there for quite some time, if ever.
“Thank you,” I say.
He winks at me. I look away so he can’t see me blush.
I help him finish with the cracks. There’s more to be filled other than the one that wrecked my car. By the time we’re done the sun is high above our heads, beating down on us. I feel it blistering the scalp of my hairline and making me exhausted. We’re both covered in dirt and grime and my clothes stick to me, but not in a sexy way.
“I feel disgusting,” I tell him. “I need to get cleaned up.”
“Follow me.”
He walks away before I have time to respond, so I follow him. He walks into the woods behind the bar. We follow a trail through the trees until we reach the creak. There’s a watering hole where all of us used to swim as kids.
Being here again brings up so many memories. The rope swing in the tree just off shore is there still, but frayed and dangerous-looking. I doubt anyone would be brave enough to trust their weight on it anymore. I remember the girls laying on the big rocks, sun bathing, the boys jumping off the taller rocks into the deep end and trying to dunk each other under the water. It was so much fun. I wonder if anyone still comes here. It doesn’t look like it’s used too often. The trail is almost non-existent and the plants along the shore are no longer trampled by bare feet getting in and out of the water, or towels being laid down.
I stare at Madden as he pulls off his jeans. His boxer-briefs fit him fantastically, showing off some gorgeous muscular legs. “The water is nice,” he says. “Take those dirty clothes off and come swim with me.” When I give him an apprehensive look he says, “You can keep your underwear on.” Then he laughs.
The water does look nice, and I’m burning up. Everything beneath my clothes feels swampy, and I would love to clean myself up and cool down. I look around making sure no one is nearby before stripping down into my bra and panties and rushing into the creek. The initial shock of the cold water is startling at first, but then I quickly get used to it and start to swim around. Feels like the fountain of youth. Being here reminds me of being a kid again. I lay on my back and let myself float to the surface. Madden bumps into me. He’s doing the same thing. He holds onto my arm so we don’t drift apart from each other.
We float like this for a long time, the sun warming our faces. This time the silence between us is perfect. There’s nothing awkward or uncomfortable. We’re just sharing and enjoying each other’s company. It’s good enough just being in his presence.
After a while he stands up, the water is to the middle of his chest. It’s significantly higher on me, reaching my neck. Even then I have to stand on my tip toes. He puts his hands on my waist and lifts me up so that I don’t have to strain myself. It’s a sweet gesture for someone who wishes to seek revenge. I think that’s what he started off wanting. I have a feeling he wanted me to fall in love with him so that he could reject me in turn. He wanted to devastate me and turn on me the way I did him. So he would have the last laugh. But I don’t think that’s necessarily what he wants anymore. I’d like to think, without the influence of others, his feelings are starting to change. There is an affection between us that sparked the instant we saw each other. I felt it and I think he did too.
Or maybe I’m wrong. Maybe this is all part of the plan. Maybe he has built his walls up so high that I can no longer get past them. Abe says he’s still the same sweet boy that he used to be. I hope he’s right and that I didn’t ruin him. I have to trust that. If I’m wrong and he breaks my heart, well, I guess I deserve that.