I couldn't stop smiling as I drove back home. Stopping cautiously at the intersection, I checked each road before easing my way through. Tom Schultz had been teaching me how to drive and in spite of his assurances that I was really good, I still felt cautious.
The song on the radio forced a hum to reverberate inside my mouth. The future was mine. Damn, that felt good. I had a summer to look forward to and then the prospect of heading off to college...with my boyfriend.
My skin turned warm just thinking about it. He'd be home in two days time. We had a lot of catching up to do. I tittered. The very idea of his hands on my skin sent thrills buzzing through each nerve ending. As good as it was to be independent, it was such a huge relief to know that I never had to live away from him for this length of time again.
In two days time, my future really began and I couldn't wait to claim it.
My smile grew wider, if that was even possible, as I pulled into my driveway.
Pushing the door open, I grabbed my bag and threw it over my shoulder as I walked up the path. The house seemed eerily quiet as I opened the door. I thought Tom and Loretta said they'd be home.
That familiar fear spiked through me as I clicked the door shut. I glanced up the stairs, memories taunting me. Closing my eyes, I leaned against the door, drawing in a deep breath and wondering if I should hit the road for a run.
"Hey, Lulu."
My eyes flew open, joy flooding my system as I let out a squeal and flew into Zach's arms. He caught me, chuckling as he took a step back to counter my attack.
"What are you doing here?" I squeezed his neck, pulling back so I could kiss him senseless.
He could barely speak past my kisses and ended up having to hold my face and pull me away from him. His brown eyes were dancing as he laughed. "I've missed you too."
"I thought you weren't coming home until Sunday."
"Well." He cocked his head, a look of mischief dancing across his face. "I didn't want to miss the party."
"What party?"
And on cue the living room erupted. "SURPRISE!"
I flinched as people jumped from behind couches and the lights went on. Words were stripped from my system as I drank in all their lovely faces. Everyone was here. Zach's family, including his San Fran cousins and Alex, Jaeda, Elliot, AJ and Liesl...even a couple of people from my senior class that I'd made friends with this year.
"Holy crap..." I covered my mouth, tears lining my lashes as I was quickly gathered into one embrace after another.
As I cried my way through the reunion, Tom and Zach pinned up a big CONGRATULATIONS sign on the wall with the University of Arizona logo in the corner. AJ and Liesl started dishing out food and I spent the next three hours playing catch up with all the people I loved.
Zach's hand remained on my back for most of the party. By the time it was over, I was completely drained, yet elated. I flopped down on Zach's bed with a blissful sigh.
"You have fun?" He lay down beside me, inching his arm under my back and pulling me on top of him.
I gazed down at his face and whispered, "Thank you."
"It was actually Mom's idea, so I can't take all the credit."
I kissed his soft lips. "I'll let you take some. You came back early for me."
"I love you." He ran his finger down my hairline. "And I can't wait to have you by my side when we head to Tucson this year."
"It's gonna be awesome." I grinned.
His hand glided down my back, cresting over my butt and giving it a little squeeze. "Although we've got the summer to enjoy first." His eyebrows wiggled and I laughed.
"Zach, the party guests may have left, but your parents are still down the hall," I whispered against his lips.
"Oh come on, they know you sneak into my room when I'm home. They're not stupid."
"Yeah, I guess my door does make that little squeak. That's why I leave it open when you're here."
"They know we're in love, Lucy." He kissed my cheek. "And I think they're pretty cool with that."
I closed my eyes, relishing the way his lips felt as they traveled over my skin. I arched my neck back, giving him easier access. With a delicious moan, I quickly found his lips, loving the way his hand felt as it moved up my neck and cupped the back of my head.
Yes, the future was mine now. The past was the past and could remain there.
I knew there would still be challenges ahead of me, but I would survive them and a kiss from my Zach could turn any bad day into gold.
I could do this.
As our soft kissing grew with fervor, a smile broke over my lips. If it weren't for this guy beneath me, who knows where I'd be. He'd drawn me back, he'd held me still and he'd given me the confidence to fight back.
The day I stopped running was my first step towards a real future.
Zach Schultz set me free and I was never going to forget it.