And here’s the thing: School was going to be starting in two weeks for me. That meant I only had two more weeks to see as much of Cane as I possibly could. Of course, I listened to my heart, because after those two weeks, I wouldn’t see him again for months. I couldn’t bear the thought of that.
My summer was quickly coming to an end, and there was something I needed more than anything.
I was sick of the foreplay and sneaking around. Yes, I knew it was wrong to want this so badly, and yes, the guilt trips still killed me, but there was something about Cane that kept me coming back for more. His presence never went unnoticed while he was around, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t deny the way my body reacted, even when I was just thinking about him.
I tried to stop it, I really did, but it was so hard.
He’d stopped touching me since we’d left the beach. He hardly even looked at me. I assumed his break-up with Kelly was really bothering him. I hadn’t seen her in weeks, and during dinner it was all Mom could talk about. She really liked Kelly and while she thought she was a good fit for Cane, I silently disagreed.
I’d continued to use Cane’s pool, but he’d come around less and less. I was sure it was on purpose. His guilt was fierce, too. The only way he could resist was if he wasn’t around me at all.
I was desperate. Truly, unbelievably desperate, so I did the only thing a girl my age would have done: I sent him a text.
I told him something that would grab his attention right away—something he wouldn’t ignore, no matter how busy he was.
Me: Remember when you said you’d give me anything I wanted? I know what I want as my going-away gift.
I want you to take my virginity.
That was the message, and after hitting the send button, I felt like a damn fool. My throat went dry, and I dropped my phone like it was on fire.
“Oh my God,” I gasped. I couldn’t believe I’d actually sent that. It didn’t help that four agonizing hours passed, and I still hadn’t gotten a response. I had popped a bowl of popcorn and went down to Dad’s man cave again to watch movies, in attempt to forget I sent it, but it didn’t work. Every ten-seconds I would glance at my phone, waiting for it to chime.
Around 10:00 p.m. that night, eight hours later, his name finally popped up on the screen. I immediately pulled my attention away from the movie and snatched up my phone. My heart was racing as I went to my text messages.
His response:
Cane: Kandy, you can’t send me stuff like this. Choose something else. Something realistic.
I replied instantly.
Cane, please. It’s the only thing I want.
It will be the last thing I ever ask for, I swear.
He responded:
No.
I was beyond frustrated, but I was also Kandy Jennings, and I wasn’t a quitter. I had fourteen whole days to convince him. I could do it.
The next day, I packed my pool bag and jumped in my car, making my way to Cane’s house. I hoped he would be there, but of course he wasn’t. I entered an empty house, poured myself a cup of lemonade, and went out to the deck to sunbathe. I believe an hour passed before I heard voices bouncing around inside.
I lowered my sunglasses and saw someone pass by the windows. It was Cane, with his phone to his ear. The thrill sent my heart into overdrive; I could hear the beat of it in my eardrums.
Pushing out of my chair, I walked to the door, drawing it open and stepping onto the cool marble. I heard him in the kitchen and went there, but was surprised to see he wasn’t the only person around.
Cane looked my way, as well as a tall man with a blue polo and khaki pants. He had a bag of tools strapped around him, and was saying something about lights before he caught sight of me through the corner of his eye and stopped.
They both stared at me, and I took a slight step back. I was only in my bathing suit—a sky-blue one that made my boobs extra perky. I thought it would only be Cane around. Damn, this was embarrassing.
“Kandy?” Cane cleared his throat and moved around the man. “I didn’t know you’d be stopping by today.”
“Uh, yeah. I thought I’d make use of the pool today since I don’t have much else happening right now.”
Cane nodded, and then looked at the man. That’s when I realized he was ogling me—literally staring at me like a dog would stare at a piece of meat.