Page 37 of One Week Hating You
“Okay, okay. Let’s not talk about that, okay?” I say.
I venture a look up at Blake, expecting him to be smirking, but all I see on his face is pity and sorrow. The last thing I want is Blake Taylor pitying me.
I polish off the rest of my burger. “Well, thanks. That was good,” I say, my words clipped. I rise and clear my plate. “The rain has died down. I’m going for a walk… I need some fresh air.”
They all shoot me a funny look, probably wondering what’s wrong. What’s wrong is that I don’t want to talk about Peter, and I’m too tired to deal with Blake’s scrutiny.
The rain has stopped, the air is cool, and it’s a gorgeous night. I enjoy watching the neighbors and peeking into their lives; some are by the fire, some are gathered around a picnic table, enjoying a feast. Children and dogs are running around. I like to study the different campers; some are huge and luxurious, others are tiny and old. Tents, tent trailers, campers. Rich and poor, everyone can enjoy Mother Nature’s work. Life can be unpredictable, but the seasons always come and go every year; blooms, and the melting of snow. Rain, sun, and the falling of leaves. Some say that autumn is a sad season because everything is dying, but I think it’s the most beautiful of the seasons.
I venture into a short hiking trail. It’s nice to be on my own. Ever since Peter left me at the altar, I’ve been surrounded by people. Friends, family… and Blake. Some would say he’s both to me; a friend, and also family, but whenever I look at him, I only see the boy who broke my heart. I also see a man who makes me want things I shouldn’t want.
I stare down at my white shoes, and anger fills me. I replay our conversation and everything Blake said about me. Is it true? Am I just a little prissy woman afraid of adventure? Afraid to get dirty? Is that why Peter left me at the altar?You’re not very adventurouswere his exact words.
I’m suddenly overtaken by the urge to prove them all wrong. I crouch down on the pine covered path and dig into the dirt. I grab a handful and spread it all over my shoes and faded jeans, rubbing hard. I do this for a good minute and it feels so good, it releases tension I didn’t even know I held. I stand again, satisfied. I feel lighter, and a little crazy.
When I get back, Blake already has the fire going – it’s big and warm. He’s always been good at building fires, even as a gangly teenager. Peter probably couldn’t build a fire if his life depended on it.
“We’re having s’mores,” Maddie tells me, although I had gathered as much – she’s holding a big tray with Graham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows, a box of milk, and plastic cups. “Why are you so dirty?”
“Looks like we’re all set,” I cheer.
Blake gazes down curiously at my pants and shoes, and cocks a brow. “How was your walk?”
“It was nice. Got a little dirty.”
“A little dirty?” He laughs. “Looks like you rolled around in the dirt.”
I shrug. “Well, sort of. See, I’m not as prissy as I may seem.”
He’s sticking marshmallows on the end of a long stick. “Sure.” He’s wearing a thick plaid button shirt over his white tee – it suits him. He scratches at his beard. “Open faced?”
I smile. “Yes, please.” I’m impressed that he remembered. He seems to remember a lot of things about me. I guess Ididmean something to him after all.
“I’m doing the kids’ first, and then yours next.”
There’s an empty green folding chair by the fire which I assume is mine. I settle my rear in slowly, and revel in the wonderful heat of the fire. I’ve missed this so much. I didn’t realize how much until now.
My phone pings. It’s a text from Corrie.
Am at the hospital with him. It was rough going, but the doctors say he will be ok. Thank god. He has a broken leg and broken ribs. Had a concussion and they were worried about swelling or something, but they say he is fine now. :) Talk to you later.
A heavy weight lifts off my shoulders – this is the best news I’ve had in ages. I’m so happy for her. She bitches about Jacob all the time, goes on about how much she hates him, but we all know she loves him. I suppose it’s a little bit like Blake and I. I hate his guts sometimes, but I’d be completely heartbroken if anything ever happened to him.
“Corrie’s husband will be okay,” I tell Blake.
“That’s great,” he says as he hands Maddie her s’more. If her smile were any bigger, her face would split in two. Little Jake eyes her attentively as she slowly draws the melted chocolate treat to her mouth – the poor boy is practically salivating. I smile at the sight – my mouth is watering too.
In no time, Jake gets his treat too, and so do I. Blake serves himself last and takes a seat on the largest chair, his long legs stretched out in opposite directions. He’s a large man and he owns it. I watch him as he takes a bite – there’s something sexy about it.
I shake my head. Sex has been on my mind all day. Okay, notallday, but pretty much every time my eyes turned to Blake doing manly stuff; leveling the camper, chopping wood, putting up the hammock, pulling out the canopy, hanging the string lights. I even got a little turned on when he picked some flowers and made a little arrangement for the picnic table. Picking flowers from the park grounds is against the law – he’s such a law-breaking bad boy.
I blame it on two weeks of celibacy. Two weeks! Being boyfriend-less sucks.
But there’s always chocolate. I bite into the s’mores, and oh my goodness, it’s amazing. I’d forgotten how good these are. I close my eyes as I savour the taste in my mouth. I swallow slowly and lick my lips. When I open my eyes, I catch Blake staring at me – his eyes are dark and his lips are parted, just slightly.
I jerk my gaze away, embarrassed… and aroused.
Looks like I’m not the only one thinking about sex. My core warms at the thought of him thinking about me in that way. I wonder what he’s thinking about, what he’s doing to me in his mind.
