The Ride of My Life (an Ansel Elgort story)

Chapter 35

Ansel's POV

Lucy coming to my apartment unexpectedly worked out perfectly. Plus, I got to see her get a little jealous, which is always hot.

She looks effortlessly flawless today. Her hair is down and wavy. She's wearing a red bandana headband, a white tank top (it even shows some of her tanned stomach), and blue jean shorts. My girlfriend is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

I'm excited to meet the rest of her family. Her immediate family turned out to be awesome, so I can't imagine the others being anything less than awesome.

I just hope I don't screw this up.

Lucy's POV

We arrive at the cookout and I am very nervous. I'm hoping Ansel fits in with my family.

"Hey everyone!" I say as we walk up to the picnic tables. We're welcomed with several 'Hello!'s and hugs. I introduce Ansel to them individually. He is very polite and gives them firm handshakes.

My little cousins are running around all over the place. While we're talking to a relative, my four-year old cousin, Jack, comes up behind us and throws a water balloon at our feet.

I gasp, the freezing cold water catching me off guard. "Hey! You little rascal!" I laugh. By now, Jack has already taken off running, probably to his arsenal of water balloons. That doesn't stop me though, I'm chasing after him in a flash. Ansel is following me.

Since Jack has tiny legs, I catch him before he gets back to my other little cousins. I grab him and hold him to where he can't escape.

"Let me go!" He struggles in my arms, laughing. I tickle him, causing him to laugh even more.

Ansel joins in, taking his legs in his hands. "You think we should throw him in the pool?" Ansel asks deviously.

"Are you sure that's a big enough punishment? Hmm maybe we should just dunk him in a box of ice water?" I brainstorm, jokingly.

"Nooooooooooo!" Jack pleads.

"Fine, but you have to promise to be on our side now. No more throwing balloons at us. Got it?" I say.

"Yes, now lemme go!" He squirms, trying to loosen my grasp.

"Wait, little man. You have to be our spy. You're a good guy now." Ansel explains. "Deal?" He holds out his knuckles.

"Deal!" Jack says, his fist meeting Ansel's for a knuckle bump. We let him go and he runs along, yelling.

"Well that went better than I thought." I say. "His names Jack, by the way."

I didn't know Ansel could get any hotter than he already was, but seeing him with kids blew my expectations completely out of the park.

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As the day goes on, my little cousins bug Ansel & I, but Ansel doesn't show a slight hint of annoyance. He's really being a team player.

We eat dinner, the basic American cookout food. We also play volleyball. It gets pretty intense, but in the end, Ansel and I win against Daniel and my cousin, Stephanie.

"Okay, switch it up. Boys against girls!" Daniel decides. He's probably tired of Ansel and I winning.

"Oh, it's on." I say, competitively.

After 15 consecutive points scored by us, the boys decide they have no chance. They forfeit. Something tells me they were letting us win.

I'm looking for a cold drink when I feel arms around my waist. Ansel puts his head on my shoulder and whispers in my ear, "Seeing you getting competitive was hot." Well, at least he's open with his feelings!

"Was it as hot as seeing you with kids?" I flirt.

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The sun slowly sets and it's time to light fireworks. I snuggle up next to Ansel. We're sitting on a blanket in the grass, and life couldn't be any better.

My brothers and boy cousins take care of lighting off the fireworks. There are several 'ooh's and 'ahh's amongst the crowd after each one explodes in the starry sky.

I turn my head and look at Ansel.

"Ansel, I love you." And I know without a doubt that as of right now I am absolutely, completely sure I do. I kiss him, with more passion than I've ever kissed him before. Right now, it feels certain that Ansel and I are meant to be together.

When our lips touch, the fireworks between us are even stronger and brighter than the ones in the sky above us.