Page 18 of In Your Dreams

PARKER

When I was in high school at the peak of my crush on Poppy, I finally broke down and confided in a fellow teammate on the baseball team. It was one of those hushed conversations in the corner of the locker room and I wasn’t even brave enough to tell more than one person. Of course after I said her name, he called over another guy and had me repeat it. They looked at each other and then started laughing. They looked at me, and the first guy said, “In your dreams, man.” and that was the first and last time I tried that.

Is part of me dying inside a little wanting to take a screenshot of my text conversation with Poppy and track down that guy and send it to him? Yeah. But I won’t. What she said to me is nobody else’s business. Did I jerk off in the shower after she confessed those dirty thoughts to me last night? You betcha. But that’s nobody else’s business either.

It took me a long ass time to fall asleep because despite emptying the tank, I was still very charged. She does that to me like no one else ever has. On more than one occasion, I found myself sporting half a chub in class and constantly adjusting in my seat to hide it. And now to know I’ve affected her in some way, that something I do turns her on—well, let’s just say I spent today grinning ear to ear.

Now that I’m on my way to get her, I’m nervous as shit and praying this goes well. I’ve got on my favorite pair of dark denim jeans that a girl I dated a while ago said make my ass look good. And I went with a dark red T-shirt and boots. It’s not fancy but this date isn’t that kind of date.

I arrive at her parents’ house a couple minutes before four and hop out of my truck, the bouquet of wildflowers I pisces out for her in my right hand. I’m wiping left palm against my jeans when I hear the door creak open and look up.

There she is.A vision in bell bottoms and blue crop top that shows just a hint of midriff.Ugh.All I can think about is swiping my fingertips over that accessible bare skin. I’m gonna have to watch myself this evening.

“Hey you,” I say.

“Hi there,” she says.

I hold the flowers out to her as she leans in and inhales their sweet scent. “These are for you.”

“Thank you,” she says. “Let me sit them inside and I’m ready to go.”

She disappears for only a few seconds before she emerges again, pulling the strap of her purse over her shoulder.

“Do I get to know where we’re going yet?” She asks.

“I’m afraid not,” I say as I press my hand to the small of her back and guide her toward my truck. “You’ll know when we get there. Or maybe when we get close.”

I open the passenger door for her and take her by the hand to help her in. My truck isn’t obnoxiously tall but Poppy is also rather short so after a little hop, she makes it in and I close the door.

I round the front of the truck and slide behind the wheel, rubbing my hands together mischievously before turning the key.

“Oh, before I forget, is there a certain time you need to be back?” I ask. I’ve never dated a mom before and I want to make sure I’m respectful of her time and anything she might need to do.

“Oh um, no not really,” she says. “My parents are prepared to occupy Aiden for the night so I’m free.”

“Good, okay,” I say, pulling onto the road. “Let’s go have some fun.”

***

Twenty minutes into our drive, the conversation has been easy. It would seem we’ve both decided the texts last night don’t need to be directly addressed or discussed which is probably the reason we’ve avoided an awkward moment. I know the reality of alcohol stripping away your inhibitions and talking about those things in the light of day never goes well.

Poppy’s eyes take in our surroundings as the lights from the carnival appear on the horizon in front of us. I sneak peaks of her as we get closer, her eyes filling with realization.

“Oh my gosh, are we at the Nelson County Fair?” She asks.

I shake my head. Nelson is the county over from us and every summer they host a big carnival. People come from all over to go. They;ve got a great selection of rides and games, the food is always delicious, I chose tonight specifically because for one evening a season, it’s a kid free zone. Not that I don’t love kids. I do. But there’s just a different atmosphere when it’s all adults. I personally think it’s a brilliant idea and wish more places did it.

We park in the designated field that’s roped off and climb out of the truck. When I walk around to her side, she’s smiling wide and I’m glad she approves.

As we make our way through the rows of cars, my hand again resting on her back, she reaches up and tugs on my arm. Worried she doesn’t want me to touch her, I drop my hand only to realize she’s searching for it with hers. Poppy places her palm against mine, threading our fingers together without saying a word. And while my hand misses the warmth of her body, this is also really nice.

When we reach the window, instead of buying a ridiculous amount of individual tickets, I get us the wristbands that in the end cost less but give you access to all the rides. It just makes sense. Plus I don’t have to carry around a bundle of loose tickets which is the most annoying thing ever.

Once we’re banded and inside, I take in the sight of Poppy taking in the sight of everything else. She doesn’t know it yet, but mark my words I will win her a stuffed animal here tonight.

“What should we ride first?” I ask.

She taps her index finger against her chin, looking all around and then points to the scrambler with a lot of enthusiasm.

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