Ch. 10
Ruby and I made it back from swimsuit shopping in record time, and I had to admit, I was very pleased with my purchase. I settled on a pale blue bikini with a halter top, and bottoms that tied on each side. It fit like a glove and I decided I would change into it at Ruby's, just in case my mom wanted to see it.
I made it to Mags in time for lunch and offered to tend to the chickens for her, hoping to run into Jake. And my devious plan worked.
"Hi there, stranger," I called out as I tossed the bird feed around me. The chickens clucked hungrily but I only had eyes for Jake as he dazzled me with a lazy half smile. Slowly, he sauntered his way over to the coop.
"Hey, Addison," he drawled. "I was just thinking about you."
I instantly felt my face heat up, but managed to smile sweetly. "What a coincidence. I was just thinking about you, too." I stepped toward the fence that enclosed the coop and leaned against it, batting my eyes in way I hoped was seductive.
Jake's eyes lit up with pleasure."Thinking about anything in particular?"
"Oh, you know, nothing specific. Just general thoughts, really." I gave him a sly smile and lifted my hand, shielding my eyes from the bright, afternoon sun.
He gazed at me in amusement and I could tell he wasn't buying my indifferent act. "Nothing specific, huh?"
I stifled a giggle at the expression on his face, but continued on with the game, shrugging my shoulders nonchalantly.
"That's too bad," he responded. "I was hoping you were thinking about last night, and how enamored you must feel toward me today."
I bit my lip hard, trying to hide my smile. "Well, you are pretty charming."
"I knew it! These cowboy boots have never let me down."
I laughed at his joke and took a deep breath as I prepared to ask him out. On a date. With me. "Actually," I began nervously, "I really was thinking about last night. I had a very nice time . . . You know, after the whole Brett incident," I added, rolling my eyes. "I was wondering if you'd want to hang out again?"
One corner of his mouth tipped up into a smirk, and I instinctively knew the answer would be 'yes'.
"I don't know," he slowly teased. "What did you have in mind?" A lock of dark hair fell across his forehead and he removed his cowboy hat to brush it away. I couldn't tear my eyes from him as he lifted the hat back to his head in a way I found incredibly sexy.
"Well, um, my friend Ruby is having a bonfire tonight at her place. She has one every Friday," I explained, trying to regain my composure. "Her pool is open, too. I missed last week's party, so as her best friend I'm sort or obligated to go to this one. I was wondering if you would want to come with me?"
"Will your friend Brett be there?"
"He's not my friend," I reminded him, adamantly shaking my head. "And the answer is no."
"And you'll be wearing a swimsuit?"
I felt a blush color my cheeks, and I fought to look him in the eye and not down at the ground. "Of course," I said, "How else would I go swimming?"
His eyebrows shot up in amusement as he watched the embarrassment spread across my face. "I can think of other ways." I swallowed hard and looked away, wondering if I was ready for a college man after all. What if going out with Jake turned into more than I could handle? What if he expected certain things from me? Admittedly, the idea had me terrified, and undeniably interested.
"Relax, Addison." Jake laughed. "I'm only teasing you. I'm not like Brett--I swear." He took his right index finger and crossed his heart, signifying a promise. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. What I said was out of line and it won't happen again."
Regarding him seriously, I considered what he had said. I sensed he was telling the truth, and gave him a small smile. Grown up boys with grown up jokes, something I seriously was not used to.
"I would love to go with you, and I promise to behave. Unless you ask me not to," he added with an ironic smile. "Sorry, I'm not trying to be creepy, but I had to put it out there just so you know."
Grinning back at him, I decided to let the comment slide. "Would you be able to pick me up? My parents don't allow me to drive yet."
"Sounds like a plan."
"Can you be ready by eight?" I asked, absentmindedly twirling my hair.
"Eight o'clock it is. And Addison?" he asked, looking into my eyes.
My heart began to flutter at his intense scrutiny and the butterflies in my stomach threatened to jump out of my mouth. "Yes?"
"I'm looking forward to seeing you again."
Jake turned to walk away and I bit my lip. Slowly, I wandered back toward the house, debating whether or not I should tell Mags about the date. She was always full of good advice and had never steered me wrong before.
What if she thinks he's too old for me? I worried. But hadn't it been her idea to introduce me to Jake in the first place? Curiosity won out and I decided to speak with her.
"Hey, Sunshine." Mags grinned when I walked into the kitchen. "What's up? You look perplexed." She knew me so well.
"Grandma," I began, nervously tugging on the hem of my shorts.
"Uh oh. I know it's serious when you address me formally." Her lips twitched as she tried not to smile. She pulled out a kitchen chair for me to sit in and sat down in one herself.
I nodded my head and made myself comfortable at the large wooden table before speaking. I brushed at some non-existent crumbs and my eyes wandered around the room, looking everywhere but at her. "What do you think of Jake?"
Mags inhaled deeply before answering. "Is this just about about Jake, or about you and Jake?" she asked knowingly.
Shyly, my eyes met hers. "Me and Jake."
"I thought this might come up sometime." She brought her hands up to the table and folded them in front of herself. "I think Jake is a lovely boy, and he's pretty easy on the eyes, too." She chuckled lightly and observed me over the rim of her glasses. "Plus, he's a good person from a good family. It's true, he is a little older, but older doesn't have to mean bad. Your grandfather is older than me and we've always gotten along famously."
I nodded in agreement, although I was a bit confused over what she was trying to say. Her speech so far wasn't exactly satisfying my question. And I needed answers.
"Your father would have a fit, bless his heart, but often times men have a distorted way of looking at things. Especially when those things involve their teenage daughters." Mags smiled ruefully. "Sometimes, in order to to be with a really good man, you have to be courageous. You have to take risks. As they say, nothing ventured is nothing gained. Just remember in your heart what is good and moral, but never be afraid to stumble and fall. And be true to yourself, Addy. Your relationship with yourself is just as important as your relationship with others. Does this make any sense?" she asked, laying her hand affectionately on mine.
I nodded and gave her a grateful smile. What Mags had said was starting to make more sense, but I also noticed she was still sidestepping what I really wanted to know. I wanted her to tell me what to do. I wanted her to lay out the plan I was suppose to follow, complete with notes in the margin and wise little tidbits she knew I'd find helpful along the way.
As if reading my mind, she shrugged her shoulders and continued. "I can't make decisions for you, but I can try to equip you with what you need to make the right decisions for yourself. You're a good girl, Addy," she complimented, her eyes lighting up with love. "You're bright, you're beautiful and you're caring. You are going to make a wonderful wife and mother someday--not that you're thinking of those things right now. Just promise to remember your worth. Spread your wings and fly, within reason of course, and settle down after you've experienced everything your heart desires. One day you'll want something more. In the mean time, experience life to the fullest, while remaining true to yourself."
Thick emotion made it's way up my throat and I swallowed back a sob. I threw my arms around Mags' neck and gave her squeeze. Finally, I understood what she was trying to tell me. Embrace new experiences, they're a natural part of life; don't let fear stop me from trying new things; and never compromise my beliefs or integrity for anyone, no matter how gorgeous they might be.
"I love you, Mags," I said, as I tightly clutched her neck. "Thank you."
"Oh, Addy! You're welcome." She chuckled. "And I love you, too. So very much. Now, you're gonna have to loosen your grip unless your intention is to choke me."
My heart felt lighter as I trudged my way home that afternoon. Admittedly, the idea of Jake was a little scary. But he was a good guy with a good head on his shoulders--he'd already proven that. I decided to move forward with wherever this was going, yet not burden myself with expectations. I was going to enjoy my summer, and everything it had to offer.
And that included the handsome cowboy.
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