He hesitated a moment. “I need to come clean. I hope you won’t be angry with me.”
“What is it?”
“Do you remember the first time you caught me smoking, and I told you I don’t do it every day?” he asked. “Generally, I only smoke when I’m stressed or upset. At the beginning of camp, my ex was driving me barmy. I needed to be alone, to think and unwind. But then you showed up and everything got better. You listened to me, and because of you, I was able to do something I was never fully able to do with anyone else—express and share my feelings. Talk things out.” He chuckled. “Listen to me, I’m evolving before your very ears.”
I smiled and Teddy continued, “I was running across the soccer field and had trouble catching my breath. I decided, no more cigarettes. But that night in bed I thought,Idiot! No smoking means no Lori.Smoking became an excuse for me to enjoy your lovely company.” He reached across the table and took my hand in his. “I swore that night I’d meet you anytime, anywhere.”
I laughed. “That’s funny and sweet. I don’t want to smoke either.” I wrapped my other hand around his. “Can we stop and still meet every night?”
“Perfect. I need to keep my body healthy, so I can do my job and still have the energy to properly shag you into our old age.”
My body was covered in goosebumps. I was simultaneously thrilled that he planned on screwing me for the rest of my life and scared that he planned on screwing me for the rest of my life. From every angle, I was screwed.
“Truth. Honesty. From now on, you and me, always.” I stuck out a finger. “Pinky promise.” We hooked pinkies as he ogled me from across the table and took our entwined fingers in his mouth. I pushed my half-eaten plate away and pulled him to his feet, heading for the stairs.
Teddy grinned. “What about dessert? I bought you pie and ice cream.”
“Bring it.”
The sun woke me as it peeked through the windows. My head was on Teddy’s chest, his arms securely around me, his eyes closed. I wondered what I expected to get out of our time together. My vision was short-term, blurred by the idea of sex with Teddy, an athlete, a jock, the kind of guy who’d never given me a second glance in high school. Was my fantasy over, or had it just begun? The reality of our fling, who was I kidding, our affair, far exceeded my expectations. Now it was hard to see my life without Teddy in it. At the same time, I couldn’t picture my life without Ronnie in it.
What I’d thought would be a summer thing—what happened at camp stayed at camp—was morphing into so much more.
We were up early, cleaning, throwing our things together. No more lazing in bed. Teddy’s day started earlier than mine; he had to be at the Bergers’ morning meeting where he’d be briefed about what happened while he was off cavorting with me. I didn’t have to show up until breakfast. The plan was I’d wait fifteen minutes while he jogged back to camp, then I’d drive over and meet my coffee klatch.
He leaned against my car, his hands on my ass. I felt like I was in high school dating the captain of the football team,Americanfootball. The fact that we wore sneakers, shorts, and T-shirts only added to the vibe.
“Thank you for bringing excitement back into my life,” Teddy said.
“What does that mean exactly, you know, for us?”
He held my gaze but didn’t answer right away. “I guess, well, considering our circumstances, it means that when the summer’s over, so are we.”
Disappointment and relief flooded my senses simultaneously. “Then we’ll have to make the most of our time together.”
“I’m already thinking about the different ways I want to make love to you next week.”
It was a good thing Teddy was holding me because my knees went weak.
I watched him walk away, no swagger, looking like a half boy, half man in his soccer uniform. He glanced over his shoulder knowing full well I’d be checking him out, and he gave me that look, that look that made me blush. He took my breath away. I had to lean against the car for balance.
I was in deep. I turned the key in the ignition and thought,Let the lying commence.
Reluctantly, I drove back to camp. I needed to focus on the day ahead and let go of the erotic time I’d had with Teddy. If anyone asked how my time off was, I’d say it was relaxing and I’d spent most of it in bed. This way I’d keep my fibbing to a minimum.
Abby, Maggie, and Roger were in their usual seats sipping coffee.
“Anything interesting happen while I was off?” I poured myself a cup and joined them.
“Drama free,” Abby said.
“Zelda and Hazel good?” I asked.
“I had them both in the studio yesterday. They were enjoying themselves. I don’t think they realized you weren’t here,” Maggie said.
I was back into the mundane, but things were never going to be the same.
At breakfast, I walked around the Cubs tables to say hello.
