A Plus In Love

*COUNTERPOINT*

    “No, sorry. I just noticed that he looked young and tall.” She kept eating and he kept watching her mouth. She coughed for a second and I saw him gleefully take in her breast. 

    “Hey, Walker.” He looked over at me. “Why don’t you go get your Captain and his lady a drink?” Lily coughed a bit more. But waived her hand.

    “No, I’m more than capable of getting my own drink, and one for the Captain.” She stood and when she raised her leg over the bench, his eyes bugged out of his head at the top of her thigh highs. I was going to get him for that at practice.  “Walker can I be a lady and bring you a drink?” 

    “No thank you, ma’am” The both laughed and she went inside. I glared at him. I stood and got close enough to him to make it uncomfortable. “Geez St. Claire what is your problem?

    “Stop eye fucking my girl.” He scoffed. 

    “You know that we have known each a lot longer than you guys have. If I was going to do anything with her I would have. But we are good friends and I wouldn’t mess that up. She looks hot tonight. I’m a guy, sorry for offending you. But I'm not the one you should be worried about.” He pointed inside and Lily was at the counter talking with one of the ‘adults’.  He was definitely flirting with her. I gathered our plates and tossed them on the way.

    Walker left and I went inside to see what was going on. He served her our drinks just as I arrived at the bar. He wasn’t the slightest bit distrubed by my presents. I pulled Lily to me and kissed her deeply. When he pulled back he just smirked at me.  She smiled at me and I felt her hand on my back under my shirt. My turn to smile. 

    “Hey Giles, this is Laken. He is going to be running the bar at the restaurant. He made some non alcoholic drinks for us.” She took a sip and smiled. “It’s like a rainbow in my mouth. I love it.” He leaned into her. 

    “I’m glad. Usually it has tequila in it. Your friend here has a more masuline version. “ I took a drink and it was smooth and subtle. Must have been something more for sipping. “I’ll get your waters.” Once we had our water bottles the main dishes were out and we spent a good half out trying everything, and discussing it with Steph’s Uncle and the others.  It was about midnight when the desert came out. 

    Steph and Lily were talking on the couch and I grabbed a piece of chocolate cake with red chili pepper in the ganache frosting. A cooler had glass bottles of milk beside the table. I grabbed one and took Lil back outside, down to the end of the dock. It was quite there and still lit from hanging lights. 

    “So is this normal for a weekend party?” Lily looked out at the lake. 

    “Kinda. There is unusually not so many people. Food is usually pizza, burgers, tacos, chicken. More laid back.” I feed her a piece of cake before taking some myself. It was very sweet, so sweet it needed the spice to take the edge off. She opened the milk and took a drink before offering it to me. I took it and licked the glass where she had placed her lips. She smiled at me. “It’s getting kinda late, wanna go home?” 

    Before she could answer her attention was drawn away by her name being called. Jackson was at the top of the dock, his head on a swivel. She turned her shoulders and reached up,waving at him. She was on her feet quickly, leaving me on my ass with cake and milk. She went towards him. 

    “What is it Johnny?” She didn’t sound happy or sad, I tried not to think anything. He got closer to her. His hands twitched at his sides. He wanted to touch her, but he knew better. He better fucking know better. 

    “I’m sorry it’s such short notice but I was hoping you could watch Ruby for us tomorrow. Mom's too sick, and I have to go in at nine in the morning. I was supposed to be off, but...not now” He held up his phone.  “I'm so sorry to bother you, but I don’t trust her with anyone else. To be honest I kinda was hoping you could keep an eye on Mom too.” Lily slowly moved toward him. I wanted to stop her but I just felt so damn shitty for him.  But not enough that Lily touching his face didn’t smooth piss me off. 

    “Oh Johnny. Of course. I’m so sorry. I’ll do whatever you need ok.”  She pat his cheek then turned back to me. Visible upset. She walked to me then pressed herself so tight to me I thought I might not be able to take another breath. My anger was gone, replaced with concern.  I pulled her face up to mine. Her lovely brown eyes glimmered with tears. “His mom is really sick Giles. I just never thought it would be our senior year.” She buried her face in my chest. 

    Dutch and Steph were going to stay the night, and ride back in with her parents. I got his keys and settled her inside. We drove back to my house in silence, she just stared out her window and gently rocked with the movement of the car. She got out of the car and climbed the stairs to my bedroom, stoic and quiet We laid down and she tangled herself inside of me. 

    “Baby, are you ok?” 

    “I don’t know. If she is really sick..” She tried to burrow inside of me. “It’s not good Giles. Ruby is so small and Johnny is to young to..” She cut herself off. “I just wanna go to sleep. Please.” She broke me with her shattered tone. Something was wrong. I held her as tight as I could for as long as I could. She was asleep alarmingly fast. I had to talk to Jackson. What the hell was going on. I listened to her breath, felt his body on mine. I loved the way she felt on me, next to me. 

    I loved Lily. I think I loved her for a long time. I had said it to Melanie, but I never really meant it. Not like this. I stuffed my face in her pillow if she was gone, to go to sleep, what a pussy. I wanted her with me all the time. Even if we were just quiet and still, just her presence.  She made me need her all the time. I was actually a little glad we hadn’t had sex yet. I was going to be like a damn little puppy, following her around everywhere. Once I was inside her, felt that deeper connection. She wasn't going to be able to pry me off. I went to sleep snuggled into the side of her face.