Chapter Eleven

   When we walk in Dad is already busy at the stove. I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing the man cook. It's got the same shocking effect as the picture of the raccoon riding the alligator's back that went viral on Facebook.

   I clear my throat. "Hey, Dad. This is Trevor. The friend you met at the restaurant the other night. I was wondering if it would be cool if he ate with us tonight?" Dad turned to us with a warm smile on his face, a smile that quickly vanished.

"And your mother is okay with this?" Trevor looked a bit guilty. "I'm sorry for her behavior at the restaurant the other night sir, she normally isn't so...cold."

My dad seems to be thinking really hard about something before that warm and welcoming smile once again consumes his face. "Don't worry about it, I'm sure under normal circumstances she is a lovely woman. Riles, why don't you show him around a bit while I finish up here."

He looks to me and smiles. "You sure you don't need any help Dad?" He shakes his head and looks to Trevor. "My Riley here is always looking out for her old man, never thinks of herself. In fact, you're the first boy she's ever brought home." I feel my face heat up instantly.

   "Dad! Let's go, Trevor." Trevor laughs and follows me into the living area. "Whoa, what does your dad do again?" I smile. "He's a New York Times' best selling author. Many times over." He nods his head and follows me up the stairs.

   We make it to my room and I think nothing of shutting the door behind us. I put my bag down and turn around to face Trevor who is standing by the door looking nervous.

"Your dad won't care about me being in here? And with the door shut?" I laugh and say, "You're rather adorable in a dorky way, Trevor Lyles. No, he doesn't mind. He trusts me."

At that, his cocky smirk returns to his face as he saunters over to my bed and sits down. "Adorable, eh? Sit down." He pats the spot beside him. Surprisingly I do what he says with no hesitation.

   He looks at me and smiles. "Thanks for all of this. Giving me a chance. Showing me around. Feeding me." I laugh.

"Anytime. So, want to watch a movie or something?" He brings his face a bit closer to mine. "No, I'm perfectly happy just watching you."

I feel my heart start pounding a bit faster. I feel like he's going to kiss me. But I don't know if I'm ready for that. Or if I even want that. Okay, who are you kidding? You know you do! At that thought, Claudette's face pops into my mind and I jump up, nearly falling in the process.

   Trevor's hands grab me by the waist and he pulls me back down. Onto him. My chest on his. My button nose nearly touching his strong, straight one. I know I can't stop what's about to happen. I don't want to.

   My dad chooses that moment to bang on my door. We both jump and wind up butting heads. I fall onto the floor flat on my butt.

"I don't want to know what all of that bumping and banging is in there, I'm just letting you both know it's time to eat." I hear his footsteps quickly retreat before Trevor bursts out laughing.

   "Your dad is awesome. Bumping and banging. Wow. So I'm hungry babe, let's go." He jumps up and pulls me up by his side. I'm so mortified, I don't really feel like moving. "You're so cute, with your red embarrassed face. Come on, chill. Nothing even happened. Yet."

   I allow Trevor to practically drag me into the dining room. "Wow, Mr. B. It smells amazing in here." He smiles sheepishly. "Well thank you, Trevor. Here's to hoping it's as good as it smells."

   We begin passing the dishes around the table. "So, Trevor. Tell me about your family. What does your mom and dad do?"

After dumping half of the mashed potatoes onto his plate, Trevor answers. "My father is the CEO of Lyles Technologies. And my mom has always been a bit of an aspiring actress. Tooth paste commercial here and there. That sort of thing."

   At the mention of Trevor's mom, my Dad's face seems to light up. "She seems like a lovely lady." He looks to me. "Doesn't she honey?" My eyes go wide. I'm not one for lying.

"Well, um, first impressions aren't everything." Dad seems satisfied with my answer and nods his head in agreement.

"Exactly, Riley. Everyone can use a second chance every now and then." For some reason this conversation is not sitting well with me so I kind of zone out while Trevor and my dad continue talking.

   After supper, Trevor and I insist on cleaning up the kitchen. "Hey, Riley. I would like you to give my mom a second chance. She has her ways but she means well. She's just been through some stuff."

I nod my head and hand him a dish to dry. "So I was thinking. Maybe tomorrow night you could come eat dinner at my place? I'll even pick you up. I'll even open doors for you and everything."

I look at him and feel my heart melt at the hopeful smile on his face. "Sure, Trevor. Can't wait." The way his face lit up was magical. "Will you walk me to my car?" I dried my hands and nodded my head.

   On the way to Trevor's car he takes my hand in his as we're walking. I feel like we're moving too fast, but at the same time I don't want to stop it. When we get to his car he turns and faces me, leaning his back against the car and pulling me closer so that we're chest to chest.

   As he tightens his hold around my waist I look up into those green eyes. I could just get lost in them. Right now, they look as if they're searching mine for something. I'm just not certain what that something is. I smile warmly and even happily at him and he returns it.

   The look in his eyes change and I know he's about to kiss me. But I can't. Not yet. I back up as much as his grip will let me.

"Trevor, I can't. I'd like to take it slow. Maybe start off as friends, really get to know each other, and see where it goes from there." I felt a twist in my chest at the brief bit of sadness I saw flash across his eyes. "Do you have a boyfriend back home, Riley?"

   Oh boy. This is going to be embarrassing. "No. Actually, um. I've never had a boyfriend." He looks happy about that. "Ever been kissed?" He's speaking so softly now. I shake me head and look down. "Hey, look at me. That makes me the happiest man in the world, Peaches. Knowing I get to be your first. Everything." I look up sharply at him.

   "Hey. That isn't a thing that you know. You might not get to be my first anything. That's why we're taking it slow." His face darkens, looks angry even.

"Listen, babe. I won't let another guy get close enough to touch you, much less kiss you." He pulls me impossibly closer. "You might not know who I am, but everyone else around here does. And as of tomorrow I'll see to it they know who you belong to." I'm so angry I can't  even deal.

   "No, no you won't. I said friends. And now I'm second guessing that." I jerk out of his arms and quickly head towards the front door. As I'm slamming the door, I hear his tires squealing out of my driveway. The nerve of him! He doesn't own me. He doesn't even know me. He just made a grave mistake. Tell me not to do something and I'll do it twice. And take pictures.