Page 55 of Raised On It

I tug on the shorts of her one-piece floral outfit, showing off her tan legs that seem to go on forever.

“Be nice. It’s called a romper.”

“Well, it works.”

When I bend down to kiss her, she presses herself against me while she slides her hands into the pockets of my shorts like we’d been doing this for a lifetime. Like a small kiss could never be enough.

“It feels like you were gone for days. Was it really just an hour?”

There’s no way she can’t feel what she does to me as close as she is to me.

“I missed you too.”

Feeling her smile against my lips is my new favorite thing. Okay, one of many new favorite things, but this one is near the very top.

“Ready?”

“Can’t wait to see where we’re going.” She closes the door behind her and links our hands. “So are we about to add pages to my journal?”

“Well, I’m hoping after last night, you would have had enough to fill the one you’ve got going. My plan is to buy you a case of the damn things, and if all goes to plan, I’ll be providing you with plenty to fill the pages with. I’d love to be the reason you have to keep buying new ones.”

“You’re doing a pretty good job so far.”

“Glad to hear it.”

I open her door, and she places a peck on my cheek on her way in the truck, branding me with her lips.

Once the truck's engine roars to life, so does the anxiousnessin my belly. I take her hand in mine, pulling away from the curb, and we’re off.

“Thanks for taking me out in Betsy yesterday. I mean, this truck is nice too, but Betsy has seen things. I could feel it.”

God, she’s perfect.

My anxiousness is being overpowered by the excitement I’ve had brewing as I’ve waited for this day. Every word, every action of hers is easing my mind, and she doesn’t have a clue.

“You have no idea the things my girl, Betsy, has seen. That old truck went through it all with me growing up. I drove her to school, to the farm, to The Jumps. There were make-out sessions in the cab and chairs set up in the bed for those nights we made the trek to the nearest drive-in movie theater.”

“I bet you broke some hearts in her too.”

“Never intentionally, but you’re right, there may have been a tear or two shed. She’s also where I sought solace when I found out my grandma Mary had passed away. I wanted to be strong for my mom and would only let myself break down with Betsy. She got me through some of the hardest times of my life and some of the best.”

“Well, I can see why you love her.”

“Glad you like her because she’s not going anywhere. That’s one of the things about having a large piece of land that’s nice. One of the first things I did when I bought the place was build an out-building where I could keep her nice and safe along with my other toys.”

“Other toys?”

“Oh, yes. I have toys.”

And what I wouldn’t give to see you straddling more than one of them.

“Look at that smile. Boys and their toys.” She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “So, tell me, what have you got hidden away that’s putting a smile like that on your face?”

“Nothing too fancy. Just some ATVs and my boats.”

“Did you say boats? As in more than one? EBC must pay good money for those hops.”

“Well, you’ve got to have your fishing boat for those quiet mornings on the lake with Dad and Pops. But you need the big pontoon boat for those days full of fun, sun, beer, and friends. And of course, the jet boat for skiing and wakeboarding. They each serve their own purpose.”

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