One Thousand Apologies
Copyright© 2016 by Joe Long
Chapter 14.2: Ties That Bind (Part Two)
Coming of Age Sex Story: Chapter 14.2: Ties That Bind (Part Two) - I was a nineteen year old virgin when I met my first love - she was my fourteen year old cousin.
Caution: This Coming of Age Sex Story contains strong sexual content, including Teenagers Consensual Romantic Heterosexual Fiction Historical Sports Tear Jerker Incest Cousins Cream Pie First Masturbation Oral Sex Petting Safe Sex Small Breasts Slow
Another Sunday, another Steelers game. As I came down the hallway from the stairs to the basement and garage, I heard my aunt call from the kitchen, “Is that you, Joe?”
“Hey, Aunt Janet!”
She was already on her feet and closing the distance. “How are you? How’s that eye doing?”
I stopped in front of her and cocked my head. “Honestly? Getting a little tired of people asking about it.”
“Well, it is kind of hard to miss.”
I huffed as she checked me over and said, “Give it a few days ... So, who are we playing today?”
“The Chiefs, in Kansas City,” Hannah yelled from the couch.
“Are they any good?”
I frowned. “Eh — four and six, but they’ve got a good defense.”
“Okay. Well, go and run along to your ... uh, my daughter, on the couch.”
I took a step, then stopped and looked back. “Anything to eat today?”
“I’ll go get a couple subs. That should be enough for the four of you.”
“Sounds good!” I skipped over to the couch and dropped down beside Hannah.
“Still sucking up to my mom?” she teased.
I sighed. “Better than being on her bad side. And did you hear? She almost called you my girlfriend.”
Hannah dropped her head and said softly, “Yeah ... well ... we need to talk.”
I frowned. “If it’s about Friday, I’d rather move on.”
Her eyes met mine. “We can’t. Not yet. This is important.”
I shrugged. “Okay?”
She hesitated, as if holding back tears. “You need to know that you scared me.”
I held up my hands. “I’m sorry.”
Her voice hardened. “No — what you don’t understand is, I’ve never seen that kind of anger or violence from you, and I don’t want to see it again.”
A pang shot through my chest. “Yeah, you said that. I don’t know — it just kind of happened.”
“And how do I know it’s not going to ‘just happen’ again?”
I slumped back into the couch. “Because now I’ve seen it myself, and I didn’t like it either.”
“So you understand?”
I hung my head and bit my lip.
“Do you understand?” she repeated.
I looked her in the eyes. “I’m sorry. Yes — I understand.”
“You better — because I don’t want to lose you.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, slowly shaking my head.
Hannah clutched my arm and scooted closer, laying her head on my shoulder as she silently turned her attention to the T.V.
I kissed the top of her head as we cuddled while the pre-game show droned on. A few minutes later she stirred when we heard Dave and Susie coming up from the garage.
As Susie came around the couch, she stopped and looked at me. “Yeah, I heard about that.” Glancing at Hannah, she added, “You’re going to be the talk of the school tomorrow.”
Hannah sighed and shook her head. “Oh, just what I need.”
“C’mon,” I said. “Grab a seat — game’s about to start.”
The Steelers got their first shot at the ball in K.C. territory. Bradshaw quickly hit passes to Bleier for ten and Swann for eighteen. From the twenty-six yard line, Franco Harris took the handoff and ran left, then flicked the ball back to Bradshaw, who tossed it to Stallworth in the end zone for a touchdown.
I jumped to my feet and yelled, “Yes! Yes! Take that!”
Dave grinned. “Oh, man, was that pretty.”
The Steelers were moving again just before the end of the first quarter. Five minutes into the second, Bradshaw lobbed it sixteen yards to Swann, who leapt and kept both feet in bounds at the back of the end zone.
Everyone whooped as the lead extended to seventeen-zip. They added a field goal before halftime to push it to twenty.
When the teams went to the locker room, we headed to the kitchen, where Aunt Janet had laid out the subs.
Hannah and I made our plates, and on the way back to the family room I whispered, “Can we go talk by the window?”
“Uh-oh. Now you have something to say?”
“Yeah ... but I don’t think you’ll mind.”
When we reached the window, off to the side of the T.V., she asked, “Okay, what’s the big deal?”
“I need you.”
“Well, I’m right here!”
“No ... I need you.”
“Oh... what caused this change of mind?”
I rolled my eyes, running my hand through my hair. “You know ... all this stuff that’s been going on. My nerves are shot. I need some loving.”
“Are you saying you get bitchy and punch guys out when you don’t get enough sex?”
“No!” I stifled a laugh. “I’m serious. You’re my anchor, and ... we haven’t been close in such a long time.”
She sighed. “It doesn’t help that we only see each other two days a week, with school and everything.”
I cocked my head. “Maybe I can move in on the weekends!”
Hannah choked back a laugh. “Oh yeah, I’m sure Mom will let you sleep in my bed.”
I leaned in and whispered, “How about while we’re out for your birthday?”
She looked at me in mock horror. “Well, Joe Long ... are you suggesting we lie and sneak around? I thought I was the wild one.”
“You’re going to be wearing a sexy new dress, right? How can I resist?”
“Well, you better make it worthwhile for me!”
“Have I ever disappointed?”
“Well ... only when we haven’t.”
“Okay, it’s a deal. Now I just have to figure out how we do it.”
After supper on Wednesday, I was at the kitchen sink, helping Mom clean up when the phone rang. She answered, then nodded toward me. “It’s Hannah,” she said.
A grin spread across my face as I wiped my hands on a towel and walked to the table. I pulled out a chair, sat down, stretched my legs, and leaned back. Mom shook her head faintly as she handed me the receiver. As she stepped away, I brought it to my ear and said, “Hey, how are you doing?”
“Why haven’t you called me?”
My breath caught at the firmness in her voice. I straightened and rubbed the back of my neck before replying, “I’m sorry. I’ve just been busy with schoolwork ... If you wanted to talk, why didn’t you call me sooner?”
“That’s not my responsibility. The boy should be calling the girl.”
A twinge of pain shot down my left arm. “It’s ... I get caught up in what I’m doing and don’t think about what’s not right in front of me.”
“Oh, I’m that forgettable.”
“C’mon, Hannah, that’s not what I meant. I’m sorry. I’m trying.”
There was a pause. I glanced toward the kitchen, watching Mom busy herself, then stared down at the tabletop as Hannah asked, “Since you’ve been so busy, have you had any time to come up with a plan for my birthday? It’s only two days away.”
I exhaled. “Yes — that’s one of the first things I did.”
“Okay, I’m glad to hear that. Now spill the beans.”
I leaned forward on my elbows, the tension easing just a little. “Well, I told you about dinner at Surf’n Turf.”
“Yes. I’m impressed and am looking forward to it. Mom bought me a dress, and I will be the best looking woman in the room.”
“Wow.”
She giggled. “C’mon, Joe. Wait until then to get distracted. What else are we doing?”
“I checked the paper to see what movies are playing Friday, and there are two new ones.”
“Which are?”
“One is The Black Stallion, with Mickey Rooney.”
“I’m guessing that’s about a horse.”
“Yeah — they get stranded on a desert island, and the kid adopts a horse he trains to race.”
“Uh, okay ... what else?”
“The Rose, with Bette Midler. It’s supposed to be based on Janis Joplin.”
“Oh, I like her! That sounds good.”
I relaxed as the anger was gone from her voice. “Okay... The Rose it is.”
“What time should I be ready?”
“Let’s see ... the movie starts at seven, so I’d like to be at the restaurant by five. That gives us two hours - so we don’t have to rush.”
“I don’t like to be rushed.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll have plenty of time for dinner.” I noticed Mom had left the room. Lowering my voice, I added, “And whatever else, before we have to be home.”
“Wow, I’m impressed. You did a good job.”
“Oh, you will be — with everything! How about I be at your house at four-thirty?”
“I will anxiously be awaiting your arrival.”
“I’m glad you’re happy. I wasn’t so sure a couple minutes ago.”
“Yeah, well...”
“Are you going to Youth Group tonight?”
“They’ll be at the church. I’m going to give it a try.”
“What kind of things do they do there?”
“I guess I’ll find out tonight. Lynn was telling me they’ll do some Bible stuff.”
“Are you into that?”
“We’ll see. She said there’s also a lot of discussions about life as a teenager.”
“Doesn’t sound too bad.”
“It gives me a chance to hang out with some kids my own age.”
“Your own age? What do you mean by that?”
“I’m sorry — that wasn’t supposed to be anything about you. Just, you know, people I go to school with, going through the same things.”
“I guess.”
“C’mon, don’t get mad. I’ll see you Friday.”
“Okay. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
I hung up the phone and sat there, fingers drumming lightly on the table as I tried to figure out why I still felt unsettled. I knew I couldn’t be her whole life — not with just two days a week. Still, it stung.
As I stood to head to my room, I passed Mom in the hallway, then stopped and asked, “Hey, Mom — can you call back and ask Aunt Janet what time Hannah catches her bus in the morning?”
She smiled knowingly and gave a little nod. “Yeah, sure thing.”
Friday morning, my alarm went off early — way too early. My hand shot out, silencing the noise. As my eyes cracked open, dim light crept past my drapes as the darkness faded. Seven a.m. Three hours before my usual time.
Okay, fifteen minutes to spare. Don’t blow it.
I flipped the blanket off my legs, swung them onto the floor, and stood, shivering in the cool air. I started toward the door, then stopped.
Maybe you should put something over your boxers before you run into Mom.
I glanced around, spotted a pair of jeans next to my desk, and quickly slipped them on. Rubbing my eyes, I bounded down the stairs and turned the corner into the kitchen.
Mom sat at the table in her robe, reading the morning paper and sipping coffee. Without looking up, she murmured, “I see you made it on time,” nodding towards the phone.
I stared at her, and she raised her brows, then gathered her paper and coffee and slipped into the dining room.
Aunt Janet answered. With a tightness in my chest, I asked, “Can I speak to Hannah?”
“Yes, you may... Hannah, telephone!”
I heard rustling, then her voice came on, low and teasing. “Who could be calling me at this hour of the morning?”
I swallowed against the lump in my throat. “Hey ... I got up early so I could wish you a happy birthday.”
“Wow. I can imagine how difficult that must have been for you.”
“Not when I love you. Happy birthday.”
“Thank you. Thank you very much. You just made my day.”
I chuckled softly, then whispered, “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
“Don’t worry — I’ll be ready at four-thirty.”
“See you then. Love you.”
“I love you too.”
I heard the click, then leaned my head against the wall above the phone, tears slipping down my cheek.
As I turned toward the stairs, Mom emerged from the dining room. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. Better than fine.”
She gave me a warm smile. “What are you going to do between now and school?”
“Go back to sleep.”
The school day dragged mercilessly. I checked my watch every ten minutes only to find that barely two had passed.
I considered skipping my last class but decided against it. I still had to go home and dress a little fancier than usual, but thirty minutes felt like enough to look good.
At twenty after three I was jogging to the car, and as soon as I was exceeding the speed limit as soon as I got out of the lot. Less than twenty minutes later, I burst through the back door into the kitchen.
Mom sat at the breakfast table, watching Another World on the little black-and-white T.V. “Whoa — you’re in quite a hurry.”
“I have to get dressed and be at Hannah’s by four-thirty.”
“Do you have any clothes picked out yet?”
“Um, yeah ... dark blue slacks and a light blue, long-sleeved dress shirt — but I have to shower first.”
She nodded. “Okay, go get yourself cleaned up, then yell down when you’ve got some pants on.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
I rushed through the shower, dried off, brushed my teeth, and remembered to slap on some deodorant. After a minute running one hand through my hair while the other held the dryer, I went into my room, grabbed clean boxers and socks from the dresser, pulled on the slacks from the pile next to the desk, and called for Mom.
She arrived as I was buttoning my shirt. She gave me a once-over, tugging at the fabric here and there, smoothing out wrinkles. “Don’t you think you should wear a tie?”
“Mom — you know me and ties.”
“Well, it wouldn’t kill you to dress up once in a while.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m there to have a good time, not to feel strangled.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Not too good of a time.”
“Mom!” I groaned.
She smirked. “If not a tie, how about a jacket?”
“Yeah, it’s hanging in the closet,” I said, nodding toward it.
She returned a few seconds later, holding it up so I could slide my arms in.
After a few more touch-ups, she stepped back, hands on her hips. “You are a very handsome young man.”
My eyes prickled. “Thanks.”
“Now get out of here — and behave yourself.”
“I will.”
I grabbed my wallet and keys off the dresser and practically flew down the stairs.
Fifteen minutes later I was nervously tapping my fingers on the wheel, waiting for the light to turn green. At last, it changed, and I made my right turn. A few seconds later, I glanced over as I passed the motel opposite the shopping center. One more light, then I crested the hill and turned into Hannah’s neighborhood.
I started to pull into the back driveway, like always, but caught myself and steered toward the front of the house instead. A brick drive arced right up to the front door. I switched off the ignition, got out, adjusted my jacket, and rang the bell.
After a few seconds, the door cracked open. Aunt Janet peered out, then opened it fully. “Joe! I didn’t expect you to ring.”
Smiling, I said, “Figured this was a special enough occasion. Didn’t want to walk Hannah to the car through the basement or across the back deck.”
“Well then,” she said with a faint smile, “let me get her for you.” She went to the bottom of the stairs and called, “Hannah, your, uh ... date is here.”
It sounded like the word caught in her throat, but I just smiled, hands folded at my waist, and waited.
Oh my — was it worth the wait. My mouth fell open when Hannah appeared at the top of the stairs. A light blue dress, just above the knees. A pendant around her neck, a hint of cleavage below. It hugged her perfectly — flattering without looking two sizes too small.
“Joe, just keep it zipped,” Aunt Janet murmured. I glanced over to see her giving me a warning glare.
The way Hannah descended the stairs reminded me of that first time at their pool — though the outfit this time covered far more skin than that bikini.
When she reached the bottom, she slipped her arm around mine, and we turned toward her mother. “I’ll have her back by nine-thirty,” I promised.
Her mother gave Hannah a long look. “Go get your coat — it’s barely above freezing out there.”
A minute later, she came back and called, “See you later, Mom,” as she practically dragged me out the front door.
I held the passenger door of the Pinto for her, then got in on my side. When I glanced over, she was already grinning at me, eyebrows raised. I chuckled and said, “Not yet — dinner first.”
As soon as we were on the street, she asked, “Okay, what’s the plan? The real one.”
I glanced at her. “Well ... dinner, Surf’n Turf, at five.”
“That I know.”
“Then we should be back up here to the Pineland Inn by six, maybe six-fifteen...”
“You’re the one who eats slow.”
“We don’t have to rush. As long as we make it to the theater by eight, we’ll still catch at least the second half of the movie.”
“Two hours? It usually only takes you two minutes.”
“Hey, now! We need cuddle time, too!”
She grinned, leaning back in her seat. “Just make it special.”
I turned onto the interstate, then at the very next exit got onto the expressway. The sun was dipping behind the mountain as I took the ramp into downtown and headed left, toward one of the older neighborhoods.
Between the Masonic Temple and a car dealership stood a row of large turn-of-the-century houses overlooking the river, the last of which had been converted into a restaurant. At the sign, I pulled into the small lot.
She waited for me to open her door, then slipped her arm through mine as I walked her to the entrance. Just inside, I hung her coat in the cloakroom. With Hannah clutched to my arm, the hostess led us to a table along the wall.
She beamed, scanning the room as we walked. The place was crowded — mostly couples in their thirties to seventies — and more than a few of the men were watching her. Judging by their wives’ glares, they noticed too.
When the hostess left, Hannah leaned in and whispered, “Oh my gosh, so many of them ... looking at me! You aren’t jealous, are you?”
I grinned and shook my head. “No ... not at all. Because I know who you’re going home with.”
“The hottest chick in the place.”
“Well, Super Chick, how about we take a look at the menu?”
As Hannah scanned the offerings, she glanced over. “I gotta say, this is a really nice place. I hope the food’s just as good.”
“I’ve been here a few times when my parents felt like splurging. Never disappointed.”
The waiter appeared. “Are you ready to order?”
Hannah still had her nose in the menu but waved him on. “Go ahead.”
I looked up at him. “I’ll have the chicken parmigiana, please.”
“Would you like a salad with that?”
“No, thank you.”
He scribbled, then turned to Hannah. “Ma’am?”
She bit her lip, then said, “That sounds good — I’ll have the same. But I would like a salad.”
The waiter nodded. “Very good. Please enjoy the bread. Your dinner will be out shortly.”
As soon as he disappeared into the kitchen, Hannah grinned from ear to ear. “I love this. It feels like we’re married already. I can’t wait for later!”
I chuckled. “I aim to please.”
She buttered a slice of bread, took a bite, and leaned back contentedly. “So, tell me — what was so captivating that you didn’t call me for two days?”
I sighed. “Well, I’m designing a relational database for my semester project — it’ll generate season stats for batting and pitching by entering box scores for each game.”
“Nerd!”
“And if I enhance it to accept coded descriptions of each play, I could calculate all sorts of advanced stats.”
“Wow, that really does sound so much more exciting than talking to your woman!”
I rested my chin in my hand. “I know you’re teasing ... but I really do wish we could see each other more. School keeps getting in the way. We’re just a couple hundred yards apart every day, but it feels like a hundred miles.”
She nodded. “Yeah, I liked having lunch with you — until that teacher busted me.”
“Yeah ... the good times. At least Thanksgiving is next week. Mom said we’re coming over to your place for dinner.”
Hannah tilted her head. “Maybe you can hang out with me at Lynn’s after. Her brother will be home from college.”
“You spend a lot of time there?”
“Sometimes in the evening — especially after Youth Group. It was getting a little old being with Dave and Susie all the time.”
“Yeah, sure. Where does she live?”
“Not far — on the way to school, if you turn up the hill at the light.”
“Oh, that’s right.”
Just then the waiter returned. “I’m sorry, but the chef says there’s only one chicken parmigiana left. Would one of you like to change your order?”
My chest tightened. I looked at Hannah. “Looks like you’ll...” but caught myself. Turning back to the waiter, I said, “I’ll take the prime rib, with a baked potato. Just butter.”
He nodded. “Very well, sir,” and left.
Hannah’s eyes softened, a tear glinting. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“You’re welcome. I really like the parm, but prime rib is one of my favorites too. You’ll love the chicken.”
“That sounds expensive. Did you bring enough?”
“Yeah. Mom gave me fifty, and I had a little extra in my wallet.”
“Minus what you spent at Skateland. I don’t want you washing dishes.”
“Don’t worry. Now — you were saying about Lynn? Have you met her brother yet?”
“No, but she’s told me plenty about him. And her boyfriend.”
“Sounds like you two talk a lot.”
“Yeah ... we do.”
She suddenly looked uncertain. “What’s the matter?” I asked.
“Well ... we were talking about guys, and...”
“And?”
“I kind of shared ... that you and I have been ... intimate.”
I froze, dropping my bread. “Oh ... how did that go?”
Hannah nodded faintly, staring at her hands as her thumbs wrestled. “She was cool. I wasn’t sure how she’d react.”
“I can imagine.”
“She told me a lot about her boyfriend, Doug. He’s in tenth, and they’ve been together a year.”
“And they’ve never done it?”
“Nothing more than kissing. So she says.”
I exhaled, shaking my head. “That takes serious willpower. Does this mean you’re having second thoughts?”
She grinned. “No. Not at all. You are going to show me how much you love me.”
I raised my eyebrows as her foot started to rub against my leg under the table.
The waiter and a server came out of the kitchen, each carrying a plate. The young girl placed Hannah’s chicken and pasta in front of her, smothered in marinara sauce and melted mozzarella.
The waiter set down my prime rib. I looked up and nodded. “Thank you. It looks very good.”
Once they withdrew, Hannah leaned over and said, “That’s a lot of beef.”
“That’s what she said,” I grinned.
Her foot shot out and kicked my leg. I winced. “Okay, deserved that.”
I dove into the thick, pink slab, slicing off thin strips and savoring each bite as it melted in my mouth. After a few bites, I noticed Hannah hadn’t said anything since the plates arrived.
I glanced up to find her staring at her chicken, lazily stirring sauce into the spaghetti, a faraway look in her eyes.
“What’s the matter?” I asked, setting down my fork.
She dabbed the corner of her eye with her napkin and shrugged softly. “I was thinking about the conversation with Lynn.”
“I thought you said things were okay.”
“With her, yes. But it started Wednesday at Youth. We were talking about what it takes to be a dad ... and I started crying. Lynn came over to ask why.”
“And?”
“It made me think about my dad — how he just left us. I was so young, I barely remember him. But for such a long time I thought it was my fault. That he didn’t want to live with us anymore because of me.”
I wiped a tear from my own cheek and reached across the table to take her hand. “I’m so sorry.”
She squeezed my fingers, managing a small smile. “It’s okay. I’m over it — most of the time. Later, at Lynn’s, we got to talking about our boyfriends.”
“I hope you said good things about me,” I teased.
She took a bite of chicken before replying. “You don’t have to worry about that ... but I did let it slip about the things we’ve done.”
“And she didn’t freak out?”
“Like I said, she was concerned, but never angry. She just wanted to make sure you really loved me.”
I gazed into her eyes. “I do.”
Her eyes shimmered. “I know. I trust you, Joe.”
I nodded gently, still holding her gaze. “Lynn sounds like a good friend.”
“She is. That’s why I suggested you come with me next weekend.”
“Okay — sounds like a plan,” I said.
“Oh, and Joe...”
“Yeah?”
“I think you’ll make a great dad someday.”
I swallowed hard. “Someday ... you really think so?”
She nodded, a quiet smile on her lips. “I know so.”
I leaned back in my chair, smiling, then gestured to her plate. “You better finish that chicken. We’ve got a schedule to keep.”
She stuck out her tongue and smirked. “Oh, don’t worry about me — I’m not the slowpoke.”
True to form, she cleaned her plate, wiped her mouth, and crossed her arms while she watched me finish my last bites of prime rib and baked potato.
I covered my mouth and burped softly. “Hey — I like to savor the taste!”
The waiter returned almost instantly. “Would either of you like dessert?”
We both shook our heads. “No, thank you.”
“Then let me take these,” he said, clearing the table.
We leaned back, just looking at each other. After a beat, I cleared my throat. “Um...”
Hannah leaned in, smiling. “Yes?”
I sat up and slipped my hand into my jacket pocket, feeling the small box. I set it gently on the table. “I got you something.”
Her eyes sparkled as she picked it up, turning it in her hands before opening it — and gasping.
“It’s an ankle bracelet,” I said, watching her reaction.
She held it up, the little heart-shaped charm catching the light. Her voice softened. “I have to apologize.”
“For what?”
“I didn’t want to ask ... but I thought maybe you’d forgotten to get me anything. And this is so beautiful.”
I shrugged. “What, a fancy dinner and a night of passion isn’t enough?”
She laughed. “Those are plenty. But I was hoping for something I could keep.”
“Yeah. That’s what Mom said.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Oh — so it wasn’t your idea?”
“Not at first. I was being a lunkhead. But she — of course — knew what a girl might want.”
“I would hope so,” she giggled.
“So last night, she took me to the mall. I saw that bracelet and thought about how sexy it’d look on your ankle ... though I didn’t tell her that part.”
“Smart boy.” She grinned. “I’m putting it on.”
“Now?”
“Why not?”
She crossed her left leg over her right, clipped it on with care, then extended her foot. “Well?”
“Wow,” I muttered — and I wasn’t the only one watching.
She settled back, proud and glowing, just as the waiter brought the check.
I picked it up, scanning it. “Twenty-three dollars and change. So, fifteen percent is...”
“Oh, just give him five.”
“That’s over twenty percent!”
“Joe.”
“Okay, okay.”
I slid a five under the bread plate and handed the waiter a twenty and a five.
When he brought back the change, I stood and offered my hand to help her up. “Are you sure you didn’t eat too much? I don’t want to see you get sick in the middle of ... the bouncing,” I smirked.
“No way — I’m ready for my treat.”
Just like when we arrived, heads turned to watch her walk to the coat room. I chuckled. “You still got it.”
She tossed me a grin. “Yeah — they all wish they were Joe Long for the night.”
I blinked, trying to process that. “Wow — things never said before for a thousand, Art.”
She shook her head and smiled. “C’mon — let’s go before your head’s too big to fit through the door.”
We stepped out into the chilly evening air, Hannah tugging her coat tight with one hand while glancing down at her ankle, as if she still couldn’t quite believe the bracelet was real.
Back in the car, I retraced our route to the expressway and pushed the speedometer up to seventy, stealing glances at her.
“What?” she said, catching me.
“Nothing,” I smirked. “You’re just ... smiling a lot.”
She leaned her head against the window, grinning. “I’m just thinking about how much you’ve changed in the last four months. You’re not that clueless guy afraid of his own shadow anymore.”
I cocked my head. “Thank you — I guess.”
She slid her hand onto my thigh and leaned back, her smile softening. “Sometimes I still wonder why, but I love you, Joe Long.”
I reached down, took her hand, and squeezed. “And I love you too, Hannah Cardellino.”
“Or maybe...” She turned to me, eyes twinkling. “I’m picturing the look on your face when you try to undress me and get tangled in all this lace.”
I nearly swerved into the turn lane.
She laughed. “Relax, Joe. I’ll help you.”
I shook my head and got both hands back on the wheel as I exited onto the interstate. A couple of miles later, the ramp dumped us onto the main drag. At the third light, I turned right into the Pineland Inn, across from the Hills department store.
Hannah tapped my arm. “This close to my house?” she whispered, scanning the area.