The Summer We Lied

Chapter Seventeen

I pace around my room and nervously think about Matt and I spending a whole night together. Would it be awkward? Would it be like I imagined? Maybe I'm just overthinking everything.

I already shaved my legs, flossed twice and picked through my wardrobe for a cute pair of PJs.

I am panicking way too much. Probably nothing would happen. Matt and I haven't done anything s****l ever since Daniel almost walked in on us that night. It's not such a big deal if we don't do anything.

I stop and take a deep breath. I know Matt. It's not like he's a stranger. I can handle this. I pick through my underwear drawer and settle on a pair of black boy shorts and a matching black lacy bra.

It's the sexiest pair of underwear I own. And then I pull on my sangria skater dress on top and my sneakers.

I tie my dark hair into a loose ponytail and grab my backpack before going downstairs.

Mom and dad are at the table sorting through some envelopes. My mom has her reading glasses in her hand and my dad is carefully focusing on each letter.

Daniel is on the couch watching some action movie. As I stand there, the guilt sets in again. I feel like I'm betraying him in some way. Like I'm spending time with his best friend when I know I shouldn't. I just hope that I won't regret anything.

"Mom I'm going to be spending the night at Kylie's. Is that, okay?" I ask.

My mom nods and looks up at me. "Sure, but Daniel should at least drop you off."

"That's okay," I say, quickly. "I was planning on just taking a walk there."

"Are you sure?" Daniel asks, tipping his head back to look at me.

I grip my backpack tightly with sweaty palms and look at him. "Yeah, it's cool."

He turns back to the tv screen and my parents are looking back down at the envelopes.

As I walk out of the front door, I feel the pressure leave my shoulders and my summer vibes are back on.

I don't have to walk that far, because two blocks up, Matt is there and leaning against the side of his jeep.

His thin black tee-shirt that hugs his tan skin in all the right places and his jeans are low. His light blue denim jacket hangs from his left hand.

He's the quintessence of sexiness. His dark hair is slightly long, his gunmetal blue eyes are light and his full lips are curved into that playful grin.

As I near him, he gives me an appreciating once over and leans down to kiss me. I can't believe how used I have gotten to getting that all the time.

"Hey," he says, as he pulls away and runs his tongue over his bottom lip.

"Hey." I smile.

"Ready?" Matt asks and pulls me against him.

"Always," I whisper and we get into the jeep.

The drive to the farmhouse is blissfully calm and warm. The orange yolk of the sun is setting serenely in the horizon, as we listen to a playlist compiled only of amazing Indie-Rock songs.

Matt casually places his hand on my thigh and I look over at him. He looks at me and raises an eyebrow. And then he gently runs his long fingers up and down my skin playfully. He's unbelievably lascivious.

"So will you tell me?" Matt asks.

The breeze is cool on my face as I sit back against my seat. I narrow my eyes at him. "Tell you what?"

Matt continues his teasing with his long, soft fingers. "About what you were thinking earlier. You said you had good and bad thoughts."

"I do not want to talk about it, Matt, " I tell him and take his hand into mine.

He exhales noisily. "You really do know how to make a guy beg. Please, can you tell me?"

I shake my head. "It's no big deal. Just please drop the subject already."

Matt leans over and presses his lips to mine and as much as I'm enjoying the kiss, I quickly push him away. "Watch the road, or you won't get much kissing done anymore."

"Chill," he mumbles and we fall back into our routine silence until we reach the farm.

The stars are speckled across the sky and even though the summer night beckons to be enjoyed, my nerves settle in again.