Falling For Us Again

3. SOME STEAM

Chapter 3

SOME STEAM

Dylan

The next afternoon I find myself taking a detour instead of driving back to the cafe. My hands seem to have a mind of their own, steering me in the direction of Jenna’s house. I don't even know why I'm doing this to myself when seeing her only makes me irritated.

I wonder how she’s coping with being back in town, knowing the sad memories this place must resurrect for her. I pull over to the side of the road as her house comes into view. Memories flood back—the afternoons I spent waiting for her right here, the laughter that once filled the air, our whispered confessions.

Now, all that's left is the bitterness that we both feel towards each other.

I take a deep breath and step out of the car. My footsteps crunch on the gravel as I approach the rickety gate which groans in protest as I push it open. The yard is even wilder up close, the grass brushing against my legs.

I’m annoyed that my immediate thought is to offer to help with the lawn.

Reaching the porch, I hesitate. The door, faded and weather-beaten, stands before me. I raise my hand to knock, then stop myself.

Why am I even doing this? Nothing good is going to come from this. Why am I standing outside her house right now?

I knock, the sound echoing in the quiet. There’s no immediate response. I knock again, louder this time.

Still no response.

Just when I’m about to turn away, the door creaks open slightly as a gust of wind sweeps past.

I push it open and step inside. The air is thick with dust, and the house feels eerily quiet. I hear faint grunts coming from deeper within, so I cautiously make my way towards the living room.

Jenna is standing on a wobbly chair struggling to fix a light bulb.

Dust motes dance in the air, disturbed by her movements. She doesn’t notice me, too absorbed in her task, her slender arms straining to hold the light bulb in place.

Her back is towards me, and I take advantage of the moment to appreciate how her jeans molds to her tight butt and how even with her long blonde hair in disarray, she somehow makes it look incredibly sexy.

I lick my suddenly dry lips. “Careful, that chair doesn’t look very stable,” I say, my voice echoing in the quiet house.

Jenna gives a startled yelp at the sound of my voice, and the light bulb in her hand crashes to the floor as the chair tilts dangerously. She gasps as she loses her balance.

I quickly run to catch her, pulling her back before she hits the floor. For a moment time stands still, and I savor the feeling of her arms wrapped tightly around my neck. I can feel the furious pounding of her heart as her full breasts are crushed against my chest.

After a minute, I lean back, greedily drinking in the view of her face mere inches away from mine, eyes still tightly closed as she tries to pull herself together. My eyes fall to her lips slightly parted, and I swallow hard.

“I told you to be careful.” My voice is low and husky.

Jenna’s blue eyes flutter open, and her breath hitches as she looks at me. God she’s so beautiful.

There are questions in her eyes as we gaze at each other, coupled with bitterness and longing, or is the longing just wishful thinking on my part?

Jenna blinks, and the moment is shattered. She clears her throat, turning her face away.

“Put me down, Dylan.”

I carefully set her down, away from the shattered pieces of the bulb. She rubs her clammy hands against her shirt and takes a calming breath.

“Why are you standing on such an old chair? Are you trying to hurt yourself?” My voice comes out angrier than I intended.

“I was just fine until you sneaked up on me.” She stops and places a hand on her hips with raised eyebrows. “You know what? I don’t need to explain myself to you.”

“What are you doing here, Dylan?”

I've asked myself that same question, but I have no satisfying answer to it.

I shrug. “I was driving by and saw that the door was opened.”

“Yeah, right.” She smirks as she begins sweeping the broken light bulb.

I grab the other lightbulb on the table and walk over to help her fix the issue.

I twist the bulb, and it clicks into place. The room immediately brightens, casting a soft glow over us. A smile curls on her face before she looks at me, replacing it with a blank look.

“You’re welcome.”

She tucks a lock of blonde hair behind her ears. Every movement she makes catches my attention. She has always been captivating to me. I find myself thinking back to our first meeting.

I’ve found myself checking her out at school. She was a beautiful girl, so it was hard not to notice her, but it was more than that. There was a sadness that pulled at me. She didn’t seem to have many friends, and I kept wondering why she always wore long sleeves.

That Friday we were both walking home from school and when she was close to her house, she stopped for a moment before turning back. Her eyes landed on mine as she turned.

“Hi,” I say, smiling as I approach her. “I don’t want to go home either.”

Her eyebrows raised at my words. “What?”

“I just moved to town a couple of weeks ago, and I don't want to go to my quiet house.”

“I like quiet.”

“So, I assume I'm bothering you by talking.”

“Maybe.”

“I’m sorry. I’m just… Moving to a new town is kind of overwhelming. So many new people and making new friends.”

“I’m just kidding.” A soft look crosses her eyes. “I guess this town can be like that. You’ll get used to it.” She turns to look in the direction of her house again.

“What about you? How long have you been here?”

She shrugs. “My whole life. Nothing much changes around here.” Her eyes cloud with emotion, which she blinks away quickly, turning away from me. “But when it does, it’s drastic.”

I sense there is a story there, but I don't push further. “That sounds ominous.”

“Like I said, you get used to it.”

I kick some crushed stones with my sneakers. “Well, do you want to hang out with a newcomer in town or go home?”

She narrows her eyes at me, pulling her sleeves more tightly against her arms as if to protect herself. “I don’t know you. Why should I hang out with you?”

“Because neither of us want to go home?” I grin at her.

She doesn't argue this time and seems to be considering my offer. “Well, where would we go?”

“How about the new game store at the mall.”

“I haven’t been there yet,” she says, her eyes falling to the ground as she digs her shoes into the dirt.

“What? I could have sworn all the kids in town had been there. It’s so cool.”

“Nope.”

“Come with me, then, if you want to have a good time, or continue on your way home to a boring house,” I say, leaving the decision to her while I begin walking away without looking back. A minute passes before I hear scuffles behind me, and she starts following.

“I’m only coming with you, so you don't get lost.”

I smile to myself before turning to her with a bigger smile. “Thank you for your kindness.”

She smiles softly as our steps fall into sync.

“My name is Dylan, by the way.”

“I’m Jenna.”

The buzzing of the light bulb pulls me back into the present. It feels surreal to have Jenna standing in front me once again.

“The door is that way, Dylan.” She gestures in the direction of the door.

I ignore her. “Your lawn could use some help. It was like wading through a jungle.”

“That’s none of your business.” There's a coldness in her gaze as she crosses her arms over her chest.

“I could give you the number of someone in town or I could mow it for you later this weekend.” The words come out before I can stop them.

She scoffs. “Why would you help me with it?”

I chuckle. “That’s what we do in small towns, we help each other. Why won’t you take me up on my offer to help you?” I take a step towards her, the space between us shrinking with tension. “Does my presence affect you that much?”

“Please! Does mine?” She retorts, her chin lifting stubbornly. “Why else would you be driving out of your way to my place in the middle of the afternoon when you have a business to run?”

“Maybe it does.” I am so close to her that I can feel her breath against my skin. “After all, we used to be lovers.”

“Very good lovers.” I continue.

“That was a decade ago, I barely remember it.” Her voice trembles slightly.

“A decade ago, but somehow it still feels like yesterday,” I say, my heart hammers in my chest at the closeness of our bodies, a decade of longing crashing over me all at once.

She slips a tongue over her lips, and my eyes latch on it. I only need to dip my head lower the tiniest bit. I want to taste the familiar sweetness that lay behind that sassy mouth.

I close the space between us, bringing my lips to meet hers in a deep kiss. It is as though no time has passed at all as our lips move together in a familiar rhythm. I slip my tongue into her mouth, tasting, exploring, and pressing her body closer to mine with a firm arm around her waist.

Jenna moans against me as she wraps an arm around my neck, kissing me back with equal fervor. The kiss deepens as I back her up against a wall, running both hands down her hips to grab her butt and lift her up against me.

She leans her head back with a moan, her fingers threading through my hair as I kiss my way down her neck towards her breast.

The sound of footsteps breaks through our passionate moment, and we jerk apart as if zapped.

“Jenna?” calls a voice excitedly.

“Shit,” I curse under my breath as I pull away from her. Color rushes to Jenna’s face when she looks at me. I can tell she’s annoyed at herself.

“It’s okay, Jenna. I want you just as much.”

“I don't want you.” She retorts sharply as she brushes past me, running her hands through her hair.

“Jenna?”

It’s Lola, our close friend from high school and Jenna’s best friend in Hartlow. Her voice is closer now.

“Lola. I’m here.”

Jenna walks to meet her and Lola squeals in happiness as they envelope each other in a tight hug.

“Jenna, I missed you.”

“I missed you too.”

“Argh, I can’t believe you’re here!”

“I can’t believe I’m here either.”

When they pull away, their faces are awash with excitement and genuine happiness—nothing like the cold reception I’d received.

“Dylan, I didn’t know you were here.” Lola’s eyes widen as she glances at both of us. “Our complete reunion in a decade under this roof. Who would’ve thought?”

“Soooo… what are you two doing?” The implication hung in the air.

“Nothing.” Jenna says a little too loudly. “He just dropped by uninvited.”

Lola and I chuckle at her nervousness.

“I didn’t realize you were coming back today. How was the exhibition?” I turn to Lola.

“It was amazing! I got the grant.”

“Congratulations, Lola.”

Jenna adds her congratulations. “And sorry about the mess here. I’m still trying to clean up.”

“It’s okay,” Lola smiles at her. “You don’t have to do it alone. Dylan and I will help.”

Lola looks at me, expecting my reassurance to help, but I don’t say a word.

Instead, I look at Jenna.

She looks away.