Page 68 of Strange Love

The slickness between us increases with each thrust, heightening our pleasure even further. I can’t hold off any longer; with a final burst of control, I grip her hips and release into the condom.

The intensity of my orgasm is unlike anything I’ve experienced before, and for a moment, I worry that I might black out from sheer pleasure. Holding onto Ivy’s hips for support, I collapse onto her trembling body. We lay together for a moment, catching our breath and basking in the moment.

Slowly, I slide out of her, the final moments of our lovemaking lingering in the air. I remove the condom, tie it off, and toss it aside.

Falling beside her, I pull her close into my arms as we lie together, our limbs tangled and our bodies coming down from their blissful high. Our breaths are heavy and labored. Neither of us can form words as we bask in the love and pleasure shared between us.

As the haze of passion starts to fade, my heart begins to race once more when my brain takes over, and I try to figure out how we will make this work. With me living in the cramped dorms and being consumed by hockey and school, it seems like an impossible feat. But deep down, I know we will find a way if we both want it enough.

When I think we can catch our breaths and relax, a piercing scream breaks through the silence around us. We stop and listen to ensure we aren’t imagining things, but it happens again. A shrill, ear-splitting cry echoes from outside.

In a rush of adrenaline, we jump up from the tangled sleeping bags and hastily throw on clothes, me pulling on my sweats while Ivy grabs her own and throws her sweatshirt over her head.

Whatever is happening outside can’t be good, and we aren’t going to waste any time finding out what it is.

We burst out of the barn just in time to see Taz, or rather, Taz’s naked ass, running across the field with a furious pink rooster hot on his heels, clucking and flapping its wings in anger.

“Stop, Cocky!” Taz yells, his voice panicking as he continues streaking through the field.

Standing beside me, Ivy can’t help but wonder aloud, “Why is Taz naked?”

“The better question is, ‘What did he do to piss off that rooster?’” I reply, trying to stifle my laughter.

Kerri’s frantic shouts fill the air as she tries to control Taz and the angry bird, neither of whom is listening.

Suddenly, Landry appears, running past us at full speed, though I doubt he knows what to do if he catches up to them.

Then Sascha comes into view, her wicked cackles echoing through the night. She had something to do with the situation unfolding before us.

I pull Ivy closer and kiss her head as we watch the chaotic scene unfold before us. This was truly the most incredible night of my life.

Chapter 39

“I Won’t Hold You Back”

Ivy - Age 18, 1989

My schedule since prom night has been nothing short of chaotic. Every available moment has been spent stealing time with Corey, but our obligations have made it difficult. In addition to juggling work and our relationship, we’ve had finals, graduation, practice for the ceremony, and all the necessary family gatherings that come with end-of-year planning.

But today is the day I’ve been anticipating: graduation. There was a time in my life recently when I didn’t think I’d ever make it to this point. As I stand on the brink of completing high school, I can’t help but reflect on this past year. How different it could have been if Corey hadn’t convinced me to go along with his crazy idea to fake date. Despite my initial doubts, I’m grateful to him and our friends, who made this year more memorable than ever imagined.

My eyes fall upon the navy blue graduation gown hanging from a hanger above my door. I reach up and carefully place the cap on my head, studying myself in the mirror. Excitement swells within me at the thought of graduating, but it is quickly overshadowed by the nervousness churning in my stomach about the future. Corey is eagerly waiting for me to decide if I’m moving with him after graduation. The more he brings it up, the more anxiety floods through me as I struggle to choose between following my heart or following my head.

I’m trapped between two paths leading to different futures that could ultimately break my heart. I want to be honest with Corey about my uncertainty, but whenever I try to tell him, his excitement pulls me back. The last thing I ever want to do is see him hurt, so I keep hoping that his enthusiasm and confidence will be enough for both of us.

I’m startled by a knock on my door and surprised when I hear my mom talking to Corey. I take the cap off my head and set it on the bed as he enters my room and sweeps me up in a giant hug.

“Happy Graduation,” he says, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.

“Someone’s excited,” I tease, my voice laced with amusement.

“Of course I am,” he responds, gently placing me back on the ground.

“We are almost out of here, and you know what that means?”

“No more shitty group projects in Mr. Payton’s class?” I quip.

As he chuckles, his smile widens, and his eyes crinkle at the corners. The warmth of his laughter spreads through my body, a feeling I’ve come to love and expect whenever we’re together.