That Time of Year

5-Long Ride Home

ALEX

My heart was going a million miles a minute. Why was I so nervous? I looked over briefly at Nat. God, she looked so good. I slowed as I came to the first turn that, if you go right, took us home. And I went left. Nat's smile grew, "Where are we going?" I smiled and shrugged at her. She smiled more. About 5 more minutes down the road, I parked us at Cicle's historical park. It was known for one of the greatest forrests and it began here, in Cicle's heart. I remember Nat would say how cool it was to be here, and I always wondered. And now I could see. Great trees, its dark but peacefully dark. Like you're in some mystic land.

"I haven't been here in so long." She said to herself. I reached up to the ceiling of my truck, opening the sunglass holder and pulled out a pretty stuffed joint. Natasha's face looked shocked. "Wait - Alex, your sobriety."She said, serious. I shrugged, sighing. "Well, lucky for you, this drug isn't the one that gets me. And it isn't liquor." I stifled a laugh, but she still looked unsure. "I promise." I said, boldly rubbing her knee/lower thigh. I felt like I was in 10th grade again, my nerves were on fire with angst and excitement. She seemed to stiffen then relax at my touch. I got out of my truck and went over to the bed, pulling down the tailgate. I sat down and watched her watch me. "Come on, Nat." I ordered her, lighting the joint. She braced one hand on my leg and the truck, hauling herself up.I took a long pull from the joint. Woo, that felt good. Nat watched me as I handed it to her. She took it, mimicking my pull. She coughed some but seemed to have relaxed. We continued that for a little in comfortable silence.

"Alex," Nat's voice was so soft, I almost didn't hear her. "Yeah?" I had spaced and lost myself in the stars. I was stoned as hell. Smoking weed was never the favorite of mine, but I had to admit, it was a nice little relaxer. "What made you get right?" She moved her body toward me, tilting her head, ready to listen. "Hmmm," I thought. That was a deep one, "Well, when I was in the city, life was just hard. The female company I kept was less than morally good. And I was on drugs. Pills, drinking like crazy. Honestly, everytime I saw Dawson. I think the last time was after I had an accident at work. I fell off at a site. And it was so stupid..." I remember that same year, she had came home. She was crying in the bathroom. "And the Christmas you came home a few years ago... I just remember, even if you were Nat the Brat all my adolesence, you were always good. A good sister, daughter, friend... Woman, once I'd seen you with f**k-face for a bit. You're an amazing mother too." Her eyes were so wide at me. I kept on, becuase I couldn't seem to stop. "... And I remember when I said that you deserved more... I always promised to be the best man, because maybe then an even better man would come in and take care of the women in my life if I was being a good man too." Nat took a lazy hit of the joint. It was going out. I took it, hitting it a few more times and putting it out. s**t, what did I do.

NATALIE

I had to be drunk off my bum because why was my heart singing at Alex. He surely was not the same, lanky kid that would bug my friends and I when I was a kid. And he wasn't that person he was when he was spiraling out on drugs. "You're an amazing man. I believe you - like I said before - have always been, even during the times you didn't feel like it." He nodded, smirking at me. He reached up, stretching and bending his arms behind his head. God, I don't know where all this mass on him came from. He was like a whole other person. "You're actually fun to hang with, Alejo!" I jokingly pulled at his shirt, near his stomach. He felt like stone. Thick and strong stone. My neck was hot. I felt flushed, even in this cold. Now I was cold! God I was everywhere right now. "Come on, let's get in the car." My head rang! Oh my goodness, last time I was told this, I got to 3rd base with David in highschool! I wouldn't do anything - not with Alex. I mean not because he didn't look good, he looked damned good. But it was Alex! "Sure," I said, awkwardly getting down and walking around to the passenger side. I got in and quickly started checking my breath. Gross! I smelled like I partied. I puked earlier too! There's no telling if I still stink! Oh my god, oh my god. My panick froze as Alex opened the door and got in. He shrugged off his coat to reveal the bulging muscles in his amrs, ches and core. Dammit, he looks like a Calvin Klein model, maybe even better! He sat it on the middle seat/consel, leaning in on his elbow, "Nat-..." He began and I don't know what came over me but I kissed him! I closed the rest of the distance. Alex was frozen at first. I let my lips melt into his, giving slow and soft kisses. f**k, he smelled like man! If there was a sultry and ruggish smell to 'man', Alex was perfect for example. He was still frozen. I pulled away the slightest, looking at him. He cleared his throat, "Wow, Nat. That was -..." He was stunned? "I just thought I'd beat you to the punch.' I said, sitting back some. "The punch?" He asked. I nodded, "You told me to get in the car and you - you leaned in..." I felt the overwhelming feeling of embarassment. Because, dipshit, he actually meant to just get in the car! I thought. "Let's go." I said. Alex looked concerned. He oughta be! I just kissed on him and all he did was say get in the car. Maybe it was wise I was in a relationship for so long because if it were that easy...! "Nat," He said again. "Yeah, I gotta get home. Gotta be up early for a delivery." I said, not looking at him. "Okay." He started the truck and we reved off toward home again.

"Natasha." Alex said a few times, and I would go on a tangent of something else. I think he knew I was embarrassed or he was also mortified his bro's older sister just kissed him! Maybe he wasn't as mature as I thought. Would he tell? God! I wish this had an extra gas pedal I could put to the metal! At this rate it was going to take forever to get home.

We pulled up the long drive. I checked the dash clock and it read 1:52 am. "Thanks, Alex." I opened the door, executing my stumbly escape! "Nat, I can help you in if -," Alex began, and I closed the door on him talking. Oh my god! How embarrassing! What aree the f*****g odds, I'll tell ya, HUGE! If you just kised your brother's childhood friend. I watched them grow together! He's younger than me, I spooked him senseless and now he was being nice because of - Oh no... I kissed one of Dawson's friends! And he's probably only being nice so I don't tell him! I felt like I was covered in tomatoes that were just thrown at me! Big foul. I hurried to my little house and entered, locking the door behind me. Whew!