EJShaun.com

Aliyah tried on a dozen outfits that morning. The forecast called for a hot and humid afternoon with lots of sun. She packed everything from her cozy pajamas to her swimsuit. Kelvin was staying for four days, and she had no idea what to expect. Would he make a move? Would she? She planned a picnic on the beach for their last night together. The sun set over the lake with a picturesque view of the mountains. If he didn’t by then, she would.

The road to her dad’s meandered through a heavy forest. The trees grew tall under a dense canopy that spanned for miles. Birds sang in the branches. Deer sometimes crossed the street. Many of the homes resembled log cabins. The houses along the lake were big with sprawling yards and long stone driveways.

Music played at her dad’s. The bass carried into the street. A number of lawn games were set out for the adults. They tossed beanbags or threw horseshoes. Kids raced around everywhere between. One of the older boys had a squirt gun. The parents yelled at them whenever they got too close to the cars.

“There it is!” somebody shouted from the horseshoe pits. A harsh clang echoed through the yard. “Ringer!”

The front door opened a moment later. In a cute neck scarf and sunglasses, Aliyah stepped outside and headed down the walkway. The speakers rumbled beside her. Her flip-flops smacked on the pavement. She tucked her phone into her pocket while laughing. Kelvin sent several texts over the last few minutes. She loved how obvious he made it.

Ten out.

Five.

One.

Here!

Down the driveway, her dad’s pickup pulled into the lot. The sun glared off the windshield. The boy with the squirt gun saw it first, shouting for everybody.

“Markus is back!”

News spread fast. Half the kids came running, screaming at the top of their lungs. Markus had to tap on the horn to keep them back. They swarmed the truck like the paparazzi. Some of the girls stood with their hands on their hips.

“Is that him?” the oldest asked, sticking a piece of gum in her mouth.

Another girl folded her arms. “He sure don’t look like much.”

Aliyah smirked. She knew that scene. It was fun being on the other side for once.

Markus parked in the spot he left. A line of cars sat in the grass along the driveway. Beside them, a giant RV blocked her view. She could only see the back of the truck.

The kids quieted after Markus opened his door. An alert sounded inside, dinging like a bell. He forgot the keys in the ignition.

“It’s Calvin, right?” the oldest asked, blowing a bubble, “Like the underwear?”

The kids giggled. So did Kelvin.

“Yeah, no, close,” he said. His door creaked as he shut it. He soon appeared beside the RV with his backpack slung over a shoulder. “I mean, it’s pretty much the same, really—”

Aliyah caught his eye right away. He did a double take without ever closing his mouth. In a halter top and cut-offs, she literally stunned him. His backpack slipped off his shoulder.

A retaining wall separated the house from the driveway. She leaned against the railing at the top. Her shadow stretched down the stairs.

“Not Calvin,” she said, emphasizing the A, “But Kelvin, with a K-E.”

In the back, a young girl raised her hand. “Is he a big star like you, Aunty Li?”

“No, not this one.”

A young boy stepped forward. “Does he play ball?”

The oldest girl scoffed. “Does he look like he plays ball?”

The kids giggled again. Without warning, a jet of water shot out of the group, hitting Kelvin in the crotch. It drenched the area like he peed his pants.

“Deshawn!” Aliyah shrieked.

The boy with the squirt gun ran away. The rest of the kids took off behind him. They all scattered in a fit of laughter.

“Kelvin had an accident… Kelvin had an accident.”

Aliyah hurried down the stairs, scolding them. She threatened to tell their parents. Not that it helped.

Markus patted him on the shoulder. Kelvin ended up hunched over like they punched him in the gut. He said nothing but held his arms out like he had something to say.

Aliyah almost lost a flip-flop rushing over. His knees buckled when she hugged him. His backpack dangled from the crook of his elbow. Markus pulled it off before he hugged her back.

“What a brat,” she said into his chest, “You okay?”

“Yeah, it’s nothing. Just some water. At least they should remember my name now.”

His heart pounded against her cheek. He was warm and smelled of a spicy cologne. It must’ve been new.

After letting go, she fixed her hair. She slept with it in a loose bun last night. Her curls had extra bounce that day.

“Let’s get you changed, yeah? Then we’ll eat.” She grabbed his hand and headed for the house. “We’ve got you in the laundry room tonight. It’s not great, but it’s the only room available until tomorrow.”

A garden was alongside the retaining wall. Bees and butterflies fluttered among the flowers. The scent of jasmine hung in the air.

“So was that the worst of it?” he asked, patting down his jeans, “Or is there anyone else I should be worried about?”

She snickered. “Nah, I don’t think so. My dad’s a big softie. And so are my uncles. That leaves Dom, and you already met her. She is kinda mad at me from this morning, though. We did a lot of cleaning, and I made her dust.”