Page 27 of Grease Monkey
“I’ve always told you, Maureen, I was meant to be in a band.”
“Yeah, a rubber band, maybe.”
He laughs and pulls her in for a kiss. Is this what all relationships are meant to be like? Teddy’s mom and dad have no problem showing each other they care in public, and this couple, sitting next to a stranger, have no trouble either.I think… I want that too.
“How long have you been married?” I ask.
Maureen taps her lip thoughtfully. “Oh, it will be forty-two years this December.”
“Oh wow, congratulations.”
“What about you? How long have you and your boyfriend been together?”
I flush pink, my eyes darting to the ground. “Erm, this is our first date.”
“Oh, sweetheart, did you hear that?” Maureen says, turning to elbow her husband again. “He took her to the same show we saw live in concert for their first date.”
“Sorry, ma’am, can I get in?” Teddy asks, appearing behind the couple, his arms tucked behind his back. They stand, and he shuffles in, grinning wide, as he towers above me. “Gotcha something.”
From behind his back, he holds up a vintage Pink Floyd band tee, and my heart takes off, galloping uncontrollably as I look up into the dark eyes of the man who’s quickly making me fall for him. Harder and faster than I thought possible.
“Oh, sweetheart, look.” Maureen coos at her husband from behind Teddy. “He took a leaf out of your book.”
Teddy turns to the older couple and smiles. “That I did, ma’am. But I don’t think my girl will look half as good as you.”
He glances back at me and winks.
Maureen laughs. “Oh, you cheeky charmer. So much like my John when he was your age.”
Teddy sits back down as I quickly tug the shirt over my head, pulling the material taut in front of me and looking down at the image.
“I love it. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome,” he replies.
I run my hand over the shirt and glance back to find Teddy watching me again. It feels like the air is being sucked out of my lungs as our gazes lock, and I bite on the corner of my lip. Teddy’s eyes dart to my mouth, his nostrils flaring a little as he swallows roughly. I release my lip as the house lights flicker, people quickly taking to their seats as part two is about to start. Just as the lights dim, Teddy’s hand slips into mine. We may now be shrouded in darkness, but I feel like a spotlight is directly shining where our hands are joined. I’m that transfixed on something so simple that I don’t notice when he leans over the armrest separating our seats and presses his lips to my ear.
“Ana?”
“Yes?” I croak, but I’m not sure any sound comes out at all.
“You’re missing the show.” He laughs, his warm breath ghosting down my neck as he moves his head slightly, and I shiver when his lips make contact with a spot I had no idea felt so good behind my ear.
What did he say?
I was missing what?
Oh.
Right.
Theshow.
I snap back in my seat as Teddy’s mouth twitches with humor, his hand never letting go of mine. I glance down again, loving how it feels, and when I look back to the platform where lights are fighting, dancing, and strobing, I can’t make out what they are meant to be. All I can think about—all I can feel—is Teddy’s fingers playing with mine. The scorch of heat where we’re connected. I don’t want it to ever end. If tonight is the only chance I get to be with Teddy Grant, I don’t think my teenage heart could handle it. One night and a few kisses is all it’s taken for me to become utterly obsessed with the boy next door, and now I’ve had a taste, I don’t want to give it up.
Chapter Eleven
Teddy
