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Chapter 30
-Drive-In-

-Clover-

"Missed me?"

The weight of his words seem to hit me harder then they should've.

At lost for words in his arms, drowning in his familiar scent.

His much larger body radiated an abundance of heat as we stood in the doorway which created a chilly draft that crawled up my legs.

Our hug was long.

Tight.

And filled with unsaid meaning.

This feeling didn't come close to a 'good morning' text or to one of his nightly calls. This was not one of my girly dreams, this was reality.

Heaven on Earth, and nauseating at the same time. 

"Did you miss me?" he repeated, his voice lowering.

I like how his chest vibrates when he speaks.

"I thought you weren't coming home until the 2nd?"

He chucked, now rubbing small circles on my back. "Plans changed". He was persistent on his venture for me to answer his question, the whole time I could hear the smile in his voice. "I hope you missed me, cause I missed you".

It was like he could read me like a book.

From this angle he thankfully was not able to see the blush that was burning on my cheeks. But we both knew the answer.

Demarco had only been gone for six days. He wasn't supposed to be back this soon. Now here he was back earlier than anticipated choosing to spend his downtime with me.

Throughout his short lived trip, he kept his word on not ghosting me. Every morning I'd wake up to a 'good morning' text before I could send him one and every night, right after I'd come out the shower, he'd call.

We were never on the phone long, maybe 5-10 minutes but those 5-10 minutes each night made a difference.

It showed that he cared about me enough not to go back on his word. He was a busy man, it wouldn't have been surprising if he missed a morning text or a night call but Demarco was consistent. And that consistency was a good look on him.

It was all the more reason why I'm falling for him much faster then I anticipated or would dare admit.

However, I thought I would have a couple more days to workout my feeling before he came home. Because no matter how much I liked a boy, I would never be caught in this position of hugging a man as if my life depended on it.

I was happy to see him, but this made me seem like such a naive little girl. Like one of those girls that think it's love at first sight and falls head-over-heels all because of a boy.

Uhh...

It was too late to take back the long hug and my over excitement. I exposed myself and now the dooming feeling of embarrassment crept up on me.

"Something like that" I finally said, trying my best to sound as nonchalant as possible but failed at that also.

I tried to pull away, but his arms wouldn't allow me. They locked me in place and without breaking us apart Demarco shifted us into the apartment. Then kicked the door closed behind himself.

Only then did he let me go allowing me to step back.

But who would've guessed I'd be more embarrassed out of his arms then in them?

His playful mood shifted as his eyes shamelessly drifted lower and lower to really examine me. From head to toe.

My custom was the source of his mood shift and boy was I regretting Nola's decision of putting me in this.

It was meant to be a risqué custom. After all that's the theme of any college custom party that was ever thrown.

My custom was child's play compared to what most of the other girls at this party were wearing. But that wasn't the point...

If I had known Demarco would be standing in front of me, I would've changed the moment I came home rather then lounging around in this.

"This was Nola's idea".

A nervous laugh escaped my lips and I automatically felt stupid for having the urge to blame this on someone else instead of taking responsibility for a decision that was ultimately my own.

"I'll just go change".

I dismissed myself, but not without further embarrassing myself by tripping over my discarded heels in the process.

Thankfully he didn't laugh. As far as I could tell he didn't find any parts of this one sided conversation funny.

He was a tuff cookie to read, as his eyes stayed glued on me and his expression stayed neutral. But I was quickly learning how to decode this man.

Through his neutral flaccid his eyes were the window that exposed his true emotions. As dark as they were and as hard as he tried to control himself, his eyes said it all.

He did not approve of what I was wearing.

As I rushed to my room, I scrambled to take the slutty custom off, huffing and puffing as I strangled.

There was a gentle knock on my bedroom door that made me jump and scramble to find something to cover myself up with.

"Wear something warm, we're going out" Demarco voice came from the other side, followed shortly by retreating foot steps.

So that's what I did. I changed into my warm grey sweatpants and sweater. I did my best to wash off the makeup on my face and returned to the front door where Demarco awaited with my coat in hand.

I quickly threw the fall coat on and slipped on a pair on tennis shoes. He opened the door for us, and we were soon in his car off to whatever destination he had in mind.

The radio hummed a low tune as anxiety ate away at me still for wearing that stupid outfit. I was definitely not that kind of girl and I didn't want anyone thinking that I was. Especially not Demarco.

"Sorry about that" I apologized again, mentally scowling myself.

I was not an attention seeker.

I didn't go there with the intention of having other men show interest in me.

For crying out loud, I didn't even want to go out in the first place. Not only was I tired but my cramps were kicking my ass, but what type of friend would I be to let Nola go out alone?

So I went but I should've thought twice to what she threw at me to wear.

An expression finally broke threw.

He smiled and shook his head. Then chuckled, finally turning to meeting my eye while he stopped at a red light. "You don't have to apologize. You can wear whatever you want. After all it is Halloween".

His restored light mood made me feel a little better, as the light changed and we continued on.

"So how was your trip?"

"Umm, not very productive, I did get to see a couple of old friends. Haven't seen them in years".

It was probably the most information that he's ever given me about the part of his life he tries to keep hidden. So I took the opportunity and ran with it.

"They must live pretty far?"

"Kind of...sort of" and as quickly as that conversation started, it ended. "You must really trust me".

His random statement confused me and the playful smiled behind it only confused me more.

"You haven't asked where we're going. Therefore, you must really trust me" he reiterated.

"The worse thing you can do is kidnap me. Been there, done that".

"Be careful Lucky Charm, ask and you may receive".

It was a long drive, nearly an hour of driving on the highway before a billboard advertising a Drive-In popped up.

Tonight's showings:
'Dracula' and 'Silver Bullet'
Millberry Field
Exit 22

"A drive in!" I knew the answer before he could give it. We were only an exits away and a new found excitement set in.

I've always wanted to go to a Drive-In but never got the chance to or the means of transportation.

He turned off into the exit and not too far away as a field of cars, quickly filling in front of a massive screen.

"Do you think you can stay up for both movies?" he asked as he parked into a spot not too far away from the concession stand but dab smack in the middle so we can have a good view of the screen.

There was no doubt. "Of course I am".

He smiled, putting the car in park and turning the engine off. "I'll hold you to your word" he said unlatching his seatbelt. "Would you like anything from the food stand before the movie starts? "

"Yes!"

This wouldn't be a prefect first time Drive-In movie experience without the proper snacks. But when I moved to unlatch my seat belt and follow him, he quickly stopped me.

"No, stay in the car. It's cold out and there's a line, I'll get it".

I watched as he walked away and disappeared in the direction of the confession stand and I pulled my phone out checking my messages to see if I had any.

I had none.

Putting my phone away, I fiddled with my thumbs as more and more cars filled in empty spots.

There was a car not too far away from where we parked. The windows were tinted, and there was a thick layer of mist on the windows. The longer I stared at the car the more it looked as if the car was slightly shaking.

I quickly diverted my eyes, and looked somewhere else.

Pulling in on the driver side was an elderly couple who begun to make themselves comfortable as soon as their car was in park.

They reclined both their seats back and cuddled close to one another as they wrapped themselves in a blanket.

The elderly man kissed the elderly woman, as she laughed and snuggled closer to him.

And that when it dawned on me.

The more couples that rolled in, the more I realized what this was for us.

This is a date.

Oh boy.