“Happy Anniversary, Lyric,” he tells me, one hand wrapping around my waist and the other pointing to the tree. I glance from the tree to Colt then back again. My chest squeezes and I step out of his embrace to run my fingers over the bark. A deep, heart-shaped design has been cut right into the middle of the tree with the letters C+L carved inside it.
“Colt,” I say his name, my lips wobbling, and I can’t stop my fingers from running over every groove and cut of our initials.
“Do you like it?” he asks, stepping up beside me again, his arms folding over my shoulders.
“I love it,” I tell him, breathing out a shaky breath while tears run down my cheeks. His arms pull back until his hands rest on my shoulders. Gently, he turns me to face him.
“Then why are you crying?” He chuckles, and I grin.
“Happy tears, Street, happy tears.” I lightly punch his chest. His thumbs swipe under my lashes, before cradling my cheeks and tipping my head back so our eyes meet.
“You know I’d do anything for you, right?” he asks, and I nod.
“I’d do anything for you, too.”
“Come with me to Alabama,” he says, eyes boring into mine.
“For college? Did you send in your application already?”
Colt nods his head, his eyes flaring with excitement, the same way they do before a big game. “I did. A lot depends on this season and obviously where my grades end up next year, but Coach says it’s a for-sure thing if I want it.”
“Oh my god, Colt!” I jump into his arms, my own wrapping tightly around his neck. “I’m so proud of you. That’s a huge decision.”
“So, come with me,” he repeats, setting me back on my feet. “I want you to be there. I can already picture picking you up fromyour Criminology or Psych classes and going out to a local wing diner after games.”
“Colt.” His name leaves my lips while my brain scrambles to answer. Have I thought about following him to college? Yes. Did I actually think it was something he wanted as well? No. I’m completely thrown. Alabama isn’t one of my top choices of schools, even though I know it’s his. The size of the campus alone freaks me out. I could do it, though, if I had him.
He leans forward, his forehead touching mine gently. “I love you, Lyric.”
My breath hitches in my throat while my lips form the biggest smile. “I love you, too.”
“Yeah?” He grins and pulls my body closer to his, those large hands settling on my hips. Biting my lip, I nod in response. Every bone in my body is a mushy puddle of love and giddiness right now.
“I’ll go with you,” I tell him, wrapping my arms back around his neck. Colt whoops before picking me up under my legs and spinning us in a circle.
“I promise you won’t regret it,” he tells me, our eyes meeting, his filled with promises, love, and so much heat.
“If I’m with you, there’s nothing to regret,” I answer honestly. Finally, after so many months, I can voice the feelings I’ve been harboring in my heart. All the emotions I can now identify make my soul feel lighter. The fact that Colt Street loves me and wants to be with me in the future is my wildest dream come true.
Our lips collide in a kiss full of passion, the intoxicated feeling of first love and the innocence of new experiences. Colt’s fingers dig into my hips and I feel him start to walk. I don’t bother asking him where we’re going or why we’re leaving. I can’t tear my lips from his. This connection between us right now is so new and fragile, another first in our relationship. His breaths are mine; my pulse beats only for him.
My feet don’t touch the ground again until we’re in front of his truck. My lips tingle, the sensitive skin around them feels puffy. Smug satisfaction ignites in my chest when I realize his are red and puffy as well. Without breaking eye contact, he pops open the passenger door for me. My brow quirks. “My curfew isn’t for another couple hours.”
“I’m not taking you home,” he answers, flames igniting in the darkness of his eyes. Colt closes my door and rounds to his side. The minute he’s inside the cab, he fires up the engine and we cruise out of town and head toward our neighborhood. His fingers find mine, pulling my hand to his mouth where he lays a gentle kiss on the inside of my wrist. Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” plays gently on the radio during the drive. Neither one of us speaks much, yet we never stop touching. If possible, I try to get as close as I can while also remembering we don’t want to crash. All I can think about is having his lips on mine and our limbs tangled around each other. Colt and I have been messing around and taking many of each other’s firsts since we started dating last year. My hands have slid over every muscle, dip, and surface of his chest and back. I’ve tasted him and he’s made a meal out of me. We haven’t crossed over into sex yet though. Mostly because I haven’t voiced being ready quite yet, and despite some other douchie guys in our school, Colt respects not crossing the line until I’m ready.
The drive feels like it lasts forever while also feeling like it went too fast. Colt parks his truck in his driveway, and I notice that the lights are out inside his house. I thank the stars above that my parents are away tonight at a parent/teacher social, and I’ll be home before them. Colt takes my hand and leads me up the front steps to the door where he takes out his keys and lets us in. The only light is a soft glow from the small light above the kitchen sink. It’s been years since I’ve been in Colt’s house. The last time being right after his mom’s funeral. He alwayspreferred to hang out at Zane’s house or mine. I also noticed at that time his father stopped coming home during regular hours, and when he was home, he was mean to Colt, not caring that Colt’s friends could hear everything that was said. I quickly understood that Colt was embarrassed and we never played there again.
Glancing around, I can see nothing inside has changed. It’s as if the past has never moved on from that day, except for the shrine of pictures on the mantel of Mrs. Street, and Alex playing baseball, Alex in his uniform, Alex and his group of friends from high school. Not one picture of Colt is displayed anywhere. His medals and certificates are not placed in any spot of honor. Swallowing, I grip his hand tighter. His eyes glance to mine, giving me a reassuring nod with his head as if he’s used to it. My heart breaks for him and all he’s lost. I make a vow that from now on all of Colt’s accomplishments will be celebrated by us.
Colt leads me down the stairs and into his room. Even though we’re the only ones here, he still slips the lock on his door. The minute he turns back to me, my body crashes into his, my legs winding around his waist. One of my arms wraps around his neck while the other cradles his head, my fingers sinking into his long locks, curling them around my fingers. Colt groans into my mouth and it’s the sexiest sound I’ve ever heard. I love that I make him feel that good.
His fingers skate over the exposed skin between the top of my jeans and where my shirt has ridden up, before sliding up my back and unclasping my bra. He takes us down to his bed, only breaking away to pull my shirt and scrap of lace over my head before dropping them to the floor. Straddling his lap, I grab the hem of his sweatshirt and rip it off of him quickly. His bare chest collides with mine and I startle from the heat contrast of our skin. Colt always runs hot and I always need him to warm me. We’re perfect that way.
Our eyes meet, silently communicating what our mouths are too busy to say right now. I move to stand between his legs while his hands impatiently tug down my leggings and underwear. My mind briefly touches on the fact that I’m completely naked in front of him for the first time before I hear his intake of breath. In the next second, my body is twisted so I’m underneath him, while he kicks his jeans off and onto the floor. I use my forearms to push myself back until my head touches his pillows. Colt’s body drapes over mine like a warm blanket, as he trails kisses over my skin that create a tinge of pink in their wake.
His hand slides between my thighs, two fingers easing into me, where I’m already aching for him. “You first, baby. I need this from you first.”
I don’t get a chance to answer before his lips are on mine again, stealing my air and taking my words. His tongue dances with mine while his fingers dip in and out, curling to rub in the place that will set me off. My body shudders under his touch, my hips lifting to grind against his hand. He groans, then his lips slide down my neck, kissing and biting before he nips at my earlobe. I shiver, the blood in my veins warming, while he continues making his way down my body. When his mouth closes around my clit, he hums in his throat, the vibrations instantly tipping me over the edge. My torso lifts from the bed, thrashing and clenching down on his fingers, while he holds me still.
