“Well, I guess we just start at one end, and work our way over? I think we should focus on the bottom for sure.”
The freezer was, well freezing. It took longer for us to get to the bottom that it should have as we were trading off, keeping our fingers from getting frost bite. Neither of us had brought gloves, which I did point out, should have been Tyler’s job since he was the baseball player and should always have gloves around.
Finally, under a box of over frozen popsicles, I felt a hard metal box. My fingers were sticking to the box, and I pealed my skin away, “Give me the napkin.” I reached back in and wrapped it around the metal. With a couple good tugs, it broke loose of the years of frost holding it in place. I handed it to Tyler. “Is this yours?” I asked, trying to be cute.
The tears misted over, and he set it on the shelf next to the freezer. He tossed the items we had set aside back in. He shut the door hard, pushing to make sure it was fully closed. “Come on, let’s go upstairs and warm up,” he tucked the box under his arm and reached for my frozen fingers. I clicked the light off and we headed upstairs.
Tyler set the box on the table and walked to the kitchen. He began filling a tea kettle. “You want tea? I don’t know what else is here honestly.”
“Tea is perfect.”
He grabbed two cups from the cupboard and waited for the kettle to whistle.
“Are you ok?” I leaned against the counter.
He nodded, setting the tea canister on the counter roughly, “I just – do you have any idea what this could mean?” He turned towards me, and I saw tears trying desperately to break lose. “Savanah, you saved my family farm. You saved my college education; you saved my house. I don’t know how to ever thank you.”
I smiled, “You’re welcome. I’m glad I was able to help.”
He took a step towards me and his lips were on mine. His kiss made my head spin. I wrapped my arms around him and let my body sink into him. His kisses were slower, deeper. The tea kettle whistle broke the heat that had begun to build. I pulled back and blushed, silently looking around to make sure one of his grandparents didn’t catch that, in their own kitchen no less.
We walked back to the table, holding the hot tea. He pulled the box towards himself and looked over at me. “Thank you.”
“Stop. Open the box already,” I blushed.
He pried the ancient metal lid and started to remove its contents. Mostly, old documents, but a few envelopes fell loose from the stack. One had Tyler’s name on it. He set it aside and continued going through the stack. There, in an unassuming thick envelope was the deed, properly signed over to his mom and dad. A copy of a final will and testament was below it, and finally a faded photo. It was of the house in spring, flowers in bloom, hanging baskets on the front porch. I smiled at Tyler.
“This is everything,” his expression was filled with admiration, “Savanah, thank you for being here.” He reached over and wrapped his hand around mine.
I wove my fingers through his.
This felt so right. Tyler was more than any thing I ever would have imagined. How lucky was I? A year ago, I would have never believed I would be this happy with my gift, let alone in a great relationship, with true friends. My eyes misted over. “I am so glad we were able to find it.”
The energy between us thickened. “Come here,” Tyler whispered, and his arms pulled me towards him. Somehow, we were standing upright, and he was all I could feel. His lips pressed against mine, but I wanted to feel more. Be closer. My nails dug into his shirt, pulling him against me.
We stumbled towards the sofa and he carefully laid me down. I pulled him on top of me, unwilling to have distance between us. I edged his shirt up so I could feel the smoothness of his skin. My fingers trailed up his spine, reaching his shoulders pulling him down onto me.
His lips burned up and down the sides of my throat, while his hands cautiously maneuvered the folds of my shirt. His touch felt like fire on my skin, and I whimpered in response. He worked his way up my back, expertly releasing my bra hook. I gasped but pulled him closer. He lowered himself farther on me and sighed deeply into my neck.
He was disengaging. I clawed his back, trying to prevent him from moving away, from pulling back.
“Savanah,” He whispered, “we need to stop.”
I answered by dragging my nails down the sides of his spine.
He exhaled raggedly, “Damn.” He swallowed, “No, Savanah. We need to stop.”
He pulled his head away from me and his eyes didn’t look like they agreed with his assessment. “We should stop.”
My lip set into a pout.
He chuckled deeply, “Yes, because you do that again, and I won’t be able to stop.”
I tightened my nails on his back.
He shook his head, “Nope, I am not doing this on Grandpa’s couch.”
That was the cold bucket of water I needed to stop my raging hormones. I pulled away, starting to right myself.
Tyler turned away, taking a minute to stay committed to his resolve.
I did my best to reclasp my bra but had a feeling it was half crooked. I took a moment and adjusted myself. My zipper on my jeans was undone, when did that happen?
I stood and wrapped my arms around him. He turned and held me, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to get carried away.”
