Summer Nights

Hold Me

The next morning I awoke to a banging in the living room "Dad" I shouted pulling the blankets away angrily. "Dad" I stormed down the hallway and into the living room.

To my surprise there was Kevin listening to Hall N Oats full blast, while he was hammering away in the kitchen. As if seeing him everyday at the bakery wasn't enough, now he was in MY house early on Saturday morning.

"What the hell are you doing?"

He jumped at the sound of my voice and turned with a smile, as he glanced at me "Oh good morning to you too. Your dad asked me to fix this broken cabinet. Nice shorts!" he chuckled.

Looking down at myself I realized I hadn't even changed my clothes, I was in the tiniest shorts and a tank, quickly and stupidly I put my hands over myself, that covered a lot.

"Well could you shut up, I'm trying to sleep." I blurted.

"Yes ma'am" he yelled as I stormed back down the hall.

Later that day after my rude awakening. I found my dad and Kevin having lunch, like they were best friends. I did a double take as I watched both men just chatting up a storm. 

"What are you still doing here?" I asked.

"Hey there..." my dad kissed my forehead as he put his plate in the sink "Kevin was just telling me that he is taking Heather and Mat to City Walk tonight. I was wondering if you would like to take your sisters too."

"Dad...I don't need you to help me get a date." I patted him on the back.

"What? This is not a date, it's for the kids." Kevin snickered "Right Mr. Martinez?"

My dad smiled, I knew my father too well. "That is right, it's for the kids. Plus you haven't seen Heather and Mat since the summer. They will be happy to see you."

I sighed hard, I wanted to spend the least time around Kevin, but I also liked hanging out with him. "Ok...I'll go, for the kids." I stormed back into my room.

The rest of the day, I just stayed in my room, laying there like a fool while listening to music. I have to admit I was looking forward to what the evening had in store for all of us.

"Would you hurry up" My sister yelled into the crack of the bathroom door "You've been in there forever. You're not even going on a date!" I opened the door, letting her fall in.

"I know that, thank you. But it doesn't mean I can't find a date there." I smacked her on the forehead and walked back into my room. I slipped on my comfortable jeans and a crop top with a cardigan my dad had given it to me for one of my birthdays. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and stared into the mirror.

This is not a date...you can't fall for this again.

We were on our way, we had agreed we would all meet at the entrance, by the stairs. I parked and headed out, and before I could say anything my sisters were running like two wild animals just let loose.

"Come on Sam..." they yelled as they met up with Kevin, I couldn't help but stare at him, he looked so handsome. He was wearing dark blue jeans with a pair of boots, a black cap, that just gave me a peak of his eyes and checkered shirt,

"Sam..." I heard as two kids came barreling into me. "Oh Sam, we missed you so much." Mat had his arms wrapped around my waist.

"Mat...look at you, every time I see you, you look taller." I ruffled his curls and turned to look at Heather who was clinging on to my arm. "Heather...you look beautiful as always." I gave them both a squeeze as we made our way to my sisters and Kevin.

"Hey there..." he smiled as I gave him a nod "So let's start our journey" he said sticking his hands into his pockets as we started our trek through City Walk.

My sisters and the kids had never met, and I had never realized that my middle sister was the same age as Heather. All four walked in front of us, as we followed in complete silence.

"You look nice" Kevin gave me a sincere look.

"Thank you, so do you." I smiled, as a sigh escaped my chest. The walk seemed far, especially in the awkward silence we had acquired, the kids voted to go bowling. We agreed although I really sucked at it.

That night I was feeling overly emotional, I couldn't really pinpoint it. It could have been that I was with people that were important to me, or maybe the sad love songs that were playing in the background. It WAS near Valentine's day.

Heather waved her hands in my face "Hey you've been awfully quiet tonight. Are you ok?" she took a seat next to me, as we watched Mat goof around with Kevin and my sisters.

"I'm ok...it's just weird that we are all together again." I looked down, trying to hold back the tears in my eyes. "I still..."

She smiled and finished my sentence "like him...it's obvious. I can guess that he does too. He wouldn't be here Sam. Maybe you should give him a second chance."

I turned to look at the teenager "Are you sure you're not lying about your age." We both laughed as I embraced the girl, who seemed more mature than me in so many ways.

"Well with a mother like mine, I have to grow up a little faster." She jumped off her stool and joined the group as they laughed and giggled at Mat, pushing the ball from the ground towards the pins.

"I'll be back" I almost ran outside as I choked on my tears. Was it PMS? I didn't know, and I wasn't really sure why I was all choked up, but I was. I made my way through the people and found a quiet and lonely spot. I made it just in time, before the tears began to fall.

A couple of minutes had gone by and I was wiping off the last tears. "Are you ok?" the voice made me jump.

He stood there looking fine as always and all I wanted was for him to hold me. I looked at him, a little embarrassed of my breakdown "I'm good..." I tried walking past him, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him.

He then leaned in and kissed me, I closed my eyes and kissed him back and before I could stop myself my arms were wrapped around him. We broke from the kiss and I just laid my head on his chest, taking in his familiar scent and letting him hold me close.

"Don't let me go" I whispered as he pulled me in tighter.