Eight Years Earlier
Meg Malone stood at the edge of the lake and mindlessly drew the same initials in the sand, like so many times before: MM & JL. Then stood back and watched the waves sweep the letters away. After helping her friend Will set up for tonight’s party, she’d decided to take the long way home. The walk gave her time to think. It was hot as hell today, and the sweltering heat from the sun continued to drain every bit of energy from her body. The fresh smell of lake water made its way through her senses, taking her back to her childhood. Meg reminisced and smiled at the memory of her parents, as they watched her playfully run along the beach, laughing out loud. Cool water washed over her feet and drew her back to the present. She took a long look around at the familiar scenery. Lake Michigan extended out to the Great Lakes of Canada, and lighthouses were scattered along the coastline, nestled high on top of the steep limestone bluffs, adding to its romantic charm.
After casting the stick aside, Meg shuffled her feet into her sandals and headed back to the main road. Lost in thought, the familiar sound of a vehicle approached, and catching it in her peripheral vision, she knew exactly who it was. There they go again, driving down that same old street with her stuck to his side. How long has it been? Two years? Two wasted years of my life since I ran into him in front of that church. I should have let him kiss me. What was I thinking? Maybe now I would be the one sitting next to him and not her.
Meg had spent the better of part of the last two years fantasizing about John Lake. He was, without a doubt, the best looking guy in town; long lean body, strong muscular legs, big strong arms that could easily lift a girl and make it easy to wrap her legs around that narrow waist of his. He wore his sandy blond hair a little longer than most guys, just past his shoulders. Perfect hazel eyes under long, thick eyelashes gave him a mysterious and dark look. Almost every girl in town turned her head when he walked by, just to get a glimpse of that tight ass covered in denim. It wasn’t just his good looks though; he had the personality to go with it. Not to mention that he had that rebellious look down pat; but he was no rebel. John was hardworking and protective of his family. In a word, he was truly beautiful. Meg reminded herself that he belonged to someone else.
She picked up her speed, dying to get home and go for a quick nap before the party tonight and, of course, to dream about John again. Three more weeks was all she had left before heading to Toronto. Living in small Door County, Wisconsin, had been meaningful with family and all, and it was safe enough, but she wanted more than this. Meg was accepted at both New York University and the University of Toronto. Her father’s family originated from Canada, and that was the deal breaker. Moving there gave her a sense of family ties and, in a small way, a sense of belonging.
* * * *
“Come closer. No, a little closer; that’s it.” His voice was a low whisper, deep and sensual. His words worked their way through her senses. His breath was sweet, and his lips were moist as they gently glided across her mouth. His touch was tender, and her lips parted with the insistent push of his tongue seeking to make its way in. His chest was hard, and Meg couldn’t get him close enough. She wanted every part of him wrapped around her, to feel every muscle twitch while he held her in his strong embrace. His hands caressed her skin and wandered down the outer part of her rib cage and settled at her hips. Slowly, his hands wandered around, hesitating at her abdomen before making their way up and under her shirt and pulled down the cups of her bra. Expertly, he tweaked her nipples into hard peaks. Desire coursed through her body. His touch wasn’t enough; she wanted more, and she wanted all of him.
John, I need more, please, ahh yes, right there, mmm, that’s it, touch me.
* * * *
Meg woke up to the annoying sound of the phone. Every nerve ending in her body felt as though it were on fire. Leaning over, she reached for the phone on the nightstand next to the bed. In a daze, she dropped the receiver, and it fell to the floor with a loud clank. Shit. She stretched over the side of the bed and moved her hand around until she found what she was looking for. She grasped it tightly and heard her friend on the other end.
“Hello, hello, Meg, Meg? Is that you? It’s Sarah.”
“Yeah, it’s me,” Meg replied with a yawn that was a little louder than intended.
“Are you sleeping again?” Meg sensed Sarah’s tone and knew right away she was annoyed.
Meg’s best friend Sarah was absolutely stunning. Most girls hated her for it. She was tall, skinny, with legs that went on forever, a perfect body, and long blonde hair. She was adventurous, a little on the wild side, and every boy’s dream with those twinkling big green eyes of hers. Her teeth were perfectly straight and her full lips screamed, “kiss me.” Beauty aside, Sarah had always been there for Meg. Meg wished she was more like her friend. Ready and willing to move on to the next, not get hung up on one guy and stuck in some fantasy that would never happen.
Sarah and John had been close friends since kindergarten and lived directly across the street from one another until Sarah’s parents had split. Shortly after that, Sarah and her mom moved to the other end of town. Her dad decided to keep the house and bought her mom out. The decision was made easily enough. Sarah’s mom wanted absolutely nothing to do with him or the house in which their marriage had bitterly ended. Sarah stayed at Meg’s house the night her parents split and told Meg everything. “Mom came home early from work; she wasn’t feeling well,” Sarah said. “Meg, she walked in on Dad with another woman.” Sarah was heartbroken, and it was the only time Meg could honestly recall her friend being so miserable and unhappy. She was just shy of thirteen years old at the time, and she was an emotional wreck. She was resentful, bitter, and angry with her father for destroying her life. She held him accountable for ruining their family, and who could really blame her? As time went on, Sarah’s mom tried persuading her to go see her father. She pointed out that the entire mess was between them and assured Sarah it had nothing to do with their feelings for her and she would always come first in their lives. Her father made every effort to make amends. Finally, after two years went by, Sarah slowly let him back into her life.
* * * *
“Oh, hey, Sarah, I just woke up from a nap,” and of course dreaming about “him” again. “Why, what time is it?” Meg stretched her body and worked out the kinks.
“It’s past six o’clock! You better get that ass out of bed and have yourself ready in forty-five minutes. That’s less than one hour, Meg, and I will be there. Don’t fall back asleep, damn it. Oh, and wear those tight jeans, the one’s that make your ass look sexy as hell. I think you know who will be there.”
“Are you serious? Will didn’t tell me they were coming to the party, and I was with him all day. No way in hell am I going to be around those two. It’s not happening, Sarah. Why don’t we hang out here at my house? We can rent a movie and order pizza or something.”
In an irritated voice, Sarah replied, “Really? What are you going to do, avoid them forever? So what if they’re there? Who cares? You can have anyone; just look around you, for Christ sake. Guys try to get your attention all the time, but you choose to ignore them. You don’t even know they exist. All you think about is John freakin’ Lake. You’re driving yourself crazy and me along with you. You’re going to be eighteen two weeks from now. Forget him. Jake thinks you’re hot and so does Joe. They would love to take you out, and they’re going to be there tonight. Not to mention a few other good-looking guys. Now get dressed; you have forty minutes left, and bring your bikini this time. Oh, before I forget, Ethan Lyon is mine, so hands off.” Sarah slammed the phone in Meg’s ear. She knew her friend wasn’t angry with her, just pissed at her for trying to get out of going to the party. Meg tried to avoid being in the same room as John when Lynn was around and Sarah knew it.