《Just Once More》


 Chapter One

    A soft breeze rustled through the window, making the white curtains wave about. Emery stood back and took in the scene. Not everyone would notice the birds that were gliding through the sky, the bees that were buzzing about the flowers, the gentleness and smells the summer breeze brought, but Emery did. She always tried to appreciate and experience as much as she could in life, as one never knows how much time they have left.


    ''Live life to the fullest.''


    Those were words that Emery Warden lived by. She wanted to be the best person she could be, even if it meant being the loneliest. It wasn¡¯t that she was always by herself or that no one liked her, she had her parents and the friends she¡¯d made with every charity and volunteer group she did. But, the kids at her high school weren¡¯t the friendliest or the best at being courteous to others. So Emery was always picked on regarding what she wore, what she did, and every other aspect in her life that made her who she was.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s volunteer day at the hospital.¡± Emery¡¯s mother came up from behind and kissed her on the cheek.


    Emery giggled at her mother¡¯s comment. "How could you tell?" She picked up the car keys and tucked them into the front pocket of her multicolored scrub top. The volunteers who worked on this particular floor had to wear colorful uniforms since it was a pediatric unit. Most of the kids there had terminal illnesses and Emery vowed that she would make every day special for them.


    Emery had started at this particular institution about four years ago, right before her freshman year of high school. She volunteered every other weekend during school time, but now that it was summer vacation, she could spend more time at each place that she loved to give her time to.


    ¡°I¡¯m going. I¡¯ll be back in a couple of hours,¡± Emery yelled out to her mom before she walked out the front door.


    ***


    ¡°Emery.¡± Molly, the little eight-year-old girl that Emery had been visiting every day for the past couple of months gave her a hug. Emery noticed she seemed to be more worn out than any other day and figured it probably had to do with the new medication the poor girl had been put on because of the type of cancer she had.


    ¡°How are you today, Miss Molly?¡± Emery gave Molly a gentle hug and then walked back over with her to the rec table. This held the arts and crafts that were to keep some of the pediatric patients amused. The room that they had designated as the floor¡¯s activity room was designed with kids in mind. It was bright, colorful, and offered the sick children of the hospital all sorts of different activities to help keep their minds off of being ill and just being able to have fun like a kid. There were two Xboxes, several laptops with games, board games, and lots of different bins that held dolls, toy cars, train sets, paper, crayons, and any other thing that a kid could want.


    ¡°I finished it.¡± Molly held up the picture that she and Emery had worked on the last time she¡¯d volunteered. It was just a simple child painting of two girls, which were supposed to represent Molly and Emery, playing at a playground in the middle of winter. The little girl had finished it with the sun shining brightly and the two of them standing beside a snowman.


    Emery swallowed down the large lump in her throat and smiled brightly at Molly. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful.¡± She touched the figures that were painted on the paper and tried to keep her happy face on. She knew Molly would probably never make it to see the snow falling again or be able to build this snowman, none of them that were here in this ward would be able to. ¡°I think your momma¡¯s gonna love it.¡± Emery handed the picture back to her, but the little girl shook her head no.


    ¡°I want you to have it.¡± Molly sat back down at the table and instantly began to work on another painting.


    Emery felt her eyes prickle with tears that wanted to come, but she knew she had to be stronger than that. She couldn¡¯t let these kids see her cry. She was here to make them happy and enjoy what time they had left. ¡°Thank you, Molly.¡± Emery patted her on the head. ¡°I will hang this up on my wall at home.¡± Molly nodded her head okay and continued working on the next painting.


    The room was busy today. It seemed there were more kids and volunteers in here than usual. Emery found the supervisor that was on command for this shift. She was an older lady who had just as much fun playing with all the toys as the kids did. Emery walked over to her to see if she had anything special planned for the afternoon.


    ¡°Ms. Anne.¡± Emery gave her a small side hug. ¡°How are you today?¡± Anne was busy helping another child build a house out of Legos.


    ¡°Emery, it¡¯s good to see you, dear.¡± Anne had known Emery since she was a little kid, like the ones that were in here now. She¡¯d grown up and now became everyone¡¯s favorite volunteer in this department.


    ¡°Is there anything special you want me to do today?¡± Emery noticed everyone was pretty content with whatever activity they were doing, so it would be a shame to interrupt them.


    ¡°You may want to see if the new volunteer needs to be acclimated to this unit, he¡¯ll be here for the next six months.¡± Anne motioned to the area of the room that held all the video games and computers.


    Emery let her eyes follow in the direction that Anne had motioned toward. There were two kids playing on one Xbox, three more at the computers, and one sitting with the new volunteer at the other game console. Emery had to blink twice and rub her eyes to make sure she was seeing things right. The new volunteer was none other than Mr. Attitude, Mr. Conceited, Mr. Popular, and Mr. Football himself, Austin Murray. It looked as though he had gotten his brownish-blond hair cut shorter for summer. He was already sporting a deep, dark, golden tan and it seemed he¡¯d gotten even more muscular since school had let out last month. His shoulders were five times the size of the little boy seated next to him. Emery knew him, but she was almost certain that he didn¡¯t know her from any other geek walking around the school.


    ¡°Okay, I will.¡± Emery took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and began her trek over to the gaming area.


    It seemed both of the boys were really involved with whatever gun shooting game they were playing. Austin seemed as focused on this as he did when Emery had seen him playing in the football games she attended. Even though she didn¡¯t understand the sport, it was one of the things that she forced herself to do to have the normal high school experience that every book and movie portrayed. So far, it hadn¡¯t gotten her any Jakes from Sixteen Candles, but it did get her a few friends that seemed to be in the same clique as her¡­the ¡®I don¡¯t fit in anywhere¡¯ group.


    ¡°Hey, Emery.¡± Brian, the little boy that Austin was playing with, finally noticed her standing beside them after a few minutes. He quickly went back to the game as his character seemed to be in some sort of fight.


    ¡°Beat ya.¡± Austin held up his hand for Brian to high-five him.


    Emery noticed he seemed impressed with himself that he beat a ten-year-old in a video game.


    After the hand slap, Austin turned to whoever Brian had acknowledged a few moments ago. There was a girl standing there that was about his age. She had dark brown hair that hung past her shoulders. It wasn¡¯t all prim, proper, and professionally styled looking like most girls her age, but just hung natural. She was on the small ends for both height and weight but had this glow about her that didn¡¯t seem fake like the girls that hung around his group at school. This girl appeared genuine, experienced, and na?ve all at the same time. She obviously was another volunteer because she had on one of those ridiculous colorful scrub shirts they had to wear. He¡¯d seen her around before but couldn¡¯t place where. It was most likely at school, but it was so hard to remember every face and name in a school that housed over four thousand students.


    ¡°Only because I let you.¡± Brian patted Austin on the back and then ran over to the line of tables where everyone was doing arts and crafts.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Um, I¡¯m supposed to show you around the unit. You know, since you¡¯ll be volunteering here.¡± Emery hoped she didn¡¯t sound too much like a stuttering fool. She waved her hand to the exit doors that went back out into the main part of the department.


    Austin stood and followed behind this girl who¡¯d obviously been here a lot longer than he had since she was the one in charge of showing him around. It wasn¡¯t like he really wanted to be here, but since he was forced to then he might as well make it as fun as possible.


    ¡°Is that all we have to do? You know, play games with them?¡± Austin broke the silence of the moment as they walked down the hall.


    ¡°Most of the time.¡± Emery went around the nurses¡¯ station and into the back room that held all the supplies of what they may need in the future. ¡°This is mainly the stuff we have to work with, you know to keep them content.¡± She motioned toward the boxes and boxes of donated toys that had been given by all of the local stores. ¡°Some of the kids aren¡¯t well enough to go down to the activity room, so sometimes we have to take stuff into their rooms to play with them.¡± She saw Austin made a face about maybe having to go into a sick kid¡¯s room. She assumed it was because he wouldn¡¯t want to catch anything that they may have. It might ruin his ability to be the awesome person everyone thought he was. ¡°I¡¯m sure you won¡¯t have to do that. Anne will probably let you just hang out and play video games with whoever wants to play.¡± Emery saw he only nodded his head once at her insinuation as he continued to look in several of the boxes that contained the toys. ¡°Ready?¡± She held the door open for them to leave. There was more to show him and she didn¡¯t want her whole volunteer time to be with the one who got enough attention at school.


    The rest of the tour took about thirty minutes. Emery showed Austin all the points within the department that she thought he would have to know, in case there was an emergency. She took him down to where the cafeteria was located, just in case he was there for long days and might need something to eat or drink.


    ¡°How long have you been here?¡± Austin was impressed that Emery knew her way around this large facility so well. There were so many different departments, elevators, stairwells, and hallways that one could get lost for days.


    ¡®When haven¡¯t I been here?¡¯ Emery thought to herself before answering Austin¡¯s question.


    ¡°Over three years.¡± She¡¯d started prior to her freshman year of high school coming to help kids in the oncology ward. She motioned with her hand that they needed to take the next left. She didn¡¯t want to run into him unexpectedly with a sudden turn.


    ¡°I guess you like to volunteer then.¡± Austin knew none of his friends, and especially not their girl followers, would ever give up any of their time to help someone else unless it somehow benefitted them also.


    Emery just shrugged and opened the door for them to go back into the activity room. She had no response to his statement. It wasn¡¯t a matter of liking to volunteer or doing this to feel good about herself. She came here because this felt like home, someplace she belonged, a place where she could relate to these kids. Most people didn¡¯t like to volunteer in this part of the hospital. They didn¡¯t want to be sad all the time knowing that most of these kids wouldn¡¯t see the end of the year. But what they failed to realize was, these kids knew they were dying, they accepted that fact, and they wanted to be treated like any other normal kid. They wanted people to play with them, even if it was in the hospital.


    ¡°Austin,¡± Brian yelled across the room. ¡°Want me to let you win again?¡± He held up the game controller from the Xbox.


    Austin glanced at Emery. He wasn¡¯t sure if she was done showing him around.


    ¡°Go ahead, I¡¯m done.¡± Emery motioned for him to go join Brian. She watched as he lightly jogged over to the gaming section and took his seat next to the little boy. They began to play the same game they¡¯d played previously.


    ***


    Austin glanced at the clock. He and Brian had been playing on the game for the past hour. He had twenty minutes to get to the high school, get changed, and be on the practice field before his coach had his hissy fit for him being late. ¡°I have to go to football practice, but I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡± He held up his hand for Brian to high-five him. The little boy did, then raced over to the bins that held all the trains and such. Austin looked around and saw Emery was on her hands and knees picking up all the crayons and markers that had been left out. ¡°Will you be here tomorrow?¡± Austin lightly touched Emery¡¯s arm to get her attention.


    Emery knew who was talking to her before she looked up. She threw the last of the crayons in the box and stood up on her feet. ¡°I¡¯m here five days a week, so yep, I¡¯ll be here tomorrow.¡± She brushed her hair back that had fallen in her eyes from bending over for so long, and glanced at Austin, who was still watching her with a look of fascination in his eyes.


    ¡°I have to go to football practice, but I¡¯ll see you tomorrow then.¡± Austin was amazed that she came here five days a week without being forced to. Not that it was a bad place to be, just a downer that these little kids were so sick.


    ¡°Yep.¡± Emery turned away from him and continued to clean up the craft area. She really had nothing else to say to Austin. It wasn¡¯t like they were going to become instant buddies and have a lifelong friendship. She had no idea why he was here, but she knew that this Austin, who was talking to her now, was not the Austin who walked around with his head held high like he was better than everyone else in their school.


    Austin walked over to the exit. He glanced once more at Emery not paying mind to anything except picking up the mess the kids had left behind and laughing with a little girl who was still coloring. One more look at the clock, which seemed to have picked up speed, and Austin bolted out the doors, knowing he was definitely going to get an earful for making the team wait.


    ***


    ¡°How was the hospital today?¡± Mrs. Warden was seated on the sofa when Emery got back from volunteering.


    ¡°It was good. Molly was finally out of her room, but she still looked weak.¡± Emery knew her mom would know who she was talking about. Molly had become one of her favorites over the past several months. The doctors hadn¡¯t given her a good prognosis, but the little girl kept trudging along, never giving up when even most adults would¡¯ve.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure she was happy to see you.¡± Emery¡¯s mom knew that her daughter had a connection with this other little girl. It was going to be so hard on Emery if something happened to Molly.


    ¡°Yeah, she painted a picture for me.¡± Emery held out the painting that Molly had given to her earlier that afternoon. ¡°I¡¯m going to hang it on my wall.¡± She walked down the hallway toward her bedroom.


    ¡°Dinner is almost ready. Your father should be home soon.¡± Mrs. Warden got off the sofa and went into the kitchen to check on the roast in the oven.


    ¡°Do we have any bananas?¡± Emery looked in the fruit bowl but didn¡¯t see what she was looking for.


    Mrs. Warden placed the roast pan on the counter by the stove. She reached on top of the refrigerator and grabbed the bunch of bananas that she made sure were always around. ¡°Are you feeling okay?¡± She peeled one open and handed it to her daughter.


    ¡°Just a little tired, nothing major.¡± Emery took a big bite of the fruit. She didn¡¯t want her mom to start worrying over a little exhaustion. ¡°It was a busy day at the hospital.¡± She finished the banana, then threw the peel away.


    ¡°More kids or something special going on?¡± Mrs. Warden took the dinner plates out of the cabinet and wiped them with a paper towel.


    ¡°New volunteer. I had to show him around.¡± Emery picked up the plates her mom just got done fussing over and took them over to the table to set out.


    ¡°A boy. Wow, that¡¯s different.¡± All the times that she¡¯d been at the hospital she¡¯d only seen a handful of male volunteers. ¡°Is he an older fellow?¡±


    Emery shook her head no. ¡°My age, Austin Murray.¡± She sat down in her appointed table chair and glanced up at her mom. She seemed to have a look of recognition when Emery had said the name.


    ¡°Melissa Murray¡¯s son. Isn¡¯t he on the football team?¡±


    ¡®Of course, Mom knows his mom.¡¯


    ¡°You know them?¡± Emery had never heard her mom talk about them.


    Emery¡¯s mom flicked her hand at her daughter. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve known Missy for years.¡± She looked around when she heard the front door open. ¡°Hello, dear,¡± she greeted her husband before resuming her conversation with Emery. ¡°We¡¯ve been in the same scrapbooking club since you all were in middle school. I¡¯ve seen all the football pictures and assembles that she¡¯s put together for the team.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡± Mr. Warden took his seat at the table.


    ¡°Richard¡¯s wife, Missy.¡± Emery¡¯s mom told her dad about them like they¡¯d been old friends with this family for years.


    ¡°Oh, I just saw him today at the bank. He was heading over to the field for the first day of football practice.¡± Mr. Warden finished filling his plate with roast, potatoes, and green beans.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see Missy this evening at the club. Emery said that Austin is volunteering at the hospital.¡±


    Emery watched as her parents carried on their conversation about the Murrays. She had never heard them speak of them until today.


    ¡°Maybe he¡¯s doing it for college. You know how they all want some sort of volunteer hours and giving back to the community type thing.¡± Mr. Warden looked at his daughter as if she may have the answer.


    Emery shrugged. ¡°I just showed him around. I didn¡¯t really have time to talk to him that much.¡± Not that she really wanted to either. She and Austin were about as different as night and day, summer and winter, or left and right.


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask Missy this evening.¡± Mrs. Warden finally began to eat her dinner.


    ***


    ¡°Emery, do you want to go?¡± Mrs. Warden had finally cleaned up after dinner and was getting ready to go to her scrapbook meeting. She yelled down the hall to her daughter to see if she felt like getting out for the evening. When there wasn¡¯t any answer, she walked back to the bedroom and softly knocked on the door. Still no response, Mrs. Warden quietly turned the handle and opened the door just enough that she could see in. Emery was curled up on her bed sound asleep. She closed the door as quietly as she¡¯d opened it. She knew with being at the hospital all day Emery was surely going to sleep from now through the rest of the evening and night. Mrs. Warden told her husband she¡¯d be back in a few hours and left for her small time out.

 Chapter Two

    Emery found herself more refreshed the next morning after getting almost fifteen hours of sleep. It was nine in the morning when she made her way down to the kitchen. Her mom was just finishing up putting all the plates away after the dishwashing cycle.


    ¡°Hey, honey,¡± Mrs. Warden greeted her daughter as she sat down at the table. ¡°How are you feeling this morning?¡± She¡¯d been worried all night that Emery was overexerting herself once again with all the volunteering she was doing.


    ¡°I¡¯m good.¡± Emery drank the orange juice her mom had brought over to her. ¡°I have to be at the hospital at noon, then leave there to do my afternoon walks with the dogs at the animal shelter at four.¡± She was telling her so she wouldn¡¯t worry when she wasn¡¯t home at the usual time.


    Mrs. Warden brushed back Emery¡¯s hair from her forehead, out of her eyes. She didn¡¯t feel any type of fever brewing that Emery might try to keep hidden. ¡°I don¡¯t want you overdoing it, Em.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good.¡± Emery got up from her seat to get a bowl of cereal. She didn¡¯t have much of an appetite but knew not eating would make her twice as tired and also her mom would complain about her lack of food consumption.


    ¡°So, I talked to Missy yesterday evening.¡± Mrs. Warden sat down at the table with her daughter after Emery had gotten her breakfast. Her daughter gave her a puzzling look like she had no clue who Missy was. ¡°Austin Murray¡¯s mom.¡± She clarified who she was referencing.


    ¡°And?¡± Emery was just a tad bit curious as to why he was now starting to volunteer.


    ¡°It seems Austin got himself into a little bit of trouble right after school ended.¡± Emery¡¯s mom had that smirk on her face that one would have when they were thankful it wasn¡¯t their child who had gotten in trouble. ¡°Austin got caught underage drinking at some ¡®summer¡¯s finally here¡¯ party. Instead of anything too serious, since he does have his football scholarship to focus on,¡± Mrs. Warden rolled her eyes thinking about how he got off so easily, ¡°the judge dismissed the case so it wouldn¡¯t be on his record. All he has to do is six months of volunteer work.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t he pick something like volunteering for youth football or something?¡± Emery really didn¡¯t care that Austin had chosen the hospital to do his service. The little boys probably loved having a guy around who was good at video games.


    Emery¡¯s mom chuckled at that question. ¡°Missy told him that he had to choose somewhere that wasn¡¯t sports-related or any place that his friends would be. So he chose the hospital and they put him where he would be needed the most.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Emery wasn¡¯t surprised that Austin hadn¡¯t gone there on his own accord. He was way too above volunteering or doing anything for someone else that wouldn¡¯t benefit him somehow. It was good to know that he would only be there for six months. ¡°I better get showered and ready so I can make it on time.¡± Her mother nodded her head that she understood her daughter had places to go and things to do. She carried her bowl over to the sink so she could wash it, then retreated back to her room to get started on the day.


    ***


    Austin was back to playing video games when Emery arrived at the activity room. She couldn¡¯t help glancing at him every two minutes. It was like her eyes just automatically ventured his way. He looked more excited than Brian playing the game. She got startled when she heard a big yell and raced over to that section of the room.


    ¡°Brian, are you okay?¡± She visually checked him out head to toe and didn¡¯t see anything that could possibly be wrong.


    ¡°Yeah, sorry for the yell.¡± Brian apologized after he saw how shaken up Emery was. ¡°But I beat Austin here in a game he¡¯s supposed to dominate.¡± He held up the game casing for Madden Football. Brian started chuckling when Austin stuck out his tongue at him.


    ¡°Okay, just try to keep it down.¡± Emery finally got her panic mode under control. She was almost back to the activity table when she heard her name being called. She stopped and turned around.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know our moms knew each other.¡± Austin finally had the chance to talk to Emery without anyone else being around.


    ¡°Me neither.¡± Emery hoped her mother didn¡¯t go and blab every deep, dark family secret to his mother. ¡°Small world.¡± She sat down at the activity table and wished Molly would get there so she didn¡¯t have only Austin to interact with until more kids came.


    ¡°She said they¡¯ve known each other for years. You know, through their scrapbooking.¡± Austin sat down on one of the small child chairs and hoped it didn¡¯t break under his size.


    ¡°Yep.¡± Emery didn¡¯t know how else to answer him. It wasn¡¯t like she wanted to go on and talk about their mothers.


    ¡°Do you go to Clear Brooks High?¡± Austin had a feeling that she did but really wasn¡¯t that certain.


    ¡°Yep.¡± Another one-word answer for his simple question.


    ¡°Junior or senior?¡± He knew she looked older than someone in the lower grades but wasn¡¯t sure if she was a senior like he was.


    ¡°Senior.¡± Emery looked back when she heard the main door open. It was Anne bringing a few more kids down for playtime. She felt Austin still staring intently at her.


    ¡°I thought I¡¯d seen you before, but there are so many kids in our school it¡¯s hard to remember everyone.¡±


    ¡®Of course, you¡¯ve seen me before. Your little girlfriends are always saying stuff about me.¡¯


    ¡°I try to stay out of the limelight.¡±


    ¡®Unlike you who thrives in that environment.¡¯


    ¡°Yeah, I wish I could do that but football sort of throws you into that whole circus.¡± Austin didn¡¯t mind playing football, he¡¯d been doing it since he was five years old. But the whole drama shit that went along with it, especially for high school, he could¡¯ve done without it. That was part of the reason he was doing his volunteer work, not that he minded coming here, but the event why he had to could¡¯ve been avoided if he hadn¡¯t gotten sucked up into all the football party drama.


    ¡°You don¡¯t like to play?¡± Emery was stunned to find out that the Mr. Quarterback didn¡¯t like to be in the spotlight all the time.


    Austin shook his head. ¡°I love playing ball, it¡¯s all the other stuff that goes along with it that sucks sometimes.¡±


    Emery rolled her eyes at his comment. ¡°Hmm, all the parties, girlfriends, everyone wanting to be around you¡­yep, really gotta suck for you.¡± She stood up to leave when a few of the kids came over to use the art supplies.


    Austin stood when Emery did and followed behind her. ¡°It¡¯s not as exciting as you think.¡±


    ¡°I gotta go help, Anne.¡± Emery motioned to the older lady who was carrying supplies in. She didn¡¯t want to sit around and hear the ¡®feel sorry for Austin¡¯ story. He had no clue what anyone in this room had been through or was going through now. He seemed like the self-centered jerk that she¡¯d always thought he¡¯d be like.


    Emery saw that Austin had finally made his way back over and was playing another game with Brian on the Xbox. At least there was one person who could stand his company.


    The next two hours went by fast as more kids came down for afternoon playtime. By the time three o¡¯clock hit, Emery was already tired from running her butt around playing pick up after everyone. She had an hour of dog walking to do, then she could finally go home and get some needed rest. Her name being called across the parking lot halted her from making it to the car and finally being able to sit down. She knew it was Austin and really wanted to continue on like she hadn¡¯t heard him, but she wasn¡¯t that rude.


    ¡°Heading home?¡± Austin finally caught up to Emery after she¡¯d left the hospital. It was like she knew all these secret hallways and doors to get out of there easily, while he still had to follow the same way in and out so he didn¡¯t get lost.


    ¡°Nope, I have somewhere else I need to be.¡± Emery got out her car keys and pressed the button for the doors to unlock. She was thankful her car was only two more cars away because she was starting to feel lightheaded.


    ¡°Big party going on tonight?¡± Austin dug in his shorts back pocket for his truck keys, which were parked next to Emery¡¯s family-style car. It fit her, though, wasn¡¯t flashy or fancy just looked comfortable and safe.


    ¡°No, I, uh¡­¡± Emery started to feel dizzy and felt like she was going to pass out. She gripped ahold of Austin¡¯s arm for support since it was the closest thing to her without setting off a car alarm.


    ¡°Okay¡­I got you.¡± Austin put his arm around Emery¡¯s shoulders and led her over to lean up against his truck. She had her eyes squeezed closed and her coloring was more pale than usual. ¡°Just take deep breaths. I have a Gatorade in the truck, you look like you could probably use it.¡± Austin kept one hand on Emery as he opened up the truck door and grabbed the juice that was on the seat. He always kept those handy for football when he felt exhausted. ¡°Here.¡± Austin tore the cap off and held it up to Emery¡¯s mouth for her to drink. She did so willingly, allowing him to gently hold her chin while he carefully poured the juice.


    Emery drank the Gatorade that Austin so graciously gave to her. She used to drink them all the time whenever she felt rundown, but lately, she¡¯d been careless and not carrying those or bananas around with her. ¡°Thank you.¡± Emery pushed the bottle away from her lips to indicate that she was done. She¡¯d drank more than half the bottle and didn¡¯t feel as woozy.


    ¡°Just take a few more deep breaths.¡± Austin knew all this medical stuff to help someone keep conscious when they felt overexerted. It was something that he had to learn to be captain. ¡°Do you want me to call your mom?¡± He really didn¡¯t think she should be driving around in this condition.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    ¡°No.¡± Emery blurted that out loud and clear. That sort of question made her perk up a little bit. She didn¡¯t want her mom to know she was feeling tired and dizzy again. That would mean more restrictions on where she could go and more worries about her health.


    ¡°Okay¡­okay.¡± Austin held both his hands up in surrender. He didn¡¯t think calling her mom was such a big deal if she was sick, but obviously, it was. ¡°I just don¡¯t think you¡¯re going to be able to drive, you still look a little sick.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine.¡± Emery pushed herself away from the truck and Austin¡¯s reach. There were only about ten steps to make it to her car from his truck. She knew she¡¯d be able to do that.


    Austin watched as Emery scooted her feet along the asphalt on the parking lot. She seemed to have some of her balance back, but not enough that he would consider steady. He followed two steps behind just in case she would lose her balance. ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    Emery sat down in her seat and started the car. ¡°I have to walk dogs at the animal shelter.¡± She waited to hear a rude comment about another volunteer thing, but that never came.


    Austin knocked twice on the roof of the car. ¡°I¡¯ll follow you over.¡± He hurried to his truck and revved it up before she had the chance to leave without him. She wouldn¡¯t give up her driving or walking the dogs, even though she was ill, the least he could do was to follow her over to make sure she made it safely.


    ¡°Thanks. You can go now.¡± Emery smiled and waved at Austin after she¡¯d gotten out of her car at the animal shelter. There was no need for him to get out and see her in. She was feeling better after drinking half the juice he¡¯d given to her.


    Austin was going to get out, but it seemed Emery was in a big hurry. This girl was so different from other girls he¡¯d met and hung out with. If any of them even broke a nail, they¡¯d be at home crying and wanting to be pampered for having to go through such a tragedy. Emery was obviously coming down with some type of cold or something and looking worn out, but yet she kept trudging along with what needed to be done. Austin had to remember to get into the hospital before she did tomorrow. He wanted to let the supervisor know that Emery may be getting sick and shouldn¡¯t be around the kids, just so they didn¡¯t get any sicker. He beeped his horn once and gave a short wave before heading over to the practice field.


    * * *


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine.¡± Anne, the supervisor that Austin just reported Emery being sick to, patted his hand. It was sweet that he was not only worried about Emery, but also the kids who were already here. ¡°I¡¯m sure if Emery was feeling sick with a cold she wouldn¡¯t expose herself to these kids.¡± Anne finished placing the new books that were donated out on the reading table so the children would see them when they came in.


    Austin knew better than to argue with someone who obviously knew more than he did in these circumstances. The noise from the hallway diverted his attention to whoever just opened the door. Emery strolled in looking better than she did the previous day. She still appeared exhausted, but that could be because she never slowed down in her activities. She gave him a weak smile, but nothing that would signify they were friends or anything and walked over to where Anne was now organizing some sort of small puppet stage.


    ¡°Hello, Emery, seems you have a worrier.¡± Anne shifted her eyes over to where Austin was fiddling around with the game controllers.


    ¡°Why?¡± Emery hoped he didn¡¯t go into a great exaggeration of what happened yesterday.


    Anne chuckled at Emery¡¯s level of hostility about this boy worrying about her. Emery was never one for anyone to dote over or pay special attention to her when she was sick. ¡°He was just worried that you may be getting ill and he was concerned about the kids who were already sick getting whatever you may have.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Emery snuck a look at Austin, who seemed to be waiting for someone to come play with him. He was tossing the game controller back and forth between his hands and glancing at the door every ten seconds. ¡°I was just worn out, that¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°Emery, you know you have to take better care of yourself. When your body says it¡¯s tired, it¡¯s time for Emery to go home and rest.¡± Anne patted Emery¡¯s hand. She knew this girl would never rest even if she felt exhaustion coming on. Emery seemed to be on a mission and no one or nothing was going to get in her way.


    ¡°Yeah, I know.¡± Emery looked back at the main doors and saw some kids were coming in for playtime. It seemed to be the younger group that only liked to play with the cars, trucks, and dolls. ¡°How¡¯s Molly today?¡± she questioned Anne, who always seemed to know how all the kids in the department were doing.


    ¡°She¡¯s been having her ups and downs this past week. I don¡¯t think she¡¯s going to be well enough to come down today.¡± Anne knew that Emery had taken a special liking to Molly. Even though they were almost ten years apart, those two girls had a lot in common. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go down and visit with her a little while in her room? I¡¯m sure Austin and I will be able to keep these youngsters under control.¡± Anne handed Emery some art supplies that Molly usually liked to use to make drawings.


    ¡°Um.¡± Emery looked around the room and saw that most of the kids were settled playing. Austin finally found a partner who was willing to play the game with him. ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll be back in a few.¡± Emery grabbed the supplies and headed off to see Molly.


    ***


    ¡°Hey.¡± Austin saw Emery up ahead in the hallway. He hadn¡¯t seen much of her today. She¡¯d left the activity room and didn¡¯t return until volunteer time was almost over.


    Emery heard Austin call out and knew he was probably calling her since he hadn¡¯t really talked to anyone else yet. She stopped and waited for him to catch up. ¡°Hey.¡± She returned the greeting and continued out to the parking area.


    ¡°Where¡¯d you disappear to all day?¡± Austin fiddled around with his truck keys. He noticed they both were parked in the same spots as yesterday. He had an hour before football practice and knew the team and their groupies would be at the local ice cream hangout.


    ¡°I went to spend time with Molly, she wasn¡¯t feeling well today.¡± Emery saw that Austin looked as if he wasn¡¯t sure who she was talking about. Not that she expected him to know everyone so soon, he¡¯d only been there for a few days so it wasn¡¯t expected that he¡¯d know all the kids'' names. ¡°The little girl with red hair and freckles.¡± A look of recognition washed over his face.


    ¡°How is she?¡±


    Emery shrugged. She knew how Molly was but didn¡¯t want to accept it. ¡°She¡¯s declining.¡± Emery didn¡¯t want to go into great detail on how this little girl was. She knew from past experiences that Molly didn¡¯t have too much time left, which was going to be one of the hardest things to accept.


    Austin nodded. Emery seemed more sad than usual as they spoke about this Molly girl. ¡°So, what are you going to do now?¡± He changed the subject, hoping to get her mind off her sick friend.


    ¡°Um.¡± Emery knew she had about an hour before they were expecting her at the animal shelter. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± She really didn¡¯t want to go back home just yet. Her mom was in one of her moods where she kept asking if she felt all right, if she was tired, was she eating properly¡­everything that drove Emery nuts.


    ¡°Wanna grab an ice cream?¡± Austin knew everyone was probably already at the ice cream center. He could take Emery and introduce her around, maybe she could make some friends who were her age and weren¡¯t so sick.


    Emery knew exactly where Austin was asking her to go, the place that all the popular kids hung out. Not only did it have ice cream, but a whole lunch and dinner menu, along with a whole big game room that had pool tables and laser tag. At whatever cost, Emery avoided that place. She and two other friends had stopped by one day last year and it was one of the worst days ever for them. Austin, well really his circle of friends, had made fun of them the whole ten minutes they were there. So now, Emery only went to the small ice cream stand that was run by two elderly people in town. It had small little tables with umbrellas that she liked to sit under and watch the ducks by the lake.


    ¡°Henrietta¡¯s.¡± Emery gave him her demand for going. If he wanted to go where his friends were, that was perfectly understandable. She would just go home and venture off to her next volunteer sign-up after a little rest.


    Austin knew the team would be waiting for him, they always were. The jersey-chasers would be there hanging on him and every word he said. The whole scene was getting old¡­fast.


    ¡°Sure,¡± he agreed to where Emery wanted to go. She looked stunned by his answer, which made him smile in response. It was obvious that she thought she knew who he was by all the talk around the school. He was going to make her see differently before summer was over. ¡°I¡¯ll meet you there.¡± Austin got into his truck and waited for Emery to lead the way.


    ***


    ¡°Any dark, hidden secrets that no one knows about you?¡± Austin threw the question out there to see if Emery would respond. They had gotten their ice creams and were watching the ducks play around on the small lake. Well, she was watching the ducks and he was watching her.


    ¡°Nope, not really. I¡¯m pretty boring.¡± Emery didn¡¯t want to divulge anything of significance to him. Something that could all be turned around on her once he went back and told all his friends.


    ¡°Nothing, really? That¡¯s hard to believe.¡± Austin knew everyone had secrets, but getting Emery to tell him any was highly unlikely.


    ¡°Why¡¯s that hard to believe? Do you have any hidden secrets, Austin?¡± Emery took a lick off her ice cream cone and looked at Austin, waiting for his response.


    ¡®Doesn¡¯t she know not to lick a cone like that around a guy?¡¯


    Austin swallowed the thick lump that just formed in his throat and willed the one that was forming in his pants to disappear also. Telling her why he was volunteering would take his mind off of that seductive lick that she just did and didn¡¯t even know it.


    ¡°Not everyone knows why I¡¯m volunteering at the hospital.¡± Austin quickly glanced at Emery then back at the ducks across the way.


    Emery already knew why since his mom had told her mom. ¡°Why is that? You didn¡¯t choose to volunteer on your own?¡±


    ¡®Now let¡¯s see if he tells me the truth.¡¯


    Austin let out a deep sigh and tossed the last of his ice cream cone into the garbage next to him. ¡°Long story made short.¡± He glanced at Emery, who seemed anxious to hear his story. ¡°I got into trouble when school let out in May. I was drinking with some friends and got busted by the cops.¡± He glanced out of the corner of his eye at Emery. She didn¡¯t look at all surprised by his reason. ¡°Instead of a big fine and having it go down on my record, they let me off with a written citation and doing six months community service.¡±


    ¡®He told the truth, I¡¯m impressed.¡¯


    ¡°Why¡¯d you pick the hospital and why the children¡¯s cancer ward?¡± Emery knew his mom probably had a big say in where he did his service. She tossed her half eaten ice cream cone into the garbage that Austin had just used.


    ¡°My mom told me I had to choose something that wasn¡¯t sports-related. So, she suggested the hospital. The people there who place volunteers put me in the kid''s department. They thought the younger boys would like to have another guy they could relate to. You know, since it¡¯s mostly all females that volunteer.¡±


    ¡®Why is it so easy to talk to her? It¡¯s not like I have to pretend to be funny, sarcastic, or the snob that everyone assumes I am.¡¯


    ¡°How do you like it so far?¡± Emery knew from experience with others who had volunteered on that particular floor that most left after a few weeks. They couldn¡¯t help but to fall into a depression of knowing those kids were going to die.


    Austin shook his head. ¡°How could I not like it? I mean, who wouldn¡¯t like spending all afternoon just playing video games?¡± He saw Emery scrunch up her nose like she didn¡¯t think playing Xbox would be so much fun. ¡°Okay.¡± Austin gently pushed her shoulder. ¡°What guy wouldn¡¯t want to play video games all day? Better?¡± He saw a small smile break out and she nodded her head yes. ¡°Why do you volunteer there?¡±


    Emery contemplated telling him the truth but then opted out of being so brutally honest. ¡°I like being around the kids. I want them to be happy even though they are really sick.¡± That was the honest truth, she just didn¡¯t put in the why¡¯s of her being there.


    ¡°Do you really think that some of them will¡­you know¡­die?¡± Austin had never been around anyone that was younger than ninety when they died.


    Emery saw that he looked scared to hear the answer, but she nodded her head that he was right. ¡°Some sooner than the others. Most before the end of the year.¡± Emery knew the scene all too well. Most of the ones who stayed long term in that department only had about a six month time.


    ¡°Wow, that really sucks.¡± Austin found it hard to believe that those young boys he played games with every day might not be around for Christmas. They both sat there in silence for the next several moments. Each wrapped up in their own thoughts.


    Emery looked at her cell phone and saw that they were both going to be late if they didn¡¯t get moving. ¡°I guess we better get going.¡± She showed Austin the time. He nodded his head and stood to leave. ¡°Thanks for the ice cream cone.¡± Emery followed him over to the vehicles.


    ¡°Any time.¡± Austin offered her a smile, but he still felt down thinking about all those little kids. ¡°You gonna be there tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Every day.¡± Emery opened up her door and sat down. ¡°Have fun at practice,¡± she yelled to Austin before he got into his truck.


    He gave her a thumbs-up. ¡°Have fun with all the pups,¡± he yelled back before starting his vehicle. They both backed out of the ice cream shop parking lot, beeped their horns for goodbye, and headed in opposite directions.

 Chapter Three

    The next few weeks flew by for both Emery and Austin. They met each other every day at the hospital and made sure they spent a little time talking to each other whenever they could. They even exchanged cell phone numbers and texted each other when they had spare time from doing all the other things they had going on in their lives.


    ¡°How come I¡¯ve never seen you at school?¡± Austin sat down beside Emery at their hangout, the ice cream shop that only they went to. They¡¯d decided to eat dinner before going their separate ways to practice and walking the dogs.


    Emery took a small bite of her cheeseburger and swallowed before answering. ¡°You have.¡± She looked at Austin, waiting for his response, as she took a drink of her soda through the straw.


    Austin was dumbfounded. He didn¡¯t think he¡¯d seen her before in school, but maybe she¡¯d only seen him because of football and all that. ¡°Oh yeah, how¡¯s that?¡± He needed her to explain more so that he could try to figure out the when and where.


    Emery was becoming more comfortable around him, even though she never thought that to be possible. She knew what she was going to tell him might change the friendship they had, either he would feel bad or he would finally remember her from all the teasing and walk away.


    ¡°OH MY GOD, she''s like a little fairy. No, wait, maybe a pixie.¡± Emery tried to do her best impression of Apryl, the leader of the vicious pack of cheerleaders that followed the players around. She was Austin¡¯s girlfriend or ex-girlfriend depending on what rotation of switching partners they all seemed to be on.


    Yes, she was small, but really, a fairy or pixie, that''s so Tinkerbellish. Okay, maybe she just couldn¡¯t wear the so-called slut clothes that they did. Not only would she not be comfortable exposing herself like that, but she just didn¡¯t have the body to fill any of it out.


    Austin felt the blood drain from his face as soon as Emery said those words. It wasn¡¯t him who had ever said anything to her, he didn¡¯t even laugh at Apryl and her entourage¡¯s attempt at humiliating others, but he did remember the teasing. ¡°It wasn¡¯t me.¡± He knew he sounded like a five-year-old trying to get out of trouble for something he was caught doing that he shouldn¡¯t, but he played no part in the harassment.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say it was.¡± Emery saw that Austin was going to go the humiliated route and he was doing it well. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter who said what or who didn¡¯t. I just ignore your girlfriend and the other¡ª¡±


    ¡°Bitches,¡± Austin finished Emery¡¯s sentence. He knew what most of the school, well, mainly the girls, thought about that certain circle of friends. ¡°And she¡¯s my long time ago ex-girlfriend.¡± He made sure to stress that he and Apryl were over even though most of the school thought they were still an item thanks to Apryl¡¯s constant hanging on him.


    Emery choked a little on her own saliva when Austin announced that the girls he¡¯d been hanging around with for the past three years were total bitches. She always thought they were a close-knit group or at least that¡¯s how they seemed to those on the outside.


    ¡°You better eat.¡± She motioned toward his half-eaten dinner. ¡°You¡¯ll need it for the grueling practice coming up.¡± He¡¯d been telling her what they had to do in all of their practices. She had much more respect for him in regards to what he put himself through just for football. Emery knew she wouldn¡¯t make it five minutes in the weight training, cardio, and practice plays that Austin had to do every day. No wonder he was in as good a shape as he was. Emery sneaked glances at Austin while he finished shoveling the triple cheeseburger and fries into his mouth. She took one last nibble and packed up the rest of hers to throw away.


    Austin walked Emery over to her car. He still felt like shit after she announced how he should know her. ¡°So¡­¡± He wanted to ask her to the party that was going on this weekend, but knew that would probably be a big no-go since it was obvious she wouldn¡¯t be comfortable around any of his group. ¡°I¡¯ll give you a call when I get home later.¡± He was asking more than telling her what he was going to do.


    Emery nodded her head okay, which was a shock to Austin. He thought she¡¯d definitely say no about him calling. He bit down on his bottom lip and slowly moved his head toward hers. She looked panicked like she wanted to hurry up and get away. He placed a tender kiss on her cheek.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Austin whispered softly in Emery''s ear. He backed away and just about ran over to his truck. He didn¡¯t want to see whether she approved or disapproved of the small gesture. It was for all the shit that his so-called friends had put her through and also for the fact that if he kissed her on the lips like he wanted to, he knew he¡¯d probably get slapped across the face or chase her off for good.


    Emery watched as Austin¡¯s truck backed out onto the main road and took off in the direction of the school. Her hand was still on the spot that he¡¯d just kissed. She didn¡¯t know whether to think it was because he felt bad for laughing along with his friends¡¯ jokes all those times or maybe he just wanted to kiss her. Em let out a deep sigh and went along on her way to the animal shelter. At least with the pups¡¯ kisses, there was no hidden meaning behind them. They did it because they truly liked her. It would be so much better if that was the reason why Austin had kissed her than him doing it out of pity.


    ***


    The sound of her cell phone buzzing alerted Emery to the incoming call. She¡¯d laid down after her nice, long, hot shower and was almost asleep. She¡¯d spent almost two hours playing and walking the dogs at the shelter, which was enough to exhaust anyone. The number displayed was Austin¡¯s. Emery assumed he was making good on his promise to call after practice.


    ¡°Hey.¡± Emery sat up on her bed and brushed the hair back off of her face. It wasn¡¯t like he could see through the phone or anything, but as a natural instinct, she wanted to look semi-normal and not have her hair flipped out in all different directions.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Austin repeated Emery¡¯s greeting in the same soft tone she¡¯d used. ¡°Sounds like you were already sleeping.¡± He looked at his clock once more. It was only nine o¡¯clock, there was no way a seventeen-year-old girl was going to be sleeping this early during the summer.


    ¡°Almost. It was a busy day at the shelter.¡± Emery stood up and walked around a bit, trying to wake herself up more. ¡°How was practice?¡±


    Austin let out a low groan. ¡°Grueling. We had to teach all the new varsity the plays and drills that we run every week.¡± Austin flopped down on his bed and stretched out. Maybe Emery had the right idea about going to bed early, this kind of felt good. If she were here, lying beside him, he wouldn¡¯t be ready to crash out. He quickly sat up and shook his head.


    ¡®Where the hell did that thought come from?¡¯


    He continued to tell her about practice and she told him about some stuff that happened at the shelter. At least with this kind of talk, his mind wasn¡¯t having thoughts of her lying on the bed with him.


    A knock sounded on Emery¡¯s door. ¡°Hold on,¡± she murmured to Austin as she walked over to see who it was. ¡°Hey,¡± Emery greeted her mom, who stood outside her door holding her line-up of nighttime medications.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Mrs. Warden was surprised to see Emery was still awake and on the phone. ¡°I¡¯ll leave these over here.¡± She set the tray with the pills and water on the nightstand beside Emery¡¯s bed. She was curious as to who her daughter was talking to since she hardly ever had her friends call, but she wasn¡¯t going to intrude on a personal conversation.


    ¡°Was that your mom?¡± Austin heard the other person and assumed it was Emery¡¯s mom since it was a female voice.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Emery relocked the door of her bedroom after her mom left.


    ¡°Oh, I better let you get going.¡± Austin saw that they¡¯d been on the phone for over thirty minutes. He didn¡¯t want to keep her talking if her mom needed her for something.


    Emery really didn¡¯t want to stop talking to him, not just yet. It was finally good to talk to someone other than her small circle of friends at school, the people at the hospital, and those who came into the animal shelter. But, she knew the routine for taking her medications couldn¡¯t be interrupted. The two new ones that her doctor had ordered, one made her nauseated and the other made her sleep, so there was no sense in trying to keep Austin on the phone while she either wanted to puke or pass out.


    ¡°Okay, I guess I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡± Emery was just about to hang up when Austin blurted out a ¡®wait.¡¯


    ¡°Um.¡± He never really had to ask out a girl out before, they were just always there. ¡°There¡¯s a party this coming Saturday, do you think you¡¯d want to go¡­like with me?¡± Now, a touch of panic set in. He wasn¡¯t sure if he wanted to hear the response. It would be great if she said yes, but then again what if his friends acted like complete asses, especially since he knew they¡¯d be drinking. ¡°Don¡¯t answer yet. Sleep on it and tell me tomorrow.¡± He quickly pressed the end call button on his phone so she didn¡¯t have a chance to respond. He gave the phone five minutes to see if she¡¯d call back, but since she didn¡¯t he set it on his nightstand. Maybe she wouldn¡¯t say no, maybe she would actually think about going.


    Emery stared at her cell phone. It seemed Austin had just asked her out, not like on a go get ice cream after volunteering date, but a real date-date. She was going to call back and tell him she couldn¡¯t go.


    One, she couldn¡¯t drink alcohol and was sure everyone else would.


    Two, his friends were not hers. Apryl would surely have a great time making her childish rude comments all night.


    Three, she¡¯d never been to a party-party.


    She¡¯d gone over to friends¡¯ houses when they were having a get-together, but never where parents weren¡¯t home and it wasn¡¯t some type of pool party barbeque.


    Emery set her phone down on the stand beside her bed. She would tell him tomorrow she couldn¡¯t go and give him a chance to find someone else to take. She quickly took her medications and lay back down on the bed. She wanted to be asleep before nausea had time to take hold.


    *  *  *


    ¡°Hey, honey, how are you feeling today?¡± Emery¡¯s mom was washing up the rest of the lunch dishes when her daughter made an appearance in the kitchen.


    Emery rolled her eyes behind her mom¡¯s back. It was the same question over and over. She knew her mom meant well, but she asked how she was feeling at least ten times a day. ¡°Fine. How are you?¡± Emery returned the question and grabbed a banana and bran muffin to eat.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m doing well. How is Becca doing?¡± Mrs. Warden glanced over her shoulder when Emery didn¡¯t answer. She had a look of confusion on her face.


    ¡°I guess okay, why?¡± Emery hadn¡¯t talked to Becca for a while. She¡¯d been too busy with all the stuff she had planned to do this summer.


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t that Becca you were talking to last night?¡± She assumed that it would be since she and Emery would call each other every once in a while.


    Emery shook her head no. ¡°Austin.¡± Her mom seemed to be shocked that she was actually talking to a guy as her mouth formed a long silent ¡®Oh.¡¯


    ¡°And how is he adjusting to the volunteer work at the hospital?¡± Mrs. Warden was surprised that Emery and Austin had hit it off so well that they were calling each other.


    ¡°It¡¯s going well. The younger boys seem to like having a guy there to play all their video games with.¡± Emery looked at the clock. She hadn¡¯t realized she was running late. ¡°I better get going. I told them I¡¯d be in before one today.¡± She grabbed a Gatorade out of the fridge and her keys off the key holder. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll see you all later.¡± She gave her mom a quick hug.


    ¡°Oh, Emery.¡± Her daughter turned around before leaving. ¡°Your father and I will be going to dinner and play on Saturday night. If you would like to come, you are more than welcome to. I think two of your father¡¯s colleagues will be attending.¡±


    ¡®I really don¡¯t think I could handle listening to middle-aged people all night.¡¯


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I can, but thanks for asking. I think Austin wanted to do something that night.¡± Emery closed the front door before her mother could ask the millions of questions that were going through her mind. Now what was she going to do? Her mom would probably be seeing his mom at their scrapbook meeting and telling her that Emery and Austin had a date.


    ¡®How am I going to get out of this one?¡¯


    ***


    Austin was already gaming with Brian when Emery finally got to the department. She snuck in without him seeing and went straight over to where Anne was helping another little boy. ¡°Has Molly made it down here yet?¡± She looked around but didn¡¯t see her red-headed friend anywhere.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    Anne shook her head. ¡°I think her mom was in this morning and they were watching movies today.¡±


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s cool. She was looking run down, so this will give her time to rest.¡± Emery glanced at Austin out of the corner of her eye. He was still occupied with Brian. So she was still safe from having to give him an answer just yet.


    ¡°Sounds like advice someone else could use.¡± Anne patted Emery on the hand and went back helping the little boy with his painting. Emery had looked more exhausted the past couple of weeks than she had in a long time. But, the girl refused to give up anything and seemed like she wanted to take on everything and save the world.


    Emery shook her head at Anne¡¯s comment. She went around to the other side of the room and helped several of the little girls who were looking at the new picture books.


    ***


    ¡°I didn¡¯t even see you come in earlier.¡± Austin was walking with Emery out to the vehicles. They hadn¡¯t had much time to talk today. In fact, not at all since there seemed to be more kids in the activity room than at normal times.


    ¡°You were busy with Brian and the boys¡­you know, doing your guy things.¡± Emery pretended to hold a game controller and make faces at the screen like they always did. It was getting so much easier to talk and joke around with him over this past month.


    ¡°Ha, real funny.¡± Austin gently pushed her, but it was enough to knock her off balance. He quickly grabbed for her and pulled her close to his chest. ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t think you were such a lightweight and couldn¡¯t handle a little baby push.¡±


    Emery heard him chuckling with his comment. She smacked his chest and pushed herself off of him. She liked the feeling of being close to him, maybe too much. They needed to get their relationship back on friend status before either of them got too close and got hurt. ¡°You¡¯re just a big brute taking advantage of poor helpless girls.¡±


    ¡°Emery, if there¡¯s one thing that you¡¯re not it¡¯s helpless.¡± Austin had found out over the last couple of weeks he¡¯d known Emery that she was unlike any other girl he¡¯d ever hung out with. She was sensitive, caring, and put others above herself without ever wanting anything in return. ¡°So, have you decided anything for tomorrow night?¡± Austin had waited all night and day to hear her response of going to the party with him.


    The killer question had been asked. Emery was hoping maybe he¡¯d forgotten or maybe would rescind the invitation, but now Austin was standing in front of her waiting for an answer. He looked sort of paranoid hearing what she might say.


    Did he want her to say yes or did he really want her to say she couldn¡¯t go so he could get out of the whole situation?


    She had told her mom that she and Austin had plans, but did she really want to follow through with it?


    ¡®You only live once, Emery.¡¯


    Her own words came back to haunt her. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll go.¡±


    Oh my God, what did she just get herself into?


    Austin was shocked and elated all at the same time. He was expecting her to say she had other plans or maybe her mom didn¡¯t allow it, but Emery had just said yes that she¡¯d go to the party with him. He knew he was thinking and behaving like a middle school boy just getting his first date, but before this, he never really wanted to go out with anyone, not even Apryl. Those girls were nothing like Emery, she was just so¡­different in a good way.


    ¡°Really?¡± He needed one more confirmation that she was actually going to go.


    ¡°Yes, but I won¡¯t drink¡­you know, like any alcohol.¡± Emery knew she couldn¡¯t because of all the medication, but she was sure he would see it as her being just a prude.


    ¡°That¡¯s cool, neither will I.¡± Austin knew his friends would question why he wasn¡¯t drinking with them, just like they¡¯d been questioning why he wasn¡¯t going to their hangout much anymore. He was getting good at excuses, but now that Emery was agreeing to go out with him they would all know the real reason why he¡¯d been absent at most gatherings they had.


    ¡°You better get going. Football practice, remember?¡± Emery pushed Austin toward his truck.


    ¡°You going to the animal shelter?¡±


    Emery shook her head no. ¡°They had enough volunteers today, so I¡¯ll probably just head home.¡± Not that she really wanted to, but what else was there to do?


    ¡°Wanna come over to the field¡­you know, to watch the practice?¡± He knew they were only running new plays today, no running or weights this evening. He was sure it wouldn¡¯t be the most exciting thing for her to do, but it would give him a chance to sort of spend more time with her.


    Emery had gone to football games before and she¡¯d seen Austin play, but she¡¯d never been to any of their practices like their cronies who followed them around all the time. ¡®Only live once¡¯ kept going through her mind. Emery rubbed her face and thought about the question for about three whole seconds. ¡°Okay, just let me follow you over.¡± Another moment of what the hell did she just get herself into.


    ¡°You can leave your car here and ride with me. I¡¯ll bring you back to pick it up after practice.¡± Austin unlocked the passenger side door on his truck and motioned for Emery to get in it. He put his hand on the small of her back as she clamored on up into his big four-by-four truck. He had to remind himself to keep his hands off of her or else he wouldn¡¯t be able to concentrate on anything else, and that would get him into a shitload of trouble on the football field.


    They listened to the radio on the short drive over to the high school. It seemed they had similar taste in music, as they both liked Taylor Swift. But she was more country, whereas he preferred more old rock sounds. The rest of the team seemed to be already there by the time he got parked in his usual spot.


    ¡°Ready?¡± Austin held out his hand so that he could help Emery down. She carefully placed her hand in his and jumped down to the ground. He didn¡¯t let her hand go, and she didn¡¯t pull it away, as they made their way over to the stadium. ¡°You can sit over there.¡± Austin motioned to the sideline bench. ¡°I just have to go get suited up.¡± Emery nodded her head okay and went to sit where he told her to go. He watched until she made it safely then jogged over to the equipment room to grab his gear.


    ¡°Who the hell is that?¡± Dylan, one of Austin¡¯s good friends nudged him as they got closer to the field. He nodded in the direction of Emery, who was still seated where Austin had told her she could sit.


    ¡°That¡¯s Emery, she came with me.¡± Austin kept his eyes on her. As if she could feel him watching her, Emery looked up from her cell phone and saw him walking toward her. She gave him a small wave and he held up his helmet to show that he¡¯d seen her.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that like pixie, mixie, dixie, or whatever your girlfriend calls her?¡± Dylan thought he recognized her from around the school and all the times that Apryl and the other girls had said shit about her.


    Even though they were good friends, Austin was ready to flatten him out right now. ¡°First, don¡¯t say shit about Emery. Second, Apryl isn¡¯t nor will she ever be my girlfriend again.¡± Austin walked away from Dylan and headed over to where Emery was. ¡°Having fun yet?¡± He sat down on the bench beside her. He knew the coach was going to sound the whistle soon, but he just wanted to stop in and say a quick hello.


    ¡°It¡¯s been quiet so far.¡± Emery hadn¡¯t seen anyone out here until the team just made their presence. ¡°You look twice as big with all that stuff on.¡± She made reference to how much bigger he looked than usual with all his padding on.


    ¡°Yeah, it sorta helps when I get hit or tackled.¡± Austin brushed back the piece of hair that had fallen over her face when she had looked down. His stomach got into a million different knots and he knew he was falling fast for this girl. The sound of the whistle made him drop his hand from her hair and come back into the moment. ¡°I better get out there.¡± Austin motioned toward the team that was starting to line up and look for him.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be here.¡± Emery tucked her legs up under herself and got comfier on the bench. She motioned for Austin to go and watched as he jogged over and took his front position. The feel of his hand on her still coursed through her body and it gave her feelings she¡¯d never ever felt before. Emery was falling for him, but she refused to believe that someone like Austin would have feelings for her.


    Why now when time was so short?


    The team did their usual warm-up drills, then they went straight into the new plays that had been designed for the upcoming season. Austin was happy that he was able to dodge the defense when they came after him and he even threw for a touchdown. Hopefully, that put some points on his side in Emery¡¯s mind. There were a few more comments about her being there, but he nicely told those who spoke out to ¡®shut the fuck up.¡¯ Dylan kept saying he was lucky that the cheerleaders weren¡¯t there today or else Apryl would have had a free for all torment on Emery. Austin knew that he was right and Apryl was going to make everything hell, including tomorrow night.


    Two and a half hours later, Austin was finally done with practice. Emery was still seated in the same spot where he¡¯d left her earlier that evening. She looked content as she watched the defense finish their last set of drills. He snuck up behind her and covered her eyes with his hands.


    Austin leaned down and whispered in her ear, ¡°Done.¡± He removed his hands and leaped over the bench so that he could sit next to her.


    Emery knew it was him even before he spoke. She knew the touch of his skin and the faint hint of musk he always smelled like, even though he was drenched with sweat right now from practice. ¡°That looked intense.¡± The stuff he had to do just to play a game was insane. All the hitting, running, and repetition of the same play over and over was enough to exhaust her by just watching.


    Austin shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ve been doing it for years. It¡¯s all pretty easy now.¡± He noticed that she had goosebumps on her arms, even though it was a warm end of June evening. ¡°Are you cold?¡± He rubbed her arm, trying to get some heat and circulation going.


    Emery felt more goosebumps form all over herself and it wasn¡¯t for the fact that she was chilly. It seemed every time Austin touched her that was how her body would respond. She smiled at him and touched his hand that was still rubbing her arm. ¡°I¡¯m pretty good.¡±


    Austin nodded and quickly removed his hand from her arm. He didn¡¯t realize that his hand had gone from rubbing to make heat to a slow, smooth rub where all he wanted was to feel her skin. He stood up and motioned to where the team was going in to change. ¡°Give me ten minutes and we can go.¡± He waited for her confirmation and then jogged over to join the rest of the guys heading into the equipment room for a quick shower.


    Emery stood and began to walk over to where Austin had parked his truck. It was taking him a little longer than he said, but she needed to get up and move around before she was permanently stuck in that seated position. She heard someone coming up fast behind her and turned to see who it was. Austin was jogging across the field like he had endless energy. He finally caught up with her and reached for her hand once again. She didn¡¯t pull away, but enjoyed the warmth and crazy feelings she got when he was around.


    ¡°You look much cleaner,¡± Emery commented on the fact that he was no longer covered in sweat and dirt.


    Austin just shook his head and smiled. Leave it to Emery to comment on whether or not he was clean. Any other girl, well, the ones who followed the players, would be questioning if there was a party, whose house they were going to, and by now they¡¯d be running their hands all over him. He opened the truck door for her and helped her in. Once she was settled, he got in on his side and headed back in the direction of the hospital.


    ***


    Emery jumped out of Austin¡¯s truck when he pulled up beside her little car. It looked so small sitting there beside his mammoth-sized truck, sort of like she felt when she was next to him. ¡°Well, thank you for the evening out.¡± She stood with her back against her car. Austin was right in front of her, looking at her intently.


    Austin snickered and rolled his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sure you had fun.¡±


    ¡°I did.¡± Emery tried to sound excited about their time out. ¡°It was very knowledgeable and interesting since I don¡¯t know a lot about the sport.¡±


    Austin took a step closer to her. ¡°Any specific time you have to be home tomorrow night?¡± He wanted to make certain that she was still going. Plus, he needed to know specifics on the night since parents had different curfews on when their daughters had to be home. Apryl and the rest of the cheer group had to be home before their parents got up the next morning.


    Since she and her friends never did the whole nighttime party scene, Emery never had to worry about when she had to be home. Her parents were going out for the night, but she did have her meds to take at ten o¡¯clock. Maybe being a little late one day wouldn¡¯t throw her off balance too much.


    ¡°Nope, not really.¡± Emery noticed that Austin had somehow moved even closer to her since they¡¯d gotten out of his truck. His body was almost touching hers and she felt the heat coming off of him.


    ¡°Guess we can leave whenever you get tired since you are the one who likes to be in bed by nine.¡± Austin saw her roll her eyes at his comment but didn¡¯t deny the fact that she liked to go to bed early. She was looking at the ground like she was afraid to make eye contact with him being so close.


    Austin gently touched her cheek and ran his hand down to her chin. He slowly lifted it so that she was now gazing back at him. His head started to lower and he saw her lips start to tremble.


    The first touch of Austin¡¯s lips on her own felt like lightning had just hit her. Emery felt a fire begin in the pit of her stomach and spread through the rest of her body. Her arms went around his neck and pulled him closer so that they were pressed up tightly together. Austin¡¯s hands automatically went to her hair and he began to run his fingers through the fine silk. A small groan escaped from her mouth as Austin¡¯s lips traveled down to her neck.


    The sound of someone clearing their throat made the couple break apart. There was an elderly couple, a few cars away, looking at the two. The older man looked frazzled by what he¡¯d seen, but the woman looked at them with compassion and understanding in her eyes. The older pair got into the car and sat looking at the hospital.


    Austin took a step back from Emery. He was surprised that she¡¯d let him kiss her. He could honestly say that was the most intoxicating kiss he¡¯d ever experienced. ¡°Um.¡± He cleared his throat as it felt all constricted. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡± He brushed that one lone piece of hair back out of her face that always seemed to fall into her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll call you in the morning or afternoon, whenever I get up.¡± Neither of them had volunteer work at the hospital, so he got to actually sleep in a little while.


    Emery nodded her head okay. She was still trying to capture her breath from their little bout of passion. ¡°I have to go volunteer at the senior citizen center, but that¡¯s only from like noon to two.¡±


    ¡°Another volunteer place? How many do you do?¡± Austin was amazed that she did so much.


    Emery counted on her fingers as she mentally thought about all the places she went to. ¡°Are we talking just now or all year?¡± There was a big difference if he wanted to know about the summer volunteer places compared to the ones that she did throughout the year.


    ¡°Just now.¡± Austin didn¡¯t know there was that big of a difference between now and the rest of the months.


    ¡°I volunteer at five places during the summer.¡± Emery glanced away from his stare. She knew she must sound pathetic and like she had nothing else to do in her life.


    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s a lot of time. Where at?¡± Austin wasn¡¯t too surprised by this answer. He had seen her with the kids at the hospital and how excited she seemed when she went to the animal shelter, so it was expected that she would have more places that she liked to volunteer than just those two.


    ¡°Well, you already know about the hospital and the dogs.¡± Emery saw Austin nod his head yes, so she continued. ¡°I also go to the retirement home down on Main Street when I have a chance. I also do care packages for military overseas and the once a month weekend summer camp for physically challenged children.¡±


    Austin knew his jaw must have hit the ground when Emery had rattled off all she had done or would do. ¡°Are you doing this for school or what you want to go to college for?¡± There had to be another reason that someone would do all of those things other than that they liked people.


    She slowly shook her head no. Emery knew going to school after graduation most likely wasn¡¯t going to happen. She shrugged. ¡°I just like to help and make people happy.¡±


    ¡°Wow.¡± Austin rubbed his face with his hands. ¡°That¡¯s so¡ª¡±


    ¡°Weird,¡± Emery finished his sentence for him.


    Austin took both of her hands in his. ¡°No, I was going to say amazing, different, so¡­you¡± He didn¡¯t know how to express how remarkable he thought she was.


    ¡°I better get going. You know, before my mom starts to worry.¡± Emery had texted her mom saying she was going to be a little late. She just didn¡¯t tell her who she was with or where she was.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll call you before I leave to pick you up tomorrow.¡± Austin still hadn¡¯t let go of her hands. Emery nodded that that would be fine. He leaned down once more and gave her another quick kiss on the lips. ¡°See ya.¡± He let go of her and walked to his truck in the next parking space.


    Emery smiled and got into her car. She noticed that the older couple was still seated in the vehicle, maybe they were watching to make sure everything was all right. Emery started her car, returned the beep to Austin, and drove home much happier than she¡¯d been in a long time.


    <hr>

 Chapter Four

    ¡°Emery, are you sure you don¡¯t want to go?¡± Mrs. Warden wanted to give her daughter one last chance for the dinner and play, but she knew that she would probably say no.


    ¡°I think Austin and I are just going to hang out.¡± Emery hadn¡¯t told her mother about the party he was taking her to. Why have her mom worry when she needed some time out. She slipped on her sneakers and glanced at the clock. It was almost seven-thirty, so she knew Austin would be calling soon.


    ¡°That¡¯s great that you two have hit it off so well. You¡¯ll have to invite him over soon.¡± Mrs. Warden held out her arms as her husband slipped her light jacket on her. ¡°I¡¯m not sure what time we¡¯ll be back, but have fun with whatever you and Austin decide to do.¡± She gave Emery a small peck on the cheek, then took her husband¡¯s arm as he led her outside.


    Emery waved to them as they walked out the door, then sat down to wait for Austin¡¯s call. Finally, ten minutes later, her cell rang with Austin¡¯s number popping up. ¡°Hey,¡± Emery said the usual greeting they did with one another.


    ¡°I¡¯m just leaving now, so I should be there in about fifteen minutes.¡± Austin backed out of his driveway and started in the direction that would lead him to Emery¡¯s neighborhood.


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll see you then.¡± Emery hung up and went to check her hair and makeup one last time. She never really went all out on the whole hair and cosmetic thing, but decided to dabble in it just a little for tonight. She turned off all the lights, except for the entryway and porch lights, then went outside to wait for Austin.


    Austin had to do a double take when he pulled into Emery¡¯s driveway to make sure that was her. She was dressed in her usual clothes, just a pair of jeans along with a long sleeved tight fitted shirt, but she had done her hair up and even had makeup on. She didn¡¯t wait for him to open up her door, she just hoisted herself up and hopped into the seat.


    ¡°Hey.¡± Austin took in the full view now that Emery was closer. Her hair was pulled back, with just little curls circling around her face. She had light gray eye shadow on that matched her shirt and brought out the brownness of her eyes. Just a hint of blush and that classic, deep red lipstick thing that he liked¡­she looked perfect.


    ¡°Hey.¡± Emery had noticed him just staring at her. She looked down at her clothes and found nothing wrong and then in the side mirror to see if anything was on her face. ¡°Do I look bad?¡± Now she was paranoid with what she¡¯d done. She knew she wasn¡¯t as dolled up as the other girls would probably be, but she wasn¡¯t into all that.


    ¡°Just the opposite.¡± Austin leaned over and put his hand on the back of her neck. He pulled her head closer and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. ¡°You look great.¡±


    ¡°So do you.¡± Emery took her finger and lightly rubbed it on his lips to get the lipstick smear off.


    Just with that little touch, one that Emery didn¡¯t even know would cause a reaction, made Austin¡¯s level of desire increase tenfold. He grabbed hold of her hand and held it with his own. They began their trip over to where the big local party was happening.


    ***


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think so many people would be here.¡± Emery questioned whether or not she should¡¯ve come. The driveway was full of cars as well as the streets. She heard the music blaring even before she got out of the truck. There were people standing on the long wrap-around porch, staring over at Austin¡¯s truck. Emery waved her hand in the direction of the kids who were standing outside. ¡°Looks like your fans await you.¡±


    Austin glanced over to where Emery had motioned to before getting out of his truck. ¡°That¡¯s just the junior varsity team.¡± He recognized them but didn¡¯t know all of their names. He got out and went around so he could help Emery down from the high seat. He intertwined his fingers with hers and led them over to the house. Before they got to the porch, he heard his name being called. It was Dylan and it seemed he was already drunk.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s up?¡± Austin fist bumped his friend, who obviously looked like he was having a hard time keeping his balance.


    ¡°Dude, you made it.¡± Dylan was talking to Austin, but had his sight on the girl by his side. ¡°Aren¡¯t you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Emery.¡± Austin interrupted him before he could get a rude comment out.


    ¡°Yeah¡­yeah¡­that¡¯s what I was going to say.¡± Dylan couldn¡¯t remember what her nickname was that all the other girls called her, but was relieved when Austin had told him her name.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the rest of the team?¡± Austin walked up onto the porch before Dylan got a chance to answer him. He knew where they were, most likely inside and as inebriated as Dylan. The sound of Apryl¡¯s voice yelling down the hallway made Austin cringe. He knew she was probably drunk and most likely annoying as ever.


    ¡°Hey, baby. I missed you.¡± Apryl threw her arms around Austin¡¯s waist. It was then she noticed that he had another girl on his side and he was holding her hand. ¡°Is she part of your community service work?¡± Apryl hoped he had a good reason for bringing that girl here.


    Austin pushed Apryl away and pulled Emery even closer. ¡°She came with me. So if you could kindly move out of our way, we would like to get on with our night.¡± He maneuvered past Apryl and her three tagalongs and pulled Emery along with him to the large party room. Someone threw him a beer as he walked into the kitchen, but he sat it down and grabbed two sodas instead. He opened one up, poured into the plastic cup, and handed it to Emery.


    ¡°Thanks.¡± Emery had to yell over the music that was still blaring. She took a small sip and kept a tight grip on it with one hand. It seemed everyone was taking sneak peeks at her and Austin, like they were the most fascinating couple that was there. Not that she considered them a couple, but she felt they had definitely moved past the ¡®just friends¡¯ stage.


    ¡°Wanna go outside?¡± Austin knew there was probably a game of football going on somewhere. It would give them a chance to hopefully not run into Apryl again and get away from the eyes that seemed to be following their every move.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Emery knew being outdoors would be much better than in cramped quarters with people who were whispering about them. She knew they were because she¡¯d heard her name, well, the nickname Apryl had so kindly given to her, and she had heard Austin¡¯s name with questions about why was he with her.


    Austin led her to the back of the house where there was a yard large enough that they had played scrimmage games of football on it before. Like he had thought, there were about twenty guys already wrestling and tackling each other. Almost in unison, he heard his name being called by each of them.


    Emery gave him a small push. ¡°Go play. I¡¯ll sit over here for a little while.¡± She sat down at the picnic table that was vacant by the made-up playing field.


    ¡°You sure?¡± Austin didn¡¯t want to dump her all alone, since there weren¡¯t any other girls out there for her to talk to. She probably didn¡¯t know any of them to carry on a long conversation with, but just to have someone sitting with you is always more comfortable. Emery nodded her head that she was okay and motioned for him to go play. Austin bent down and kissed her tenderly on the lips, then peeled off his shirt and caught the football that was thrown his way.


    Emery sat there and watched the guys play their game of ball. She¡¯d picked up Austin¡¯s shirt that he¡¯d tossed on the table and folded it across her lap. It was like keeping part of him close to her as a comfort measure. It hadn¡¯t been too long before she heard several people sit down behind her on the bench. Emery watched Austin¡¯s next pass, then turned to see who may have sat down with her. She was shocked to see Apryl and two others seated next to her, looking back and forth between her and Austin. Emery looked back to see if Austin may have seen them sit down with her, but his back was toward her as he was involved with the game.


    ¡°You know this is a bet, right?¡± Apryl decided she¡¯d had enough of the games that Austin liked to play. He was warm one minute, then cold the next in their relationship. The best way to get him back was to get rid of the current obstacle. When this pixie girl, or whatever her name was didn¡¯t respond, Apryl continued. ¡°It was a bet on the varsity team of who was going to fuck you first, you know, since it seems you¡¯re obviously lacking in that department. Unfortunately, my boyfriend got the bad end of the deal so he has to screw you before summer ends.¡± Apryl saw the look of confusion and hurt wash across the girl¡¯s face. She had her right where she wanted, doubting anything that Austin may have ever told her. Apryl chuckled. ¡°Did you really think someone like Austin, who has me or any other girl he wants, would actually choose someone like you? I mean, c¡¯mon, look at you compared to everyone else walking around here. The way you¡¯re dressed looks like you¡¯re ready to go to some first grader¡¯s birthday party and not hang around people like us.¡±


    Emery glanced around and saw that most of the other girls were wearing small, little dresses or short, skimpy shorts and shirts, not jeans and regular shirts like she was.


    Apryl saw the guys were almost done with their game, so she had one last comment before disappearing. ¡°Just remember, Austin will come back to me after his little playtime with you. In fact, he¡¯s been with me every evening after practice and tells me all about your pathetic volunteer work. And the five hundred that he¡¯ll win when the big deal is sealed will be spent on taking me out.¡± The girls got up and left as quickly as they came.


    Emery was stunned at what she¡¯d just heard. It all seemed to make sense. She couldn¡¯t believe she¡¯d been so na?ve to think that Austin Murray would actually fall for her. She just wanted to go home, but couldn¡¯t even call her mom to come get her since her parents were out for the night. She felt the tears building in her eyes and knew she couldn¡¯t cry, that would give them all way too much, but she felt like everyone was watching her and laughing because of the supposed bet. The guys were coming her way and she quickly looked away, hoping none of them would notice a change in her demeanor.


    Austin could tell that something was wrong with Emery or she wasn¡¯t feeling well as soon as he came back to where she was sitting. Her eyes were all watery, face was flushed, and it looked as though she¡¯d wiped most of her lipstick and blush off on the crumpled napkin on the table.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Austin picked up his shirt folded on the table and pulled it back on. She wasn¡¯t looking at him, just staring directly at the ground. He tried to touch her shoulder, but she flinched away.


    ¡°Can you take me home?¡± Emery spoke softly, but didn¡¯t look up at Austin standing beside her. She felt his stare, like he was trying to figure out what was going on, but he should have known his little secret would¡¯ve come out at a party like this.


    ¡°Yeah, c¡¯mon.¡± Austin reached for her hand so he could lead them out, but Emery quickly pulled her away and stood to follow him. With the way she was acting, it was quite obvious something happened when he was playing football. He just had to find someone who might have seen what took place.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Dylan grabbed ahold of Austin¡¯s arm as he walked out of the kitchen. The party had just begun and it was never like Austin to be the first to leave.


    ¡°I¡¯m taking Emery home.¡± It seemed his friend had sobered up a little since they¡¯d first gotten there. ¡°Did you see anyone talking or doing anything to her when we were playing football?¡± Austin watched Emery walk over to the front door and then out. He took off after her, but not before he heard Dylan say something about Apryl sitting with her for a moment.


    Emery waited until she heard the sound of the door being unlocked and then climbed up to sit down. Instead of sitting near Austin like she¡¯d been doing, she stayed as close to the door as possible, hoping just to jump out whenever they got back to her house. She didn¡¯t even look at him as he got in, started the truck, and began the fifteen minute drive back.


    ¡°Emery.¡± Austin glanced over at her. She was as still as she could be, staring out the passenger window. ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened, but something obviously did.¡± Once again, no comment or look his way. ¡°Was it Apryl?¡± He saw her wince when he mentioned her name, so he must be on the right track. ¡°I don¡¯t know what she said, did, insinuated, but I¡¯m sorry. I should¡¯ve thought before we went. I knew she¡¯d be there, but I figured she¡¯d be too preoccupied to worry about us.¡± He was getting closer to her house, so he slowed down a bit just so he¡¯d have more time to talk and maybe get an explanation out of her. ¡°I took you to spend more time with you, not to have Apryl and her bitches ruin our night.¡±


    The more he spoke, the more pissed off Emery got. Why was he lying to her right now? ¡°I know about the bet,¡± she spat out at him with sarcasm and bitterness.


    Austin was confused. How did she know about the bet and why would she be so pissed off about it? ¡°Okay¡­and?¡± He needed more clarification on the whole matter.


    ¡°So, you admit to the bet.¡± Emery finally got the answer she¡¯d been waiting for from him. She shook her head and looked back out the window. It was all too clear now how he¡¯d been acting and what she¡¯d found out.


    ¡°Emery, what does this have to do with anything?¡± Austin pulled into her driveway and saw her parents¡¯ car wasn¡¯t there. At least he had a chance to finish talking to her without prying eyes or someone coming out.


    ¡°How many people know about the bet and who paid?¡± She still hadn¡¯t made eye contact with him yet, but could tell his eyes were fixed on her. It was just that feeling that you get when you can feel someone staring at you even though you haven¡¯t looked their way.


    ¡°The whole team and they all paid, why?¡± Austin was racking his mind trying to figure out what she was onto about this bet.


    Emery let out a large sigh. She was so hurt that she¡¯d been fooled. She was actually starting to really like him, but that had changed when he admitted to the deal he had going on. ¡°You can leave.¡± Emery opened her door and jumped down to the sidewalk. She walked as quickly as she could to get to the front door, but she was grabbed from behind.


    Austin held Emery¡¯s arm so that she couldn¡¯t run away from their fight, dispute, mix-up or whatever she wanted to call it. He wanted to get to the bottom of this and he was sure Apryl was behind it all. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving until we get this all straightened out.¡± He felt her try to pull her arm away, but he kept his grip tight.


    ¡°This can¡¯t be straightened out. I can never, ever trust you again.¡± The tears Emery been holding back since Apryl had told her about Austin and all his little friends¡¯ bet, started to roll down her cheeks.


    Emery had Austin all confused now. Here she was crying over some stupid football bet saying how she could never trust him again. ¡°Emery.¡± He let go of her arm, and she didn¡¯t try to run. ¡°If betting on who scores first this season upsets you that bad, I can withdraw my money and tell the guys I¡¯m out.¡± He hated to do that since they¡¯d been doing this since freshman year and he liked the extra idea of five hundred dollars they all pitched into the pot, but if it was disturbing her this bad then he would take his money out and tell the guys he couldn¡¯t do it.


    Emery thought she¡¯d heard him right, but it wasn¡¯t the story that Apryl had so nicely told her. She wiped the tears and turned around to look at him. He looked distraught by everything that was going on between them. He¡¯d said about the money, like Apryl had, but who was lying and who was telling the truth?


    ¡°That¡¯s what the bet is about, or is it your version?¡± As much as Emery didn¡¯t want to talk about it, she had to find out if the other bet was true. Since she was facing him, and was a good reader of people¡¯s expressions when asked something, Emery knew this was the only way to find out the truth. ¡°What about the bet about having sex with me before the end of the summer? You know, so you can win all the money.¡± Now to wait for his reaction.


    Austin felt his temper about to boil over. This must have all occurred when Dylan had said he¡¯d seen Apryl over by Emery when he was playing football. ¡°First.¡± He knew he said that a little too loud, but it was getting harder to maintain his anger. ¡°There isn¡¯t and never will be a bet like that.¡± He roughly rubbed his hands on his face, trying to get his emotions in check. ¡°Second, never believe anything Apryl or anyone from that group tells you. They are lying and conniving bitches. Damn, Emery, just to prove to you that I¡¯m not lying I won¡¯t touch you the rest of the summer.¡± He knew that would be hard, something was pulling him toward this girl and he liked that feeling and didn¡¯t want to lose it.


    Emery¡¯s head was throbbing and her thoughts were all still jumbled on who to believe. Apryl had been nothing but a pain in the ass to her ever since ninth grade year. Austin was like them, or at least Emery had thought, but over the past month she¡¯d learned a whole other side of him. She wanted to believe him, but didn¡¯t know if she could handle the heartbreak and devastation if she was being played.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Austin. I don¡¯t know who¡¯s lying and who¡¯s not.¡± Emery saw he had closed his eyes and was clenching his fists, like he was really worked up. She didn¡¯t want him back on the streets like this and definitely didn¡¯t want him going back to the party and getting into some wicked fight. All he needed was to be arrested again, this time for assault or something. ¡°Do you wanna come in?¡± She took the key out of her front pocket and opened the front door.


    Austin walked inside the house after Emery made the offer. It was a normal looking house with tons of pictures hanging around of Emery from the time she was a baby until now. He stood just inside the doorway until she led him in the direction she wanted him to go. They walked down one of the short hallways and through double doors into a room that looked like a family room. He followed her over to the flower cushioned sofa that was positioned in front of a large, thin screen television and sat down next to her. Not too close, but enough where his leg was touching hers.


    ¡°Why? I mean, if she did lie, why would Apryl do that?¡± Emery had to start somewhere to maybe trust Austin again and get over the fear that he could be deceiving her.


    Austin shrugged. He had no clue why Apryl did anything that she did. ¡°I wish I could give you a reason, but I don¡¯t have one.¡± Austin held his hand next to Emery¡¯s to see if she¡¯d pull away again. When she didn¡¯t, he put his hand on top of hers. ¡°Em, I¡¯m sorry she said stuff like that. She knows about the bet that we all do every year. She just decided to put a twist on it and make it sound like I was using you or something.¡±


    Emery nodded. She wanted to believe Austin, but it was going to take some time. She turned her hand over and intertwined her fingers with his. He looked surprised by this response, but squeezed her hand and put it close to his lips.


    ¡°I promise to get this all straightened out.¡± Austin kissed the back of Emery¡¯s hand and then placed it back on his lap.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°Are you going back to the party?¡± Emery didn¡¯t want to keep him from his friends, but at the same time she didn¡¯t want him to go. She may be still mad and hurt, but she didn¡¯t want him to end up with Apryl tonight like she implied that they always did.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want me to stay, I can go home. But no, I¡¯m not going back there tonight because I¡¯d probably get into some nasty fight with a lot of people.¡±


    ¡°No, you can stay. I just didn¡¯t want you to feel like you had to.¡± Emery leaned back on the sofa and put her head on the high pillows. ¡°You can watch TV if you want.¡± She motioned with her free hand to the remote on the stand.


    Austin made himself more comfy on the sofa. He positioned himself so that he would be able to look at Emery directly and not sideways. ¡°Nah, I¡¯d rather talk with you.¡±


    Emery looked at him like he was crazy or something. ¡°Hmm¡­I¡¯m not the most interesting person.¡±


    ¡°Well, let me be the one to decide that. If I didn¡¯t find you interesting up to now, I wouldn¡¯t be here.¡± Austin reached for her hand once more and held it with his on his knee. ¡°So. What are you going to do after we graduate next May?¡± It was always good to find out what aspirations she might have, hopefully not like the others and only want to go to some good party school.


    ¡°Um¡­I have enough credits so I get to graduate in December. Well, not graduate per se but get my diploma.¡± Emery had worked hard and long hours to get the needed graduate hours to get out of school early. It wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t want to join in on all the graduation fun, now that Austin was sort of in her life, but one never knows what the future holds for them.


    ¡°Wow.¡± Austin was surprised by this fact. ¡°Is it because you want to start college early?¡±


    Emery shook her head no. Now was not the time for reasons. ¡°I really don¡¯t know if I¡¯m going to college.¡±


    Austin snickered and shook his head. ¡°With your grades and ambition, you¡¯d be crazy not to.¡±


    Emery shrugged. The path of life was always changing. She didn¡¯t know what would be going on next week let alone six months from now. She had to always prepare just so she would get her goals completed. ¡°What about you? What¡¯s your plan?¡± Emery decided it was time to find out more about Austin. Other than being the pretty boy and player of the school, what was Austin really like?


    ¡°Well.¡± Austin ran his free hand through his hair. ¡°My dad wants me to play college ball and hope to get drafted.¡±


    Emery shook her head. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask what your dad wanted. What does Austin want to do after graduation?¡± She gazed at him carefully, hoping not to scare him off with bold questions about his future.


    Now it was Austin¡¯s turn to shrug his shoulders and be dumbfounded by a simple question. ¡°I guess play football. It¡¯s been the only thing I¡¯ve done every year since I was five years old.¡± Emery looked surprised by this fact, so he decided he had to expand on it a little even though it meant letting her into his personal life. ¡°My mom got pregnant when she was young, like fifteen. So after she had me, she studied and got her GED.¡± Austin saw Emery was following along with the story, unlike others who would probably be looking around the room trying to find an escape from hearing about someone else¡¯s life. ¡°My dad, who¡¯s a year older, graduated high school but only got a two year degree from college so he could go to work fulltime and support mom and me.¡± Austin looked down at the ground, but when Emery lightly squeezed his hand he looked back up at her and continued. ¡°Dad was big in high school with football. He had a lot of universities looking at him, but he said he did the right thing by marrying mom and going to work.¡±


    ¡°Is that why he wants you to play?¡± It seemed Austin liked to play football, but maybe he was only doing it to appease his dad for what he gave up.


    ¡°Maybe. I guess since he gave up so much because I came along way too soon, at least I could maybe make him proud and do something he wishes he could have.¡± Austin knew he was exposing too much of himself, but it felt okay to talk to Emery about all of this¡­like she would understand.


    ¡°But is playing football something you want to do for the rest of your life?¡± Emery knew there must be something else that sparked Austin, something that defined who he was and not just some player.


    ¡°I guess I really haven¡¯t thought about it since everyone assumes I¡¯ll get a football scholarship and go that route. But seriously, Em, I just don¡¯t know if that¡¯s what I want to do forever.¡± Austin smiled as he looked at her sitting there so content with just him talking. It was like she was so focused on everything that he was saying, like she actually cared. ¡°Okay, now what about you? Any brothers or sisters?¡± He hadn¡¯t seen any other pictures around that would indicate, but it was a good way to get the topic off of himself.


    Emery shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m the only one. How about you?¡±


    Austin let out a large sigh. ¡°Five younger sisters.¡± Of course, Emery had the flabbergasted expression that most others did, open mouth and large eyes like she was really surprised by his answer.


    ¡°Wow, I bet that¡¯s either fun or stressing. How old are they?¡± Emery was excited to hear about his family, it made her feel closer to him. Maybe that wasn¡¯t such a good thing. Her heart said that he was telling the truth about the bet, but there¡¯s always that little part that goes ¡®he could be lying.¡¯ She decided to give into the moment and live, enjoy what she had right now because who knows how long that happiness would last.


    ¡°Chelsea and Kelsey are six, Brianna is three, and Lake and Reese are eight months. And it¡¯s stressing because all they do is either scream, cry, hit, or bite. Yeah, I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll ever have that many kids, well, not me personally but whoever I marry. That¡¯s if I even get married.¡± Austin started stumbling around for words. He wasn¡¯t used to talking about himself later on in the future, especially not getting married or having kids.


    ¡°So, you want kids some day?¡± It was amazing that Austin was being so open with her. Usually when they talked it was nothing too personal, but tonight he seemed so comfortable to share things with her. Maybe someday soon she would have to return the favor, but just not yet.


    ¡°Yeah, I guess. Don¡¯t you?¡± Austin thought it was every girl¡¯s goal to have kids, at least one. But who knows, Emery was so unlike all the other girls who hang around him. Maybe she had other plans for her life than to stay at home and take care of kids.


    Emery never really thought about having children. There were always too many other things for her to worry about or deal with other than if she was ever going to get married and have kids. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I never really thought about it.¡±


    Austin gently pushed Emery¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Okay, enough with all this serious talk.¡± As much as he would like to keep up with the sentimental talking, he wasn¡¯t that great at expressing his emotions. He just hoped he didn¡¯t come off as too much of a pussy with their first real heart-to-heart talk.


    They spent the next two hours going over all the music and movies they liked. They had similar taste, but Emery tended to favor romantic movies and country music over Austin¡¯s rock and action packed genres. They found out their birthdays were only two weeks apart and that they would both be eighteen during the second month of school. It was around midnight when Austin noticed that Emery seemed to be getting sleepy.


    ¡°Hey.¡± Her eyes were lightly closed as he brushed the hair off of her forehead. ¡°I¡¯m gonna get going so you can get some sleep.¡±


    Emery opened her eyes and noded okay. She didn¡¯t want him to go, but understood that he probably wanted to go spend some time with his friends at the party. ¡°Just be careful.¡± She stood when he did so she could at least see him out.


    ¡°I don¡¯t live that far away, so I should be all right.¡± He didn¡¯t know why they were whispering, but he thought it was kinda cute and sexy.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going back to the party?¡± Even though he had spent a lot of time with her tonight, Emery thought for sure he¡¯d want to catch back up with Dylan and the rest of the team.


    Austin couldn¡¯t hide the smile that was trying to come out. Emery was inconspicuously trying to see if he was party bound. Could that be just a hint of jealousy that she was displaying? ¡°I can¡¯t. I have a busy morning tomorrow. I have to pick this beautiful girl up so we can go make a whole bunch of kids happy at the hospital.¡±


    Emery tilted her head as she looked at Austin. She wasn¡¯t sure on who he meant since she usually drove herself. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll see you there then.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up around noon then?¡±


    Emery had second guessed his intentions once again. Here she thought he was being the player, but really he seemed genuine in his response. ¡°Okay, that sounds good. Thank you.¡± She decided to take a little initiative on her own. Although Austin promised to not touch her, as in kissing, just to prove that Apryl was lying, Emery wanted to feel that warm fuzzy feeling that she got with the touch of his lips. She placed one hand on his chest and the other lightly on his neck to bring his face closer to hers. The feeling of fire and desire, which she was waiting for, began as her lips gently touched his.


    Austin was surprised that Emery initiated this action. She always seemed hesitant to make the first move. He didn¡¯t waste any time in response to her sudden onset of boldness. He backed her up so that they were away from the front door and her back was against the wall. He intertwined his fingers with hers and pinned her arms on the wall beside her head. Austin deepened the kiss and felt Emery¡¯s tongue and lips react with his. As his lips moved from hers and onto her neck, he felt her body shudder and a soft moan escape her lips. He knew he had to end this moment, not from lack of desire or want, but just out of basic respect that she wasn¡¯t ready for anything that might happen if this moment continued and he wanted this relationship to be more than just a ¡®it was fun see you later¡¯ type of deal.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Emery¡¯s voice sounded husky as Austin ended their heated moment.


    He placed a soft kiss on her swollen, red lips, let her arms down, and buried his face in her hair. ¡°Nothing. I knew we needed to stop.¡±


    Emery kissed the side of his neck. ¡°Thank you.¡± Austin lifted his head up and questioned her with his eyes. ¡°Because you could¡¯ve taken advantage of me, but you were the one who recognized that we aren¡¯t ready for that yet.¡±


    Austin softly stroked her cheek until her eyes met his. ¡°I would never do that to you.¡± He kissed her one last time and walked back over to where they¡¯d started. ¡°I¡¯ll see you at noon.¡± He didn¡¯t wait for her response. He walked out the front door before his mind listened to his body in response to what it wanted.


    The next two weeks went by with Emery and Austin spending more and more time together. Not only did they have their volunteer time together, but they also did things after his football practices and her other volunteer hours. They didn¡¯t go to any more parties, not that there weren¡¯t any, but Austin felt it was better for them to stay away because of Apryl. They went to each other¡¯s houses, meet the other¡¯s families, and just enjoyed doing all the other normal stuff that other teen couples did. And yes, that meant that sometimes the moments got a little too hot, but they still hadn¡¯t ventured past the whole second base thing.


    *  *  *


    Austin went looking for Emery as soon as he got into the hospital. She¡¯d decided to drive herself because she wanted to go in early and see one of her favorite patients who wasn¡¯t doing so well. ¡°Hey, Anne. Where¡¯s Emery?¡± Austin spotted the older lady that was always there when they were there during the week.


    ¡°Oh, hey, Austin.¡± Anne had grown to like Austin. He was a good fit for Emery and he played well with the kids. ¡°She¡¯s back in Molly¡¯s room.¡±


    ¡°Is Molly still really sick?¡± Austin had seen the effects of treatment and cancer first hand when it came to these kids. Molly was one of the ones who probably wouldn¡¯t make it out of here to ever go home. It was going to kill Emery if, or rather when, something did happen. Anne nodded her head yes to his question, then motioned toward the gaming section. Brian was over there, frantically waving his hand for Austin to come join him. ¡°Just let Emery know I¡¯m here if you see her before I do.¡± Anne told him that she would, and Austin joined his gaming friend for their daily bout of war.


    An hour later, Austin saw Emery come back into the activity room. She looked devastated by whatever had gone on in Molly¡¯s room. Her eyes met his and he saw the tears that wanted to fall but didn¡¯t because of all the kids that were present. Emery was one of those girls who wouldn¡¯t cry in front of people, especially the kids, since it seemed to make them even more upset.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back in a minute.¡± Austin gave his controller to the little boy who had been watching him and Brian play. He hopped at the chance to take over Austin¡¯s spot on the game since he was beating the other player. As soon as he got over to Emery, she laid her head on his chest. ¡°Is everything okay?¡± He ran his fingers through the back of her hair and pulled her closer to him. He felt her shake her head no, but wouldn¡¯t answer him just yet as to what had happened. He led her over to the small office room and shut the door behind them. ¡°Emery. You have to talk to me.¡± She was just standing there like she was about to collapse.


    Emery felt the first of the tears fall and quickly wiped them away.¡°It¡¯s Molly.¡±


    ¡°Is she¡­is she gone?¡± Austin didn¡¯t know how to ask this personal question. He was hoping that Emery would say no.


    ¡°No, not yet. But she will be.¡± Emery had willed herself to stop crying. As much as she hated this whole dying thing, especially with these kids, it was something they all had to do at some point in their lives. ¡°Her mom gave me this. She said Molly wanted me to have it.¡± Emery took the folded painting out of her pocket and handed it to Austin.


    He was confused as to what the picture symbolized. ¡°Does this all have a special meaning?¡±


    Emery nodded yes. ¡°The last picture she gave me was one of me and her standing beside the snowman.¡± Emery pointed to the picture Austin was still holding. ¡°But this one shows me and you standing beside the snowman and Molly is looking down at us.¡± She pointed to the face that was mixed in with the clouds. The tears fell again and this time Emery couldn¡¯t stop them.


    Austin looked once again at the picture and clearly saw what Emery was talking about. The two figures smiling by the snowman resembled him and Emery and the face looking down at them, the one with red hair and freckles, was definitely Molly. He pulled Emery closer and let her cry into his chest. He rested his chin on the top of her head, closed his eyes, and stayed as strong as he was always taught to be. He had to be the support in this situation and not give in to how he was actually feeling, or else he would be crying just as hard as she was.


    Emery finally got herself under control and backed away from Austin. ¡°Sorry about all of that.¡± She apologized for overreacting to the situation.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to apologize for being human and having emotions.¡± Austin pulled her closer and kissed her on the forehead. ¡°Are you going to be okay?¡¯¡± He wiped the tear stains away from her cheeks.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m okay.¡± Emery leaned her head on Austin¡¯s chest, took a deep breath, then looked up at him. ¡°Ready?¡± She motioned her head toward the rec room.


    ¡°Yep.¡± Austin gripped her hand and walked out with Emery at his side.


    *  *  *


    ¡°Are you going to be able to handle the next whole week without me being here?¡± Austin pulled Emery by the hand so that she would sit down beside him on his bed. He¡¯d reminded her once again that he was leaving tomorrow for football and cheer camp for the week and wouldn¡¯t be back until next Sunday.


    ¡°I¡¯ve made it almost eighteen years without you, so I think I¡¯ll be good for one week.¡± Emery tried to act like she was being serious, but knew that the grin spreading across her face wasn¡¯t helping her pull this one off.


    ¡°You¡¯ll miss me and you know you will.¡± Austin started tickling her sides, which caused her to start laughing and squirming to get away. In the midst of their play, somehow Emery ended up on her back, laying on Austin¡¯s bed with him halfway on top of her. Her shirt had come up and exposed her flat stomach. The tickles had stopped and become more like light, gentle caresses.


    Austin waited for some sort of sign that she wanted him to stop, but the look or push never came. He cautiously leaned in closer and began to place soft kisses where his hand had been on her stomach. He let his tongue leave a path from the top of her shorts to the bottom of her shirt, which now was at her nipple line with her pink laced bra exposed.


    Emery felt her body shudder with each kiss, nip, and lick. She wanted to stop him and tell him they weren¡¯t ready to move past this point, but how could she when these feelings felt so good and right. Instead of pushing him away, Emery pulled him closer. Her back arched up with each touch and she felt her shirt being lifted up slowly so that not only was her stomach bared, but also her breasts.


    Austin slowly undid the front clasp of Emery¡¯s bra. He had felt the hesitation in her body when he moved up to this unmarked territory but noticed she had relaxed and even run her fingers through his hair, encouraging him to continue. Austin¡¯s hand skimmed over the laced material and exposed one of Emery¡¯s breasts. The nipple was erect and his tongue instantly darted out for a quick lick. Emery ran her fingertips along Austin¡¯s back and lifted his shirt so that he could take it off.


    Austin did as Emery wanted. He tore his shirt off and threw it to the side of his bed. He looked back down at Emery and saw in her eyes the same hunger that he was feeling. His hands skimmed up the sides of her body and lifted her bra and shirt the rest of the way off. His lips went instantly to hers as his body hovered over her.


    Emery reached up and pulled Austin down so that he was lying on top of her. She wanted to feel that skin-on-skin contact and be able to run her hands freely over his naked, muscular back and chiseled chest. With each touch, she felt Austin¡¯s breathing increase. Emery felt Austin slightly move to the side as his hand slipped below the waistband of her shorts. She welcomed him as her legs automatically spread wider and her hips came up off the bed. Austin pictured the pink laced panties that probably matched the bra as his hand ventured south across the forbidden state line.


    Emery had never been this far before with any guy, let alone someone like Austin Murray. She closed her eyes and let out a soft moan of pleasure as he tormented her with his carefulness of how he approached her. The way she was feeling, Emery wanted him to take the rest of her clothes off, along with his own, and just do her right then and there. She scooted her butt down a little further so he would understand that she was all right with where this was leading. His fingers were working their magic and she felt the squeezing of building tension that signaled she was close to a climax.


    Austin stopped his moment of pleasuring Emery and started to ease her shorts and panties off. The sound of one of the twins crying and his mother in the hallway halted the entire moment. He''d been lost in the moment of just being with her for the first time that he¡¯d totally forgotten where he was, his family was still home, and he didn¡¯t have any sort of protection just in case it would¡¯ve gone that far.


    Austin pulled Emery¡¯s shorts up and her shirt back down. The moment was over and he needed the least amount of stimulation as possible. If he had touched her or looked at her once more he would¡¯ve said ¡®fuck the family being here¡¯ and continued to make both of them happy.


    Emery had heard the baby and Austin¡¯s mom. She felt her shorts being put back on and her T-shirt pulled back down to cover her breasts and stomach. Before she sat up, she clasped the front of her bra back together so she would look more presentable. Emery saw Austin had his face planted in his hands and was sitting still on the bed.


    ¡°It was nothing that you did, so if you¡¯re thinking that¡­ just stop.¡± Austin knew she was probably as worked up as he was and she probably questioned why he stopped so abruptly.


    ¡°I know.¡± Emery hoped she was right on her assumption. ¡°It was because one of the babies was crying and your mom was out in the hall, right?¡±


    Austin nodded she was correct. He took a deep breath and moved his hands away from his face. Emery was seated next to him, but not to the point that they were touching. He picked her hand up off her knee and placed it with his on his own. ¡°As much I wanted that to happen, it just wasn¡¯t the right time.¡±


    ¡°Not the right time for Austin Murray?¡± Emery tried her hand at being witty, but it sort of came out sounding mocking. ¡°I mean.¡± She tried to cover up her big blunder. ¡°Um, from what I¡¯ve heard¡­¡± Now that she had his full attention, she didn¡¯t know how to proceed.


    ¡°And what have you heard?¡± Austin knew all the stories that were spread around school about him, some true and some totally made up by Apryl.


    ¡°Well, you know.¡± Emery saw that he was still waiting wide-eyed for her to explain herself. ¡°That you¡¯ve been with a lot of girls, some that you only knew for the night.¡± Emery shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know, maybe it is me. We¡¯ve been friends for almost two months and this is as far as we¡¯ve gotten.¡± She glanced away from his stare and focused on his shirt that had been thrown on the floor.


    ¡°First.¡± Austin lightly squeezed her hand. ¡°We are more than just friends¡­well, you know unless that¡¯s all you want to keep it at.¡± He waited for her response, which was a smile and a head shake, but she still hadn¡¯t looked at him. ¡°Emery.¡± Austin tilted her chin up so that she would look at him. ¡°I don¡¯t want it to be like with all the other girls, the ones you supposedly heard about. Maybe this time, I¡¯m the one who wants to wait.¡± He nudged her with his shoulder. ¡°Unless that¡¯s the only reason you¡¯re hanging around me¡­you know, to get me into bed.¡±


    Emery about choked on her saliva with that comment. ¡°Oh, yeah, Austin, now you know my true intentions.¡± She ran her thumb over the top of his hand as he held hers. ¡°I¡¯d rather wait too. Maybe a different time, different circumstances.¡±


    Austin popped up off the bed and pulled Emery along with him. ¡°If anything happens like that between us, I promise it won¡¯t be here on my bed with my parents and sisters around.¡±


    Emery nudged him back. ¡°It will be in your truck then?¡±


    Austin put his arm around Emery¡¯s shoulders and walked them to his door. ¡°Nope, your car.¡± He knew her car could only hold four people max and the ones in the back needed to be small or they would be squished. There was no way for any type of messing around to be done in that car.


    Emery let out a humph and walked with Austin back out to where his family was gathered in the living room.


    *  *  *


    ¡°So, I¡¯ll see you next Sunday.¡± Austin had Emery meet him at the school parking lot where the chartered buses were all lined. The school used these so that all players, cheerleaders, dance, and band crew were all accounted for the week-long camp. He and Emery were standing by the stand that housed all the beverages and food when it was game time. The other players were standing around either with each other or their own girlfriends.


    ¡°Yep. You¡¯re coming back during the afternoon, right?¡± Emery noticed he confirmed what she thought was true. ¡°And no cell phone, Skype, or anything else that we could use to stay in touch for the week?¡± She knew this was also probably correct since he¡¯d told her last night about not being able to take his phone with him. Emery was just hoping that maybe there was some reconsideration taken of how no one would be able to stay in contact with anyone around town.


    Austin pulled her in for a tight hug. He¡¯d seen some of the players had already boarded and he didn¡¯t want them to have to wait on his account. ¡°Nope, we can¡¯t take anything. And I will miss talking to and seeing you every day.¡± He kissed both her cheeks and then lightly on the lips.


    Emery kissed him on the neck and then pulled away. ¡°You better get going.¡± She nodded to the line that was clambering up the bus steps in a rowdy manner. ¡°I¡¯ll see you Sunday.¡± She gave him one last peck and turned him around so that he would go. Emery watched as he sauntered over to the line and did several fist bumps with his friends. He turned around one last time to wave before he climbed the steps and disappeared. A push from behind almost sent Emery falling over her own two feet.


    ¡°He¡¯s mine for the week, bitch.¡± Apryl strutted past her, shaking her hips more than a strip club dancer.


    Emery watched as Apryl pushed aside the players who were lined up and made her way to the front of the line. She saw Austin seated by the window and there were two cheerleaders behind him. Apryl seemed to be ordering one of the girls out of their seat and she then took the seat directly behind Austin. Emery knew or at least hoped, Austin wasn¡¯t too happy about this. But the way Apryl seemed to always get her own way, who knows what she was capable of doing this week.


    Austin waved as the bus started to pull away and Emery did the same. Even though they¡¯d only really known each other for the past two months, the next week was going to be a difficult one without him.

 Chapter Five

    Three long days after Austin had left for camp, Emery arrived at the hospital for her usual volunteer time. Anne met her at the door and pulled her into the office area, away from the children.


    ¡°You may want to go spend a little time in Molly¡¯s room today.¡± She gave her that look they¡¯ve all learned was one that a loss may be happening soon.


    ¡°Noooo.¡± Emery frantically shook her head. She knew this day was going to come, but she wasn¡¯t prepared for it to happen right now.


    Anne gripped her hand and nodded her head that it was true. ¡°She slipped into a coma last night and hasn¡¯t regained consciousness. The disease has weakened almost all of her vital organs and her mom wants her to die naturally. It was Molly¡¯s request that nothing be used to keep her here. She wants her family to be able to move on and have a life again.¡± The little girl knew what was happening to her body and the only concern she had was she didn¡¯t want to see her family suffer anymore by coming to the hospital every day.


    Emery wiped her eyes and put on the brave look that she¡¯d grown accustomed to wearing in this department. She waved to the other kids who were playing and walked down the long hallway to Molly¡¯s room. Only one parent was seated by the bedside, Molly¡¯s mother, when Emery knocked softly and opened the door. She motioned for Emery to come over and take the seat beside her. They both held each other¡¯s hand and wept for the little girl who would never see the light of day again.


    *  *  *


    The funeral for Molly was held three days later. Emery had attended both days of visiting hours at the funeral home itself and now was watching another small child casket be placed into the ground on this hot July day. Her mother wanted to come with her, but Emery told her that this was something she wanted to do on her own. She couldn¡¯t get ahold of Austin to tell him what had happened because of the no communication thing at camp, except for if his parents would need to get ahold of him, but Emery didn¡¯t even think about telling them so he could be notified until the funeral was about to start. It was like she was placed into a trance and had just gone through the motion of the days without any real thought. She followed everyone back to the picnic area of the park that had been set up as the gathering after the funeral. She took a small amount of food that was being served and sat down with the other volunteers who had known Molly. They ate in silence and looked at the vast amount of pictures that had been placed around the room. Most were of Molly before she¡¯d gotten really ill, but there were a few that had been taken with other kids in the department and also with the volunteers who had been there since she had started going there. There were also tons of pictures that Molly had painted on her last stay in the hospital, the one that had lasted almost three long months to her but three short months to those who loved her.


    ¡°Emery.¡± Molly¡¯s mom lightly touched the girl¡¯s shoulder. She held out the envelope that Molly had decorated with heart stickers and had put Emery¡¯s name on the front. ¡°Molly had left this for you in one of her drawers. I just wanted to give it to you before you left and to thank you for being there every day for her.¡±


    Emery saw the tears build in the woman¡¯s eyes, but like her, she didn¡¯t let them fall easily. It was as though they had been through this so many times that eventually they¡¯d become numb to emotions. She took the envelope and set it under her purse. She didn¡¯t want to open it around everyone else because she knew whatever was in it was only meant for her. ¡°Thank you for allowing me to spend time with such an amazing girl.¡±


    Molly¡¯s mother smiled weakly and nodded her head once. She walked back over to the table that housed all the pictures of her late daughter. Her fingers lightly outlined each of the frames as she gazed upon each smile that Molly always had regardless of the circumstance.


    Some of the other volunteers were getting ready to leave, so Emery packed up her belongings and began the trek back outside to her car. She had told the group that she would see them on Monday and that Austin would also be back. As much as she didn¡¯t want to admit it, Emery was excited that he was finally coming back. Even though they hadn¡¯t been together very long, it was like a part of her had been gone since he¡¯d left.


    Emery said hello to her parents when she went into the house, but didn¡¯t stop to elaborate about the funeral. She knew they could understand her not wanting to talk about it since it was personal and hit too close to home. She opened the envelope after staring at it for several minutes. A whole bunch of glitter and ¡®I love you¡¯ stickers fell out. That was so typical of Molly to use glitter and stickers on everything that she¡¯d created and written. A small piece of paper was mixed in the bunch and Emery¡¯s hands trembled as she picked it up to read.


    In her perfect, neat, eight-year-old handwriting Molly had written¡­


    Emery, you were the big sister I always wanted. Thank you for always being there for me. I know we will meet again and maybe then neither one of us will be in pain. Now is the time that I have to break the girl-code. Even though my mom thinks I¡¯m too young to notice boys, I have to confess now that I think your boyfriend is hot. You and Austin make such a cute couple, he¡¯s really good for you, Emery. I hope you two go on to get married and have lots of little Emerys and Austins, maybe you could have a little girl named after me too¡­love you, Emery, and I will be watching for you to build that snowman.


    Love, Molly


    Emery folded the paper back up the same way that Molly had done it. She gathered all the stickers and glitter that she could and placed it all back into the envelope with the note. Emery sealed it back up and placed it in the drawer of her nightstand. She laid her head down on the pillow, covered herself with her comforter, and cried the tears she¡¯d been holding in for so long.


    *  *  *


    It was almost noon when Emery rolled back out of bed and made her way down to the kitchen. According to the note that was left for her, it seemed her parents had gone to the store for some groceries. Emery grabbed a banana and went back to her room so she could eat, get her clothes, and then get a shower. She had two hours before Austin would arrive back at the school.


    Emery arrived at the school parking lot ten minutes before the scheduled arrival time of the buses. There were several other people there, mostly moms, dads, girlfriends, and boyfriends waiting for the buses to make their entrance. She didn¡¯t know any of them, not on a talk to basis, so Emery just sat down on the ledge that went around the perimeter of the building.


    The buses started to pull into the drive-around about thirty minutes after Emery had gotten there. She saw that everyone was getting off and looking around for whoever may be waiting for them. The second bus was almost unloaded and one of the last people to exit was Austin. Emery jumped off the ledge and waved to him when he glanced over to where all the people were standing. He patted Dylan on the back and began to jog over to where she was standing.


    ¡°It is so good to see you.¡± Austin wrapped his arms around Emery¡¯s waist and lifted her up. He hugged her close like they¡¯d been apart for years instead of just one week. He felt her grip him tight and bury her head in the crook of his neck. ¡°Is everything okay?¡± He knew that something must have happened while he was gone for her to be acting like this around all of these people.


    Emery shook her head no and lifted it up so that she could finally look at the person she¡¯d been missing for this past week. As she lifted her head, one thing caught her eye. It was a light, purplish, colored mark on the side of Austin¡¯s neck. Everyone knew what those were and it wasn¡¯t something that he got from playing football. Emery pushed back from Austin as she realized his unfaithfulness to her. Not that they had ever said they were exclusive, but the way he acted over the past several weeks, she thought maybe she meant a little more to him than what was the obvious. ¡°Oh, um¡­Molly passed away while you were gone.¡± Emery closed her eyes for a brief second just to will the tears away, then glanced up at Austin who had a look of horror on his face.


    Austin pulled Emery close once again. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. I should¡¯ve been there.¡± He felt Emery¡¯s tension and she backed out of his embrace.


    ¡°You were busy. It¡¯s over and done. I had the other volunteers with me.¡± Emery glanced around and saw that a group of Apryl and her friends were walking toward them. ¡°I better get going. Maybe I¡¯ll see you tomorrow at the hospital.¡± She tried to escape, but Austin caught hold of her hand before she could walk away.


    ¡°See ya, Austin. Camp was fun this year.¡± Apryl made sure she and her two besties walked past Austin and his new conquest. She flipped her hair as she got right up next to them. Apryl glanced over at Emery and saw the response that she was seeking. It was obvious that Emery had seen the mark on her neck that was almost identical to Austin¡¯s. Emery¡¯s poor, pathetic expression had gone from just a hint of anger to total anguish in about three seconds. Apryl waved to both of them then strolled away.


    Austin didn¡¯t think it was necessary to even acknowledge Apryl behind him. She¡¯d been around him night and day for the past seven days. And being the determined bitch that she was she couldn¡¯t take no for an answer for anything. He still had a hold of Emery¡¯s arm and saw her expression as Apryl went past. ¡°Are you mad ¡®cause Apryl was there? She had to go because of cheerleading, not because anyone really wanted her to go.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about Apryl or whatever happened with her at camp. I gotta go.¡± Emery finally got her arm free from Austin¡¯s hold when he wasn¡¯t paying attention to make sure she didn¡¯t try to leave again.


    After several seconds of watching Emery walk back toward her car, Austin finally realized why she was so pissed, or hurt, or whatever she felt toward him now. He subconsciously put his hand over the mark on his neck and began a trot to catch up with Emery. ¡°Emery,¡± he yelled out across the parking lot, but she kept walking without looking back. Austin sped up his pace so that he would catch up to her before she made it to her car. ¡°Stop.¡± Austin pulled on the back of her T-shirt so that she couldn¡¯t move forward to get into her car. ¡°I know what you¡¯re mad about.¡± Of course, leave it to Apryl to cause another trial in his and Emery¡¯s new relationship.


    Emery stopped because she had no other option. Austin was holding the back of her shirt and it was nearly impossible to move anywhere. ¡°I¡¯m not mad. I just want to go home. It¡¯s been a long three days. I saw you made it back safely, and now I want to go home and rest.¡± That was sort of the truth. She¡¯d wanted to spend the rest of the day with Austin, but after what she¡¯d seen she¡¯d rather go home and be alone.


    ¡°Are you going to let me explain or just believe what you want again?¡± Austin turned her around so that he could talk to her face-to-face. She did look tired but also hurt by whatever she was thinking. ¡°She did this to me.¡± He pulled down his neckline so that the sucker bite was more visible. ¡°I was sitting with Dylan last night going over the plays that we have to work on this week and Apryl came up behind me and latched onto me. I shook her off as soon as I felt someone touch me. It just so happens that her mouth got ahold of me for a split second. That¡¯s all that happened, nothing else.¡± Austin watched as Emery rolled her eyes over the story, which was really what had happened and not something he made up just to fool her.


    ¡°Austin, you don¡¯t owe me any explanation. You never said we were exclusive, so you can do what you want, with whomever you want. It¡¯s who you are and what you do. And by the way, maybe you should let Apryl know about your story since she has the same mark as you do.¡± Emery wanted to make sure she imposed the notion she still thought he was a player and up to no good.


    ¡°That is where you are wrong.¡± Austin was getting riled up of being accused of doing something he knew he could never do to her. ¡°Dylan.¡± He waved over his friend, who was walking over on the portion of the parking lot. ¡°Dylan will tell you exactly what happened.¡¯¡± Austin pulled Emery by the hand so that she was forced to go with him.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Dylan met Austin and Emery in the middle of the lot. She looked upset about something.


    ¡°Tell her what Apryl did last night when we were going over the plays.¡± Austin knew Dylan wouldn¡¯t lie. He would kick his ass and make his life hell on the team.


    Dylan shrugged his shoulders. ¡°She snuck up behind him and bit his neck before he had time to know what the fuck was going on.¡±


    ¡°And how did Apryl get a sucker bite on her neck?¡± Austin questioned the one who knew mostly everything that went on with the team in these regards.


    Dylan held up his hands in protest. ¡°Dude, it wasn¡¯t me. Last time I saw her she was with Kory last night.¡± Dylan noticed that his girl was getting impatient, waiting for him by the car. ¡°Dude, I gotta go.¡± He slapped Austin¡¯s arm and nodded to his girl waiting for him.


    ¡°Okay, see ya.¡± Austin was happy that Dylan had sort of cleared up the matter. Well, maybe, it still seemed like Emery wasn¡¯t believing the whole story. ¡°So, do you believe me or am I going have to get down on my knees and start singing my innocence to you¡±?¡±


    Emery had to chuckle at that one. She had heard Austin sing before and it wasn¡¯t one of his better qualities. He was gorgeous, great with other people, a star on the football team, but being a singer was not one career he should pursue. Emery didn¡¯t want this to end in some wicked fight, life was too short to always be angry. She knew most likely he was telling the truth since Apryl was a conniving bitch. ¡°Are you going home?¡± She had to find out what he was doing the rest of the day before she made any other plans.


    ¡°Only if you¡¯re coming with me.¡± Austin saw the wall that was between them start to break down after Emery had thought about the situation. ¡°If not, I¡¯ll go wherever you go. I missed you this week.¡± He pulled her hand so that she would be pressed up against him. He didn¡¯t feel any protest or her wanting to get away. Austin kissed her softly on the cheek. ¡°So what do you want to do?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll follow you over, I guess.¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡± Austin put his arm around her shoulders. ¡°We¡¯ll get your car later. You can ride with me.¡± He led her over to his truck, which luckily no one had trashed since in sat there for the week. But then again, there were a lot of other cars that got left there and patrol had been set up by the police department to keep an extra eye on the school parking lot for the week. Not that they lived in a bad town, nothing ever happened unless it was someone fighting when they were drunk or some sort of domestic dispute, but you never know when a kid could get bored and decide to vandalize cars that were left unattended. Austin opened the passenger door and gave Emery one last kiss before helping her into the truck. He began his ride home with his girl at his side.


    Emery and Austin spent the rest of the afternoon in his room talking about everything that had gone on at camp and about Molly¡¯s funeral that Emery had a hard time discussing. It still seemed unreal that Molly would no longer be making everyone smile and bop around with her whistling and happy demeanor. It was going to be a sad, lonely place for a while, but that¡¯s what happens when you let emotions get the best of you. They discussed school that was starting in two weeks and how Austin was happy about finally being a senior. Emery faked her enthusiasm that they were going to finally be seniors. It wasn¡¯t that she wasn¡¯t happy about finally graduating, but wasn¡¯t sure what the year held in store for her. If she were a normal, healthy teen girl, she¡¯d be thrilled and ecstatic about being seen with the most sought after guy in school. But since she wasn¡¯t, Emery was just happy to have made it this far.


    The subject of their upcoming birthdays came up and both decided that even though Emery¡¯s parents and Austin¡¯s friends wanted to do something special for those days, they decided just to spend them with each other. Emery had spent seventeen years of doing birthday dinners with her mom and dad, while Austin had spent the past few years partying each birthday away with the team and girls. Now for their big, becoming an adult birthday, they wanted to be alone. Finally, around seven that evening, after the couple had dinner with Austin¡¯s rowdy family, he took Emery back over to get her car at the school.


    ¡°Thanks for coming to meet me today.¡± Austin softly touched her cheek.


    Emery laid her head on Austin¡¯s open palm and just enjoyed the serenity she felt when he was near. ¡°Thanks for the great afternoon and dinner.¡±


    Austin snorted and pulled Emery closer to him. ¡°Any time I can dazzle you with chili dogs and my loud obnoxious family you¡¯re more than welcome to come.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re fun. My parents seem so uptight compared to yours.¡± Emery knew the reasons why her parents behaved the way they did, mostly it was out of concern for her. ¡°I like being around your family.¡±


    ¡°I know that they really like you, maybe almost as much as I do.¡± Austin had wanted to tell Emery that he thought of them as more than just the usual hook-up he was so known for before. He had really started to like her and could imagine them being together for a really long time.


    ¡°Well, Austin. I like them almost as much as I like you.¡± Emery leaned her head back and saw a smile spread across his face. ¡°Guess we should be getting home. We have to be at the hospital bright and early tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. We have to be there at nine instead of twelve.¡± Austin had totally forgotten about the schedule change. He had been worn out from football camp and then excited about coming back to see Emery, that the whole change thing had totally slipped his mind. ¡°I better let Ms. I Need My Twelve Hours Sleep go home then.¡± He still loved the fact that Emery would rather be sleeping early than getting ready for an all-night party.


    ¡°If you were with me I¡¯m sure I wouldn¡¯t be sleeping.¡± Emery gave him a quick peck on the lips, then scooted around to her car door before he had time to realize what she¡¯d just implied. She shut the door and waved to him as she backed out of the parking space. Austin was still standing there wide-eyed and opened-mouthed as Emery made her way out to the main road.


    *  *  *


    ¡°Emery, we¡¯re going to be late,¡± Austin yelled down the hall. Emery had gone back to her bedroom to grab another pair of shoes twenty minutes ago. It was their first day back to school and he didn¡¯t want to start it off wrong by being late.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡± Emery grabbed her backpack and Austin¡¯s hand. She led them over to the front door and yelled out to her mom that they were leaving. She shook her finger at him as he helped her into the truck. ¡°You are so impatient.¡± It was the first day of their senior year and she had the jitters about showing up with the hottest guy in school. She knew there were going to be stares and multiple stories going around from the people who hadn¡¯t seen them together before. She watched as he went around to his side of the truck and got in so easily. Emery still had a hard time believing that they were a couple. Never in a million years would have anyone ever suspected that they would get together. Now, she had to explain it all to her friends whom she hadn¡¯t seen since Austin came into her life.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you have a different outfit on when you went back to your room?¡± Austin had just realized that Emery wasn¡¯t wearing the same outfit as before. He made the turn onto the road that led to the high school.


    ¡°Yeah, but it didn¡¯t look right. Does this one look bad?¡± Emery feared she¡¯d have to either tell him to go back so she could change once again or suffer through the whole day with an icky outfit.


    Austin raked his eyes up and down Emery¡¯s outfit. It was a short black skirt paired up with a tight, short-sleeved hot pink T-shirt. She had these little ankle boots on that made the outfit extra sexy. ¡°I think you look hot.¡± Austin knew that wasn¡¯t exactly what he wanted to say. But if he had come right out and said that he wanted to take her back to his house, tear those clothes off, and have his way with her, well, that just would make her blush like she normally did with comments like that. Their ¡®special¡¯ moments had become more numerous and adventurous, but never to the point of being truly sexual. He knew Emery wanted to wait, but the way she acted sometimes led him to believe otherwise.


    ¡°So, I look hot.¡± Emery licked her lips with her tongue in the most sensual way she knew. She ran her hand up Austin¡¯s leg and skimmed over his crotch area. Emery heard him groan, and he grabbed her hand to keep it in place on his thigh. She giggled at his response.


    ¡°It¡¯s not funny.¡± Austin shook his head at her actions. He pulled into the student parking and parked in his normal spot that was always left open. ¡°You.¡± He turned the truck off and turned toward her. ¡°Don¡¯t have to walk around all day with a boner because of that little move you just did.¡± Austin picked up her hand and kissed it. ¡°Ready for the first day?¡±


    Emery shrugged her shoulders. ¡°I guess. Are you?¡± Emery watched as Austin thought about her question. He kept scrunching his nose up like he was in deep thought.


    ¡°No, not really. I don¡¯t want summer to end and our lives to get more hectic. I like spending my time with you.¡± He kissed her softly on the lips so he wouldn¡¯t mess her lipstick. ¡°Now, football and school will be all time-consuming. The only time we¡¯ll see each other is at the hospital.¡±


    ¡°I can come to practices.¡± Emery was all right with sitting there and watching the team practice. She¡¯d done it a couple of time since Austin had taken her the first time after volunteer time that one day. The cheerleaders usually did their practices in the gym, so she didn¡¯t have to worry about Apryl. ¡°And we can study together and do other things.¡± Emery kissed him back and lightly ran her tongue over his lips. She felt him respond by deepening the kiss.


    ¡°You are going to make this difficult, aren¡¯t you? I¡¯m going to be so worked up today that I won¡¯t be able to function.¡± Austin ended their heated moment. He kissed Emery on the tip of the nose and opened his door to get out. He quickly jogged around and helped Emery down to the pavement. He could feel all eyes on them from everyone standing around in the parking lot. Austin put his arm around Emery¡¯s shoulders and led them up to the school.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you at lunch.¡± Emery tippy-toed and gave Austin a quick kiss goodbye. It was the only time they would be together during the day. They had made it through the hordes of students who watched their every move in amazement that the star football player would be seen with someone like her. Emery had seen her little group of friends and they seemed just as shocked that she and Austin were really together.


    ¡°Yep. I¡¯ll meet you in the front.¡± Austin pulled Emery back one last time for another kiss, then watched as she quickly ran up the steps to make it to her class on time. Now he had to go listen to some of his friends complain once again that he¡¯d been absent all summer, he¡¯d missed a lot of parties, as well as try to ignore them when they rambled on about him being with someone like Emery instead of one of the girls that were more fitting for them, the girls from the cheer squad or the dance team. He couldn¡¯t imagine ever going out with one of those girls again, even for a one-night stand, not since he¡¯d met Emery. But his friends weren¡¯t the type that he could talk about the possibility of falling in love, all they focused on was the next target and conquer.


    ¡°Where do you want to sit?¡± Emery met up with Austin outside of the cafeteria. They had made it through the first of their four classes and had three more to go until they could finally leave. None of her friends had lunch this period, but a lot of Austin¡¯s teammates and other people he hung around with did and were already filing in line for food.


    Austin looked around and saw the people he had eaten lunch with for the past three years were beginning to filter in. He was thankful that none of Apryl¡¯s crew had lunch at this time, but he knew Emery probably wouldn¡¯t want to sit with a whole table full of guys and girls she hardly knew. ¡°How about courtyard?¡± He nodded toward the outside seating that had been constructed for those who favored eating outside. There were a few small picnic-like tables and benches that were surrounded by the colored flowers of the school¡¯s theme, navy blue, and white.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Emery was happy with his proposal. It was way too nice of a day not to be outside. ¡°You don¡¯t want to sit with the team?¡± she questioned him as they went through the line and picked out what they wanted.


    ¡°¡®I¡¯ve seen them enough today. Plus, I get to see them all for the next three classes and all afternoon after school for practice. I haven¡¯t seen you since this morning and I need my Emery time now.¡± Austin motioned for the cashier to total up both his and Emery¡¯s lunches together so he could pay for them both. He gave her the required money and led Emery out to the fresh, warm air of the outdoors. ¡°So, how¡¯re all your classes going so far?¡± Austin picked up his hoagie and took a bite.


    ¡°Not too bad, but it¡¯s only the first day. Ask me in three more months if I still like them.¡± Emery drank some of her orange juice and dribbled the ranch dressing on her chicken salad. ¡°How¡¯s yours going?¡± She took a big bite of the salad before the chicken lost its warmth.


    Austin shrugged his shoulders. ¡°They¡¯re like every other year.¡± He was trying to talk and chew at the same time, which wasn¡¯t a good combination. Austin started to choke on a piece of food that he accidentally swallowed while talking. He finally coughed enough that it got dislodged, went flying back out of his mouth, and landed on the next table over. Two of the girls who were sitting there let out a squeal as soon as the piece of food landed near them. They looked around at the rest of the people who were out there to see which one would have done something like that, mainly focusing on Austin since he was the one who just had the coughing fit.


    Emery snickered at the whole scene. ¡°Really mature, Austin.¡± He had his head tucked down low and pretended to be focusing on his food. ¡°You know they aren¡¯t going to say anything to you. You are the almighty Austin Murray.¡± Emery picked up a stack of napkins off of her tray and proceeded over to where the food had accidentally fallen. The two girls, who Emery didn¡¯t know, looked at her as she picked up the piece of hoagie that was still lying on the table. ¡°You¡¯ll have to excuse my boyfriend. He hasn¡¯t learned any manners yet.¡±


    ¡°So, is it true then?¡± the girl closest to where Emery was standing whispered to her.


    ¡°Is what true?¡± Emery hadn¡¯t fully understood the question yet.


    ¡°That, you know, you¡¯re paying Austin to go out with you.¡±


    The girl looked dead serious with her question and Emery could feel the anger boiling up inside of herself as she pondered on who could have started such a rumor. ¡°No, I¡¯m not paying Austin. Who told you that anyway?¡± Now she wanted to find out who was the wiseass starting shit on the first day of school.


    Both girls shrugged their shoulders. It was either they had no clue where they heard it or they weren¡¯t giving up any info to get someone in trouble. ¡°No one really, just some talk that¡¯s been going around.¡± The girl finally gave an answer that Emery might be okay with.


    ¡°Whatever.¡± Emery took the napkin and threw it in the trash, then sat back down with Austin. ¡°Are you going to charge me for sitting here?¡± Emery threw the question out to him just to see if maybe he¡¯d heard any of the talk. She put the plastic lid back on her chicken salad and pushed her lunch tray away. Emery looked at Austin, waiting for his response.


    Austin had heard a lot of stories and reasons why he and Emery were together. He just blew them off and told people either asking or telling him about the rumor to shut the fuck up. ¡°Yes.¡± As soon as he saw Emery¡¯s expression he knew he¡¯d given the answer to a question that wasn¡¯t even asked. ¡°No¡­no¡­no. I didn¡¯t mean that yes you have to pay me. I meant yes that I¡¯ve heard the rumors.¡± He saw her face ease up a little, but still looked hurt that people would make up stuff about them, well, mainly her.


    ¡°What else have you heard?¡± Emery hadn¡¯t really heard anything, but then again she didn¡¯t pay much attention to others when they gossiped. The friends she had in her classes never said anything about them being together, they just listened to what she had to tell them and thought it was cool that they were together.


    Austin knew she probably didn¡¯t want to hear the majority of it, so he just told her the ones that came to the top of his head. ¡°I heard that one, and that it was part of my volunteer time, and you were pregnant from our supposed hot, one-night stand.¡± He had to wink at her on the last comment just because she looked quite flabbergasted over someone saying that and people actually believing it.


    ¡°This school is so un-freakin¡¯-real.¡± Emery heard the bell sound that signaled that their time was up for lunch.


    Austin grabbed both their trays and tossed the garbage away and set the trays on the can for pickup. ¡°You know what I liked, though?¡±


    Emery rolled her eyes at him and waited for another comment that he may have heard.


    ¡°I liked when you said my boyfriend before.¡± He picked up both their backpacks and grabbed for her hand. ¡°That was the first time you ever said anything like that.¡± He kissed her softly on the side of her face and walked down the hall toward her next class.


    ¡°Meet me after school.¡± Emery leaned her forehead on Austin¡¯s chest. They had made it to her next class and luckily his was right next door. She felt his lips kiss the top of her head as he wrapped his arms around her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll meet you after this class. Don¡¯t leave without me.¡± He gave her one last kiss and then gave her back her backpack. Austin let all the other kids go into class before letting go of her. ¡°Have fun.¡±


    ¡°You too.¡± Emery said it as sarcastic as he did to her. How much fun could they actually have in their math classes? She watched as he went in and took his seat near the back.


    ¡°Oh, we will have fun.¡± Emery heard the voice from hell as Apryl strolled past her and took the empty seat right next to Austin. She sat facing him with her legs uncrossed in a skirt that seemed way too short for their school dress code. Emery shook her head at the girl¡¯s audacity and antics, then walked into her class just as the bell rang.


    *  *  *


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± Emery gently smacked Austin on the back. They¡¯d finished their last class and met in front of the school. As soon as he had seen her, he¡¯d picked her up and thrown her over his shoulder. She could tell that they were walking toward the parking lot because she heard the cars going by and saw the feet of other students as Austin moved past them. Finally, after a few minutes of being carried Emery was put back down on her feet.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    ¡°Just to my truck until practice starts,¡± Austin told her. ¡°And what are we going to do in your truck for the next thirty minutes?¡± Emery saw the sly look on his face as he shut her door and ran around to his side.


    ¡°We.¡± Austin wrapped his arms around Emery and pulled her closer to his side. ¡°Are.¡± He began to lightly kiss her neck. ¡°Going to do something that I¡¯ve been waiting all day after watching you in that skirt.¡± Austin noticed a short gasp as he began to lightly stroke the inside of her bare thigh. As his hand moved higher, so did the rate of Emery¡¯s breathing pattern.


    Emery kept her eyes closed and knew that at any moment this could all be stopped by someone coming over to Austin¡¯s truck or just by her saying no. It all felt too good to say no and she hoped that no one else was looking. Emery squinted her eyes open and saw that the parking spaces ahead of them were vacant, as well as the ones next to them. Austin still had his eyes closed as his hand progressed north and his kisses along her neck became more like nips of pleasure.


    Austin knew Emery was going to stop him real soon. He was almost to the line that she always said no and being in the school parking lot was not a place for her to be acting like this. It was so not Emery-like. A few more millimeters and still no hand stop. He felt the heat as his fingers neared her panties and every tremble she gave made him even more excited. He glanced at her and saw that she had her head back on the seat, eyes closed, and a small smile on her face. Austin continued with the plan he had thought of all day.


    Emery shuddered as she felt one finger swoop inside of her panties. In automatic response, she lifted her hips and let out a small whimper. She knew she was going to have to maintain control, especially since anyone could come by at any time. Austin worked magic on her throbbing nub that needed to be relieved. He kept the motion of small circles with one finger as two more worked their way backward and to the wetness that awaited.


    Now that Emery had shifted her butt further toward the floor so that her crotch was no longer on the seat, Austin had better access to her sweetness.


    Emery sucked in her breath and felt tears form in her eyes. It had hurt, but in an intoxicating way. Austin hadn¡¯t made any more moves and had kept all fingers still after the last move. She could feel the pain subsiding and a new sensation take hold. Emery started to move her hips back and forth so that Austin¡¯s fingers were doing the same. His other finger began its circular motion once again and Emery thought she was going to pass out from the heat that she felt.


    Austin felt Emery shiver and grip his arm. He knew that he¡¯d helped her reach the ultimate point of satisfaction. Her breaths were in soft pants and she kept her hand on his so that he wouldn¡¯t stop and she would be able to ride this out with the fullest gratification. After he had heard her breathing return to a normal pace, Austin removed his fingers from her panties and pulled her skirt down a bit so that she was covered more. He watched her until she opened her eyes.


    The bright sunlight filtered in through the window as Emery opened her eyes. That was the most intense pleasure she¡¯d ever had and now felt a bit embarrassed of what happened or what Austin may be thinking right now. Emery glanced out of the corner of her eyes and saw Austin was intently watching her. He smiled as he caught her eye. Emery returned the gesture with caution. She rearranged her clothes and brushed the hair back that had fallen over her face. Austin tilted her chin so that she would look at him and he kissed her softly on the lips.


    ¡°I have to get going to practice. Are you coming?¡± Austin lightly ran his fingers down her arm and saw that it elicited goosebumps over her skin.


    Emery had totally forgotten about the practice after that major event. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m going.¡± She checked her face and hair in the rearview mirror, then waited until Austin came around to open her door.


    Instead of letting Emery leap down like she normally did from the truck, he slid her down the length of his body and groaned on every inch they were in contact. ¡°You have me so freakin¡¯ excited I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m going to be able to concentrate during practice.¡± He shut the door when her feet hit the ground and backed her up until she was pressed against the side. Austin captured her lips with his in a hungry kiss that left them both gasping for air.


    As Austin¡¯s lips traveled down her neck, Emery reminded him of where he needed to be. He groaned, gave her one last kiss, then took her hand and led her down to the field. The first thing they noticed when they got there was that the cheerleaders were practicing on the sidelines by the field.


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± Austin was the first to comment about the girls being there. He pulled Emery over to the bench and stormed off to find out what the hell was going on.


    Emery didn¡¯t hear what they were saying, but she saw Austin¡¯s hands flying everywhere as he talked to Dylan and pointed to the ones over to the side. After a while, he shook his head then started back over to where Emery was seated.


    ¡°Seems the girls wanted to be outdoors for practice so they could get their formations right on the sidelines for the game on Friday.¡± Austin knew Emery probably wouldn¡¯t be happy with Apryl and crew being so near, but there was nothing he could do since their coach had them do it.


    ¡°That¡¯s all right. If they stay there and I¡¯m here, it should all be good.¡± Emery pointed to the guys jogging up to the equipment room. ¡°You better go get changed.¡±


    Austin turned around and saw the guys heading up. ¡°I¡¯ll be back in a few.¡± He leaned down, gave her a quick kiss, and then jogged over to the line heading toward the small white building.


    Emery sat there just watching the birds enjoy their swoops onto the field in search of insects to eat. After a few moments of sitting alone, she felt the presence of someone behind her. She knew it wasn¡¯t Austin, so that could only mean that it was one of the girls from the squad.


    ¡°Emery.¡± Even though she wanted to call her by the nickname that she always did, Apryl called the girl¡¯s real name. She saw her nod her head but didn¡¯t turn around to acknowledge that she was there. ¡°I figured since you¡¯re going to be hanging around our group from now on, maybe you should come on over and meet the other girls.¡±


    There was no way in hell that Emery was going to subject herself to that torment. ¡°No thank you, I¡¯m good right here.¡±


    Apryl hated being ignored and even more, she hated to be told no by the likes of some of Emery¡¯s stature. Instead of just walking away, Apryl leaned down so that she was close to Emery¡¯s ear. She kept a close eye on the equipment room door just in case Austin made an appearance. After she was done telling Emery what she wanted her to hear, she left the now confused girl alone once again.


    Emery couldn¡¯t believe what Apryl had told her. It seemed everything that just happened in Austin¡¯s truck had already occurred in a classroom today between the two of them. It seemed that Apryl and Austin had a majority of their classes together, including one where they sat in the back of the science lab room with a teacher who was known for not paying any attention to the students. Apryl explained to her, in a not-so-friendly way, how she wasn¡¯t wearing any panties today under her short, tight skirt and that drove Austin wild. She told her what had happened in the back of the room and it was almost exact to what had happened with them in the truck. Emery tried to keep her composure as the team began their descent out of the building and Austin made his way over to her.


    ¡°You okay?¡± Austin saw that Emery looked a little paler than when he had gone in to change. He hoped that the sun hadn¡¯t taken its toll on her yet, since they still had two hours of practice to get through before they could leave. ¡°Stay here a minute.¡± Austin went over to the cooler that had the ice and water bottles for practice. He grabbed two of them out and took them back to Emery. ¡°Make sure you drink these so you don¡¯t get sick sitting out here in the sun.¡±


    The bottles were cool to the touch and Emery held them against her face. Austin was being so nice and thoughtful right now, it was hard to believe that he had cheated on her during the school day. ¡°Thank you.¡± Emery set one of the bottles down on the bench and opened the other to get a cold drink.


    The sound of the coach¡¯s whistle signaled that practice was about to start. ¡°I gotta get going.¡± Austin gave Emery a quick kiss on the cheek and jogged over the front line for warm-ups. Every so often during the next two hours, he would look over to the bench to make sure Emery was doing all right. She was either watching them go through the plays or playing around with her apps on her cell phone. Finally, around six, the coach ended practice and released them to go home. ¡°Hey, I gotta change real quick, then I¡¯ll be right back out.¡± Emery didn¡¯t say anything to him, she nodded her head once and kept her focus on the two birds that were hopping along on the ground.


    It seemed Austin was in a rush to get back, as Emery saw he was the first one out of the equipment building. She had to ask him about Apryl but wasn¡¯t sure how to bring on the whole subject.


    ¡°Ready?¡± Austin was ready to get the hell away from the field and watchful eyes of everyone who had nothing else to focus on in their lives except what he was doing. Emery stood and walked beside him, but far enough that they weren¡¯t touching or seen as together.


    Austin opened up the truck door for Emery to get in and she clambered on up without needing any assistance from him. ¡°Okay, Emery, talk.¡± Austin put the key in the ignition but didn¡¯t start the truck just yet.


    ¡°About?¡± She knew what she wanted to say, but was afraid to hear if it was the truth.


    ¡°Something obviously happened from the time that we left to go to the field until now.¡± Austin was getting more and more frustrated by the moment.


    ¡°Do you have a lot of classes with Apryl?¡± First, she had to find out if Apryl was telling the truth about them having a lot of classes together.


    Austin shrugged his shoulders. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I try not to look for her. I guess she¡¯s in some of my classes, but a lot of people I know are.¡±


    ¡°Is she in your Mr. Ward¡¯s bio lab and does she sit by you?¡± Now she had to get to what happened in that lab today.


    ¡°Yes, and only because he put us alphabetically. I have an M for the last name initial and so does she. What does this have to do with anything?¡± Austin was totally confused as to where this whole conversation was leading.


    ¡°Did anything happen between you two in class today?¡± Emery didn¡¯t want to come right out and ask if he had touched Apryl the same way that he did her earlier.


    The only thing that came to mind was that Apryl kept sitting with her legs open in her little skirt. He knew from experience that she never wore underwear or if she did it was some scant little thing. Of course, being a guy it was hard not to look, but he never touched or gave her any inkling that he was remotely interested in anything she had to offer. ¡°She kept flirting with me, but I ignored her.¡±


    ¡°Nothing happened between you two, like what had happened with us earlier here¡±?¡± Emery didn¡¯t want to beat around the bush any longer, so she got straight to the point.


    Austin was stunned speechless by her question. Now he knew Apryl must have talked to Emery while he went to change before practice had begun. ¡°No. I don¡¯t know what she told you, but I know it was another one of Apryl¡¯s lies. Nothing happened with me and her for a long while.¡±


    Emery knew that could be true, but every insinuated lie that Apryl supposedly told made it harder and harder to trust Austin. Emery kept her focus looking out the window as she began her next question. ¡°Did you and her do stuff like¡­you know¡­like we just did?¡±


    ¡°Emery, Apryl and I were together a lot during the last three years. Yes, we did have sex and yes we did do other things like we did. But I wasn¡¯t with her at camp and I surely wasn¡¯t with her in school today.¡± Austin was growing tired of Apryl¡¯s attempts to get him back and also Emery¡¯s insecurities about his faithfulness to her and their relationship. ¡°You know, I can¡¯t keep up with every lie that Apryl will tell and I can¡¯t keep going on in our relationship if you are never going to trust me.¡± He didn¡¯t want to break up, but he didn¡¯t want to have to explain himself every time Emery heard another rumor.


    Emery was hurt that Austin wanted to break up because of her insecurities. It wasn¡¯t like she had a lot of experience with this whole relationship and dating thing and he used to be the biggest man whore of the school, as everyone used to say, but the way he was acting now about not being trusted made Emery see him in a different light. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m sorry. I just get too wrapped up in what Apryl always has to say that I never give you the benefit of the doubt.¡± Emery finally looked over at him and saw he was staring out the front window with a depressed look on his face. Emery reached over for his hand, which willingly accepted hers, and shifted a few inches closer. ¡°I promise to always ask you about everything that she might say before I get all pissy and hurt, okay?¡± Emery just wanted to make this all better and hopefully, move on from another Apryl attempt at destroying their relationship.


    Austin nodded his head he was okay with that. He pulled her closer with one arm and kept his arm around her shoulders to keep her close. Austin started the truck so that he was able to take them to get something to eat for dinner and then get them both home.


    *  *  *


    It was finally Friday and the first night of football. It was a home game, so Emery told Austin she would just drive herself to school and then meet him back at the field before the game. Of course, she had to double promise that she was going to show back up and not go to sleep like she was known for doing. The day had gone well, like the rest of the week had gone since Austin and Emery had talked about their relationship complications. He had moved from each of his seats in the classes that Apryl was in so that she was on the complete opposite side of the room. He told the teachers that she would be too much of talking distraction for him to focus properly. It wasn¡¯t that Apryl was very talkative, but he didn¡¯t want to get her into trouble by telling them she would be making too many sexual advances on him for his comfort.


    ¡°You will be here at six this evening, right?¡± Austin had to make sure that Emery was going to be there before he had to go into the locker room for change and pep talk.


    ¡°Yes, Austin, I will be here.¡± Emery never knew he would be the one to panic before a game, but it was so obvious that he was worried about the upcoming game against one of their biggest rivals. This time, Emery moved him so that he was up against her car. She ran her hands up his chest and then back down his arms to clasp her hands with his. She tippy-toed up and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. ¡°Everything will be fine tonight. You¡¯ll do great, you¡¯ll win, and everyone will love you like they always do.¡± Emery tried to give an inspirational talk so that maybe he would calm down enough to concentrate of the game.


    Austin loosened his hands from hers and placed them on her butt to pull her tight against him. He began to nibble on Emery¡¯s neck and loved when she made those soft noises of pleasure. ¡°Do I get something special if I win?¡±


    Emery wiggled back away from him a smidgen and kissed him on the cheek before pulling away. ¡°Definitely.¡± She began to move around to the driver¡¯s side of her car. ¡°I will buy you an ice cream afterward.¡± Emery giggled and hopped into her car before Austin could make any advances toward her. Austin just shook his head at her response as it seemed that wasn¡¯t the one he was looking for. She waited until he stepped away from her car before backing out. Emery put down her window and waved him over. Austin leaned his head in the open space and gave her another kiss. ¡°I¡¯ll see you in a few.¡± Emery headed for home to grab a quick bite to eat, change, and make it back to the school to cheer her man on.


    Emery had twenty minutes to get to the field on time. She didn¡¯t want Austin to be anymore anxious than he already was. So with one last look in her mirror to brush her hair back once again and to make sure Austin¡¯s last year football jersey was knotted just right, Emery told her parents she would be home later and headed back over to the school.


    The parking lot was already getting full by the time Emery pulled into a spot. There was still over an hour until kick-off and the place was already pumped up to go. The field lights were bright and shining as Emery made her way down the bleacher steps. She saw Austin already suited up over by the home team¡¯s bench and he seemed to be watching the bleacher section for her to make her appearance. He must have finally caught her eye in the crowd of people because Emery saw a big smile spread across his face. He motioned with his hand for her to come over to him.


    ¡°Right on time.¡± Austin picked her up by her waist and kissed her hard. He knew now wasn¡¯t the time for them to get all PDA on each other so he set her feet back down on the ground and walked back over with her to the bleachers. Of course, he had to go through the numerous shout-outs of his name, especially from the girls, whom he gave waves. But his main focus was on the one who was right by his side.


    ¡°Seems you¡¯re quite popular here tonight.¡± Emery cuddled closer to him as he sat with her on the spot on the bleachers, which he had selected, right behind where he¡¯d be on the bench.


    Austin pulled her close and kissed her nose tip. He waggled his eyebrows at her. ¡°I¡¯m popular all the time, just not tonight.¡±


    Emery smacked his chest lightly. ¡°Aren¡¯t we all full of ourselves?¡± She knew he was joking around and trying to blow off some jitters that he probably had. ¡°Hey.¡± Emery took him by the chin and brought his head down closer. ¡°It¡¯s going to be fine tonight, it¡¯s just a game.¡± She kissed him lightly on the lips and noticed that he wasn¡¯t really agreeing with her comment. ¡°Austin, is everything okay?¡± Now he had her worried about the game.


    ¡°Yeah, I just tend to overreact at game time. I¡¯ll be okay when I get out on the field.¡± He saw that some of the other players were beginning their warm-ups and knew that with him being the captain he should be out there. ¡°I guess I gotta go.¡± Austin nodded his head in the direction of the other players.


    ¡°Okay, one last kiss and good luck.¡± Emery kissed him with a little more sensuality than was appropriate for a family event.


    ¡°Mmmm, keep kissing me like that and I¡¯m taking tonight off.¡± Austin gave her a quick final peck on the lips then stood up to leave. ¡°I¡¯ll be looking for you when I score.¡± He had told her that he was going to be the winner this year of the big team bet. Well, at least he hoped he would be. He¡¯d never won it before, as the running backs or the fullbacks were always the ones to get across the goal line first.


    Emery gave him a thumbs-up and shooed him off with her hand. She didn¡¯t want him to miss any of the important practice or talk that they probably had to go through. Emery watched as he jogged across the track and onto the field with over half the girls in the stadium¡¯s eyes on him.


    Halftime was over and the teams were both scoreless. Austin was back on his side by the bench, carefully going over the playbook, but every once in a while he would glance back at Emery and smile. Each play that he did came out perfect, but it seemed the other team¡¯s defense was as good as theirs at stopping the runs and passes.


    Austin looked worn out and defeated going into the final minute of the game. Emery could tell by his movements that this game was kicking his ass. He had just given the ball to their lead running back, but he got knocked out of bounds at the five-yard line. There were forty seconds on the clock and the team had one more play left until they had to do another kickoff. Emery watched as Austin took two steps back as the ball was hiked to him and then ran toward the goal line. Every defensive player was after him and had caught on quick to his sneaky move. The people in the stands were all standing, screaming, and cheering him on for the last two yards. Just as he was about to cross the line for the only score in the game, the strong safety tackled him on the line. Everyone gasped, wondering whether or not the ball had actually made it past the line.


    Emery waited patiently for those several seconds, which seemed like hours. The silence of the crowd only intensified the moment and only when those rooting for their school erupted into a loud roar, did she know the final outcome. The referee had raised his arms high in the air, signaling it was indeed a touchdown. Austin got up from the ground, turned around, and pointed his finger at Emery. She waved back and he held up his hand in response that he¡¯d seen her. He jogged back over to the bench and got congratulatory high fives from all his teammates.


    The other team remained scoreless at the ending buzzer sound, indicating that Austin¡¯s team had won. The team¡¯s family and friends started to make their way down to the field so they could celebrate with the team. Austin saw Emery slowly making her way down, so he jumped over the fence that ran around the field and met her halfway. He scooped her up high and spun her around in a circle. ¡°We are going out to celebrate tomorrow,¡± he yelled at her over the other people¡¯s loud voices and yells. More students started to crowd them so they could congratulate him on the win. Even though girls and boys were trying to make their way in-between him and Emery, Austin never lost his grip on her hand.


    Finally, after the half-hour celebration, the team had to go back to the locker room to change. Austin made sure he knew where Emery would be, on her usual spot on the team¡¯s bench. He just hoped that Apryl and her crew would leave her alone until he got back. ¡°Give me fifteen minutes and I¡¯ll be back out.¡± He knew it would take that long to get all the equipment off, a fast shower, and clothes back on before he would meet up with her again.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll wait.¡± Emery curled her legs up under her and got comfy on the bench that she became accustomed to sitting on. She watched as Austin sprinted past all the other players to be the first to get to the locker room. Emery noticed that Apryl and the other cheerleaders were on the sidelines still gathering up all their stuff and talking with the other students. It was a good thing that they hadn¡¯t seen her sitting over here.


    Austin broke all records in changing and showering. He had to listen to the other guys teasing that he was just in a hurry because his girl was going to give him a special present for winning the game. He just rode out the joshing from his friends without getting too angry at their talk about Emery. He used to do the same thing to them when they scored and what their girls were going to do to celebrate, so he really couldn¡¯t get too pissed off at them for doing the same. Hey, it was all just locker room fun.


    Emery saw that Austin had made good on his promise and was jogging back across the field in her direction. He was waving something in his hand, but she had no clue what it was. ¡°What is that?¡± She pointed to the white envelop he was carrying.


    ¡°This, my dear, is what we are going to celebrate with tomorrow.¡± He opened the envelope so she could see the money that was inside. He put his arm around her shoulders and they began their walk over to the bleachers to leave. ¡°It¡¯s the bet money, remember? I scored first this season so I get the five hundred that we all put in.¡± They were close to the cheerleaders and he knew that Apryl had heard him stating that he had won the money.


    ¡°You did awesome tonight.¡± Emery had to kiss him right then and there just to piss Apryl off. He responded by making the kiss last a tad bit longer than it should¡¯ve, but it was so worth the expression of defeat that was written all over Apryl¡¯s face. ¡°Just think, I didn¡¯t even have to screw him so he could get that money or for him to stay with me all these months,¡± Emery whispered loudly to Apryl as they passed by the girls on the sidelines. Austin kept hold of her hand as they kept walking, but his face was one of shock. It wasn¡¯t until they were up and out of the stadium that he broke down in laughter.


    ¡°Oh my God. I can¡¯t believe you just said that to Apryl in front of half the squad.¡± Austin was still chuckling about Apryl¡¯s stunned expression as Emery finally put her in her place. He knew Apryl was probably already plotting and planning how she could humiliate Emery more than she¡¯d just been humiliated. But Austin knew that he¡¯d have Emery¡¯s back with whatever Apryl threw her way.


    ¡°I just get so tired of all her lies and put-downs.¡± Emery snuggled even closer to him and lightly ran her hand across his stomach. ¡°So, what do you want to do for a celebration?¡±


    Austin gave her a look that she knew what he wanted. He held her back a bit and looked her up from her white sneakers to the top of her head. ¡°I think you are driving me crazier by being in my football jersey than you did in that short black skirt.¡± His truck was closest to where they were walking, so that¡¯s where he decided to lead them. ¡°We can get your car later.¡± He unlocked his truck doors and helped Emery up. He made sure to keep his hands on her perfectly round ass as she climbed up in the truck. Just as she was about to sit down, Emery wiggled her butt for him, which got a laugh and a jolt of desire out of Austin.


    ¡°Where to?¡± Emery questioned him once again after he merged into the slow-moving traffic that was leaving the school.


    ¡°I can think of a lot of places that I¡¯d like to take you right now, but that will have to wait for another time.¡± Austin ran his hand along her thigh and ended with it being near her crotch.


    Emery smiled at his response, then placed her hand on top of his and moved it down just a smidgen. ¡°How about wherever the team is going?¡± She thought maybe he¡¯d enjoy hanging out with his teammates after their first win.


    ¡°Really?¡± Austin was surprised by her answer. ¡°Are you sure? You know everyone is going to be there?¡± He didn¡¯t want to come right out and say that Apryl and the rest of the hoes were going to be there doing their thing with the guys.


    ¡°Yeah, why not.¡± She wasn¡¯t too sure about it, but would never let Austin catch on to her insecurities about being around his perfect friends. Well, at least perfect in their own minds and half of the schools.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Austin made the turn to head toward the ice cream and game shop once he made it out of the line of traffic. It was only a short distance from the school, that¡¯s why it was so popular and by the looks of it extremely popular tonight since cars were packed into all of the available parking spaces. ¡°Do you mind a short walk?¡± Austin had to park over on the other side of the street since no spots were left.


    ¡°Nope, that¡¯s okay.¡± Emery felt her stomach turn over a million times knowing that half of the school might be in there.


    Austin parked in the first open spot he found. He raced around to help Emery and gave her a long kiss before letting her touch the ground. ¡°Ready?¡± He waited for her to nod her head, then gripped her hand and led her to the place that seemed to be the happening place right now. He had to wave to everyone who called his name and once again congratulated him on the win. He saw some of the other guys were there, but most were probably still stuck in traffic as they¡¯d been for a while. ¡°Where do you want to sit?¡± There weren¡¯t too many open private spaces left and the team had the other section all taken up with yellow taped ribbon so that not just anyone could sit with them.


    ¡°Some of your team is over there.¡± Emery pointed to the ones who had their practice jerseys on like Austin did.


    ¡°You sure?¡± He really didn¡¯t wait for an answer as he led her to the place he knew was going to get wild. After the guys called his name once again, did the back slap, and the fist bump Austin introduced Emery to the ones who were already there. There weren¡¯t too many of the cheers or dancers there yet, so she really didn¡¯t have too much to worry about just yet. ¡°Do you want something to eat or drink?¡± Austin had to yell over the other people screaming, the game sounds echoing out of the other room, and the music that was being played from the large stereo that had a million CDs to choose from.


    ¡°Just a coke, please.¡± Emery really wasn¡¯t hungry since her nerves were on high alert.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Austin kissed her cheek and followed one of his teammates over to where they could order the food and drinks.


    Emery felt the chair on the other side of her being pulled out and someone sitting down. She prayed it wasn¡¯t Apryl or any of the cheerleaders that hung around her. Emery glanced over to her other side and noticed it was one of the girls from the dance squad. She had long dark brown hair, a perfect face in every sense, and dark brown eyes that were staring back at her.


    ¡°You¡¯re Emery, right?¡± The girl was the first to talk and Emery was surprised that she¡¯d used her real name and not one that Apryl had made up. Emery nodded her head that she was right, but she had no clue who this girl was. ¡°I¡¯m Laney, well, DeLane, but everyone calls me Laney. I¡¯m a year behind you and Austin.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Emery had no idea what this girl wanted, maybe she was being friendly. ¡°I see you¡¯re part of the dance crew. Are you also friends with Apryl? She¡¯s on the cheer squad.¡± Emery needed to know if this girl was sent there from Apryl to cause havoc tonight.


    Laney laughed and shook her head no. ¡°Apryl and I don¡¯t get along at all. Well, none of the dance crew likes her. She only has her little cheer minions that put up with her bullshit.¡± Laney nudged Emery with her elbow. ¡°So, you and Austin, huh?¡±


    Emery smiled at her. It seemed this girl was actually genuine and she didn¡¯t like Apryl, which was an even better bonus. ¡°Yeah, we sorta got together over the summertime.¡±


    ¡°Oh my God, he acts totally different around you than I¡¯ve ever seen him act with any other girl.¡±


    ¡°Have you known him long?¡± Emery knew that Austin had a lot of friends. Well, a lot of girls were friends, but she didn¡¯t know that everyone who performed at the games was also part of their clique that hung together.


    ¡°I¡¯ve known him since my freshman year, but we didn¡¯t start hanging out until last year.¡± Laney nudged her again. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I wasn¡¯t one of his one-night adventures. My heart belongs to Brandon.¡± She pointed to the guy that Austin was walking back with.


    ¡°Is Laney corrupting you against me?¡± Austin put Emery¡¯s drink down in front of her and then sat down on the other side of her.


    ¡°Austin, I will only tell her the truth about you.¡± Laney gave him a wicked smile.


    ¡°That¡¯s what he¡¯s afraid of.¡± Brandon sat on the opposite side of the table and motioned for Laney to come sit beside him, which she eagerly did. She picked up one of his cheese fries and fed them to him in a seductive manner.


    ¡°Okay, guys. Don¡¯t be scaring Emery off so quickly.¡± Austin motioned to Laney still holding on to the French fry as Brandon sucked it in.


    Laney rolled her eyes at Austin. ¡°Austin, she¡¯s a big girl, I¡¯m sure she can handle a little foreplay before the big event.¡± Laney looked at Emery and waited for her to agree. Emery nodded her head yes, but didn¡¯t have much to say on the matter. Her friends, when they had gone out a few times, had never acted like this. They were all pretty conservative and sort of prudish in their actions. ¡°See?¡± Laney stuck her tongue out at Austin and grabbed another one of Brandon¡¯s fries to feed him. This time she put a piece of it in her mouth and made him suck it from there.


    ¡°You guys are gross.¡± Austin looked around to see if there was anywhere else to sit, but the place had gotten even more packed and people were even standing to eat and drink.


    Laney had seen him looking around and knew he was looking for an escape. ¡°Seems you¡¯re stuck with us.¡± She smiled another arrogant smile at him as it seemed he had nowhere to go.


    The four of them sat around talking and eating for about an hour. Austin noticed that Emery had hit it off pretty well with Lacey, so he was actually enjoying the night and not having to worry about Emery feeling out of place. He had noticed the rest of the team had arrived a while ago, along with the cheerleaders, but they were sitting too far away for them all to carry on a conversation. Austin had heard Dylan call his name. He wanted to know if he wanted to play a game of pool, but Austin waved him off and told him another time. He reached for Emery¡¯s hand and held it with his own. ¡°Wanna walk around a bit?¡± He knew she didn¡¯t come here much and he wanted to show her everything they had to offer here.


    Emery stood with Austin. ¡°I¡¯ll see you in a little while, Laney.¡± Emery waved to her as Austin pulled her out to the open room.


    The building was huge, so it took them about a half-hour to get through it with the crowd that was still there. It seemed everyone was still wound up about the game. Austin showed her all the games that he¡¯d mastered and the set-up for kids that had the tunnel tubes and slides. He offered to go on with her if she wanted, but she declined the suggestion. Emery knew he¡¯d probably gone on there many times with his friends. Even if they were big teenage guys they still liked to have their little kid fun.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go up here.¡± Austin led Emery over to the steps that led to the smaller room on the second level. It was the one that had the pool tables and the big stereo system.


    ¡°Wow, this place is really big. I had forgotten how much they had here.¡± Emery looked around at the twenty or so people playing pool over in the lit part of the room. Austin led her in the opposite direction to where the employee was seated in charge of the music.


    The kid high-fived Austin and handed him the thick book with all the song titles. Austin let go of Emery¡¯s hand and flipped through the pages. He found the one he was looking for and gave it back to the kid, pointing to the one he wanted to be played. The guy gave him a thumbs-up and took out the CD that had the song Austin wanted.


    Emery was watching the guys play pool since Austin took a liking to check out the song lists. The last song ended and Emery felt Austin pull her by the hand over to the dark part of the room. There were a few tables, but no one was seated at them. It seemed this was a special place that had to be reserved or something like that. The next song began to play and Emery recognized it almost immediately. It was ¡®Blank Space¡¯ by Taylor Swift.


    He put his arms around her waist and began to sway to the song. Emery had danced to slow songs before with other guys, well, ones that were just friends. But this time, it seemed so different with Austin. Emery placed her hands on the sides of his neck and laid her head down on his chest. She could hear his heartbeat and loved how it was the most soothing sound. It was too bad that the song couldn¡¯t be one of the long ten-minute types. The intoxicating experience was over way too quick for Emery¡¯s liking. The guy at the booth put on some type of hip-hop rap song that Emery had no idea what it was.


    ¡°I guess you don¡¯t dance to this type of stuff?¡± Austin questioned her about the song that had started playing. ¡°You know, maybe a little twerking.¡± He turned around and shook his butt at her.


    Emery giggled at his attempt to try and do one of those butt-shaking movements. ¡°I would probably look worse than you did.¡±


    Austin gasped at her comment. ¡°Are you saying you didn¡¯t like my butt grinding?¡±


    ¡°Um, it was different. You¡¯re better off sticking with playing football as a career and not relying on your dancing skills.¡± Emery tried to keep her serious expression, but Austin was still trying to perfect his twerking technique.


    ¡°So, you didn¡¯t like my dancing at all.¡± Austin stopped dancing around and pulled Emery close once again. He loved how she felt up against him and could hold her all day and night if she¡¯d let him.


    ¡°This kind, I like.¡± Emery snuggled closer to him and felt his arms tighten around her.


    ¡°We found them.¡± Laney¡¯s voice echoed through the upstairs room.


    Emery and Austin broke apart but kept hold of each other¡¯s hands. They turned to address the group that seemed to have been looking for them. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Austin asked Laney or any of the ten or so people who were behind her.


    ¡°It¡¯s almost midnight, so we were all heading out for an hour or two. You guys wanna come?¡± Laney answered for the group.


    Austin glanced at Emery. She looked tired and he wasn¡¯t really up for all the partying tonight. Plus, they had to be at the hospital tomorrow for their volunteer time. ¡°Nah, I think I¡¯ll take Emery home and call it a night.¡± He stood behind Emery and wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her close to himself.


    ¡°Oh, man, you are so whipped.¡± One of Austin¡¯s teammates yelled out of the back of the group. The group snickered and nodded their heads.


    ¡°Shut the F up, Mitch,¡± Laney yelled back and gave the kid who had yelled out a dirty look. ¡°Maybe Austin respects Emery enough so that she doesn¡¯t have to have sex with some guy who¡¯s half wasted on beer.¡± She smacked Brandon in the stomach. ¡°Unlike some of us who have to do that all the time.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ve heard way too much. I¡¯ll see you guys later.¡± Austin quickly pulled Emery toward the stairway so that they could leave.


    ¡°Wait.¡± Laney scooted after them. She gave Emery a quick hug. ¡°We¡¯ll have to get together soon. Just girls this time, no guys. You know, so we can talk about them.¡± She winked at Emery.


    ¡°Okay, that sounds good.¡± Emery was so happy that there were people in Austin¡¯s group that weren¡¯t like Apryl. And, they actually liked her and Austin together.


    ¡°Oh no, Brandon,¡± Austin yelled over to Laney¡¯s boyfriend. ¡°Your woman is trying to corrupt mine already and she just met her.¡±


    Laney smacked Austin on the arm. ¡°You¡¯re an ass.¡± She shooed the two of them away. ¡°You better get going to whatever you guys were going to do. Have fun.¡± She walked back over to the group that was still discussing their plans for the rest of the night.


    Austin walked with Emery back down to his truck. They got in and began their way home. He was almost to school when he remembered that Emery still had to get her car. ¡°Do you want to get your car from the school now or tomorrow?¡± Austin slowed down his speed a bit until he got an answer.


    ¡°I better get it now or my mom will have a fit.¡± Emery knew her parents were overprotective of their vehicles. She really didn¡¯t feel like driving, but the drive back home was only about ten minutes so she¡¯d be home and snug in her bed before one.


    ¡°Thanks for coming tonight. I know that place isn¡¯t one of your favorites.¡± Austin had pulled his truck up beside Emery¡¯s car and they were standing outside her driver¡¯s side door.


    ¡°It was fun. I had a good time.¡± Emery leaned her forehead against his chest and waited for the warmth that was going to come once his arms came around her. ¡°Laney is really nice.¡±


    Austin chuckled. ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s good. I think she really likes you, she doesn¡¯t connect with too many people outside of the dance team.¡± He leaned his chin on the top of Emery¡¯s head and took a deep breath. Everything about this girl intoxicated him. ¡°We have to be there by eleven tomorrow, right?¡± Austin questioned her about the time they had to be at the hospital. He knew she¡¯d have to leave soon so she¡¯d be able to get the recommended amount of sleep that she seemed to always need.


    ¡°Yep.¡± Emery felt her eyelids growing heavy as she basked in Austin¡¯s arms. ¡°Are you going to pick me up around ten-thirty?¡± Emery knew he probably would, but wanted to be sure so that she didn¡¯t leave without him.


    ¡°Yep.¡± Austin repeated the same answer that she¡¯d given to him. ¡°Are you falling asleep, Emery?¡±


    Emery tilted her head up. ¡°Almost.¡± She put her head back down and closed her eyes.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Austin moved his arms away from her. Emery stood up and looked upset that he had let her go. ¡°You need to go home, get some sleep, and I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡± He opened up her door so that she could get going.


    ¡°But I was so comfy.¡± Emery knew she sounded like she was whining, but Austin had the most comfortable chest to rest on.


    ¡°I want you to get home safely and not fall asleep driving. So, get going.¡± He smacked her lightly on the butt.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Emery ran her hands up his arms and noticed that he got goosebumps wherever she had touched. She loved the fact that she, of all people, could make Austin feel this excited. Emery put one hand on his neck so that he would lower his head. She kissed him softly and felt the fire erupt from her stomach, which signaled that she wanted more. ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡± She broke the kiss and sat in her car. She didn¡¯t want to leave and she didn¡¯t want to end this, but there would be another time for them to have their moment someday, just not now.


    Austin watched as she drove out of the parking lot and in the direction of her home. This girl was driving him insane but in a good way. He knew his friends were right. For the first time ever, Austin Murray was whipped and he loved the feeling. He went back to his truck and drove in the opposite direction that Emery had gone. Sleep sounded good, he just hoped one day he would wake up to find Emery by his side in the morning.