We hear laughing and shouts coming closer to us.Ryan and Chris were riding their bikes up the street and once they got close enough that we could hear what they were saying:
“Get a room!”
and
“Do you need these?”
Oh.My.God.They threw condoms at us.Are you kidding me?My face turns red, and I can feel the flush of embarrassment creeping up my neck.
“Dude!Get out of here with that!”Lee shouts at them as they ride away.He shakes his head, a little embarrassed himself.“I’m so sorry, Ellie, that was wrong of them.I would never…”
I interrupt him “I know you wouldn’t.I don’t think you’re like that at all.”
Another hand squeeze.I’m beginning to like his silent communication.
Chapter Six
LEE
21 years earlier
It’s January, the day before Ellie has to leave to go back home to Virginia.I beg my mom to bring me over to Steff’s house so I can see her one more time before she’s gone.It took a lot of convincing and promises to do chores for a monthandget all my homework done on time, but she finally took me.
I had never been to Steff’s without Ryan or Chris before, and even then, it was usually real quick while we picked her up to go out.So, the first hour I was there was spent with all of us hanging out and Steff showing me around her house.We listened to music, and I met Ellie’s dad and her brother.He plays the protective older brother well and tried to intimidate me.I let it slide at first because we’re the same age, so it wasn’t like he had a one up on me or anything.I was okay with him until he pissed me off.
I grabbed him by the arm and took him outside on the patio.He thought I wanted to fight, “Dude, I don’t know what your problem is with me.”I said to him.
“Don’t mess with my sister.She’s only thirteen.”
“I’m not messing with her.I really like her.”
“Dude, she’s only thirteen.”
“I know how old she is.I’m not even two whole years older than her and neither are you.”
“I don’t want you to hurt her.She’s never had a boyfriend before.”
“I don’t plan on hurting her, okay?”
“Okay.”
“We good then?”
“Yeah, we’re good.”
Once he got the hint that he wasn’t going to scare me away, we got along, and everyone went outside to play basketball.
Steff’s uncles and older cousins were all there, so we had time to hang out without everyone’s eyes on us and Steff even offered to take Ellie’s brother out to the mall, so he wasn’t there to bug us the whole time, and we could have some time alone before I had to leave.
We were sitting on the couch watching something – I don’t know what, I wasn’t actually paying attention to the TV.I had my arm around her waist, skimming my fingers just underneath her purple sweater.
“Are you ok?”I ask.
“Yeah.”she nods.
Her uncle comes into the room and stops in front of us, squinting his eyes.
“Hands up, young man.”He says, pointing at me and I yank my hands up, hoping with all hope that he didn’t see where they were.He laughs and says, “Got my eyes on you, man.”Then he walks into the kitchen, grabs a couple of beers, and goes back out to the garage.
