Beautiful (24 page)

Skylar and I skipped the parties and opted for our own private party at our spot. With a picnic basket and blanket in hand, we set it all up at our weekly spot in the park.

“So, when we start school at Baylor, we’re going to have to come up with a spot in Waco for our weekly picnic date.”

Laughing, I nodded my head. “I think that should be on the list of things to do when we head up there in a few weeks.”

“Agreed. First, find a place to live. Second, a new spot.”

I looked out over the water and sighed.

“Is everything okay?” Skylar asked.

Reaching for her, I pulled her onto my lap. “Everything is perfect. I’m excited about tomorrow. Are you?”

She nestled her head into my neck. “So excited. I can’t believe we’re going to Italy. I can’t believe my parents are letting me go to Italy.”

With a chuckle, I agreed.

Lifting her head, she looked at me with a serious look. “Something is on your mind.”

With a nod, I looked back over the river. “Does Michelle ever talk about her future with Mitch?”

“Yeah, all the time.”

Focusing my attention back on her, I asked, “Like, what does she say?”

Skylar shrugged. “I don’t know. Just that she is looking forward to heading to college with him. Being able to not live under her parents’ iron fists. She did mention she was a bit taken aback when Mitch said for her not to get an apartment. With him living in the dorm for the first year, he told her he wouldn’t be spending much time there, so she might have more fun in the dorm.”

I nodded.

“I mean, you’re all right with me getting a place, right? For us to be alone?”

“God, yes! I mean, I get what he is saying, especially during football season, but I still want us to have a place that’s ours and private.”

She frowned. “I agree. Wyatt, do you know something about Mitch and Michelle that you’re not telling me?”

Blowing out a frustrated sigh, I regretted even bringing it up, especially with us leaving for Italy tomorrow. The last thing I wanted was for her to worry.

“Wyatt? Do you know something?”

I softly replied, “I’m not sure. Maybe.”

Skylar

My heart was racing as I looked at Wyatt. I shook my head and asked, “Maybe?”

“It’s just…Mitch doesn’t seem to be very sure about his future with Michelle.”

Pulling my head back in shock, I gasped, “What?”

“Don’t say anything to either of them.”

“No, I would never, but how do you know this?” I asked.

“I asked him about his future with Michelle, and he said he wasn’t sure about it. He knew he wasn’t ready to make a commitment like we had made, and he was worried about meeting someone else in college.”

My mouth fell open. “How could he even be thinking like that? They’ve been dating for two years! Michelle loves him. I mean, she’s never mentioned marriage, but I know she is in it for the long haul. She only picked to go to UT because Mitch had gotten a scholarship there and asked her to come there with him.”

Wyatt looked like he was about to be sick. “He asked her to go to UT?”

“Yes! Michelle had gotten into Harvard Law School! She turned it down to be with Mitch.”

Closing his eyes, Wyatt mumbled, “Oh, Mitch.”

I quickly stood up and looked down at him. “Wyatt, why would Mitch all of a sudden be feeling like this? What could have possibly made him start thinking this way?”

Jumping up, he pulled me into his arms. “I didn’t mean to make you upset, and for all we know, everything will be fine. Let’s not worry about Mitch and Michelle. Pretend like I never brought it up. Let’s talk about Italy.”

My chest ached. I knew the answer to my question without even needing Wyatt to explain it to me.

Mitch was Michelle’s first. She had to have said something about me and Wyatt getting engaged, and it’d spooked Mitch. Now, he was doubting his future with her.

Wyatt placed his finger under my chin and pulled my eyes up to his.

“Hey, let’s not worry about them. I’m sorry I brought it up.”

“No, I’m glad you did. Don’t worry. I won’t say anything to Michelle.”

Leaning down, he brushed his lips across mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.

This time tomorrow, we would be sitting in first-class, flying over to Italy. I’d splurged and bought two first-class tickets as my surprise to Wyatt. I couldn’t wait to see his face when I told him.

We spent the next hour talking about all the things we wanted to do during the two weeks we would be in Italy. I had to reach up and pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. This just all seemed so crazy yet so real.

I wasn’t sure how long we sat there and looked out over the park and river. Forever, it seemed.

“We should probably head back to your house.”

I stood and brushed off my jeans. “Your parents can still drive us, right?”

He nodded. “Yep.”

“Y’all are picking me up at eleven, right?”

Wyatt chuckled. “Yes. Stop worrying. Everything is going to be fine. Better than fine. It’s going to be perfect.”

I nodded and reached up on my toes. “Thank you for giving me this trip.”

Rubbing his nose against mine, he replied, “Thank you for giving me your love.”

Three Months Later—September

I sat in the bleachers and watched the football team practice. Wyatt had been working his ass off all summer to get ready for college football. The only time he had taken off from working out was when we were in Italy for two weeks. We had done enough walking, bike-riding, and lovemaking to make up for his strict workout schedule. Of course we’d also done enough eating. We had done a lot of eating.

My phone buzzed, and I lifted it to see it was Michelle.

Michelle: Hey, girl. How is it going?

Me: Going good. Watching the team practice. What about you?

Michelle: Doing good. Just dropped Mitch off at the stadium and headed to the library.

I glanced up and scanned for number 17. When I saw him, I couldn’t help but smile. Since that day at the river, neither one of us had brought up Mitch and Michelle. As far as I could tell, things were fine with them.

Me: How is Mitch liking everything?

Michelle: He loves it. He is super busy, but he always makes time for me, which I think is so sweet.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe he had gotten over his little commitment issue.

Me: Give him a kiss for me. Speaking of, sex still hot and heavy?

Ugh
. I couldn’t believe I’d asked, but if she answered yes, then I’d really know I had nothing to worry about.

Michelle: Ha-ha! Yes. Matter of fact, I’d say your brother has kicked it up a notch or two.

Rolling my eyes, I gagged.

Me: So done talking about this. Practice is over. I’ll chat with you soon! Miss and love you!

Michelle: Miss and love you back.

I sat on the bleachers and read while I waited for Wyatt to shower up and come out. I didn’t often come to his practices, but I always showed up for at least one during the week.

“Come here often?”

My heart dropped at the sound of the male voice coming from behind me. Turning, I looked over my shoulder and sucked in a breath. I jumped quickly to my feet and screamed as I made my way over to my brother Skip.

“Skip!” I cried out as I slammed into his body.

His laughter rolled through my body and made me start sobbing like a child.

Pulling back, I wiped my tears away and looked him up and down. He was dressed in fatigues and looked handsome as hell.

“What are you doing here?”

He brushed the hair from my face and looked into my eyes. “I missed my baby sister. When I found out I had a few days coming to me, I hopped on a plane and flew here as fast as I could.”

“This is so amazing! I can’t wait for you to meet Wyatt. Wait. What about Mom and Dad? And Mitch?”

“Mom and Dad are meeting me in Austin on Monday. I’m having dinner with them and Mitch.”

My mouth dropped open. “So, everyone knows you’re in Texas?”

Tossing his head back and laughing, he pulled me in for another hug. “Now, everyone knows. I wanted to surprise you.”

My arms wrapped around him tighter as I felt my tears let go. “I’m very surprised.”

“Sky?”

Spinning around, I saw Wyatt’s confused expression.

As soon as he saw Skip though, he smiled. “You’ve got to be Skip.”

My brother walked down the bleacher steps some and reached out for Wyatt’s hand. They shook, and then Skip pulled him into a quick hug. He said something to Wyatt I couldn’t hear. He nodded and smiled again at my brother. I made a mental note to later ask Wyatt what Skip had said to him.

“Are y’all free for the rest of the day?”

“Yes!” I said with a clap. Looking at Wyatt, I asked, “You’re free, right?”

“Besides studying for a test, I have no plans.”

Skip rubbed his hands together and said, “Good. We’re going to a barbeque.”

Wyatt

I could see why Skylar loved her brother so much. He treated her like a princess. He had asked if we could stop by Skylar’s apartment, so he could change and get into normal clothes.

Soon, we were walking into a dive restaurant that Skylar and I had driven by a number of times.

“I thought this place was shut down,” Skylar whispered to me.

With a chuckle, I replied, “I did, too.”

Once we stepped inside, I couldn’t believe my eyes. “Holy shit. This looks nothing like the outside.”

Skip laughed. “Never judge a book by its cover. Something life-changing could be between the pages. And today, my boy, that is the dry-rubbed ribs. You will be on your knees, thanking me for bringing you here.”

He was right. I swore, we ordered enough food to feed the whole Baylor football team. Skip wanted Skylar and I to try everything. And man, oh man, did we try damn near everything.

“How in the world did you know about this place?” Skylar asked, licking sauce off her fingers.

I had to look away because it was turning me on to see her do it.

“Some girl I met.”

Narrowing her eyes, she said, “That’s vague.”

“Is it?” he asked.

“Yes! I want more information on this girl and how she brought you here.”

Skip laughed. “Okay. On spring break last year, when I was in Panama City, Florida, I met a girl from Baylor. We fucked a few times, I liked her, and she invited me to come to Waco for a few days. I flew here a few times to fuck her again. She took me here to eat at a few places, and this was my favorite. Is that better?”

I was pretty sure my eyes were as wide as Skylar’s.

“Um…are you still…seeing her?” Skylar asked with her cheeks as red as all get-out.

He shook his head. “Nah. Got bored with her.”

“You got bored with her? How? Y’all weren’t even in the same city!” Skylar exclaimed.

“She got clingy. Wanted to know where and who I was with all the time. Fuck that. I’m no one’s ball and chain. Besides, I broke my number one rule with Cassidy.”

“Who is Cassidy?” Skylar asked.

“The girl who brought me here.”

Holding up her hands, she shook her head. “Wait. Cassidy is who you met on spring break, and y’all messed around?”

“We fucked, Skylar. You can say the word. That’s all it was.”