“That sounds like a plan. I don't think I could survive an interrogation from your father, Eden. Why does he hate me so much, he’s never even met me, and who does he think you’re out with anyway?”
“First, it’s not just you Drew—it’s anyone on the planet other than him that’s male.” I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat over having to admit I’d lied to my dad. “I told him I was walking to a friend’s house, and we were going to drive to the lake.”
Drew’s shoulders shook with the humor he found in the situation, “Well, I guess you told a half-truth, we are at the lake, but I am not one of your female friends, which is probably what you led him to believe. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
The guilt of lying to my dad crept to the surface again and made me feel nauseated. The only time I ever lied to him—lately—was when it was absolutely necessary—until then. Earlier that morning, I’d been torn between telling Dad the truth about Drew and being shut down immediately or telling a little white lie and praying to God, I wouldn’t get caught. Drew was worth risking my dad’s wrath.
Drew smiled down at me with that relaxed grin of his, and I let the guilt go. Spending time with him meant everything to me. Releasing me, he opened the passenger side door and helped me in, ever the gentleman. When he got behind the wheel, he smiled again, but this time there was mischief brewing in his eyes.
“Eden? Do you know how to drive a stick shift?”
“Nope...”
Reaching over, he grabbed my hand with his left, and placed it over his right on top of the shifter, interlacing his fingers with mine. I stared at our joined hands and then lifted my gaze to his face. I'd be lying if I said I didn’t have feelings for him by then. Not, “high school, I’m crushing on a boy” feelings, but mature feelings that had real depth.
“Well, on our next date, I’ll have to show you. It’s easier than it looks.”
He started the car and wasn’t into letting my hand go because he kept it right where it was as we were leaving Elm Point on Lake Eufaula. The drive back to my house took thirty minutes—thirty minutes to prepare myself for having to tell Drew goodnight. The Oklahoma breeze was a gentle teasing hint that the days of Fall and school were quickly approaching. I didn’t have a care in the world until I realized that if I wanted to see Drew for a second date, I’d have to lie to Dad again. I hadn’t thought that far ahead.
Chapter Three
The Face in the Mirror
Drew and I shared an undeniable connection, but it did nothing to move me toward sharing my first kiss with him so soon. The disappointment clouding his eyes was almost overwhelming as I told him goodnight and backed through the front door, closing it between us. I hurried to the family room and peeked out the window. Staring through the sheer lace drapes, I saw him get in and start the car but didn’t want to watch him leave, so I closed my eyes and listened as the sound of shifting gears faded.
Well, that was uneventful, Eden!
I knew it would only be a matter of time before she'd start in on me and huffed with the aggravation of having been able to predict her correctly—again.
Why didn’t you kiss him? The whine in her voice grated my nerves. Are you crazy? You’ve had a crush on that boy for years! Why on earth would you let him leave without a kiss?
Sighing, I rolled my eyes. Keeping our conversation within the confines of my mind was no longer necessary since Drew, not to mention, Dad, wasn’t around to hear me talking to, what looked like, myself. So, I let her have it verbally.
“Echo, my kisses are reserved for a boyfriend, not a guy who hasn’t earned the title yet. Just because I like him doesn’t mean I want to jump right into a physical relationship. If Drew and I become an item, I want it to be an item that lasts. If it’s all the same to you, I’d appreciate it if you’d just step off! Okay?”
I didn't bother trying to hide my irritation as I climbed the steps to my room. I’d spent my whole life building up emotional armor to battle Echo’s overbearing opinions, and she was aware of the fact that, in most cases, no craps were given when it came to her views on my life. That never stopped her from voicing them, though.
Well, I guess I’m gonna have to, seeing how I don’t have a choice. It's your body, and so, unfortunately, you get to run the show. I’m just along for the ride, but if I were running things like I used to, that boy would have gotten one long, wet kiss goodbye.
“Then I guess it’s a good thing you can’t control my body anymore because if you could, I’d probably have a baby by now, wouldn’t I?”
I opened my bedroom door, and my comment was met with silence. The guilt started sneaking in before I could stop it. That was the one thing I could say that would effectively shut Echo up. The headlights of my dad’s car swung across the back wall of my room right before I turned on the light. Heaving a resigned sigh, I was careful to pitch my voice low, and dug deep, trying to apologize.
“I’m sorry, Echo, I shouldn’t have gone there—again. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. You're my mother, and I get it, you want to help guide me.”
Yet you don’t call me mom. You never have. I felt the bitter bite of her resentment.
“Listen, it’s nothing personal, but let’s face it; you're stuck at the maturity level you were
