Jones:I totally understand you have other plans. What time did you want to meet? I can be there any time after eight.
He had probably already moved on already. Went about his day and found something better to do that—
Charlie:How does nine sound?
Jones: That sounds perfect.
***
I couldn’t wait for the race to end. It wasn’t that I wasn’t having a good time, it was just that I had something more important I wanted to do. Someone I wanted to spend my time with tonight. A handsome boy with warm chocolate eyes and dark hair who’d sent me pictures all day of things he thought I would like. It started with that balloon first thing this morning, his iced coffee, his Jeep, a package of marshmallows, the radio station he was listening to with the Sam Hunt song “23” playing, and a six-pack of the hard cider that he had me try last night. I returned the favor by sending him pictures of my dirt bike, my racing helmet, and my racecar.
I was totally, one hundred percent, crushing on Charlie, and I hadn’t even known him for a full twenty-four hours yet.
Normally after a race, tonight I finished fifth, I would stick around and talk to my fellow drivers. Not tonight, though. I hurried home so I could shower, because I was covered in sweat and grime, changed into a clean pair of boxers, shorts, and a t-shirt, then rushed down to the beach.
I somehow managed to slip out of the house at eight fifty-nine. I hurried down the steps and down the sandy walkway that led to the beach, hoping I wasn’t going to be late. I prayed that Charlie didn’t think I was standing him up. What if he left? Mama had kept me busy all day, into the early evening before the race, and I swear it was because she knew I was going to meet him. Luckily, she had a date with Remington, which distracted her, and—
Charlie was sitting in the exact spot from last night. I stumbled over my own feet when I tried to slow down, but instead I tripped and face-planted into the sand, making a weird sound that sounded anything but human. More like a cross between a whale and a snoring dog. Very embarrassing actually.
“Shit, are you all right?” A hand landed on my shoulder.
I was so embarrassed. I was normally much more graceful than this.
I met his eyes as heat bloomed in my cheeks. “Other than my pride being hurt, I’m fine. I don’t think anything’s broken.”
“Here, let me help you.” Charlie grabbed my hand to help me to my feet. “I’ve been thinking about your eyes all day.” My belly clenched at his words. “About how beautiful they are.”
I had to physically stop myself from touching him again. Because I wanted to. Lord Almighty, I wanted to grab his thick biceps, his broad shoulders, crawl into his lap, and press my mouth against his. Find out what his lips tasted like. I let my gaze move over him in the moonlight. He was an absolute sight.
“Th... Thank you.”
“Come on, let’s go sit down. As you might have guessed from the picture, I brought more cider.” He grinned at me as he moved toward the fire.
Of course, I followed him. He could suggest we jump off a bridge, and I would do that. Go streaking down the beach? I’m your man. Charlie had me by the weenie, and he didn’t even know it.
“Thanks for the pictures,” I said the moment I sat down.
“Yeah, you liked those? I’m not much with a camera, but you said you were. How was your race? Sorry I couldn’t make it. My dad kept me occupied most of the day and early evening. I would have rather been with you.” Charlie handed me a bottle.
I nodded as the flavorful alcohol hit my mouth. “I got fifth place, but I didn’t crash.”Also, you occupied my brain the entire night, so it was hard to concentrate.
“Fifth is great, right? Congratulations!”
“Thank you.”
Charlie peeled the label on his beer before he spoke again. “You want to go swimming?”
“It’s getting dark. Aren’t you afraid of sharks?”
I was. I wasn’t the best swimmer. I got along fine in a pool, but it scared me to think of what might be out there in the ocean. Even if I had lived here my entire life.
He smirked. “I don’t think they will come this close, Jonesy. We won’t go out that far.” My skin prickled with heat at the nickname that slipped from his lips. “I’ll watch out for you.”
“I mean, I guess I could swim.”
I watched wide-eyed as Charlie stood and reached behind him to yank his shirt up over his head, leaving him in nothing but a pair of board shorts. I tried to keep my tongue from rolling out of my mouth. He looked like he spent hours in the gym. Biceps built with muscles, a stomach you could bounce a quarter off, and his skin was flawless. I took care of myself, but he made it look like it was his full-time job. I was still a kid, and I liked sugary junk food, like most American teenage boys.
“You going to sit there and ogle me or get in the water.”
