Page 29 of Meet Me at the Metro (Gildenhill #1)

29

OH. MY. GOURD.

T H E O

T he steady rumbling of the train jolts every sleepy muscle in my body awake. I yawn and rub my tired eyes, hoping that the warmth of the morning sun casting through the train window will be enough to unthaw my cool limbs. Nora moves closer to share some of our heat, scooting over until her leg grazes mine.

I notice how her knee bounces restlessly, but I don’t think she notices herself until I give the top of her thigh a reassuring squeeze.

She’s anxious this morning—she has been all weekend. Despite the effort she’s putting forth to try and hide it by forcing a smile on her face, I see it. I’ve noticed a shift in her usual optimistic disposition: the frequent glances at her surroundings, fidgeting hands, tense shoulders, and the way she keeps biting on her bottom lip.

She’s been like this since she caught her ex watching us two nights ago, and I won’t admit to her how fucking sick that thought makes me. The second I found out that it was him at the train station, my blood boiled—my stomach curdled.

Nora shouldn’t have to second-guess her safety like this, especially not because of John.

I swear if his and my paths ever cross, I’ll make him question ever thinking about her again. I’ll take care of what the police didn’t try to take care of.

She glances up at me like she can hear my angry, raging thoughts, so I release the tightness in my jaw. I don’t want her to see how damn worked up I’ve been about her situation with her ex. I want to give her a day where she can let the stress of all of that go—a day to forget about his pathetic arse, even if it’s only for a few hours.

I force myself to do the same thing as I stretch an arm around Nora. “Where the hell are you taking us?”

“Like you once—so snidely—told me… that’s for me to know and you to find out when we get there . ”

“ Touche, Nora. Tou-fucking-che.”

She returns her attention to the passing scenery outside the train window to hide her satisfied grin. While she admires the green fields of crops drenched in the morning light, I admire the attire she’s so graciously sporting today.

She’s styled her golden brown locks in a messy, loose braid that drapes over her shoulder. There are a few loose, wild strands of hair framing her rosy cheeks that I enjoy watching her blow away from her round face every now and again. But the best part of her outfit is her pair of overalls.

The second she put them on in the bedroom this morning, I thought I was going to lose my damn mind. How she manages to make the adorable one-piece denim look so damn sexy is beyond me. I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my head when I saw how perfectly they shaped her ass as we walked out of the flat.

I’d love to see what they’d look like on her, minus the pretty blue sweater she’s wearing underneath.

Blood rushes to the area between my legs at that thought, so I quickly work on distracting myself.

“At least give me a hint,” I say, slightly strained.

She smirks. “I’m not so sure you’re entitled to that, Teddy.”

I give her thigh a playful squeeze that has her squirming in her seat. It’s a warning. “You don’t think so?”

“I don’t!”

“Think again because now I know another one of your ticklish spots that I can use against you when you’re being obstinate.”

I stretch open my palm to squeeze again, but she relents, “Fine! Fine . One hint. ”

“Let’s hear it.”

Her eyes flutter to the ceiling of the carriage as she thinks.

“You’ve got 10 seconds.”

“Whatever.”

“Ten, nine, eight, seven—”

“Gourd.”

“Gourd?” I snort.

She nods.

“What the hell kind of hint is that?”

“A good one. Quit acting like you don’t know what it means.”

“No, actually, I don’t know what it means.”

“Oh, come on! You seriously don’t have a single clue as to what it could be?”

“Not a single clue. Another.”

She crosses her arms against her chest. “Now, you’re getting greedy.”

I lean over and whisper to her, “I’ve been greedy, darling.”

A blush immediately forms across her cheeks.

“ Please. Just one more.”

“You’re unbelievable,” she huffs, glaring at me. After a moment of contemplation, she blurts out, “Candy apples and kettle corn.”

“Seriously? Give me a hint other than food items.”

“No! I just gave you three hints. If you can’t figure it out, then you’re a lost cause, buddy.”

“I’m not a lost cause. You’re just a shitty hint-giver.”

She shakes her head disapprovingly and lets out an exasperated breath. “A pumpkin patch, Teddy. A damn pumpkin patch.”

“See, was that so hard?”

“I gave you good hints. I’m disappointed that you couldn’t figure it out.”

“Well, considering I’ve never been to a pumpkin patch before, I’d argue that your little hints were more than difficult to decode.”

Her eyes widen. “You’ve never been to a pumpkin patch before?”

“Never. I’ve lived in London my whole life. There’s not exactly room for any of those in the city. ”

“Well, that’s just plain sad,” she frowns. “I guess I’m going to break your pumpkin patch virginity then. Are you excited?”

“Ecstatic. Wouldn’t want my pumpkin patch virginity to be broken by anyone other than you, darling.”

She giggles, and I quietly admire how her smile takes over her entire face. It reaches her eyes, causing those charming butterfly lines to appear.

She’s so effortlessly beautiful that it should be a crime.

“You know, when I was back in the States, my parents and I had a tradition of going to one every year.”

“Yeah?”

“ Mhmm . We’d have a competition to see which one of us could find the biggest pumpkin, and whoever was unlucky enough to choose the smallest one had to carry the winner’s home.”

“Sounds brutal. So, is that the plan for today? See who can find the biggest pumpkin? Cause I’m going to be honest, you’re playing a dangerous game.”

She raises a brow. “That so?”

I nod. “I’m very competitive, Nora.”

“ Hmm , that’s funny.” She shrugs and looks up at me with determination in her eyes. “Because so am I, Theodore, and if I were you, I’d think twice about provoking me.”

“That’s a lot of big talk for someone who’s going to be carrying my heavy-arse pumpkin back to the flat.”

“We’ll see about that.”

The train continues right down the track, and after a few moments of shared silence, Nora asks, “What about you? Did your family ever have any fall time traditions?”

“Not much during the fall.” I think back to when my dad was still in the picture. Even though the memories I have left of him do me no physical harm, they hurt like hell to recall. I swallow the sudden lump in my throat. “During the holidays, we did, though. We would, uhh— ”

I’m completely stripped of my ability to speak as my mind recalls the feeling of the brisk winter wind whipping past my skin, the sound of his laugh, and the warmth of his smile. So naturally, my brain recalls how quickly the light-hearted night turned into a living nightmare .

If I could, I’d wring myself dry until there wasn’t even a drop left behind of that haunting memory.

I don’t realize how far I’ve disassociated into the awful recollection until I feel Nora’s soft fingertips brush along my skin.

“It’s okay. We don’t have to talk about that right now.”

Her patience with me is truly remarkable, and I don’t think she realizes how much I appreciate her consideration when conversations like this spark up between us. I want to tell her about everything, I really do. I just haven’t found the courage or the will to speak on that part of myself yet.

I nod my appreciation and try my best to quell my growing anxiety.

“At least tell me your pitiful ass has carved a pumpkin before?” Nora blurts.

The heaviness in my chest immediately grows lighter, and I’m so damn grateful for the change of subject. “Not a single damn one.”

She dramatically sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose. “Good Lord. I’ve got my work cut out for me!”

“I guess you do. Can you handle it?”

Nora draws her knees up onto the seat and nestles further into me.

I close my eyes and bask in the comfort of knowing that of all the millions of souls in the world, mine is the one that gets the pleasure of experiencing what it feels like to hold her like this— like peace.

For a while, I thought I had forgotten what that could feel like.

Her blue eyes glance up to mine with a sureness that disintegrates every single doubt in my mind. I want to drown myself in all of the silent promises that look gives me.

“ I can handle it,” she says.

And for the first time in a long time, I can believe it.

“I saw it first, Theo! ”

“Like hell you did!” I race after Nora as she sprints through the maze of pumpkins scattered along the soggy, weed-covered ground.

She jumps over and around the round, bright orange vegetables like they’re a damn grade-school obstacle course, moving so fast that I can hardly keep up.

The loud buzzing of Halloween and fall-themed inflatables dulls to a low hum as we bolt toward the far end of the field, further away from the fall-time attractions, where a ginormous pumpkin awaits us. I try my best not to let the tempting smells of cooked chicken and fried batter from the food trucks looming behind slow me down as my feet squish against the muddy earth.

My heart is racing as I will my legs to move faster, the rush of blood pumping through my body taking off in a crescendo as we grow closer to the pumpkin. Never did I think I’d find someone as stubborn and competitive as me, but yet here I am, trailing behind Nora as she sprints through the sunrise-drenched field for the sake of getting to a damn vegetable first.

Her braid whips wildly as she dodges bundles of weeds at her feet, and I’m so close behind her now that I see every labored breath she releases into the cold air.

“Get your arse back here!” I shout, not giving a damn about what the people walking the haybale maze or riding the miniature ponies far behind us think.

This pumpkin is mine.

“Not a chance!”

She squeals as I close the remaining feet between us and attempt to clutch onto the straps of her overalls. Unfortunately for me, as soon as my fingertips graze the denim fabric, she lunges straight for the pumpkin. Her body collides with the hay-covered ground with a thud so loud it stops me dead in my tracks, but despite the hard impact, her hand reaches right for the damn thing.

She rolls on her side, breathless with laughter.

“You’re a damn cheater,” I accuse, shaking my head disapprovingly.

I won’t admit just how impressed I am with her commitment.

“I’m a winner, is what I am! ”

“You’re something alright.”

This girl gave me a run for my money.

I plop onto the ground beside her, lungs burning. She’s still giggling with delight as she leans over and lays her head back against my thighs. I watch the quick rise and fall of her chest while the pumpkin looming behind us cruelly reminds me of my loss.

Fuck that thing is big…How I’m supposed to carry it back to the flat is beyond me.

Nora’s got a satisfied grin on her face as she rolls over to look up at me. “Stop scowling at the pumpkin.”

“That pumpkin can go to hell for all I care.”

She laughs. “It was a good effort, Theo, but I warned you not to provoke me. I’m competitive.”

“I’d say. You get that attribute from your mom or your dad?”

She smiles. “Both.”

I brush the untamed strands of hair away from her face and snort as I find the long streak of dirt covering her lower cheek and chin. Ilick my thumb and considerately wipe some of the mess clean.

She stares off into the wide, bright blue and pink sky for a moment in silence.When she returns her eyes to mine, she asks, “Will you tell me what he was like?”

I know exactly who she’s inquiring about without even having to ask her to clarify.

My dad.

I release a heavy breath and contemplate her question. There’s no judgment or expectation while she waits for my answer—just sweet, impartial patience. Usually, I find myself refraining from all talks that include him as the main subject, but right now, I want to tell her.

So I do.

“He was witty. Selfless. The guy that would tell you he loved you a million times just to be sure you wouldn’t forget. He was confident and talented—he could hum a tune and create a whole symphony out of it.”

I don’t realize I’m smiling until Nora’s eyes fall on my lips. She’s also wearing a proud grin, and it gives me the will to continue, “He was brutally honest but kind. Authentic and wise—there was seriously no one like him. And I know some people say parents shouldn’t make friends with their children, but he was my dad as much as my friend. My best friend .”

There’s a bittersweet ache in my chest at that last confession.

Grief has a strange way of hitting you with waves of emotions that are so at odds with one another. It is the contradiction of sorrow and joy, of pain and hope.

Nora pushes off my legs and sits up attentively beside me. “It sounds like he did a good job of leaving traces of himself behind.”

The words are a sucker punch to my chest.

I’ve never received a greater compliment than the one that just fell from her lips—to be even a slither of the person my dad was is an honor.

“So he was a musician like you, huh?”

“Yeah. He was the musical director at Gildenhill for quite a few years. That’s how he and Kim met, actually. That piano, that’s in the music room on campus, i-it was his. He played piano, composed music, gave lessons… He did it all .”

“Is he the one who taught you to play?”

I nod. “Taught me and somehow even roped my stepbrother into it.”

I immediately regret bringing my stepbrother into the conversation. I can’t ever quite put my finger on my feelings toward him. Before my Dad passed, he and I were inseparable, but after that day, I couldn’t even stand to be around him. Deep down, I acknowledge that nothing that happened was his fault, but there was a sense of resentment that settled so deeply in my bones that I don’t think he and I could ever have the same relationship again.

I know there’s a part of my stepbrother that holds onto that same sort of anger, too, and the day we buried my Dad, we went ahead and buried whatever remnants of our relationship were left.

I blink and force my mind to go down a different path than the one it was just on.

“I wish my dad could have met you. He would have loved your determined arse.”

She’s happy to hear this. I can tell by the sudden lightness in her eyes.

She answers my confession with a kiss, and as it deepens, I pull her over top of me, laying us back against the cold ground. I soak up the warmth of her as our mouths collide with one another, humming with satisfaction at the soft graze of her fingertips along the stubble across my jaw.

Every time we touch like this, it’s like our bodies are fighting to memorize one another.

Nora draws back from our kiss to catch a breath and traces her finger down the ridge of my nose. “I wish I could’ve met him too.”

The statement sets every single urge inside of me free because, in the next moment, I’m drawing her lips back to mine—pulling her closer by the straps of her overalls—and kissing her like we’re in the privacy of my flat. Thankfully, we’ve run so far back into the field to get to this damn pumpkin that we’ve conveniently distanced ourselves from everyone else here this morning.

We take advantage of our fleeting privacy.

Nora’s hips grind against my groin, and it feels so nice that I swear I’ve never wanted this girl more than I do right this second. My dick swells beneath my pants, growing harder with every shift of her body against mine. We’re both groaning into each other’s mouths, stealing every bit of each other’s decency with every hungry, passionate kiss we take.

If I could, I’d drag her with me into the woods surrounding the very back end of this miles-long pumpkin field and ruin every fucking remnant of modesty left in her.

I’d show her just how much I appreciate every beautiful smile she gives me and every sweet and taunting word she lets fall from her lips. I’d let her ride me until we’re both crying out so loudly that we scare off the damn birds in the trees.

Nora’s stealing every bit of restraint left in me, and I’ve never enjoyed the abandonment of my cares more.

My yearning reaches its peak just as Nora abruptly pulls away. She forces herself to stand, and so casually dusts off the debris clung to her clothes—as if we weren’t just dry-humping each other to a near climax.

She bites her lip as she glances down at the tented fabric of my pants. “We can’t do this here.”

“You could have drawn that line in the sand about two minutes ago,” I groan, rising to my feet and dusting my ass off. I cover my hard-on with my hands and hope that it doesn’t plan on staying long. “You’re bloody hateful.”

Her gaze travels back down to the state of disarray she’s left my dick in, and she giggles.

“Not funny,” I grumble. This is the bluest my balls have ever been.

But she just laughs harder. “No pouting, Theo. Besides, there are kids around. Now, back to business…”

Nora bends down and grunts as she attempts to lift her comically large pumpkin. It spins and rolls along the ground each time her hands try to get a good grip on it.

I find myself so breathless with laughter that I can hardly speak. “You sure that’s the pumpkin you want to settle on?”

She slices her eyes over at me and pins me with a defiant glare. “ I’m sure, Theodore .”

And dammit, if I didn’t end up carrying that huge, orange monstrosity all the way back to her flat.