I reach above me to the hanging rack over the shower head and pluck out a teal bottle of conditioner that reads “Deep moisture.” My mind immediately goes to another type of deep moisture, and my dick moves involuntarily.
“I think he misses me,” Melanie giggles, looking down at my throbbing cock.
“He’s not the only one,” I say. I give her a gentle nudge so she’s forced to take a step back, and I squirt the conditioner in my hand. “Spin,” I command. Melanie does as she’s told.
I gather her hair, smoothing the conditioner through it. Then I reach for the loofah and the body wash and lather it up, gently washing her back. She spins around, her breath catching, as if she’s overwhelmed by the tenderness of my touch.
“Josh,” Melanie says, and it catches in her throat.
“Hmm?” I ask, taking some suds from the loofah into my hand and rubbing my hands down her arms, over each breast, her nipples pebbling under my touch.
“No one has ever taken care of me like this,” Melanie whimpers.
“You don’t need to worry about that anymore,” I murmur, pulling her close. “I’m here now.”
Melanie melts into me and we stay like that, covered in Dove body wash, the water running cooler between us, for several minutes before I realize Melanie is softly crying.
“Hey, hey, that’s not supposed to be happening. What’s wrong?” I cup her cheek, forcing her to meet my gaze.
Melanie sniffles. “I’m just…I’m just thinking about how this can’t last forever. The summer will end, you’ll be gone, and I’ll be all alone again.”
I swallow the knot that forms in my throat, hesitating before I reply. I stroke Melanie’s cheek, brushing away a tear that’s hotter than the water we’re under. We haven’t even had the chance to talk about what’s next for us. I faltered earlier this week when I called her my girlfriend. I know it’s something we need to talk about, but she was so sick, I let it go. Things are getting serious now though. What initially felt impulsive now feels incredibly natural, as if Mel and I were missing from each other’s lives for the past couple decades and suddenly, we’ve picked up right where we left off. Only now, we get to do it for real—as adults.
“Hey,” I say, finally. “I know we haven’t talked about what comes next, and we will when you’re better.”
Melanie nods, swallowing more emotion, but she doesn’t reply.
“I know one thing, though,” I say softly.
“Yeah?” Melanie looks up at me. “What’s that?”
“I know I don’t want to lose you. I can’t go back to the way things were before,” I murmur, pulling her close again.
“Me neither.” She shivers into my chest.
I kiss the top of her head. “Ugh,” I say, wiping my mouth. “Conditioner. Let’s get you out of here before you get the chills.”
I rinse her hair, our bodies, and I climb out first so she can stay in the warmth. I reach above the toilet and pull down the fluffiest towel, holding it open for her to step into, then I grab one for myself. We dry off in silence before I hurry her back to her room.
“Quick, get under the covers,” I tell her. “I’ll dig you out clothes.”
When Melanie is dressed, I tuck her in and tell her I’ll be right back.
I pull on a pair of joggers, forgoing a shirt and reappear a moment later with a bundle of notebooks in my arms. I’d found them a few days earlier while Melanie slept.
“What’s that?” Melanie furrows her brow.
“I found our notebooks.” I grin. “Want to read some?”
Melanie giggles. “I’d love nothing more.”
I pull back the covers and climb in next to her, adjusting my pillows so I’m propped up.
“Okay…” I begin, picking up a blue composition book with our signature “J+M” etched in the corner. We thought we were so inconspicuous. “In no particular order.” I clear my throat, flipping to a page.
“Josh, I think Cara knows. She told me if I ever hurt you, she’d hate to have to beat me up. Did you tell her?” I read the note in my girl voice, making Melanie quietly laugh.
“Oh my gosh. I remember that one. That’s when I started to feel like we should tell her for real. We were hanging out and doing it in my bedroom literally every day.” Melanie turns on her side so she’s looking at me. “Read another one.”
