The Ideal - L.P. Maxa Page 0,7
an orange glow. Maybe it was how good he smelled, and how handsome he was.
When his gaze dipped lower to my lips, I leaned in. His right hand tightened on my thigh and his left hand moved back to my cheek. I closed my eyes.
“Savy.”
His lips were a breath away from mine. “Jeremy,” I whispered his name, chills breaking out all over my skin.
I wanted to be kissed, I needed to be kissed. This one stolen moment where it was only Jeremy and me. I needed this teeny tiny little taste of freedom, and I prayed he would give it to me.
Chapter Three
Jeremy
The way she said my name was the most amazing sound I’d ever heard. She was asking me to kiss her, begging me actually. Oh how I wanted to. I wanted to kiss Savy more than I should. I couldn’t do that to her or to Nathan.
“Savy, I…” I pulled back, untangling my hand from her shiny blonde hair. I infused my voice with insanely upbeat positivity, like I was about to host my own Ted Talk. “I want to be your friend. I know it’s been tough with Nathan, and you’ve taken on more than anyone should ever have to. We have two months of summer vacation ahead of us. Let’s hang out. I’ll take you to some parties, introduce you some people.”
I’m gonna to try real fucking hard not to kiss you or let my brother find out.
If he found out, he’d crush her with his bare hands. Figuratively speaking.
Nathan loved Savy, and he needed her in his life in a way that most people would never understand. I’d watched them for years, and even I had trouble wrapping my mind around their connection. She was his whole world, and as unfair as it was, she was the one who kept it spinning.
“Friends? You want to be my friend for two months?” Her eyes narrowed with confusion, and probably disappointment.
Listening to her repeat it back to me made me realize how weak it sounded. I’d basically offered a friendship with an expiration date. “Yeah. It’ll be fun.” I stood quickly, to keep myself from touching her tempting skin again. “What are you doing tomorrow?”
She shrugged, looking a bit defeated, which tugged at my heart strings. “Tomorrow’s Sunday, so not much.”
“A bunch of people are gathering down at the lake. Sunday Funday.” I put my hands on my hips, sending her what I hoped was a friendly smile. “Come with me.” I knew Nathan worked tomorrow, my mom still kept a family calendar on the refrigerator. I wasn’t attempting to sneak around with Savy. I was simply using the free day to our advantage. I wasn’t lying. I was employing good time management.
“Will there be a lot of people there?” She looked down and played with the hem of her faded t-shirt. Seemingly nervous and timid at the idea of being around a bunch of people she didn’t know. All of whom she’d had class with over the last twelve years.
“The lake on a Sunday usually draws a big crowd.” How had she never been to a lake party? It was a rite of passage in this town. My little brother had kept Savy under lock and key for too long. She’d graduated, but she’d yet to experience high school. I couldn’t change the past, and I wouldn’t dare try to alter her future, but I could do this. I could help her live in the present. “I’ll be right next to you the whole time. Promise.”
“Okay.”
“Yeah?”
She nodded her head, a glowing expression of resolve coming over her beautiful face. “Yeah.”
Neither one of us mentioned Nathan for the rest of the evening. We kept the conversation light and superficial while we went through the rest of the boxes in the attic. I kept my hands to myself while I helped her haul the “keep” pile down to the garage, and then I took the trash to the curb.
I was home for the summer, and I’d spend it walking a tight rope around my baby brother once again. But I could do this. I could be Savy’s friend. I’d help her, and I’d make sure Nathan didn’t get hurt in the process.
Then, I’d head back to college where life was so much easier.
***
“How’d it go with Sav?” I glanced up to find Nathan leaning against my door, his shoulder on the frame and his arms crossed. He was ripped, His muscles bulged against the sleeves of his work