Falling into Summer

Chapter 9

Carter

On my way back to my house after dropping Haley off, I realize I have about seven hours before I have to pick Leah up at the airport. It's amazing to me how much can change in a week. A week ago, I was looking forward to her visit. I mean Leah knows me better than my family here, she represents something familiar to me, and she likes doing all the same things as I do, but now... now there's Haley, and Haley is unlike anyone I've ever met.

Although I thought Haley was beautiful when I first met her last Thanksgiving with Leah, I really didn't think much about her after that. I mean, I never expected to see her again. But then when I saw her last week at her house, I had to stop myself from staring at her olive skin, tan legs, long hair, expressive eyes, and bright smile. I couldn't help but be a little intimidated by how pretty she was in the beginning. At first I noticed she seemed to avoid eye contact, which made me think she was shy and insecure, but as I've gotten to know her, I realize she's just careful about who she lets in... and lucky for me she's chosen to let me in. Now I see she's sweet, funny, smart, humble, fearless, and probably the most honest person I know. But I can bet she wouldn't admit to possessing any of these traits. I get the sense Haley's not used to being complimented, probably the result of not having a male around to tell her she's beautiful and perfect just the way she is. In fact, her reactions when I open doors for her and pay for things tells me she's not used to having a guy around, or the guys she's dated don't treat her the way she deserves. She deserves all those things and more... She deserves to have someone that tells her how amazing she is every day... I would do it, if I could.

Amazing is how she made me feel last night, when she told me she believes I could do anything I set my mind to, even something so crazy as to own a team in NASCAR. I mean, she probably doesn't understand how difficult that is, but without missing a beat she insisted she thinks I could do anything... and for a minute I almost believed with her. I've never had anyone believe in me like that. Her belief in me makes me want to be a better man... a man worthy of her... but for now I'll settle with being her friend because I can't imagine going back to how life was before her.

I like that Haley's up for trying anything, and can still be perfectly content just hanging out watching a movie. When we're together, I don't feel the need to fill the silence when it comes, which isn't often. That's the other thing... I've never talked with anyone like I do with Haley. She has this ability to make me want to tell her things about myself that I haven't told anyone, and to share my thoughts or feelings, which is so foreign to me. I feel like I can tell her anything and she won't judge me for it. That being said, I don't know why I didn't tell her about Leah sooner. I guess I didn't want to give her a reason not to get to know me because I was eager to get to know her, and she was so receptive to my invitations in the beginning. I just thought we could be friends, that she'd be someone I could hang out with in my down time, but after spending the last couple of days with her, and having so much fun, I can't pretend I haven't entertained the thought of whether we could be more... and I think that's why I dreaded telling her about Leah. I wasn't sure how she'd take it, but she seemed ok with it. I just feel bad that she had to ask about it, I should have told her before she ever asked. I only hope Leah's visit won't interrupt the progression of my friendship with Haley.

After falling back to sleep for an hour, I get up, take a shower, and start some laundry. When I see Mark eating lunch at the table, I grab a seat across from him. "Where's mom and Jesse?" I ask, noticing the house is quiet with Jesse gone.

"She dropped Jesse at a friend's house and then was going to the store," he answers. "How was the beach last night?" he asks, and that's why I like Mark. I'm sure he has his own opinions about how I'm spending so much time with Haley when Leah is on her way here, but it never feels like he's judging me.

"It was fun. We took the bike out to Cocoa, which was cool, but Haley was scared so I couldn't go too fast."

"Why was she scared?" he asks confused, and I shrug.

"I don't know, she just said "I'm my mom's only, don't break me," I say with a chuckle as I recall the memory, and he chuckles also. "It was cute," I insist. "So I did my best to keep it at the speed limit," I joke, and he chuckles knowing how hard it is for me to go the speed limit on my motorcycle, especially on open country roads.

"How long did you guys stay out there for?"

"A couple of hours... We didn't get back until like two or three, I can't remember," I respond.

"What'd you do?"

"We just hung out, looked at the stars, and talked," I answer.

"Really?" he asks and seems interested, so I continue.

"Yeah, she was telling me about how she wants to work in the music industry, and will eventually move back to California," I paraphrase part of our conversation.

"Yeah but not for a while right? I mean she has to finish school first," he inquires.

"Yeah but it's only a year program," I explain.

"Still, that's a ways off, who knows what her plans will be when she's done," he insists, and although I'd like to think he's right, I know that Haley's the kind of person whose going to do what she sets her mind to... and she won't let anyone get in the way of her dreams. "Well, it sounds like you guys did a lot of talking," Mark says bringing my attention back. "... It kind of sounds like a date bud," he adds as he finishes his sandwich.

"It wasn't a date," I insist, but he's now got me second guessing myself. "We're just friends."

"Sure, but when's the last time you hung out with Leah talking and looking up at the stars?" he points out, as he gets up from the table. "Do you even like stargazing?" he teases as he takes his plate to the sink.

"Sure I do," I insist as I get up from the table following him to the kitchen.

"Are you going to tell Leah that you've been spending time with Haley?" he inquires, turning around to look over at me across the counter, as he leans against the sink.

"What do you mean? Leah knows I'm going out," I defend, recalling my last phone call with Leah, and it didn't go so well.

"Out on dates?" Mark asks with a smirk, and I know he's just teasing me but it's starting to make me second guess his lack of judgment.

"If she asks, I'll tell her," I insist, knowing Leah will likely ask, and it'll be another fight. At this point, I'm getting sick of all the fighting.

"Does Haley know about Leah?" he continues to pry, and it's starting to make me feel uncomfortable. I don't know why I feel so protective over Haley.

"Yeah I told her last night," I respond, recalling more of our conversation at the beach.

"And how'd she take it?"

"Fine," I shrug. "It's not like Haley and I are dating, we're just hanging out and having fun. I told her I didn't know what Leah and I are, and it's the truth," I explain.

"Huh... Well hopefully everything will work out the way you want it Carter," he says as he walks past me, slapping me on the shoulder... Yup, maybe Mark's more judgmental than I thought... I think to myself, before I turn back towards my room.