“Only if you’re inviting me,” I say. “I haven’t been to one since the summer before my junior year in high school.”
“You say that like you’re ancient or something,” she snorts. “We’re barely twenty.”
“Some days it feels like it,” I shrug. And it does. Having to be the parent to my dad is such a pain in the ass. There are times where I get home exhausted, and world weary, that I collapse into bed and fall asleep before I realize it.
“You’re so dramatic.” Water splashes me in the face. I didn’t even realize her hand was in the water, waiting for the perfect opportunity.
“Oh, I’m dramatic, am I?” A smirk forms on my lips.
“No, Randall,” she shrieks. “Whatever you’re about to do, don’t do it.”
She doesn’t have another opportunity to plead her case. I put both of my hands under the float and lift. Her arms fly up as she falls into the water. She’s sputtering and swiping her hair from her face when she resurfaces, glaring at me.
“You looked like you needed to cool down,” I chuckle.
“You’re such a jachkole,” she mutters. “I’m going to go over there,” she motions toward Tonya and Cami. “They’ll at least be nice to me.”
She grabs her float, sticks her tongue out at me, and wades through the water until she’s joined her cousin at the other end of the swimming area. She picks Layla up and bounces her in the water, making silly faces at her until the little girl’s laughter fills the air. Even when she’s angry at me, I’m attracted to her.
“Well, bud,” Marshall slaps his hand on my shoulder. “Looks like you’re stuck with us again.”
“Unfortunately,” I laugh. “Or, we can terrorize the girls.”
“I would,” he says. “Bianca can, and would, kick my ass. So, I’m out.”
I splash water in his face. “That girl has you so wrapped around her finger, you don’t know up from down.”
“Like you’re one to talk.” He tackles me, forcing me to go under water. I don’t go alone, I pull his arm so he goes down, too. Being with Amelia, and my friends, is freeing. Today feels the same way it did when we were kids. We’re enjoying life, and all the things it has to offer us.
* * *
Amelia doesn’t waste time as soon as we’re back in the car, driving home from the lake. “So, let’s talk.”
Groaning, I turn the radio down. With those three words, she’s brought down the great mood I was in. “What do you want to talk about?”
The sun is setting in the distance, but I can see the scowl on her face. “You know exactly what I want to talk about. You can’t keep living like that. Always hoping you won’t confront your dad, and being stuck in a hostile situation when you have to.”
“I can’t just leave either,” I bite back. “He doesn’t have anyone else.”
“It’s not fair to you, though.” She covers my hand with her own. “I care about you Randall, and I want what’s best for you.” She’s silent for a bit, gathering her thoughts, determining the best way to put them into words. “You remember the first night we went to the park?”
“Yeah,” I sigh. “Why?”
“You asked me what I wanted out of life. At the time I didn’t know. I know what I want now. To own my own boutique and you.”
“Does that mean you aren’t leaving?”
“No, I’m not,” she squeezes my hand. “You also need to take the steps to get what you want out of life. Sitting stagnant in your childhood home isn’t going to get you anywhere.”
We’re on her street now, and as much as I don’t want my evening with her to end, I don’t want to talk about all of this. “I’ll think about it.” The words aren’t to placate her. I will think about it, but not tonight.
Once the car is in park, she leans over and gives me a quick kiss. “You should probably get some rest. I know you have to open the store tomorrow.”
Pulling her closer to me, I press my lips to hers. Deepening it with every passing second. Moments like this are the highlights of my days. It’s what gives me hope for a better tomorrow. These small pockets of time when the world is quiet, I’m not over thinking anything, and the girl I’m head over heels for is in my arms. She pulls away with a happy sigh. “Text me when you get home.”
“I’ll see you at the party,” I call out the open window. My work schedule this week is intense, and I won’t have a ton of free time to see Amelia.
“You better,” she smiles.