“Oh Scarlett, why did you bump into me?” he whispers as he holds me close. I can feel my tears starting again, I quickly wipe them away. I have to be strong, there is no other option. For Buddy to change his life he has to accept this scholarship and he can’t take me with him.
“I’m just going to wash up,” I tell him as I remove myself from his grasp. I hear him sigh as he leans back onto the pillows.
“I want to shower with you,” I hear him pout. I smile as I close the door. Leaning against it I let my tears flow. I quickly shower then dry off. Wrapping myself in a towel, I comb my hair then put on my mascara and lipstick. I walk out to find Buddy and Dave sitting at the table having a smoke.
“I just need my clothes,” I said, slightly embarrassed. They were both staring at me, watching me reach for my backpack. Buddy smacks Dave’s arm and he quickly looks away from me. I just smile and wink at Buddy before closing the door. It’s hot and muggy already. I decided on my black tank top and frayed jean shorts. I walk back out and Buddy hands me a pastry.
“Eat angel,” he orders as I take it from him.
“Thank you,” I said before taking a bite. He kisses my forehead then walks into the bathroom. I sit across from Dave at the table. MTV is on, I listen to Madonna ask ‘do you believe in love?’ I do believe. I sigh as I try and eat.
“Will seems better this morning,” Dave comments.
“Yeah, it’s good to see him moving around so much. He's healing quickly,” I reply but talking is beginning to hurt. I can’t pretend anymore that everything is normal.
“Have him get out and move around on the way back okay? I don’t want him to get stiff and the blood needs to circulate,” I order Dave as I chuck the rest of my pastry in the garbage. He just nods, watching me closely. He’s about to say something when Buddy comes out, washed and dressed.
“You didn’t need my help?” I asked as I placed my hands on his hips. He looks into my eyes and kisses me. I feel his hands on my back as he pulls me closer to him.
“All set?” Dave asks, as he walks to the door. Buddy releases me and I gather up our stuff. I wrap my arm around his waist as we leave. Sitting in the back with Will again, he leans on me as he gets comfortable. He reaches for my hand and I place mine in his. He kisses my fingers, making me giggle.
“Are you sure there's no other way Scarlett? Maybe you can come with me, maybe I can get a bigger dorm room or maybe I can rent an apartment?” he suggests as I squeeze his hand. He sits up so he’s looking at me. He kisses my cheeks, my closed eyes, my lips. I slowly open my eyes watching him as he kisses me. His hands rise to my cheeks, he kisses me harder, then he stops. His head falls to my shoulder and I feel his warm breath on my neck. I feel his lips on my skin.
“I can’t let you go baby,” he moans. Close To Me is playing on the radio as my grip on Buddy keeps slipping. I know it’s almost over now as Dave takes the Aurora exit. I give him directions to Cas' house. I’ll figure out where to live tomorrow. Buddy looks up at me.
“Will you write to me Scarlett?” he asks, knowing I will.
“Of course, send me your address as soon as you get settled,” I tell him.
“Are you going to go back home?”
“I hope so but my mother will give me your letters if I don’t,” at least I hoped she would. Forever Young plays on the radio when he pulls up out front Cas' house. Dave gets out, leaving Buddy and I alone in the car. I try to stop my tears but I can’t. I want to go back to that playground by the lake with Will. I want to stay with him. I have a horribly painful lump in my throat making it hard for me to breath. I read once that people hold grief and moments of pain in their throats. I believed it now, as I tried to speak.
“Oh angel, this hurts but I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m so happy that I met you, I’m so happy that you bumped into my life. I love you and I always will Scarlett Rayne,” he cried, looking into my eyes.
“I wouldn’t change anything either. I have loved every minute I have spent with you, except for when you were attacked. I hated those minutes,” I smiled beneath my tears as they trickled down my cheeks. “I love you Will, so much, too much,” I tell him. His lips land on mine one more time.
“Bye Willem and good luck, I love you,” I whisper as our foreheads rest against each other. It’s so hard to pry my body away from him.
“One more,” he begs as he kisses me deeply once more, making me tingle in that way only he can. All the memories of us making love
