Just Another Brushstroke

Chapter 11

Jeremy's POV

Sitting on a bench eating cookie dough ice cream with Angelo after he stormed out of his parents event wasn't how I expected the evening to end.

"Why did you decide not to sell the paintings?" I asked him.

"I don't think I wanted to in the first place.  I just felt pressured into it.  I'm not ready, and I know someday I have to be but I'm not ready yet.  Those paintings are just to close to my heart to give up." He said and I nodded.

I understood to a degree.  I posted a lot of my poetry on Instagram but there were some poems that I would never want anyone to read.  Let alone sell to someone.  Letting go of your creativity takes time.

I knew we were avoiding the elephant in this conversation, which was Dylan.  I didn't want to bring him up because I didn't want to upset Angelo.  If he ever talked to me about him then he was going to have to start that conversation.  I knew Angelo could feel the awkwardness of that situation already.

"I feel like we need to have the ex boyfriend talk.  Obviously you know about Dylan but I feel like we haven't discussed it like we should." He said.

My timing seemed impeccable. 

"Uhhh yeah."

When Dylan first came into the gallery, I had no idea who he was.  Then I felt Angelo tense up and I could only guess.  I had to admit that a part of me was slightly jealous.  Dylan wasn't just pretty, or slightly adorable.

He was gorgeous.

Model worthy gorgeous.  

"Dylan cheated on me." He said and looked at the ground.

My mouth genuinely fell open.  Who would cheat on Angelo?  That's incredibly insane.

"Why?" I must have thought out loud because then Angelo answered.

"I don't know why.  Some guy at a club.  I found out on accident.  The whole thing was a big mess and as much as I loved him, I don't regret breaking up with him." He said.

At least he was being honest.  I believe that honest is the key to most relationships.  Funny since I've never actually been in one besides whatever this is with Angelo.  I had to admit that this conversation was slightly uncomfortable but I knew that not every conversation we had would be comfortable.  

"How about your ex boyfriend?" He asked.

"What do you mean?" I said sounding puzzled and he looked confused.

Oh right.

I forgot that I told him that I had an ex boyfriend on the first day I met him.  I guess I didn't even follow my own logic about honesty being key.  I knew I had to answer quickly because he was looking more and more confused.

"I never had one!" I blurted out with no tact.  He looked shocked, confused, and then puzzled once again.

"I just said that so you would know that I dated boys.  I couldn't just yell that I dated boys in the middle of a conversation with a stranger so I said that." I said in one long string of words.  I expected him to be upset or angry at me.  Which I totally would understand but instead he looked....amused.

He started to laugh.

"What?" I asked not expecting that reaction.

"That is very cute."

Really?

"Umm okay.  Actually I felt really crappy about it ever since we started growing closer." I admitted and he just smiled.

"So you've never even dated?" He asked.

"Nope.  My first date was with you.  Never been kissed by anyone other then my mother.  No first time or anything like that." I said being completely honest.  People in high school used to make fun of me for never being kissed before but I didn't believe that I was actually that far behind most people.

"Interesting."  He said.

It fell silent.  However not an awkward silence.  I didn't know what to do at this point so I just lifted another spoonful of ice cream into my mouth.  I wanted to kiss him but I was to afraid to initiate it.  What if I did it wrong?  What if there was this secret code to kissing that I missed out on?

It was as if Angelo was thinking the exact same thing because he scooted over real close next to me.  So close that I could smell the amazing cologne wonder off his body.  So close that I could feel his heat radiating off his body.

I looked over and the expression on Angelo's face looked unsure. 

He lifted my chin up with his fingers and my breath caught in my throat.  Suddenly before I could breathe his lips were on mine.  The sensation is odd at first.  My eyes fluttered closed and I didn't know what to do.  I just let him take the lead.

I didn't realize how close someone's body got to you while kissing until now.  Not to mention, their face.  I also didn't realize how much kissing had a rhythm to it.  

I was snapped out of my thoughts when he pulled back.  I was wordless as he just smiled at me.

"How was that for a first kiss?" He asked me.  I let out a shaky breath.

"Perfect." I said in the most cheesy way.  

He smiled at me.  He was still barely two inches away from my face and I could feel his breath on my lips.  Kissing is one of those things where you don't understand why people love it until you experience it.  I just wanted to do that forever. 

"You're so beautiful." Angelo whispered and I blushed even harder if that was possible.

My phone started buzzing in my pocket and I groaned.  I pulled it out and it was my mother.  Of course.

I looked at the time.  9:15 pm.  No wonder my mother was worried.  I didn't realize how long we had sat here talking to each other. 

"I need to go.  My mom is worried." I said and Angelo nodded. 

"Sure.  I have to go back to my parents who probably won't talk to me for two weeks." He said.  We both stood up and I threw my bowl in the trash can.  

"One more thing." Angelo said and he gave me a quick kiss one more time. 

I walked away feeling like I was on Cloud 9.  I had a smile plastered on my face that surprisingly wasn't fake.  I knew my mom wasn't going to be happy but tonight was going to be worth it.  I walked into my apartment to see my mom sitting on the couch.

I could tell by the look on her face that she wasn't happy.

"You said you'd be home by before 8:00." She said.

"I got distracted.  Angelo ended up talking for a long time and then one thing led to another and that was that." I said and her face relaxed.

"Okay but at least text me if you're going to be out late." 

I nodded and ran into my room.

I was to excited to fall asleep.  It was as if I could still feel his lips on mine.  It was an amazing feeling.

A/N

I know that this chapter is much shorter then the others.  I hope you're not disappointed but I felt like it was important to end it with Jeremy's first kiss.  Hope you like it.