Page 51 of Memories By the Shore
I shake my head, then turn my wrist to face upward, my eyes blaze into the fine tip point of the needle. The black sketch now holds the place where a permanent infinity symbol will be. Holding my breath, bile creeps up my throat.Oh my god, can I do this? How bad is it going to hurt?
Tripp leans in, hovering his large body over my extended arm. The second the needle pierces my skin, Jasper’s hand slides into my opposite hand. I whip my head around to see his warm, comforting eyes staring at me with a fire I’ve yet to see from him. The powerful flames sear right through me, and suddenly, everything makes sense.
Maybe it’s the excitement of doing something new? Perhaps it’s the feeling of being alive. Or maybe it’s discovering a part of myself I never knew existed.
In my eighteen years, I have never felt more clear about what is happening in my mind and with my body. This isn’t just some summer fling. Jasper is unique and different. He looks at me like no one has ever done—not even my own parents.
Jasper got a matching infinity on the inside of his arm, no longer than my pinky finger, and entirely black ink like mine.
“I can’t believe I did that.” I praise myself for my bravery.
He glances at me from the driver’s seat, one hand on the wheel and the other holding mine on top of the center console. “I know. I’m so proud of you. You did amazing.”
I stare at the small white bandage covering the tattoo. “It didn’t hurt as much as I thought it would.”
“Once the initial touch of the needle passes, the rest of it turns into a dull ache.”
“Yeah, similar to a sunburn,” I say.
“Exactly.” He smiles.
We pull onto a dirt road. The only things around me are the darkness of night and the tall trees lining the bumpy drive.
“Where are we?” I ask.
“I want to show you something.” His smile is wide, while his eyes fill with excitement.This must be important.
“In the middle of nowhere?” I tease, chuckling. Then, before my eyes, the trees clear, opening up a small house on the edge of a cliff. There’s no cloud in sight, allowing each star to shine to its brightest.
“Here we are.” He shuts off the engine and twists in the seat to face me.
I scan the area. It’s pitch-black outside except for the glow ofa porch light. “An abandoned beach house?”
Jasper runs the back of his knuckles across my cheek. “I’m buying it.”
My mouth drops. I quickly glance at the faded blue paint on the panels of the house and the tiny white picket fence needing more than a few repairs. “You’re buying this?”
He nods proudly. “You want to see the inside?”
“Yes.”
Jasper jumps out of the car, then sprints to open my door. I step out. With a warm nighttime breeze dusting across my shoulders, I breathe in deeply. The energy between us has shifted, and it is no more apparent than on the car ride to my next surprise destination. The typical playful exchanges are absent. I feel alert, clear-minded, and calm all at once.
Jasper grabs both bags from the back seat.
“Are we staying here?” I swirl my finger in the air.
“Yeah.” Again, with a proud smile.
“Is there furniture?” I ask cheekily as he grabs my hand.
Jasper guides me up the short steps and to the white front door. “No.” He pauses. “But it will be fine.”
When he told me to pack an overnight bag, I knew we’d spend tonight together. And at first, I didn’t think much of it. He spends the night with me at Helen’s at least three times a week, but this is different.
Confused, my heart is pounding in my chest, but not from nerves. It’s pounding from excitement. “Okay.”
Jasper swings open the door. The small beach house consists of an empty room with wooden floors and a pile of padding and blankets in the middle. Pillows surround the makeshift bed, andtall white candles line the walls. The sight takes my breath away.
