Chapter 14: Sunday

I woke up Sunday excited about my plans for the day. I was finally taking Leslie out on a real date. We had spent a fair amount of time together before, but that was just as friends. Before Friday night, neither of us had expressed any feelings of wanting to take things further than that. Now that it was out in the open that we both wanted more out of our relationship than plain old friendship, things would probably get much more interesting.

I called Leslie first to set up a time for me to pick her up. When she answered the phone she seemed very happy to hear from me.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Leslie, it's Jeff."

"Hi, Jeff. You're calling bright and early." It was actually already 10:30 in the morning and I had waited until then to call her because I didn't want to be rude and wake up her family if anyone slept late over there.

"It's not that early. I just wanted to set a time for me to come get you this afternoon. We're still going out today, right?"

"Yeah," she giggled, "I still want to see you."

"Good. What time do you want me to come and get you?"

"How about now?"

"Ah, I, ah thought we were going out this after..."

"I was just kidding silly!" She cut me off as she was laughing at me. "How about 1:00?"

"That sounds great."

"How was your party last night?"

"Oh, it was okay I guess. I was having a good time until the cops showed up and busted it."

"Wow! Did you get arrested?"

"No. I didn't have a drink in my hands and the cop that caught me happened to be a guy I already know. He let me go. I was lucky, though. I think a bunch of kids got in trouble. I don't know if they took them in to the station or if they just called their parents and had them come get them or what."

"Damn! You are lucky you got out of there."

"Definitely. I was thrilled that he was the cop that grabbed me."

"How was my best friend, Missy?" I heard a real sarcastic tone in her voice when she asked me that.

"Actually she was drunk and obnoxious. I didn't spend any time with her."

"Oh. I can't say I'm sorry to hear that."

"I'm sure," I laughed. "I know how much you like her."

"I don't like her at all, but I was more worried about that little hussy trying to make a move on you. I finally got you to ask me out and I didn't want her to screw things up..." She paused for a moment and then said softly, "Oops. I guess I said too much. Sorry."

"Don't apologize. I'm glad you want me to ask you out. I'm sorry it took me so long to do it. I just didn't want you to feel like you had to go out on a date with me because you felt like you owed me something for helping you that night."

"That has nothing to do with why I like you. I do appreciate what you did for me, but that isn't what my feelings for you are about. Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have slipped and told you that I was waiting for you to ask me out. I wasn't trying to guilt-trip you or anything."

"No, don't apologize for telling me how you feel. I like the fact that you tell me stuff like that. I'm not into games. I just want you to tell me what's on your mind. You don't have to worry about scaring me off. I already like you a lot, so it's not like you need to try to make an impression on me. You already have and I wouldn't have asked you out if it wasn't a good one."

"Thanks, Jeff. You always know what to say to make me feel good. I always feel better when I'm with you than when I'm alone."

"I'm glad. I have a great time with you, too."

"I'm really looking forward to our date today. My dad is even happy that I'm going out with you. He seems to think I will crawl into a shell and never come out."

"He gave me that impression the last time I called you. I don't think he has anything to worry about. You're in good hands."

"Good hands huh? I can't wait."

"Oh, you little tease. You shouldn't do that to me. I might have to take you up on it later."

"Umm. I'm counting on it. Ever since you kissed me the other night I have been waiting for another one."

"Oh you'll get a kiss or two today if I get my hands on you."

"I can't wait."

"Me neither. I should get going though. I have some stuff to take care of before I pick you up."

"Okay. I'll see you this afternoon."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye."

I hung up the phone and called Tom to make arrangements with him as well. I figured we should take separate cars in case we needed to split up for whatever reason, plus it would give both couples some alone time. We agreed to meet at the farm where the hayrides were, then make the rest of our plans later as we went.

I did a short guitar practice and went to the gym with Larry for a short workout before I took my shower and got ready to pick up Leslie.

It was a cool, crisp autumn afternoon that day. I loved the autumn. It would be beautiful with the leaves changing on the trees and I loved the smell of the fall in the countryside.

I took my Mom's car and picked up Leslie at her house. I was almost breathless when she opened the door. She was dressed warmly for the outdoors, but she had done up her hair and put on some makeup. She looked beautiful. I could see that she was happy at my open admiration of her.

"You look beautiful," I said.

"Thanks," she said shyly and looking down with embarrassment. I always thought it was cute how she was kind of shy when it came to getting compliments.

I held out my hand and she took it in hers as she turned and pulled the front door of her house shut with her other hand. On a sudden impulse I pulled her to me and kissed her. The kiss lasted longer than I had expected, and I could see when we pulled apart that she was as moved by it as I was.

We stood looking into each other's eyes for a second before I got a little embarrassed.

"Sorry. I just had to kiss you. You got me all excited this morning and then when I saw you I just had to do it."

"I'm glad you did it. It was wonderful. I wasn't expecting you to do it that fast, though."

"I'm just trying to keep you on your toes."

"Well, if that's how you are going to keep me on my toes I will be very happy."

"Good. Making you happy is fun."

I kept hold of her hand and we walked to the car together. I did open the door for her like a gentleman before going around to my door and getting in.

We headed out to the countryside for the hayride that I promised her. I figured that a hayride would be a good first date because it is fun and kind of romantic without pushing to be alone with her. There would be other people on the truck with us even if Tom and Mary didn't come along.

We chatted the whole way to the farm which was only about 20 minutes away. I realized that one of the things that was great about my relationship with Leslie was that something as simple as going for a drive with her was fun. I always enjoyed our conversation and I never felt like there was tension to try to keep things going. If there was a lull in the conversation that was okay. We could just ride together in companionable silence. It felt good just being with her.

When we got to the farm we parked the car and walked over to where the ticket booth was. We found out the time for the next ride and how much it would be, then walked back toward the parking area to wait for Tom and Mary.

They pulled up a few minutes later and they both looked like they were happy being together.

"Hey, Mary," I said and gave her a hug.

"Hi, Jeff," she said hugging me back. She looked at us both and said, "How's it going?"

"Great," Leslie replied. "How about you guys?"

"Good."

"Yeah, great."

"Okay. Let's go get some tickets then," I said.

We walked back to the ticket booth to buy tickets for the next ride. Tom and I bought the tickets and we found out that there were about fifteen minutes until the ride was going to start.

The girls decided that they needed to visit the ladies room before the ride, so they ran off giggling at each other in search of a place to use the facilities.

"So, how is it going with Mary?"

"I'm having a great time with her. She's a fun girl to hang around. I don't feel nervous around her for some reason like I do with some others."

"That's good. If you just are yourself and go with the flow, you guys will have a good time together I think. The problem is when guys try to be all cool in front of the girls and they just think you're a dork."

"I know what you mean. I have noticed that a lot of guys act differently in front of the girls because they think they will look cool. It always looks stupid and I bet if I can see right through it then the girls probably do, as well."

"I'm sure you're right. Somehow the girls are always a step ahead of us. We are always trying to figure them out, but I think they know what we are thinking before we even think it."

"I think we are ahead of the game just knowing that they run the show. I'm content to just go with it and see what happens with Mary. As long as we're having fun I don't care what we're doing. I wouldn't mind getting a little cozy with her, though."

"Just take it slow unless you aren't interested in seeing her again."

"Yeah, I know. I won't push her. So, what about you and Leslie?"

"Things seem to be going great so far. She's smart, intelligent, fun to be with, and to tell you the truth I think she's sexy as hell. What more could a guy ask for?"

"Oh boy. You're done. She's got you reeled in."

"Yeah," I laughed, "that's true. Somehow I don't mind it a bit."

"Good! That's what having a girlfriend is supposed to be like."

"Here they come."

The girls got back from their venture to the bathroom with a few minutes to spare before the ride started, so we went over to the spot where the truck would load up and waited. We just talked a bit and introduced ourselves to the two other couples who were waiting. They were a bit older. They were all from the university near by and were just out doing the date thing like us. They seemed nice enough and the girls were actually pretty hot. I think Leslie and Mary caught Tom and I checking the girls out and were amused by it. Okay, so we weren't college guys. They couldn't blame a guy for looking. Could they? Right.

They truck pulled up and we helped the girls up into the back where the hay was all spread out for us to sit in. I couldn't help but admire Leslie's tight jean-covered butt as she climbed up in front of me. Being the usual high school guy with hormones flowing though my body I was immediately rock hard in my pants at the sight. I had the overwhelming urge to grab that ass and bury my face in her crotch from behind. I did manage to control myself since we were not alone and she would probably have punched me for being so forward anyway.

I climbed up into the truck and Leslie and I found a cozy little spot to sit together in the hay. I sat down and put my back to the side of the truck and she sat down between my legs and put her back against me. I wrapped my arms around her and we settled in together.

My hands ended up on her stomach and hers were on top of mine. We did have jackets on, so it wasn't like I was touching her skin or anything, but it was still good cuddling. She must have felt my hard-on against her ass, because as she was getting comfortable she was wiggling her hips back and forth scooting back into me and she stopped suddenly and looked over her shoulder at me with a strange expression that included her eyebrows lifted and a small smile. I just smiled back and let it go. What was I going to do about it? She was the reason for my "condition" and I couldn't really hide it under the circumstances.

When we were finally comfortable she gave a contented sigh and leaned back into me. Once everyone was settled the truck started up and we just sat back and enjoyed a ride through the farmland. We didn't really talk too much during the trip. We just took in the beautiful views and smells and enjoyed being together.

I especially enjoyed the way we were sitting because her head was leaned back against my shoulder and I could smell her hair and the soapy fresh smell of her skin. At one point I just leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek. It just seemed appropriate. She smiled and reached over and pulled my face around so she could give me a good kiss on the lips in return.

"Hey! Get a room."

"Yeah! No PDA!"

We got a bunch of catcalls from the others on the truck, but they were all in fun. I think that every couple in the truck kissed at least once after that and we made sure that they all got the same treatment. All in all it was a great time. What could be better than cuddling up with your new girlfriend in the hay?

The trip ended a while later and we all jumped out of the truck and thanked the driver for the great time. It was still a bit too early for dinner and the haunted house wouldn't be open until nighttime, so we decided to drive back to town and just walk around a bit before choosing a place to eat.

We drove back to town and met up again in a public parking lot. We just strolled along and let the girls window shop while we walked. Personally I have always hated shopping, but girls always like it, so we went along with it. Tom and I talked a bit while the girls oohed and aahed about the things in the windows. We stopped in at a music shop and I picked up a CD of guitar music that I was interested in. Leslie couldn't decide on anything, so my offer to buy her a CD was not taken up.