Junior Year Box Set

When I reached 150 miles per hour, I shut it down. I could tell that I was nowhere near full speed, but I didn’t need to wreck it on the first day. Dad said that when the production version came out, it would be fast, but they’d pulled out all the stops when creating the prototypes. He also said they typically never sold this kind of car, but someone thought the marketing buzz it would create was worth it. My own opinion was that selling it to an teenager was genius. It was even worth the lecture I received from my parents before they handed me the keys.

As much fun as driving the Demon was, I wanted even more to see Zoe. I’d left for guys’ week early and then had my trip to Japan. She might never speak to me again if I skipped out to Houston for USA Baseball without spending time with her.

I had a little fun driving the serpentine road through the park to get to their farm. The Demon must have made some noise because I found Roc and Phil in the drive when I pulled up.

“Can I drive it?” Roc asked.

“You don’t even have your driver’s license.”

“I’ve had it for almost a month.”

“Do I get your Jeep?” Phil asked once again.

“You need to talk to Dad about a car. I paid for the Jeep,” I said.

“You have three cars if you include that huge Ford,” Phil complained.

“I thought you were earning money this summer to buy a car,” I pointed out.

Zoe came out of the barn, having heard the last part of the conversation.

“I think if David was going to buy anyone a car, it would be for me.”

I pulled her into my arms and reminded her that I’d missed her.

“If I have to kiss you, I might be willing to do that,” Phil offered.

“Dude, you better think that one through,” Roc said, and then blushed.

“Uh … never mind. I’ll talk to Dad,” Phil said, and he and Roc made themselves scarce.

“I have some candy in the car, Little Girl,” I said with my best leer.

“Mister, I’ll do anything for candy,” Zoe said in a little girl’s voice.

◊◊◊

Zoe decided that she didn’t want to break the car in since the back seat was more than a bit too small. She decided she wanted her candy in my apartment. I grabbed a couple of waters, and we sat on my couch.

“I’ve barely gotten a chance to see you this summer,” Zoe complained.

“What have you been up to this summer?”

“I’ve been training the two colts I bought. I’m also working for your grandma on the farm. Caryn wants to move me to the produce stand in town. She says I’m good with people.”

“I saw that my half brother was at your place.”

“He, Roc, and Yuri are best friends. Yuri’s usually around when Jan’s working at the restaurant. Dad takes advantage of the free labor when they aren’t mowing lawns. He had them walking beans today.”

“I liked that better than detasseling,” I admitted.

“They started your bridge last week, and they finished the beach. Dad told me the State guy had said they were happy with how it’s turning out. The river is much healthier, and they’re confident that unless we get a big flood, things will be much better in the spring.”

We got quiet for a minute, and then Zoe gave me a serious look.

“I really have missed you. Not just the intimate stuff; I’ve missed you coming out on Sundays and helping me with the horses. Mom asked when you planned to come to dinner. It’s as if a part of me has been missing for the last two months.”

“Zoe, I’ve missed you too,” I said, and I leaned in and gave her a sweet kiss.

“I realize it’s not fair and that you’re off doing what you have to, but I don’t like you not being around. I hope you don’t think I’m pressuring you, but I want to spend more time with you,” she admitted.

“Once baseball’s over, I’ll have more time. Right now, we just need to grab it when we can,” I suggested.

Zoe smiled at me and took control. She reached for my hand and led me to the bedroom. With her, it always seemed like we were doing it in a car, at school, or outside. The only other times I could remember us having sex on a bed was our first time and when we had our date in April. In all those other places, there was the element of possibly getting caught to distract us. It was nice to be able to focus on her.

It turned out that sex with Zoe was better than I remembered. In her daily life, she was more grounded and family-oriented than either Brook or Halle. In the sack, she was the adventurous one. Everything was new, and she wasn’t shy about experimenting. Zoe had told me she had a sexual bucket list she wanted to check off. Mr. Happy wanted me to find that list and help her fulfill it. I tried to make it a policy not to let the little head control the big one, but sometimes he was full of good ideas.

Once we hit the bed, Zoe let me take control. I did mostly the same I’d done with Brook a few nights ago when we had the most amazing sex of our lives. I’m not sure if Zoe was better, but definitely not worse. Different would best be how I would describe it.