Cocaine Hearts

Chapter 9

After a few uncomfortable moments of silence, I mustered up the courage to address the events of the previous night. "So, are we going to talk about last night?" I asked, my voice slightly trembling.

"What about it?" he responded, his tone guarded.

Taking a deep breath, I gathered my thoughts. "I just need to know if your feelings for me were genuine or if it was just the influence of the shrooms."

A hint of vulnerability flickered in his eyes as he turned to look at me. "I actually like you. A lot," he confessed, offering a shy smile that sent a wave of relief coursing through me.

Curiosity piqued, I asked, "Where are we going?"

"It's kind of my secret place," he admitted, a touch of mystery in his voice.

I couldn't help but tease him, "Ooh, sounds romantic." The next few minutes were spent in comfortable silence, interrupted only by the sounds of a not-so-great pop song playing on the radio.

Eventually, we turned onto a dirt road, surrounded by trees, and drove for a couple more minutes before parking on the side. As we stepped out of the car, he reached for my hand, intertwining our fingers. "Come with me," he whispered softly in my ear.

I followed him down a narrow dirt path, grateful for his support as we navigated the steep hill without stumbling. Once we reached the bottom, a hidden beach revealed itself, nestled between towering trees and cliffs on all sides.

The water glistened with crystal clarity, while the sand, almost white in color, beckoned us to its shores. It was a sight of sheer beauty.

"Holy s**t, how did you find this place?" I exclaimed in awe, releasing his hand and kicking off my shoes, eager to feel the sand between my toes.

He shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't live too far from here, so I stumbled upon it a few years ago while exploring. It's become a special place for me since then."

"This place is incredible. So beautiful. Let's go for a swim!" I suggested enthusiastically, starting to remove my shorts and shirt.

A genuine smile spread across his face as he replied, "I have to admit, that does sound like fun." He kicked off his shoes and discarded his shirt, ready to embrace the adventure that awaited us.

I grasp his hand tightly, a surge of excitement coursing through my veins as we sprint towards the water. Anticipating a chilling temperature, I brace myself for impact, but to my surprise, the water is an inviting warmth, caressing our skin with a gentle touch. The clarity of the water allows us to catch glimpses of tiny minnow fish darting away in a swift motion.

We venture further into the depths, until I can no longer find solid ground beneath my feet. Sensing my vulnerability, Brandon wraps my legs around his waist, pulling me in closer, our bodies melding together effortlessly.

His voice, so soft and sincere, finds its way to my ear. "I like you a lot, and I really want to give us a chance," he whispers, his words igniting a fire within me.

Locked in a gaze with his mesmerizing golden brown eyes, I respond with a nod, feeling a profound connection forming between us. "I feel the same way."

In an instant, his lips crash against mine, a passionate urgency fueling our embrace. The hunger for each other intensifies, and I crave his touch, yearning for more. A pleasurable moan escapes my lips, only fueling his desire as I shed my inhibitions, discarding my bra and underwear, allowing the current to carry them away. Brandon follows suit, freeing himself from his own constraints, pulling me forcefully against him. The raw desire between us is palpable, as if we both possess an insatiable longing. In this moment, I surrender my heart and soul to his body, immersed in the throes of a passionate and fervent lovemaking.

***

As the hours tick by, we lose track of time in our secluded paradise, immersed in the joy of swimming and making love. An argument with my mom earlier has left me with a strong desire to escape the confines of my home, and I find myself yearning to spend an eternity here, nestled in the warm embrace of Brandon's arms on the sandy shore. His presence is a sanctuary, a peaceful haven that shields me from the world.

His voice breaks the silence, a comforting whisper that soothes my worries. "Everything will be alright. Let's just get through this week, and maybe this weekend we could plan a little camping trip, just the two of us," he suggests, his lips gracing mine with a tender kiss.

I respond, my voice barely more than a whisper, "That sounds like exactly what I need right now." I reciprocate his gentle kiss, allowing it to deepen, to linger.

He pulls away slightly, a question etched across his face. "So, is it official?" he asks tentatively, "Are you my girlfriend?"

"Yes, I am," I respond, a fluttering sensation of excitement settling in my stomach. He is an unexpected choice for me, but there's something about him that sets him apart from everyone else I've known.

His smile widens at my words, and he pulls me into a passionate kiss before gently helping me to my feet. "Let's grab some pizza, and then I'll take you home," he offers.

I sigh, "I wish I never had to go home."

His expression shifts to one of concern. "May I ask why you hate it there so much? Are your parents abusive?" he probes, genuine worry evident in his eyes.

"No, nothing like that," I quickly reassure him. "It's just my mom and my stepdad."

His eyebrows lift in silent prompt, "And how do you feel about your stepdad?"

I shrug, "Martin is okay. A bit goofy and nerdy, but he is kind and treats my mom well."

"Well, that's good," Brandon says with a warm smile as we finally approach his car, graciously opening the passenger door for me.

"Thank you," I respond gratefully, easing myself into the seat.

As he shuts the driver's side door and starts the car, Brandon glances at me curiously. "So, what about your father?" he asks, his tone gentle.

"Honestly, that's not something I want to talk about. Now or ever," I admit, my voice brimming with defensiveness. "I'm sorry, it's just a sensitive subject for me. He wasn't a good guy."

Brandon reaches for my hand, his touch soothing. "Hey, it's okay. You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to."

His patience is unfamiliar to me, but it strangely brings me comfort. The fact that he doesn't push the subject makes me consider opening up about what happened and who my father is. But the mere thought of speaking it out loud sends shivers down my spine.

I push those thoughts aside as we enjoy a pleasant evening at a small pizza restaurant, relishing each other's company. It turns out we have a lot more in common than I initially realized. We both have a love for Mexican food and a shared disdain for religion. We also discover that we are avid fans of "True Blood" and "Game of Thrones," which instantly earns him points in my book. It's a pleasant surprise to find someone with such similar interests.

Honestly, everything in my life has never gone as well as it is right now, and for some reason, that terrifies me. But being with Brandon makes me feel hopeful and pushes those fears to the back of my mind.

By eight o'clock, Brandon drops me off at home. As I walk through the door, I'm met with the sight of my mother and Martin waiting for me. My mother's eyes are red and puffy, a clear indication that she has been crying.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't mean to run off like that. It won't happen again," I try to explain, but she rushes forward and embraces me tightly.

"Oh, Miya, it's your father, Shane. He escaped from prison earlier today," she tells me, her voice filled with hysteria.