‘I liked it. But maybe I should think about…’
‘What?’ I ask when she says nothing.
‘You know. So we don’t have to worry about protection. Maybe I… should think about going on the pill.’
I run my fingers across her hairline. This feels like a serious conversation. Something else I never really had with a girl before.
‘I’ve never… I mean I always suited up before. You’re sure? Puts all the responsibility on you.’
She looks unsure and lets go of my hand. ‘I mean, unless this is just a temporary thing… in which case—’
‘Temporary, my ass,’ I say, pulling her back in close to me. ‘Did you not hear me when I said exclusive? So, yes. If you’re happy, then so am I.’
I kiss her, real slow. ‘I’m happy,’ she whispers, and we stay entwined like that, all sweaty, ’til we drift off to sleep.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Hollie
A heatwave rolls into Canyon. It’s thick and oppressive and it’s all anybody can talk about. I drive out to Rapture after work. These last couple of weeks, temperatures have risen across the region to thirty-seven degrees Celsius, or ninety-seven Fahrenheit. At Sunset Pines, some of the air-conditioning units aren’t working so, accompanied by Nabila, I went to the superstore to buy several fans for the residents.
When I get out of the car at Scotch & Smoke, AJ walks toward me, shirtless, a grin on his face, wearing only a pair of sand-colored cargo shorts and tan workmen’s boots. I catch a glimpse of his underwear at his waistline. I still get a buzz, knowing that a man who looks that good with his shirt off ismyboyfriend. I hear Balthazar’s whistle when AJ pins me up against my car door and kisses me as though nobody else is watching. AJ has developed a habit of doing that in public, and it never fails to make me blush as I wind my arms around his neck. He doesn’t seem to care now, if people know we’re a couple. Apart from the people who matter, that is, who are still in the dark about our relationship.
‘How was work?’ he whispers, keeping his mouth close to mine.
‘Sweltering,’ I say, touching his chest, which is tacky with sweat. ‘Three of the AC units have packed up. I’m trying to read to a bunch of very hot and bothered senior citizens. I ended up spending an hour fanning Mrs Lazenby with a magazine because everybody else was sat around the pedestal fans. I swear, that whole place is falling to pieces.’
‘I’m sure she appreciated the gesture.’
‘She didn’t look happy.’
‘Come on,cutie patooties!’ I hear Nicole’s voice sing at a distance. ‘Are we rolling?’
AJ lets me go and I glance to my left. Nicole is standing in a pair of ripped denim Daisy Duke’s and a bikini top, holding onto a motorcycle helmet.
‘You bring your bathing suit?’ AJ asks me.
I nod, biting down on my bottom lip. ‘Got my bikini on. Where are we going?’
AJ takes me by the hand and walks me toward his motorcycle, handing me my helmet. ‘We were gonna hit the seashore, but word is it’s hella busy. So, we’re goin’ to the river instead. We know a good spot.’
‘All right, finally!’ I hear Chase groan tersely when he sees me from inside his truck. ‘Can we fucking go now?’
We ride east of Rapture, through the remnants of its decrepit streets to the open road. We follow Chase’s truck as it kicks up dust under a cloudless blue sky, the late afternoon sun still warm on the back of my shoulders. I ride on the back of AJ’s bike and Nicole rides with Balthazar. I admire her confidence as she lets go of him, throwing her arms out wide like she’s a bird. At times, AJ takes one hand off the handlebars and places his hand over my arm, stroking his fingers over my skin.
It’s moments like that when I know I’m in love with him. That my high school crush has grown and evolved into something else, something deep and heartfelt, and I can’t help but wonder if he feels the same way about me.
The landscape changes the further east we travel from Rapture. We move inland, where the roads are narrower and the landscape greener. We climb over a small hill before descending into a shallow valley, then along a series of narrow dirt tracks. Chase parks up when he can go no further, just as the riverbank comes into view. We park the bikes inside a small clearing; the floor covered with dried leaves and twigs.
Nicole hands out sunscreen. AJ rubs some on my back while Balthazar and Chase bring a cool box out from the back of the truck. They lay some blankets out in a clearing, in the shadow of some trees.
And then we’re all diving into the water, cooling off, splashing one another. It’s possible to paddle in the shallow parts of the river, where the riverbed is lined with fine soil. In the deeper parts it’s possible to swim, with trees and shrubs lining the river on both sides. It’s peaceful. There’s not a soul around. I follow AJ as we swim further out, then I’m back in his arms, his fingers sliding underneath my bikini top, his thumbs brushing against my hardened nipples.
‘Hey,’ I giggle.
He draws me in for a lingering kiss, laughing a little against my lips. ‘Sorry. Can’t help it.’
I look over at Balthazar and Nicole, also eagerly making out, the reflection of the sun shimmering across the surface of the water. ‘So, I still don’t know,’ I say, my gaze drifting back to AJ, admiring the way water drips from his hair to his cheeks. ‘Are they on again?’
