“The brunette,” I say. “Definitely the brunette. Wait do guys have brunette hair?”
“Yeah, he’s hot,” Anna says, adding a bit of Southern twang. The guys swim over to our dock. When they climb up the ladder it’s like watching one of those stupid gum commercials in slow motion. Only this time it’s the girls staring at the guys, not the other way around.
“Mind if we join you?” the dark haired one says. I glance at Anna who is staring. I pinch her leg to get her attention. She nods slowly, her mouth hanging open.
The boy I have eyes for squats in front of me. I can see the ripples in his abdomen. Abs. He has abs. He must be over twenty already. My parents will freak if they find out.
“My name’s Damien Mahoney.”
“Jenna Hardy,” I say automatically.
“Care if I sit?”
I eagerly nod earning one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen.
“Do you ladies come here often?”
“Every summer since I was five.” I close my eyes, and berate myself for being so stupid.
“How old are you?” he asks.
I look over at Anna. She and her newfound guy are lying on their sides talking to each other. I wish I had the courage she has when it came to guys, but they make me so nervous.
“Sixteen,” I say, quietly. “You?”
“Eighteen. We just graduated from high school and are spending our summer here.”
Damien touches me; my skin sets alights with a sensation I’ve never felt before. We sit and talk, occasionally diving into the lake to cool off. He holds me in the water, my legs wrap around his hips. Everything feels natural.
When the sun goes down he kisses me lightly on the lips and I’m in love.
I can’t fight the smile and he knows it. His shoulder bumps into mine, breaking my reverie.
“Anna is pregnant. She misses you.”
I don’t say anything. It’s best to not acknowledge those from my past, especially the ones who knew about the abuse but did nothing to stop it. Her husband Brad, Damien’s best friend, turned a blind eye.
“You need to come home, Jenna. You’ve been gone far too long and I miss you.”
“We’re divorced,” I mutter, my voice breaking.
He shakes his head and sighs. “We can fix that. You know you love me and you know that I love you. If you come home, I promise I’ll never hurt you again.”
I scoff. “You hurt me the other night at the coffee shop.”
“I was nervous.”
I nod, there’s always an excuse.
“But I’m not nervous anymore. It’s simple really. I want my wife back and I’ll do anything to get her back. Her life is mine and her place is beside me.” He leans over and kisses my cheek. I’m rigid, the fear setting in. “Ah, I see I have some work to do, so be it then. I’ll be back to win your heart. In the meantime, remember that I own you.”
Before I can respond he’s up and out the door. My breathing becomes ragged. My heart races and I know I need to move, but my legs are cemented to the steps. My ringing phone echo’s through the hall, making me jump.
“Hello?” I say after fishing it out of my bag.
“Sweet Lips?” his voice is quiet, like he’s hiding. I close my eyes and chide myself for thinking the worst already.
“Hi,” I say, attempting to clear my throat.