were friends. I didn’t discuss problems with complete strangers. Hell, when I had issues, I holed up in my room and didn’t let anyone in. I always wanted people to see that nothing got to me. But for some reason, I was comfortable with Teagan. His piercing blue eyes made me relax and I felt the truth being pulled out of my mouth.
“ Darcy got into a car accident Friday night. She totaled her car, was arrested, and then taken to the hospital. I know that she isn’t hurt…badly, but that’s all I know because Conner, my brother, hates me right now. When I called to talk with her, her mother insinuated that I never call her house again. I’m a bad influence on everyone I come in contact with,” I said that last part softly. It was like I was finally admitting to someone, and probably myself, that trouble followed me everywhere I went instead of deluding myself into thinking I followed trouble.
“Jesus Christ ,” he muttered while lowering his shaking head. He looked up to me with a serious look on his face that I couldn’t decipher. Was he upset that I said I was a bad influence or just that Darcy was in deep shit?
“Listen, ” he said, “I don’t know what to say other than I know for a fact that you tried very hard to stop her from driving that night. I know you demanded you wait to take her home after we bought you those drinks. You’re blaming yourself and I can tell you’re upset about that.”
“Yes, ” I murmured, looking at the top hem of his black shirt and his straight chin.
He pulled his hand off the seat and tucked it under my chin to set his softened eyes on me. “You are not to blame. You are beautiful , inside and out. I have never seen a girl so determined to help out a friend. You were fierce. You are a good friend, no matter what anyone else says.”
“Yeah, well, tell that to everyone that claims they love me,” I said deferentially.
“I ’m only in America for the summer. On August 17 th , I head back to Ireland to finish my senior year at university. But, Lizzie, I like you a lot. I’ve thought about nothing but you over the last day and I was upset when I thought I might never see you again after Friday night. I like the way I feel when I’m around you. We didn’t even talk on the ride here and it was more fun than I’ve had with a girl in a long time.” He laughed. “I want to spend as much time with you as I can during this summer. However, I am leaving and I don’t see myself coming back after I graduate. So, if you want, I would like us to be friends and get to know each other. Most girls want a relationship, and if I was an American, you would be my girlfriend. But, I’m not so that wouldn’t be fair to either of us. Am I scaring you away?”
I was stunned. Nobody had ever been this forthright about a relationship, or in this case, lack thereof. What happened to one day at a time? I thought about the summer camps I used to go to and the boys I would kiss at the lake or in the dancehall. Shit, I never saw those guys again and they probably lived an hour away.
Teagan brushed his thumb across my cheek as he continued. “I understand if that… is not what you want. But I would like to hold you and hold your hand. I just want us to get to know each other in the next few months.”
I thought about all the promises to call from one night stands that never came. I thought about the guys that I royally fucked over that actually wanted to have relationships with me and I just couldn’t find a reason for a long term commitment. I thought about Chase telling me that he didn’t see us ever getting married. I thought about this beautiful man in front of me, telling me that I would be, only could be his summer fling. An American girl. His American girl for a short period of time. For some reason, that flattered me. I felt special and yes, it would be the fun summer I was looking for. A nice memory for him of his time in America. He wouldn’t or couldn’t ever forget
“ Darcy got into a car accident Friday night. She totaled her car, was arrested, and then taken to the hospital. I know that she isn’t hurt…badly, but that’s all I know because Conner, my brother, hates me right now. When I called to talk with her, her mother insinuated that I never call her house again. I’m a bad influence on everyone I come in contact with,” I said that last part softly. It was like I was finally admitting to someone, and probably myself, that trouble followed me everywhere I went instead of deluding myself into thinking I followed trouble.
“Jesus Christ ,” he muttered while lowering his shaking head. He looked up to me with a serious look on his face that I couldn’t decipher. Was he upset that I said I was a bad influence or just that Darcy was in deep shit?
“Listen, ” he said, “I don’t know what to say other than I know for a fact that you tried very hard to stop her from driving that night. I know you demanded you wait to take her home after we bought you those drinks. You’re blaming yourself and I can tell you’re upset about that.”
“Yes, ” I murmured, looking at the top hem of his black shirt and his straight chin.
He pulled his hand off the seat and tucked it under my chin to set his softened eyes on me. “You are not to blame. You are beautiful , inside and out. I have never seen a girl so determined to help out a friend. You were fierce. You are a good friend, no matter what anyone else says.”
“Yeah, well, tell that to everyone that claims they love me,” I said deferentially.
“I ’m only in America for the summer. On August 17 th , I head back to Ireland to finish my senior year at university. But, Lizzie, I like you a lot. I’ve thought about nothing but you over the last day and I was upset when I thought I might never see you again after Friday night. I like the way I feel when I’m around you. We didn’t even talk on the ride here and it was more fun than I’ve had with a girl in a long time.” He laughed. “I want to spend as much time with you as I can during this summer. However, I am leaving and I don’t see myself coming back after I graduate. So, if you want, I would like us to be friends and get to know each other. Most girls want a relationship, and if I was an American, you would be my girlfriend. But, I’m not so that wouldn’t be fair to either of us. Am I scaring you away?”
I was stunned. Nobody had ever been this forthright about a relationship, or in this case, lack thereof. What happened to one day at a time? I thought about the summer camps I used to go to and the boys I would kiss at the lake or in the dancehall. Shit, I never saw those guys again and they probably lived an hour away.
Teagan brushed his thumb across my cheek as he continued. “I understand if that… is not what you want. But I would like to hold you and hold your hand. I just want us to get to know each other in the next few months.”
I thought about all the promises to call from one night stands that never came. I thought about the guys that I royally fucked over that actually wanted to have relationships with me and I just couldn’t find a reason for a long term commitment. I thought about Chase telling me that he didn’t see us ever getting married. I thought about this beautiful man in front of me, telling me that I would be, only could be his summer fling. An American girl. His American girl for a short period of time. For some reason, that flattered me. I felt special and yes, it would be the fun summer I was looking for. A nice memory for him of his time in America. He wouldn’t or couldn’t ever forget
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