When I moved out I planned to take as much of my Mom with me as I could.
My bedroom was spotlessly clean, devoid of personality. It overlooked the pool and gardens and was tastefully decorated when I was just a boy in taupe and navy. Not one poster had ever hung on these walls, other than some vintage travel posters. A bookshelf with some artfully arranged picture frames were literally the only personal items in here, other than my clothes. The private en suite bathroom was the same.
Still, I was always instantly relaxed the moment I closed the door behind me. If I didn't shut it, a maid or someone would come in and try to unpack for me. I'd never said anything, but I didn't really dig people touching my shit.
I threw my bag on the chair and fished out a bottle of bourbon. At the very least, I could get lit before sitting through a meal with two people I loathed. Actually, that wasn't fair. I tolerated Clair. It was my father who'd disappointed me over and over again. She was just window dressing.
Nevada
I waved ecstatically at my mother across the parking lot. I know a lot of girls my age aren't crazy about their mothers but I was. Like, really crazy about her. She was the hardest working, smartest, toughest, best person I know.
Also she treated me as an adult. She had ever since I was a kid. Things had been hard but she'd trusted and respected me enough to be straight with me about what was happening when my dad left, among other things.
Not to mention she's freaking beautiful. For a long time I'd felt a little bit like an ugly duckling around her. But she always told me I would catch up.
I ran toward her and got swept up in a bear hug. Her long brown hair brushed my cheek. I inhaled the warm, comforting smell of her.
Vanilla and jasmine. Always.
"Welcome home baby girl!"
My mother leaned back and looked at me. She raised an eyebrow and smiled at me. Her smile was sardonic as she took in the 'new me.'
"Not such a baby anymore though."
I laughed. We hadn't seen each other since Christmas and I'd changed a lot since then. I'd gotten used to my new curves, and learned how to dress them. A lot of that was Lucy's doing.
My mother's hazel eyes crinkled.
"Come on Nev, let's get you settled. Are you excited to be home?"
I was, but mostly for reasons I could not and would not be telling anyone, especially not my mother. The tingle of excitement I felt had nothing to do with finding a summer job, or even seeing my best friend Frannie. It has everything to do with one extremely handsome college senior.
I immediately started arguing with myself, my internal monologue full of sensible, soul crushing honesty.
Stop it.
He could have a girlfriend!
There is no way Clay is ever going to want to date you.
You aren't that hot!
I knew I was being silly. I didn't even really want to date Clay anyway. I was curious though... about what it would be like to kiss him.
He looked like he knew what he was doing.
I climbed into my mom's old car and put on my seat belt. Everything about this felt so familiar, but so weird. I was different. Even my mom had sensed it right away.
This summer was going to be special I could just tell.
I just wasn't sure yet how special. Or why.
Chapter Four
Clay
Not one for slacking I started my first full day home with a match with the club pro Matt. It cost extra to play with him but I didn't care. He was an amazing player and gave as good as he got. And for some reason, he considered me a friend.
Probably because most of the people who hired him were bored housewives hoping to get into his pants.
I'd noticed the cougar crowd dropping me hints the past few years as well. And now that I was 21... well maybe I'd take one of them up on it. At least I could be sure an older woman would know what she was doing.
I was dripping with sweat by the time we were done. I wasn't a big fan of showering at the club so I left. Matt waved me off and begged me to book him as much as possible this summer. I promised I would.
What the fuck else was I supposed to do?
Except, well, fuck.
As much as possible.
As many girls as possible.
Speaking of which maybe I'd text Jen later. I knew she was waiting on me. I did enjoy working out horizontally, especially with a sexy female like Jen. She liked to sport fuck as much as I did.
I was turning down our driveway in my convertible when I hit the breaks.
Hard.
A girl was biking toward me. From the general direction of the house. Long dark blond hair blew behind. Big high tits filled out her t-shirt admirably. She had a teeny tiny waist and long tanned legs. She rode closer and I tried to get a look at her face.
Pretty, that much was obvious, with big beautiful eyes. I could see her puffy lips from twenty feet away. Cute little nose too.
The girl looked like a God damned swimsuit model.
No. Wait. What.
My brain went utterly blank as I realized something.
It was Mouse. Mouse was the swim suit model. I was staring at Mouse with lust.