I realized that many of my so-called friends in New York barely knew which state I was from, much less the town. It popped up in articles here and there since it was so impressive that a small-town boy made it so big, but people forgot details most of the time.
People didn’t care about my past too much, just my success. Didn’t they realize that my past played a huge role in all of that?
Dad yawned first, signaling the end of the evening. Mom got him settled in bed after a long hug from Rebecca. The two of us did the dishes for Mom since she cooked so much food. We talked about dinner and my family. Rebecca looked happy tonight, but I sensed something more in her as she handed me dishes to dry. I wondered what would happen to her if she was left alone here.
Would Rebecca move with Kim? Would she spend time with my parents even after I left?
Something about that bothered me. Wasn’t I bitching about being here for so long just a few weeks ago, almost hoping for a reason to leave early?
We told my mother goodnight before leaving, and she gave us each a long hug goodbye. I led Rebecca out to the driveway, pausing as I looked around the land. It was cold, but I’d grabbed a jacket before leaving. Rebecca was bundled up as well, and I glanced at her. “Are you cold?”
“A little, but I like the fresh winter air.” She smiled as she glanced at me. “Is it like this in New York?”
The name of my home left a bad taste in my mouth for a moment. “It’s frigid sometimes in the winter. Beautiful, though. Mom liked it when she first came to visit me because it was so different. There was always somewhere to go and something new to see. I spoiled them every trip, but I could tell she missed the things we did here after a while.” I smiled at her. “The Christmas tree there is beautiful and so big. I think you’d like ice skating as well. We used to do that at the mall in Dallas. Remember?”
“How could I ever forget all of you boys tearing around it with pucks and sticks like y’all were going to join the pros the next day?” Rebecca laughed and shook her head.
“There is a team there now. I wonder if any of the kids from here made it.”
Rebecca shook her head. “As far as I know, you’re the only local kid who made it out there. Others left, but you don’t hear much about them once they’re gone. It’s all about you… You’re the star,” Rebecca told me as she met my gaze. There was so much in her eyes. I longed to reach out and pull her close to me again.
“I don’t think so,” I told her in a low voice as I moved one step closer to her. “I just worked hard.
”
“I know. I would never say otherwise.” This time there was pride in her eyes, and I smiled down at her. “I am so proud of you, even if I don’t understand the need to move there, of all places. Our dreams were different, but I am always going to be proud of you.”
We stayed out as long as we could stand it, looking at the bright stars against the dark sky that was dotted with clouds. The moment I noticed her shivering, I tucked Rebecca into the car to get her home.
Chapter Fourteen
Rebecca
The drive home was silent. I fidgeted in the comfortable seat. Something flowed between us since that kiss. I felt it all night long and felt distracted by Austin as I glanced over at him.
He was gorgeous. I smiled and looked down, feeling nervous being alone with him. It brought me back to the first date when he pulled up in front of my parents. I wondered if he was going to kiss me goodnight.
Tonight, we were adults on our own. He was taking me to the same house, but everything else was different. Dark buildings flashed by me. I got more worked up inside with every mile. I knew what I was feeling inside; what I wanted. I just couldn’t tell him all of that. I just wanted to feel a little of Austin tonight to get me through the nights when he was gone.
He parked in my driveway and opened the door for me. I loved when he took my hand to take me to the front porch. He leaned back against the door to stare into my eyes. I never wanted a man more as I gazed back at him.
“Thanks for taking me over there,” I whispered.
He held my hand tight, lifting it to his mouth to kiss my skin gently. “I’m glad she asked you to come. They loved having you over again.”
Austin smiled and moved his hand around my back to pull me against him for a long, sweet kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled his face closer to mine. We both moved to deepen the kiss as the cool wind picked up around us, lost to the sensation of our tongues dancing together under the light of the porch.
I clung to him, and he kissed me again, moaning softly against my mouth.
“Come inside,” I urged him before he claimed my mouth again in a hungry kiss.
“Keys,” Austin murmured.
I fumbled in my small purse for the key ring. I handed it to him, wrapping my arms around his waist as he unlocked the door and pushed it open. He walked us both inside before closing the door and turning the lock.
Austin pressed me against the door and kissed me roughly, pinning me with his hands around my hips. I felt the difference in his lips now and sensed the need that we shared. I pressed my body against his, tasting him as my hands ripped through his hair, soft and thick between my fingers.
I knew that I loved him as the kiss continued, but I couldn’t tell Austin that. This was just tonight, or for this visit at best, before he’d leave me again. My heart might break into even smaller pieces, but I couldn’t find the strength to push him away from me.