My eyes followed Corri as she slinked out of the garage and back into the house. I couldn't ignore the subtle swish of her hips in those short shorts (fuck me) or the way she never looked back at me before ducking into the house. Shit! 

I was still cradling Kash tightly in my arms and he was embracing me just as hard. He had been timid at first, but I had chalked it up to the time and distance we had been apart. Six months didn't seem long to an adult but it was a decent percentage of his life so far. I didn't try to take it personally when he held back at first, but something clicked and we were back to the way we had been before they left.

"God, you're pathetic," Katrina spat. "Nothing changes with you. Still living in this garage, still pining after the princess, still wasting your life."

I stood, lifting Kash off his feet and tickling him a bit as I did. I held back all the things I could have said to her out of respect for Kash. "Why are you here? What happened in California?"

Katrina rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically. "Things didn't work out."

"You said you were getting married," I reminded her.

"I...he...we just weren't good together," she huffed.

"You cheated?"

"No!"

I held her gaze until her eyes snapped away. "We just weren't compatible."

"He got mad when you wanted to see other guys?"

"Not everyone spends their life chasing a high school sweetheart." Her tone was shitty and condescending, but I chose to ignore it because at least I had Kash back in my life.

"So was there some other reason for this visit or did you only come to insult me?"

Katrina flicked a lock of her dark hair over her shoulder and tossed me what I guessed was supposed to be a seductive look. When she leaned close to me, I made no bones about the fact I didn't want her.

The girl I wanted just walked away from me...again.

Katrina scowled at my reaction to her, quickly changing gears to her second favorite subject. "Well I just got back and I could really use some help…"

I groaned at the thought of her staying with me. "Absolutely not. You can't stay here. Corri is back and Charlie is sick."

"Oh my God, Colt. I'm not asking for that. Kash and I are staying with my aunt."

"Oh," I gasped, suddenly embarrassed that that was my assumption. My mind probably went there because the thought of doing anything that could cause more of a rift between Corri and I was impossible. "So what then?"

She cocked her head and sighed. "Well you know Kash could always use some new clothes."

I nodded and placed him back on his feet so I could dig into my pocket. I retrieved my wallet and gave her all the cash I had. "This is what I've got for now, but I can get you more later."

Katrina turned her nose up at the hundred dollars I pressed into her hand. "What about Kash? Can you take him this week? I need to find a job."

"Of course I can. Just call me. I've been busy with the shop but I'll do my best."

"Busy with Corri...isn't that what you meant?"

"Just stay out of it. I gave you money and I said I'd keep him for you. Just don't interfere with me and Corri."

"Oh! So this is a thing?" She waved her finger back and forth between me and the door to the house. 

"It's always been a thing. I'm not giving up," I blurted, cursing myself for sharing that information with someone who had the potential to ruin things for us.

Katrina pursed her lips and eyed me up and down before finally taking Kash and leaving. "Bye, buddy," I grinned, fist bumping him in his carseat before she drove away.

Now I had to fix things with Corri and pray it wasn't too late.

When I peered into the kitchen, I found Corri perched on the counter, take-out container of fried ice cream cradled in her lap, the back of the spoon trailing lazily over her tongue and a far-off look in her eyes.

"Hi."

My voice must have startled her because when I stepped up to her, she looked away and began to squirm. I moved to stand between her legs, ending any chance of her escape. "Is it good?" I nodded down to the melting dessert in her lap. 

Corri's gaze froze momentarily on my mouth when I swept my thumb over my lower lip. Absently, she scooped a spoonful of the honey covered, crunchy ice cream and lifted it to her mouth. I watched her devour the whole bite, rubbing her lips together and licking the spoon clean. 

It was all too much. Luckily she hadn't changed out of the shorts and tank she had worn for me. Looking at her was a feast. There was so much bare skin on display, I had to struggle to stay calm.

Corri pressed the container into my hands as I stared. "It's all yours. I'm going to bed."

"Like hell you are," I growled, leaning closer and gripping the top of her thighs with a purpose. "We said we'd eat this together."

Corri shrugged and I noticed the way her eyes darted around my face. "That was before," she retorted indignantly.

"Yeah and an hour ago, you put this outfit on for me and we made plans to spend the evening in my room. Don't spoil it with thoughts of her. I'm sure as hell not thinking of anyone but you right now."

Her mouth fell open when I pushed the dessert back into her hands. I used one hand to spoon a bite to her lips while the other one toyed with the lacy edge of her shorts. "Open up."

With her eyes pinned on mine, Corri let her mouth fall open, her tongue peeking out to swipe a taste of the chocolate drizzled whipped cream. Fuck, she was killing me.

We were close, but I wanted more. Her expression was wary. I knew seeing Katrina had sent her right back to graduation night. It was the night that changed everything for us.

The Day After Graduation

I was coming out of the garage when I saw Charlie approaching with a somber look on his face. I hadn't seen him or Corri all day long. "Where is she?" I blurted when he got close enough. 

Charlie blinked up at me, still looking a bit dazed. "She's gone," he sighed.

"Gone?" I echoed. I followed him into the house, determined to get answers. "Gone where?"

Charlie looked exhausted as we stepped into office and he sunk into his chair. "Seattle," was all he said.

My shoulders slumped. "But her classes don't start for three months."

Charlie rubbed his eyes and sighed. "She woke me up this morning and said she was ready to go. She asked me if there was any way she could go early and so I called my aunt. I made arrangements for Corri to stay with her for the summer. She has to get a job and do some chores to help pay her way. But once the dorms open, she's moving."

"She wasn't supposed to leave until August," I sighed. "She never even said goodbye."

"I'm sorry, kid. I...I told her she should talk to you but…" His voice trailed off and I had a feeling where this was going. "Did you get some girl pregnant?"

I could feel the disappointment when he looked over his desk and saw a screwed up kid who was somehow about to be a father himself. "That's what she says."

Charlie scrubbed his face with both hands and groaned. "We talked about this, Colt. I gave you condoms. I don't understand how you could be that careless."

His words were like a slap in the face and my stomach twisted with regret. I never wanted to let this man down. "I was careful," I swore. "I used a condom. Honest to God, I did."

"Okay, kid," Charlie tried to settle me with his soothing tone. "I get it. I know these things happen sometimes. I just...I wanted more for you. You have so much potential."

I hung my head in shame. The man I looked up to most was writing me off. "I need to see Corri. Can I have her address in Seattle? I have to try and fix this."

The pained expression in Charlie's eyes signified I wouldn't be getting that address. "She is so upset, Colt. I've never seen her like this."

"I know."

"Was there something going on between you two?"

The question I had dreaded was now being asked. I paused for a moment before letting it all out. I explained our attraction and how I had kept my distance for so long. I also told him about Corri's suggestion that we become a couple.

"Did you sleep with her?" Charlie demanded. 

"No!" I scoffed. "I had never even kissed her before last night. But then Katrina showed up and…"

He obviously knew the rest so I stopped explaining it all. "I don't know if I can go a day without seeing her. We've been in each other's lives every day for the last almost three years. I don't know how to get over her."

My head fell into my hands as I considered my world without Corri in it. I felt Charlie's strong hand on my shoulder. He squeezed me hard, as if he were trying to share his strength with me. "I'm sorry," my voice broke. I had caused him to lose time with his daughter and I hated that for both of us.

"Just give her time to sort things out. Maybe you can figure out a way to get her back...as friends."

I forced a smile, but it wasn't real. Honestly I was afraid things would never be that good between us again. Now all I had was the memory of one kiss, one time of feeling her body under mine, one desperate moment of her hands around me and pulling me down on top of her. I hated myself for telling her no all these years. 

What if I never got the chance to hold her again?

I still felt hopeless hours later when I wandered into the kitchen in search of something to eat. Instead I wound up back in my room with a half drunk bottle of Charlie's whiskey...which led to me making a phone call to Seattle.

"Hello?"

Corri's voice, although groggy and confused, brought a calmness and relief to me. "Hey, Corri."

"Colt?"

"Yeah...I...had to talk to you."

She paused and for a moment, I wondered if she would hang up on me before I could say what I wanted. "It's late. I'm tired. And I didn't sleep much last night."

"I guess not. Seems you were too busy planning your escape," I chided. "How could you leave without saying goodbye?"

"Colt…" she sighed.

"We've spent almost every day together for the last three years. I can't even imagine waking up tomorrow and not seeing your face." My voice cracked, thick with emotion that the alcohol wouldn't let me hide.

She was quiet but I heard her sniffling. "I couldn't do it, Colt. I couldn't stay there and see you with Katrina. It hurt too much knowing you had been with her and now…now what? You'll marry her, move away with her, go to her doctor appointments and hold her hand at the baby shower? Fuck, Colt!"

Her voice was breaking too. And she was getting angry with me. I couldn't be mad about that. It was all so frustrating. I didn't have any answers for her either.

"I don't know what we're doing yet. But I'm not gonna marry her, Corri. I don't love her. She's not the one that makes my heart beat faster. She's not the one I think of when I first wake up." I blew out a deep breath and sighed, "She's not you."

"I don't know what you want from me," Corri murmured softly. "I'm here now and I want some space to figure out how I feel."

"Yesterday you wanted me. Yesterday you pulled me on top of you and gave me the most incredible kiss. Now I'm supposed to forget you?" I growled. I was losing control. Corri had that effect on me.

"Yesterday you told me it was crazy to start anything. You said wait. So we'll wait. And you can figure out what's important to you."

"I know," I croaked. "It's you. It's always been you, baby. Please don't stay away from me. I feel like I'm never going to see you again."

The pain in my chest was unreal. I waited for her to speak. I needed her reassurance that we could fix this, but that didn't happen. 

"Colt…"

Desperate for her to hear me, I interrupted her. "I'm sorry I was so stupid and that fear kept me from having you. Because you're all I ever wanted, Corri. I thought we would have more time. I thought I'd get my chance. But now you're gone and I hate this."

"I'm sorry. I just can't. I need to do this now and see where we are later on."

"Can I call you? Come see you?"

"I'd rather you didn't," she replied coldly. "It's kinda hard for me to look at you right now."

"But you'll be back? Then we can talk?" I pleaded hopefully. 

"Yes."

It was one word but I was pinning all my hope to it. "Okay," I sighed. "I won't call you again. But if you need me...for anything…"

"I'll call, I promise."

"Okay," I mumbled hesitantly, wanting to prolong ending the call. I had no way to know how long it would before I saw her again. "Take care of yourself."

"I will. And Colt?"

"Yeah."

"Take care of my dad."

"He knows. I told him about the kiss and he knows how I feel."

Corri was so quiet that I wasn't sure she was still there. "Was he mad?" she asked quietly.

"No. Especially after he asked if we had sex and I said no."

"Oh God," she groaned. "Did you tell him I wasn't the one you wanted? Or that you were too busy screwing Katrina?"

"Corri, fuck. You know that's not true!"

"I gotta go," her tone was sharp and there was an iciness to her voice. 

"I'm sorry."

I heard her sigh deeply before she huffed out, "Yeah. Me too."

The line went dead and I don't know how long I stared up at my ceiling with that phone still in my hand. I would've given anything to take it all back. To have not hurt her the way I did. I could've had everything. I could've had her in my arms.

"More?" I asked as I offered her another bite. 

Corri shook her head and used her finger to swipe away a little honey on the corner of her mouth. I moved the bowl aside and gripped her wrist when she tried to lick her finger. She kept her eyes on my mouth as I guided her finger to my lips. I heard her little gasp when I flicked my tongue out to taste her. 

She bit down on her lower lip as I swirled my tongue around the sweet digit and I saw the way she fidgeted. She was turned on and I wanted her to remember how good we were together. When I pulled her finger from my mouth and leaned into her, she pressed her hands against my chest. "Colt…"

"Don't say no. You were ready to come upstairs with me a few hours ago. Fuck, you put this sexy outfit on to tease me," I laughed as I brushed my thumbs over the straps of her tank top. "Please don't push me away again."

Corri let her head fall to my chest. I used both hands to gather her hair and draw it close to my face. I breathed in her scent and committed it to memory in case she said she never wanted to see me again. 

Those feelings from the night she left for Seattle came flooding back. I was struck with the fear of letting Katrina come between me and the girl I loved again. I wouldn't survive losing Corri a second time. 

Corri lifted her head slowly, her eyes glazed and her lips parted. "Colt…" she began and I waited with baited breath for her to continue.

"Yeah?"

She rolled her lower lip between her teeth and gazed up at me with big eyes. "Will you take me to bed?" Her voice was soft and sweet. I didn't care what we did as long as she let me lie beside her.

I nodded quickly and pulled her legs around my waist, holding her under her thighs as her arms encircled my neck. She snuggled tightly against me and when I leaned over to place her on her bed, she pulled me down on top of her. It felt like graduation night all over again. But I didn't kiss her. I had a fear of scaring her off so as much as it killed me, I nestled my head on the pillow beside her and held her close to me.
  
Now I had what I needed. My girl was back. And even though everything wasn't perfect, she was letting me hold her and we were getting closer. 

I didn't just want the friendship back. I wanted it all with her. This was our second chance and I was determined to make the most of it.

....

This is Kash ❤