Here’s the link to Didi’s challenge post:
It was Brennan’s idea to rent the beach house. He wanted to gather the friends he’d made at Camp the summer before. Selfishly, he wanted the whole house to himself and Kristin. But, he made do with ten friends.
On her flight from Kansas to Texas, Kristin felt a swarm of butterflies. She wasn’t quite sure what had compelled her to accept Brennan’s invitations. Yes, plural. He’d created a general Facebook invite for all ten friends, for planning purposes. But, just for Kristin, he’d asked her while talking to her on the phone, and then again via FaceTime. He wanted to be sure.
Her phone was off for the flight, but she thought about the last text she’d sent to Brennan before boarding.
Hey, B. See you in about three hours. I’ll text you when I land. Can’t wait to see you!
She felt her words were genuine. She was trying so hard to move on from the end of Camp last summer. But, it wasn’t easy.
A bit of sudden turbulence turned her stomach. Trying to relax, she scrolled through her iPad for good music. Taylor Swift gave her comfort, for a while. She didn’t dare listen to Chris Young or Ed Sheeran. Not yet. It still stung.
Brennan was busy at the Corpus Christi airport, fielding texts and calls from all ten friends. Thankfully, the beach house was only 20 minutes from the airport. With Mom graciously lending him the minivan for the week, Brennan could take up to five people at one time. He figured it wouldn’t be more than three trips back and forth.
Amidst the droll of flight announcements and airport security warnings, he sighed, finding his way back to Kristin’s texts.
Reading her last text, he wanted to believe her. He could sense she had been hesitant about this trip. Her flight alone ate up a good chunk of the money she’d earned over the summer. But, Brennan reassured himself.
If she didn’t want to come, she would have said no.
The first wave of friends – Stephen, Ace, Stephanie, Gabe, and Sheila – arrived smoothly. Brennan had Stephen man his phone while he drove to the beach house. Everyone was in awe – Brennan had picked a great place. Less than a quarter mile from the beach, a in-ground pool, a hot tub, a hammock, and more. Everyone chattered away as they took turns unloading suitcases, sleeping bags, food, and fun pool floats. The bedrooms were supposed to be girls only and boys only.
As the first five were unpacking, Brennan’s phone buzzed. His heart sank with Kristin’s text.
Hey, B. Bad news. We had to make an emergency landing in Oklahoma City. I won’t be there for another two hours. Everyone’s OK, we’re just switching planes. I’ll keep you posted. Thanks! Love, K
Brennan’s heart fluttered at the sight of “Love, K.” Had the spark reignited?
As quickly as Kristin’s text came through, an incoming call from Angie made Brennan almost drop his phone.
“Hey, Angie! Okay, great. I’ll be there to get you and Tina in about 20 minutes. Awesome! Bye.”
Brennan tried not to worry as he headed back to the airport. As Angie and Tina rolled their suitcases out to the van, Kristin was FaceTiming him.
“Hey, K!”
“Hi, B. How’s it going?”
“Good. Angie and Tina just got here. Are you taking off soon?”
Kristin turned her phone to show the interior of the plane. “Yep. About 20 more minutes. I just wanted to see your smiling face before having to turn this off again.”
Brennan swallowed, feeling excited in more ways than one. “Awesome. I’m excited! Text me when you land, okay?”
Kristin flashed her signature smile. “You got it. See you soon!”
“Bye!” Brennan waved before ending the call. Angie and Tina gave him grief, but he didn’t care one bit.
Dinner time approached as the nine got settled. Brennan was finally able to unpack, and it was quickly decided to have hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill. Brennan was three bites into his cheeseburger when his phone buzzed.
I’m here! Finally. Can’t wait to stand up and stretch my legs! Can’t wait to see you. Love, K
Brennan’s heart thudded. He wolfed down the rest of his burger, and grabbed the keys before anyone else noticed. He texted Angie on the way out, not caring any more. He was on his way to reunite with the girl of his dreams.
It was warm enough to roll down the windows outside baggage claim. Corpus Christi was notoriously slow with baggage. Brennan started to grow impatient. Finally, he spotted Kristin with her zebra-print bags. Brennan nearly collided with another car, he threw open the door so fast.
Kristin giggled, watching Brennan’s face. He popped the back door open, took her bag, and then hugged her. Her lips grazed his forehead. Brennan sighed, a bit too audibly.
“It’s so nice to see you, B. I’ve missed you.”
Brennan carefully let go, and Kristin let him hold her hand for a few minutes. “Hi, K. I’m so glad you could come. Thanks. It’s going to be fun.”
Kristin gently kissed his cheek. “Me, too. Let’s go!”
They hardly spoke during the 20-minute drive, but both were excited. They both found each other blushing. Brennan offered music, but Kristin politely declined.
Brennan unloaded Kristin’s bags, and showed her the bedroom on the third floor. Brennan was directly below her. How he longed to be in the same room. He could barely stand it.
Famished, Kristin eagerly accepted a hot dog and hamburger. Brennan tried hard not to stare, but it was nearly impossible. He felt goosebumps as the sun set, and a full moon started to rise.
Everyone else decided on a moonlight swim and dip in the hot tub, but Kristin surprised everyone by declining.
“None of you went through an emergency landing today, haha. I’ll veg out tonight. We have the whole week!”
Everyone laughed, giving side eye to Brennan. While Kristin was changing her clothes, Brennan stayed busy, cleaning the kitchen and texting his mom, thanking her again for letting him use the van for the whole week.
At long last, Brennan heard Kristin pad down the stairs. He thought she looked amazing in the faded county fair T-shirt and butterfly-print boxer sleep shorts. He moved his gaze before she noticed, but not before he blushed.
As he wiped down the counter, Kristin offered to help. Brennan laughed. “No thanks, all done now. But, your company is nice. I’m surprised we’re alone this quickly, haha.”
Kristin smiled. “Everyone in the backyard knows our history. Come on. How could anyone not?”
Brennan winced slightly. “Are you … still mad about the end of Camp?”
Kristin turned to face him. “A little … but I figured being here with you is a good way to make up for it. I’m sorry … for everything. Will you accept my apology?”
Brennan felt sweet relief. “Yes, I do. Thank you for apologizing. And, I’m sorry, too.”
Kristin slipped her hand into his. “Thank you. I think the couch may be more comfortable than standing here on the cold tile floor.” Brennan looked down at their bare feet and laughed.
For a good while, they held hands and talked. It felt like the beginning of Camp all over again – Nervous, but electric energy. They caught up on their lives in their respective states. As Kristin talked about that year’s county fair, which had ended the week prior, Brennan noticed she wasn’t wearing a bra.
She scooted closer to him, cross-legged. She gently took his hand and let him put it on her knee. Both had instant goosebumps. He gently stroked it before moving down to her feet. She giggled as his hand tickled her toes and the soles.
She looked up, catching her breath from giggling, and melted at Brennan’s gaze. He had that slightly goofy, charming look on his face – The exact same one when they were on the dock the first night at Camp, where it all started. She held her breath slightly as he moved in to kiss her. It was amazing, just like the fireworks spectacular.
“Brennan, I think …”
“What’s that, Kristin … What do you think?”
“I think I want you to take me to my bedroom. Is … that okay?”
Brennan clumsily stood up, offering his hand. “As you wish.”
They kissed all the way up the stairs, secretly thrilled no one else was in the house. Brennan caught a glimpse of the gorgeous full moon as they made their way to Kristin’s room. Hearing Kristin’s sigh knew everything was going to be all right.
The light of the full moon filled the bedroom as Brennan carefully shut the door, as Kristin’s fingers itched for the hem of his shirt. They took their time undressing each other, enjoying every second. Both of them wanted this to last as long as possible.
Brennan was struck by Kristin’s beauty as the full moon illuminated her creamy skin. Her hair fanned out as she let Brennan explore her for the first time in nearly a year. She felt beautiful. Brennan certainly thought she was beautiful, relishing every second.
Before he entered her, Kristin kissed him. “Brennan, I have to say something.”
“What’s that, Kristin?”
“I’m so happy I’m with you. Right here, right now.
She paused, watching Brennan’s goofy smile fill his face. “I love you, Brennan. Thank you for this – Everything.”
Brennan smiled, and whispered, “I love you, too, Kristin. Thank you for being here. You’ve made my year.”
They kissed over and over. Her moans and whispers were like music to Brennan’s ears. She kept repeating, “This is amazing.”
As they finished, Kristin opened her arms. Brennan nestled in next to her, gently stroking various parts of her. Her skin was still bathed in moonlight. Brennan was fully taken, wanting to freeze-frame every second.
Kristin kissed his forehead, and then his lips. “Can we break the rules? I want you to spend every night right here with me.”
Brennan smiled, slightly shaking his hand at her impulsive streak. “Tonight, yes. The rest of the week – We’ll see.”
Kristin smiled. “Even if it’s just tonight, that’s okay with me.”
Brennan kissed her deeply. “I don’t want to forget a single second. But, do you want to do that all over again?”
Kristin smiled, her hand ambling below his waist. “Yes, Brennan, I do. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Kristin.”
Brennan and Kristin ended up breaking all the rules that week. And they enjoyed every minute of it.
Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂
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