Chance Encounter ➳ Drew Dirksen

21. late nights & phone calls

"Doesn't your family worry about you?" Brandi asked.

Drew was in the driver's seat of the car and Brandi was riding shotgun as they drove to her secret beach, where they would probably stay the whole night.

"I like to think that they do," Drew replied, keeping his eyes on the road ahead. The streets leading to the beach didn't really have any houses, shops, or lights, which made it quite challenging for him to navigate through. "It would be sad if they didn't."

"My parents want me to visit them all the time. I don't know, I'd rather be alone with you than put up with them."

"And why is that?"

"It's probably because I like you a lot more than I like them," Brandi replied, not seeming very fazed by the words that had come out of her mouth. "I mean, I love them and all, but I- nevermind."

Drew really wanted to hear the end of that sentence. He wanted those three words to ring in his ears. Maybe, if she was in a delirious state, the words would've escaped her mouth with ease and she wouldn't even notice.

"You, what?" Drew questioned, raising his eyebrow and hoping she'll say it, but Brandi just punched his shoulder, lightly, and smiled. "You love me?"

"Yeah, sure. Whatever, Drew."

They got to the beach a few minutes later and Drew killed the engine as Brandi gathered up the blankets she'd brought, from the backseat- which he also helped her carry, because she was kind of struggling. He'd parked the car only a couple of feet away from the ocean, meaning, he'd probably have to hose the car down and clean out any sand stuck in the wheels the following day, but, right now, he couldn't really be bothered.

Drew didn't bother pressing the subject any further, because he knew that was as far as he would get for the night, but it didn't stop him from feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

"Are we going skinny dipping again?" Drew questioned, already beginning to take his shirt off. He'd gotten a lot more confident over the last few weeks, because, now, Brandi was all his and he learned how to not give a fuck about silly things, like walking around on the beach, in his underwear, with the girl he really liked; or, quite possibly, loved.

"Don't we always?" Brandi replied, slipping out of her shorts.

"Why do we never think of bringing bathing suits?"

Brandi smiled at him, before pulling her hair tie out and letting each blonde strand cascade down to her mid-back. "That's just the way we are, Drew."

"Yeah, I guess it is."

Drew took ahold of Brandi's hand as he intertwined their fingers together and he pulled her even closer than she already was. Brandi made him so happy, and he really hoped he made her happy too; even if she doesn't really show it.

This felt like one of those forever things, or one of those things that was supposed to last a lifetime, or longer. It was a great feeling to have someone there and for Drew, Brandi was more than just a someone. She was his everything and- though Drew wasn't aware of it- he was hers too.

"First one in the ocean gets all the ice cream in your fridge!" Drew said, startling Brandi a bit as he disrupted the peaceful atmosphere. He'd already started running towards the water, leaving Brandi completely behind, but he was slow so it didn't take her long to catch up.

"Loser doesn't get any kisses for a whole day!" Brandi added, making Drew stop in his tracks and pull her back to his chest.

"A whole day without your lips!?" he questioned. "I'd never survive."