Thicker than Water

Chapter 2 (Lauren)

Lauren was surprised to see Josh drove an a least twenty year old pickup truck. She knew nothing about cars, but it didn't really seem like his style. Of course, she knew his family was rich, everyone in town did. He could probably have any car in the lot of his dad's many dealerships. Why was he driving in something that looked like it might fall apart any moment?

Sitting in his passenger seat, she wasn't sure what she was thinking. Of course, Josh was gorgeous--he was tall, had dark blonde, short hair, dark blue eyes and a wonderful summer tan going on at the moment--but that didn't excuse the fact that this was so far out the realm of "normal" for her. Something about his presence drew her in, though.

Josh immediately started heading in the direction of the Casbar--basically where every teenager in town went to hook up. She had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. Not much for subtlety, are we, Josh?

As he was pulling into the deserted parking lot, she took a look around. She'd never actually been here before. It was on the outskirts of town--not too close, not too far--and surrounded by trees. A short, one-lane road led you there. Lauren was grateful to see no other cars. She wasn't sure what she's doing here, exactly, but she would prefer no witnesses.

Josh put the car in park and looked over at her. His smile was so charming, she melted into her seat cushions. He started leaning towards her, staring at her mouth. He was an inch away when she turned her head. "I don't know what I'm doing."

Calm down, girl, it was just a kiss.

Her hands were shaking in her lap, and he placed his on top, steadying them. "Hey" he says, tilting her face up to look at him, "We don't have to do anything you don't want to do. We don't have to do anything at all, if you'd prefer. It's kind of nice for me to just get out of the house for a while. With this injury, my dad has been watching me like a hawk making sure I don't do anymore damage."

She'd met his dad and would be happy to never have that pleasure again. He normally drives Josh to therapy, leaning over Adam, telling him the "right" way to do his job. She felt sorry for Adam, but also for her mom. When Adam got fed up, he told Mr. Riley we were starting a "closed session", and that he'd have to wait in the waiting room. Since Lauren's mom typically drove to the sessions so they could go have dinner afterward, that meant she was stuck alone with Mr. Know-It-All.

Tonight, Lauren's mom had to take an extra shift at the diner, so that meant Lauren was solo. She wondered what had kept Josh's dad away tonight.

"I didn't realize you were a virgin, though, or I never would have brought you here of all places," Josh continued.

"No, I'm not a virgin," Lauren said, shaking her head. It's the truth. She had had sex before, once.

She had such a huge crush on Dwayne, and he knew it. Her best friend, Samantha, while thinking she was helping, told him. While at a party last year, Dwayne approached Lauren from behind and grabbed her waist, startling her. He laughed and casually grabbed her hand. "You wanna go for a walk?"

They walked down the block to his car and crawled in the back seat. She was nervous, but so, so ready. The alcohol she had consumed made her feel brave. She didn't tell him she was virgin and hid her pain during the act. Afterward, she had to leave the party due to the fact that she was bleeding. Needless to say, it didn't leave a great impression, but Samantha swore it would eventually get better. She was willing to give it another shot.

Lauren looked up at Josh, grabbed the back of his neck and gently pulled him to her. When his lips met hers, she could feel a hesitation. Fantastic. Here's a boy I actually want to kiss, and I've freaked him out already.

She could feel him beginning to relax and scooted across his bench seat so their legs were touching. Lauren felt like she was flying. His kiss sent an electric shock through her body unlike anything she had ever known. She reluctantly broke the kiss when her phone started ringing. It was her mom's ringtone, probably calling during her break to see how therapy had gone. If only she knew.

She didn't answer but sent a text message saying she was studying and would talk to her later. Well, that killed the mood.

Lauren slid back to her side of the truck away from Josh. Looking at him, she said "I should probably get back."

"Yeah, it's getting late. I understand." He sighed. Slowly, he started the engine and began backing out of the space they'd occupied. It's ready for the next customer.

"So how is your ankle feeling? Think you'll be ready by the season?" she asked to break the silence.

"No. The doctors told us that would definitely not happen. We're just hoping to get back within the first few games."

And so it went. The ride back to my car was filled with conversation about football and school starting the following week. They were beginning to feel more comfortable with each other. Lauren guessed the mind-blowing kiss—at least on her end--had something to do with it.

Lauren sometimes wonders, if I had known then what I know now, would I still have gone on that drive with him? She hopes the answer is yes.