Page 26 of Love Off the Rocks
I want to argue again, mostly out of habit from the day we’ve had. But instead stand and gather fallen pine branches to make a bed of sorts for us to rest on. There isn’t much. I can’t believe I didn’t think to bring a pocketknife or anything remotely utilitarian outside of a picnic blanket.
My thoughts return to those final days after graduation as I’m gathering, before Mags headed west and I stayed east, and how we got to that point. The point where she was leaving, and I didn’t go with her. Or where I remained, and she didn’t stay. However you want to look at it.
I’d thought our future together was a given. From day one, we just clicked. Our friends described ours as the relationship to aspire to. Sure, we fought, but we made up. I genuinely liked her as a person and friend; enjoyed her company. And the sex was fucking mind-blowing. Had you asked me, I would have said that nothing could bring us down.
Until it did.
I bring back what I can and pile it beneath a tree. Mags stands off to the side, head cocked, obviously thinking.
“Whatcha thinking about?” I ask.
“The best way to share the warmth of the blanket if it gets too cold.”
“I have an idea,” I tell her.
“Okay.”
“You may not like it.”
“Okaaaay.” She draws the word out this time like she’s hesitant to hear my idea.
“We need to swaddle ourselves in the blanket and our clothes.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m going to take back my hoodie,” I start.
Her eyes widen, resignation falling over her face at the same time as she begins to unzip it.
“You’re going to put yours on, and then I’m going to zip mine around both of us,” I continue.
“How?”
“Okay, we’re going to sit on the blanket under the tree here.” I point out my makeshift resting place. “I’ll have my back against the tree, with the blanket pulled halfway up my back.” I take the blanket from her to demonstrate. “You sit between my legs, like so.” I pantomime her sitting in my lap with her back to my chest. “I’ll zip my hoodie around us, and we pull the blanket to our chins.”
“You think that’ll work?” She spins to face me, our mouths mere inches from one another.
“I do.” My gaze darts back and forth between her eyes and her lips. She clears her throat and backs away, smoothing the blanket down as she goes. Then turns, waiting for me to sit.
“Mags, can we talk?” I ask.
She looks up at me from across the blanket. “Not when we’re gonna be all cuddly like that.” She wiggles her index finger between us and toward the tree.
“I’m kinda cold,” I lie. Looking pointedly at my hoodie.
“Here, take it.” She unzips mine and tosses it at me. Leaving her in just her own over her tank. She shivers at once.
“Don’t be silly. Come here.” I take my place at the base of the tree. Mags hesitates, but I can tell by the look on her face that she wants to.
“Please?” I use the smile that used to make her melt. Pleased to find, once she settles in between my legs, that it still works. I zip my hoodie around us, then wrap the blanket burrito-style around our legs and chests. It’s instantly too warm for me, but when Mags sighs with satisfaction, it’s all worth it.
I wait a moment before asking her the question I’m dying to know the answer to. “So, Mags, I need to know. Why did you go after graduation? Why did you leave instead of coming with me to New York City?” Then I brace myself for her answer.
15
Mags
My heart pounds as I settle in between Dev’s legs, mentally preparing myself for the close contact I’m not yet ready for. This differs from the hug earlier, or even the cuddles on the blanket in the sun. I’m not ready for him to have an effect on me like this again. Heat pools between my legs as he wraps his arms around me, resting his chin on my shoulder.
