Unavoidable (11 page)
Authors: Yara Greathouse
“I could see her energy wavering as she was getting older. Then, one summer when I
was a teenager, she gave me a guitar. We had a long talk that day. She told me that
I should never settle, and that I was strong, smart and that I needed to pursue the
things I wanted. She told me that the relationship between my mother and father was
not the way that life should be lived. That day she shared stories about her and my
grandfather’s courtship and marriage. She admitted she made many mistakes while raising
my father, and by the time she realized what was happening, it was too late. She also
taught me that music and lyrics can actually help to vent my frustrations and celebrate
happy moments. They can help me clear my mind and do away with self-doubt. She passed
away that winter, and I named my guitar after her.” There was a tear forming in Brianna’s
eye, but she wouldn’t look away. She was mesmerized with my story, so I decided to
continue and not ruin the moment.
“I have a bad reputation when it comes to dating. Most of what is being said about
me is probably true. I do not go out with girls more than a few times. The girls I
normally meet are more concerned about sex, shopping and trying to manipulate me into
doing what they want. They like to play head games. Not one of them have ever shown
any interest in the things I enjoy doing. They did not want to hang out with me and
my friends. It was always about their convenience. They are so…
empty,
they remind me of my parents and the life they lead. The life I needed to stay away
from.
“I want my life to be meaningful. I do not want to be trapped in a relationship like
my parents’. I do not want to be with someone who is always nagging and telling me
what to do. I want to make memories with someone special. The way my grandmother made
memories with me.
“Until now, I have never had a real interest in a girl.
Until now
, I did not care if they come or go. But you, Brianna, you have changed my game. You
are different from them. I have an unexpected and welcomed attraction towards you.
The sight of you makes me smile. Your smile makes me happy. My heart races when you
are near and it pushes me to get close to you because when I’m near you I feel like
that happy kid I once was. You told me that you have never been in a relationship.
I respect that. So let’s stay away from the label, okay? I just want a chance to get
to know you inside and out. I know you feel
something
when we are together, my radar is not off. I can tell. So I am putting it all out
here. Things I have never shared with anyone, because I think you are worth it. Let’s
be little kids together. Let us build memories
together
. One day at a time, here and now.”
Somewhere during my spiel, she had finished the chocolate bar and I had gotten a hold
of her hand. It was mostly soft with a few rough spots. I wanted to know the kind
of hard work she did that marked her soft skin like that. I wondered if there was
something I could do for her, because the thought of her hurting in any way bothered
me. It was at that moment that I realized I wanted her to count me in. I wanted to
take care of her. I wanted to be her everything.
She looked at our hands, with our intertwined fingers, and I felt something wet slipping
between the cracks in our hold. They were tears. She looked at me and I was willing
her to say the things I needed to hear. Anything other than a rejection would be welcomed.
Please.
Since I was not going to let go of her hand, I move my free one and using my thumb,
I carefully wipe her tears away from her face. She starts to speak.
“You have had a hard life, too, and it surprises me. I’m not going to be a coward
and deny the way I feel about you. Yes, Colton. I feel it. We have an inexplicable
connection. I feel it when we talk, when we touch…” She covers my free hand with hers
and continues, “…A look from you sends me spinning and at times I feel like I don’t
know how to act because my body and soul are beckoning to be near you.
“Colton, there are things,
complicated things
about my past that I am not ready to share with anyone. I feel that honesty is important.
With that said, I’m at a standstill because if I don’t tell you about those things,
they may come up later and ruin everything. And if I do tell you about my past, you
could be horrified by it and won’t want to be near me. So I feel that the risk is
greater than the benefit. I have tried to keep away from you, but it’s hard, so damn
hard!”
“Brianna, the past is in the past. Whatever happened then, it helped to shape you
into the beautiful person you are today. Why would I not want to be with you now in
the present and the future due to something that is no longer a factor? One day at
a time, here and now. That is all I am asking from you.” She closes her eyes and takes
a deep breath, releasing it slowly. Her shoulders sag a little, and when her eyes
open, she looks decisive and I feel a cold chill passing through my body. This is
it.
“If this…” She takes two fingers and moves them back and forth between us. “…
this
is going to go any further, then we need some ground rules. Number one, no questions
about my past and no pushing the issue. I will decide when it is the right time to
unearth all those demons. Number two, I will not demand anything from you but honesty.
I want you to always be honest with me even if you think it will hurt me. I promise
to always be honest with you. Number three, I have the power to call this off at any
time if I feel things are becoming….
difficult.
Number four, don’t freaking forget about number one. It is a deal breaker… One day
at a time Colton. I have no idea what I am doing, and I hope you do not regret this
decision.”
I have a smile plastered from ear to ear. “Oh, Brianna, I will not regret it, and
you definitely won’t regret it either.” I get up and pull her up with me, wrapping
my arms around her in a tight hug. I am relieved that everything is now in order.
I gently kiss her forehead and say “Now let’s talk about that ‘hanging out’ date that
is not a real date. Where would you like to go?”
Chapter 10
Brianna
“I can’t believe that I’m going on my very first ‘non-date’ date
ever!
” I tell Ciara.
“You shouldn’t be so happy. As soon as Colton sees what you have in mind he will completely
freak out and take off running.”
“Oookay, Ms. Grumpypants, what has gotten into you?” I sit next to her on the bed.
“I’m thinking about breaking up with Nate. I’m sort of tired of being alone most of
the time. He travels a lot more than I expected him to.” She looks out the window
in a wishful way. I have no idea what to tell her. It is not a situation that I have
faced before. I decide to do the next best thing: I wrap my arms around her and squeeze
until I feel the tightness leaving her body.
“If he is committed to his job, then you need to let him know that the situation is
not working for you. You never know, he may be tired of the traveling and maybe he
has been looking for an excuse to leave that company.”
“I really doubt it, Brianna. He seems to love his job, and he makes good money at
it, so he could probably care less if I break it off. No worries, though. I’m just
a little sad at the moment. It’s a difficult call to make.” She is shaking her leg
in a rapid motion, which tells me she is anxious.
“I can reschedule my outing for another day, if you want to have a girl day.” I tell
her with a smile on my face so she knows I mean it.
“Nah. I think I need a little Daddy’s love this weekend. I’m going to head to Birmingham
to see my parents and some old friends. Do you want to come with?”
“I think I will pass this time since I bought the tickets to our outing online because
they were offering a discount for early purchase.”
Ciara gets up from the bed and fixes the back of her shirt, smoothing over her jeans
with her hands. “Next time, then? On that note, I think I’m going to pack my bag.
Are you going to be okay?”
“Yes. There’s an arsenal of weapons spread throughout the apartment. I would feel
sorry for the bastard who may attempt to break in.”
“Girl, I have no idea what I am going to do with you!” She laughs as she walks away
towards her room.
It’s going to be a nice day today. I send Colton a quick text then I pull out a nice
emerald green tank top, jean jacket, dark skinny jeans, my topsiders, and minimal
jewelry. I leave everything on top of the bed and get in the shower. Once out, I comb
my hair and apply smoothing leave-in conditioner. I’m wearing my hair down, but I’m
bringing hair ties for later. I pack my small crossbody style purse with chapstick,
wallet, the tickets and a small container of mace pepper gel. I think that should
do it. I spritz a couple of times with perfume. Just as I am finishing, I hear the
doorbell ring and jump in anticipation.
“I got it!” I yell at Ciara. Looking through the peephole, I open the door and WOW
– what a piece of eye candy I have in front of me! He looks like one of those book
boyfriends I always read about. “Hi Colton! Come in!”
Stepping over the threshold, he grabs my hand, kisses my knuckles and pulls me into
a comfort filled hug. He is wearing a light green Salt Life t-shirt and baseball
hat, straight leg style jeans (button fly!), and some cool sneakers in navy and white.
And, yummy! He smells delicious! Can I bite him now and maybe suck a little on his
neck? I better not or we are not going to make it on time to our ‘non-date’ date.
“Hi sweet thang! I have been waiting for this moment – you look beautiful, as always.”
So I respond in my best Southern accent, “Oh, why thank you Mr. Hensley. So glad that
you approve.”
“Brianna, you can be wearing a raggedy t-shirt and yoga pants, and I would still approve.
You are always beautiful.”
“Meh, it’s too early for mushy stuff!” I say as he chuckles, “Are you ready to go?”
“I’m ready if you are.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
“Where are we going?”
“You will see when we get there. Should I drive?” I ask and the he looks at me surprised.
“Are you talking about your bike?”
“No, silly. In addition to my ride-a-licious sports bike, I have a car. I drive a
Mustang.”
“Nice! How about you drive next time. I’m parked right up front. How about I’m your
chauffeur today. You can refer to me as ‘Manolo’. I can also speak with an accent
if it is required for the position.” He is speaking with some kind of Italian or Spanish
accent, it’s so bad that I can hardly understand what he’s is saying. And he is gesturing
with his hands really loudly. And that’s how I find out that Colton has a funny side.
I like it.
“How about leaving Manolo behind. There could be a terrible misunderstanding since
I can barely understand him. It will be you, me and the world for the taking.” He
is opening the door to his truck and I try to hop in. When I say try, I mean I’m about
to start hiking up the seat as if it was a wall on a rock climbing exhibition. Dang
this truck is high. I guess Colton notices my indecision and asks me if I need help.
“Well, there are many ways to conquer the mountain as long as we move up, but let
me try and be a little lady like for your benefit. So, yes, I would like your help,
please.”
“Very well, Ms. Gilmore.” He extends his hand so I can balance while stepping up onto
the sidestep, turning around and then Colton holds my waist and literally throws me
on the passenger seat, which makes me break out in a belly laugh right as I bounce
back in place.
“I was not expecting that!” I tell him.
“I know. It kinda seemed appropriate. I wanted to hear you laugh.” He steps up onto
the sidestep, takes the seatbelt and puts it in place across my body and lap. When
we hear the click he is practically on my lap.
“You smell good.” He moves my loose hair behind my ear, smiles and whispers, “I’ve
been imagining what you look like inside my truck, but in those scenes you were doing
very naughty things…” I feign surprise. Placing my finger on the tip of his nose I
tap him.
“The only naughty person in this truck is you. My thoughts are always pure as if I
had a halo on top of my head. Maybe I could show you later all the things you should
not
do inside a truck. Seems you need to be taught a lesson.”
Slowly, I move my finger from the tip of his nose, down to his upper lip and finally
I place my finger in between his lips, pressing in and forcing him to open. He bites
lightly and then sucks gently. This immediately has an effect on me - right between
my legs. I slowly remove the finger from his mouth and place it in mine, tasting his
minty mouth on my finger. He is completely absorbed in the moment and he is staring
at my lips. I slowly pull my finger from my mouth and daintily blow an air kiss. “Mmm,
Colton, I have been wondering what you taste like.”
He slowly blinks. “You have woken up the Beast.” He hops down off the truck, closes
the door and walks to the driver side. Meanwhile I am belly laughing again. I can’t
help it.
“You call your junk ‘the Beast’ – Seriously?”
“Yeap. That’s the truth” he is looking at me and his eyes are laughing.
“I need to know why!”
“I will tell you, but this truck is the safe zone. Whatever is discussed in this truck
stays in the truck!”
“Deal!” I say giggling.
“I call it the Beast because it has no mercy and it impales whatever is in his path
without regret. I can manage a private demonstration, if you are curious.”
“No, I will take your word on this one. That is the cheesiest thing I have ever heard!”
I can’t stop laughing.
“I know!” Then he starts laughing and together we head towards our non-date leaking
tears of happiness.
Colton
“We are here!” Brianna says as she points to some kind of ranch and tells me to pull
in.
“Where is ‘here’ exactly? Are we horseback riding?” The ranch looks a little shoddy.
I don’t think is a functional ranch.
“Not exactly. Be patient. Follow this road to the right, and then up the hill. Park
on that dirt patch to the right.”
I park as she requested. She tells me to wait a moment in the truck and goes to talk
to some guy – but the dude does not look like a ranch hand. He is just an average
guy. I sit there watching her. I am actually out on a date, during the day, having
fun. What a difference dating the right girl makes! She smiles at me and starts heading
towards the truck.
“Come on, Mr. Hensley, it’s time.”
“You do know that all this secrecy is making me very nervous.”
“Perhaps. You need to stop being nervous and save your energy. You are going to need
it later.” As I get out of the truck, she grabs my hand and pulls me to the top of
the hill. Once there, I can see that there is a dirt lane going down. There are these
short poles lining each side of the lane, and then at the bottom, it is somewhat flat
and wide. There are short walls, maybe to indicate the end of the road? I’m taking
it all in when I turn to Brianna and ask “Are we going to run down the hill?”
“No, no. Technically speaking, we are going to roll down the hill.” She smiles big.
Like, really, really big. “This is an activity that I enjoy doing from time to time.
You do know that I enjoy extreme sports, don’t you? Or did I forget to mention that?”
I take a deep breath and think to myself that I should not have eaten breakfast. “I
think you may have mentioned that tiny little fact. Do I need to be concerned?”
“Naaahhh! No worries. This is super safe.” As she is talking to me, from behind her
a truck approaches with a HUGE sphere-like thing tied to its bed. I am sure my eyes
slowly convert from small slits to eyes so big they are getting ready to pop out of
their sockets.
“What the hell is
that
?”
She casually looks back, then looks down and bites her top lip, as if she is trying
to refrain from laughing. “
That
, Colton, is our ride to the bottom.”
“Please, Brianna, tell me you are talking about riding in the truck that is carrying
that giant ball! Last time I checked I was not a hamster, so I really don’t want to
act like one!” While we are talking, the guys, or should I say attendants, are removing
the
thing
from the bed of the truck, and placing it on top of the hill.
“Come on Colton. Why are you flipping out? I did not picture you acting like a chicken.”
Brianna puts her thumbs under her arms and starts flapping her elbows clucking and
walking around me. I press my eyes with the heel of my hands. “I am not a chicken!
I am going to prove it to you! I am going to be the best ball rider you have ever
seen!... Uh.. no, wait. I didn’t mean to say that. You know what I mean!”
Brianna
“I can’t believe that I’m going on my very first ‘non-date’ date
ever!
” I tell Ciara.
“You shouldn’t be so happy. As soon as Colton sees what you have in mind he will completely
freak out and take off running.”
“Oookay, Ms. Grumpypants, what has gotten into you?” I sit next to her on the bed.
“I’m thinking about breaking up with Nate. I’m sort of tired of being alone most of
the time. He travels a lot more than I expected him to.” She looks out the window
in a wishful way. I have no idea what to tell her. It is not a situation that I have
faced before. I decide to do the next best thing: I wrap my arms around her and squeeze
until I feel the tightness leaving her body.
“If he is committed to his job, then you need to let him know that the situation is
not working for you. You never know, he may be tired of the traveling and maybe he
has been looking for an excuse to leave that company.”
“I really doubt it, Brianna. He seems to love his job, and he makes good money at
it, so he could probably care less if I break it off. No worries, though. I’m just
a little sad at the moment. It’s a difficult call to make.” She is shaking her leg
in a rapid motion, which tells me she is anxious.
“I can reschedule my outing for another day, if you want to have a girl day.” I tell
her with a smile on my face so she knows I mean it.
“Nah. I think I need a little Daddy’s love this weekend. I’m going to head to Birmingham
to see my parents and some old friends. Do you want to come with?”
“I think I will pass this time since I bought the tickets to our outing online because
they were offering a discount for early purchase.”
Ciara gets up from the bed and fixes the back of her shirt, smoothing over her jeans
with her hands. “Next time, then? On that note, I think I’m going to pack my bag.
Are you going to be okay?”
“Yes. There’s an arsenal of weapons spread throughout the apartment. I would feel
sorry for the bastard who may attempt to break in.”
“Girl, I have no idea what I am going to do with you!” She laughs as she walks away
towards her room.
It’s going to be a nice day today. I send Colton a quick text then I pull out a nice
emerald green tank top, jean jacket, dark skinny jeans, my topsiders, and minimal
jewelry. I leave everything on top of the bed and get in the shower. Once out, I comb
my hair and apply smoothing leave-in conditioner. I’m wearing my hair down, but I’m
bringing hair ties for later. I pack my small crossbody style purse with chapstick,
wallet, the tickets and a small container of mace pepper gel. I think that should
do it. I spritz a couple of times with perfume. Just as I am finishing, I hear the
doorbell ring and jump in anticipation.
“I got it!” I yell at Ciara. Looking through the peephole, I open the door and WOW
– what a piece of eye candy I have in front of me! He looks like one of those book
boyfriends I always read about. “Hi Colton! Come in!”
Stepping over the threshold, he grabs my hand, kisses my knuckles and pulls me into
a comfort filled hug. He is wearing a light green Salt Life t-shirt and baseball
hat, straight leg style jeans (button fly!), and some cool sneakers in navy and white.
And, yummy! He smells delicious! Can I bite him now and maybe suck a little on his
neck? I better not or we are not going to make it on time to our ‘non-date’ date.
“Hi sweet thang! I have been waiting for this moment – you look beautiful, as always.”
So I respond in my best Southern accent, “Oh, why thank you Mr. Hensley. So glad that
you approve.”
“Brianna, you can be wearing a raggedy t-shirt and yoga pants, and I would still approve.
You are always beautiful.”
“Meh, it’s too early for mushy stuff!” I say as he chuckles, “Are you ready to go?”
“I’m ready if you are.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
“Where are we going?”
“You will see when we get there. Should I drive?” I ask and the he looks at me surprised.
“Are you talking about your bike?”
“No, silly. In addition to my ride-a-licious sports bike, I have a car. I drive a
Mustang.”
“Nice! How about you drive next time. I’m parked right up front. How about I’m your
chauffeur today. You can refer to me as ‘Manolo’. I can also speak with an accent
if it is required for the position.” He is speaking with some kind of Italian or Spanish
accent, it’s so bad that I can hardly understand what he’s is saying. And he is gesturing
with his hands really loudly. And that’s how I find out that Colton has a funny side.
I like it.
“How about leaving Manolo behind. There could be a terrible misunderstanding since
I can barely understand him. It will be you, me and the world for the taking.” He
is opening the door to his truck and I try to hop in. When I say try, I mean I’m about
to start hiking up the seat as if it was a wall on a rock climbing exhibition. Dang
this truck is high. I guess Colton notices my indecision and asks me if I need help.
“Well, there are many ways to conquer the mountain as long as we move up, but let
me try and be a little lady like for your benefit. So, yes, I would like your help,
please.”
“Very well, Ms. Gilmore.” He extends his hand so I can balance while stepping up onto
the sidestep, turning around and then Colton holds my waist and literally throws me
on the passenger seat, which makes me break out in a belly laugh right as I bounce
back in place.
“I was not expecting that!” I tell him.
“I know. It kinda seemed appropriate. I wanted to hear you laugh.” He steps up onto
the sidestep, takes the seatbelt and puts it in place across my body and lap. When
we hear the click he is practically on my lap.
“You smell good.” He moves my loose hair behind my ear, smiles and whispers, “I’ve
been imagining what you look like inside my truck, but in those scenes you were doing
very naughty things…” I feign surprise. Placing my finger on the tip of his nose I
tap him.
“The only naughty person in this truck is you. My thoughts are always pure as if I
had a halo on top of my head. Maybe I could show you later all the things you should
not
do inside a truck. Seems you need to be taught a lesson.”
Slowly, I move my finger from the tip of his nose, down to his upper lip and finally
I place my finger in between his lips, pressing in and forcing him to open. He bites
lightly and then sucks gently. This immediately has an effect on me - right between
my legs. I slowly remove the finger from his mouth and place it in mine, tasting his
minty mouth on my finger. He is completely absorbed in the moment and he is staring
at my lips. I slowly pull my finger from my mouth and daintily blow an air kiss. “Mmm,
Colton, I have been wondering what you taste like.”
He slowly blinks. “You have woken up the Beast.” He hops down off the truck, closes
the door and walks to the driver side. Meanwhile I am belly laughing again. I can’t
help it.
“You call your junk ‘the Beast’ – Seriously?”
“Yeap. That’s the truth” he is looking at me and his eyes are laughing.
“I need to know why!”
“I will tell you, but this truck is the safe zone. Whatever is discussed in this truck
stays in the truck!”
“Deal!” I say giggling.
“I call it the Beast because it has no mercy and it impales whatever is in his path
without regret. I can manage a private demonstration, if you are curious.”
“No, I will take your word on this one. That is the cheesiest thing I have ever heard!”
I can’t stop laughing.
“I know!” Then he starts laughing and together we head towards our non-date leaking
tears of happiness.
Colton
“We are here!” Brianna says as she points to some kind of ranch and tells me to pull
in.
“Where is ‘here’ exactly? Are we horseback riding?” The ranch looks a little shoddy.
I don’t think is a functional ranch.
“Not exactly. Be patient. Follow this road to the right, and then up the hill. Park
on that dirt patch to the right.”
I park as she requested. She tells me to wait a moment in the truck and goes to talk
to some guy – but the dude does not look like a ranch hand. He is just an average
guy. I sit there watching her. I am actually out on a date, during the day, having
fun. What a difference dating the right girl makes! She smiles at me and starts heading
towards the truck.
“Come on, Mr. Hensley, it’s time.”
“You do know that all this secrecy is making me very nervous.”
“Perhaps. You need to stop being nervous and save your energy. You are going to need
it later.” As I get out of the truck, she grabs my hand and pulls me to the top of
the hill. Once there, I can see that there is a dirt lane going down. There are these
short poles lining each side of the lane, and then at the bottom, it is somewhat flat
and wide. There are short walls, maybe to indicate the end of the road? I’m taking
it all in when I turn to Brianna and ask “Are we going to run down the hill?”
“No, no. Technically speaking, we are going to roll down the hill.” She smiles big.
Like, really, really big. “This is an activity that I enjoy doing from time to time.
You do know that I enjoy extreme sports, don’t you? Or did I forget to mention that?”
I take a deep breath and think to myself that I should not have eaten breakfast. “I
think you may have mentioned that tiny little fact. Do I need to be concerned?”
“Naaahhh! No worries. This is super safe.” As she is talking to me, from behind her
a truck approaches with a HUGE sphere-like thing tied to its bed. I am sure my eyes
slowly convert from small slits to eyes so big they are getting ready to pop out of
their sockets.
“What the hell is
that
?”
She casually looks back, then looks down and bites her top lip, as if she is trying
to refrain from laughing. “
That
, Colton, is our ride to the bottom.”
“Please, Brianna, tell me you are talking about riding in the truck that is carrying
that giant ball! Last time I checked I was not a hamster, so I really don’t want to
act like one!” While we are talking, the guys, or should I say attendants, are removing
the
thing
from the bed of the truck, and placing it on top of the hill.
“Come on Colton. Why are you flipping out? I did not picture you acting like a chicken.”
Brianna puts her thumbs under her arms and starts flapping her elbows clucking and
walking around me. I press my eyes with the heel of my hands. “I am not a chicken!
I am going to prove it to you! I am going to be the best ball rider you have ever
seen!... Uh.. no, wait. I didn’t mean to say that. You know what I mean!”
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