Next to Me by Emily Walker Page B

to stop caring about her. He took his phone out and called Lila. The time for pining for a girl who didn’t respect his feelings was over. It was time to let her go.
    She picked up on the third ring and he walked out the door to his truck.
    “Zane, I was beginning to think you were never going to call me,” Lila said, sounding happier to hear from him than Whitney ever did. “How’s your friend?”
    “She’s ungrateful, thank you for asking. What are you doing tonight for dinner?”
    “Letting you take me out.” Lila was quick, and he liked her.
    “Text me your address and I’ll pick you up at six.” He hung up feeling excited about his plans. This was what he needed to start moving toward the life he wanted. He headed home with a new purpose.
    Dustin was more excited about Zane’s date than he was. He was running around trying to tidy up before she met him.
    “Dad, I’m picking her up, she isn’t coming here.” Dustin stopped fluffing the pillow and stared for a minute as he registered that information.
    “Oh, well, what are you wearing?”
    “I don’t know, Donna, what are you wearing?” Zane put on his most feminine voice, and his dad glared at him. He gestured to the T-shirt, jeans, and boots he had on. “I’m wearing this.”
    “No, you need a button-up.” His dad went into his room, found a green button-up and a blue plaid one and made him choose.
    “The blue one, I guess.” He slid it on over the T-shirt and started to button it.
    “Tell her you wore it to match her eyes.” Dustin was pleased with himself. He grinned. Zane knew his dad was thrilled he was forgetting about Whitney.
    “I’m pretty sure her eyes are brown, Dad, but thank you for the tip.” Zane thought his dad’s excitement would be a good story to tell her over dinner.

    Whitney felt a little guilty leaving Zane, but as the wind hit her and Walter sped up, all her cares vanished. She felt like riding on the motorcycle and completely putting her trust in him was the only time she could feel free. They were going to be alone at his apartment in Stanley County. She had to admit that she was a little nervous. Usually going to bed with a guy was an escape, a drug fueled hazy escape for a few hours. This was going to be completely different. One, because she was sober since it was movie day, and two, because she wanted it to be special. She wanted to be present in mind and spirit.
    They pulled into a very small apartment complex, and Walter led her to his door.
    “It isn’t much.” She realized as she stepped into his place that she never asked him what he did.
    “Hey, where do you work?” The apartment was furnished very sparsely with a couch and a chair. A small TV sat atop a crate and that was all that was in the initial room. It appeared to be a one-bedroom, but there were female clothes lying around that told her he probably had a roommate.
    “I’m in between jobs right now.” He sat down on the couch and patted beside him. “Come over here.”
    She went to sit beside him on the couch. She knew this was going to be the night they took it to the next level. So far, he had been a perfect gentleman, only kissing her goodnight. They had not spent the night at each other’s houses or taken things any further. It had only been a week, but to her it felt a lot longer.
    Leaning over, he pulled her to him, gently putting one hand behind her neck. She took a deep breath before his lips met hers, and he deepened the kiss, immediately causing her stomach to flutter a little. She returned his kiss and moved closer to him. He pulled her into his lap, pushing her long hair off her shoulders and moving his lips over her neck. Her skin tingled and burned everywhere he touched, and she loved it. Without thinking, she grinded herself against his crotch, feeling him start to harden for her. Moaning, she moved his face back up to kiss him again and moved against him.
    “You’re beautiful, Whitney.” He held her face in his hands as