Hearts on Fire Read online

  “We’re going to try like hell,” I answered. “I can’t imagine not being with her. She means the world to me.” I looked at the time on my phone. “I really have to go. I promised Ky I’d stop by before leaving.”

  My mom pulled me in for one more hug. “I love you, honey. Be safe.”

  “I love you too, mom.” I gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

  “Call us if you need anything and call us when you get there,” my dad instructed.

  “Will do,” I hugged my dad, then slipped into my car.

  My mom looked so sad as I pulled out of the driveway. She waved her fingers at me and blew me a kiss.

  I started off towards Kyla’s house. It was my last stop, before getting on the road.

  I pulled into her driveway and she was sitting on the porch waiting for me. She walked out to my car and threw her arms around my neck. I grabbed her around the waist and pulled her in close, breathing in her scent one last time.

  “You’re going to be amazing,” she whispered in my ear. She was my own personal cheerleader. “Call me tonight and let me know how everything goes.”

  She didn’t cry or even tear up. She was being the strength I needed. “I will,” I promised. “This is so hard…,” I started.

  She put her fingers over my lips to quiet me. “This is not goodbye. This is ‘I’ll see you soon’. I’ll be right here waiting, just like I promised. Call me tonight,” she said again.

  I nodded my head, but I couldn’t stop the tears that welled up in my own eyes. “Tonight,” I said over the lump in my throat.

  “Now, you better get going. I don’t want you being late on the first day.” She wrapped her arms around me and kissed me like there was no tomorrow. “I love you, Tyler Jackson.”

  “I love you too, Kyla O’Malley.” I got in my car and started the engine. As I drove away from her house, I looked in the rearview mirror and saw her still standing at the bottom of the driveway, fading into the distance. There goes my heart.

  Chapter 33

  Kyla

  Saying goodbye to Tyler that morning was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Especially after the week we had just had together. It was still early, so I crept back to my room.

  My mom was standing at the top of the stairs waiting for me. “He’s gone?” She questioned.

  I just nodded my head, as tears filled my eyes. My mom pulled me into a tight embrace, giving me the support I needed. “I know it seems like the end, but it’s only the beginning, sweetheart. He’ll be back in two weeks, and soon after you’ll be starting your own adventure. This is his.”

  “I know.” I wiped the tears from my eyes. “I’m just going to miss him so much. I love him, mm.”

  “I know you do. And he loves you. You two will make it. I’m sure of it. You guys are so much like your father and I when we were young. This is just a little speed bump.”

  I hugged her tight. “Thanks, mom.”

  I laid down on my bed, but couldn’t fall back asleep. I looked around my room at all the memories of Tyler and me. Pictures were tucked into corners of my mirror. My homecoming and prom corsages were hanging on the wall. Ticket stubs were scattered across my desk. And sitting next to my empty suitcase was that bottle of sand.

  I wanted to take all these memories with me to school. I couldn’t leave any of it behind. I went to my closet, searching. I pulled out shoes, purses, and bunch of other crap. Sitting in the back of my closet, was the purple photo box that I had been given for my birthday. I had never filled it with pictures, since most of them were on my phone. This box would be perfect to store all our memories in. It was now officially the “Tyler and Kyla” box.

  I started to collect the pictures from around my room and placed them in the box. I grabbed the movie tickets off my desk and the prom tickets from the drawer and placed them in the box. Everywhere I looked, I had stashed something. Love notes Tyler had written me, cards he had given me, more pictures… I placed them all in the box.

  I went to my computer and uploaded all of the pictures from my phone. I sent them to the corner drugstore to be printed out. I wasn’t going to lose those if my phone decided to die on me.

  I looked at the corsages hanging on the wall. What to do with those? I went down to the basement, not sure what I was looking for. My mom kept all kinds of crap down here, surely there would be something I could put them in. I dug around by the wrapping paper where I knew she kept all kinds of boxes. I found two small boxes that the corsages would fit into.

  I turned off the light and started back towards the stairs, when something caught my eye. Sitting on the top of a shelf were several glass bottles and jars. I flipped the light back on and grabbed a stool. Standing on the stool, I looked through all the bottles. Buried in the back, I found a small heart shaped bottle with a cork. This would be perfect. I pulled it off the shelf and took it upstairs.

  Once back in my room, I took the corsages off the wall and gently placed them in the small boxes. I took a purple Sharpie and wrote “Homecoming” on one and “Prom” on the other. I then searched around in the pocket of my suitcase and pulled out the shells I had collected from the beach. I dropped them into the heart shaped bottle, just filling the bottom. I opened the bottle of sand from our last night on the beach and poured it on top of the shells. I pushed the cork in tight and placed it in the box, along with my corsages.

  It was a start. I was sure I would find other things strewn around my room. But now, I had a place to keep everything. The past nine months had been the best of my life, and this photo box, held all the evidence of that.

  That night, I pulled Tyler’s football jersey on and crawled into bed. It was still early, but he hadn’t called yet. I downloaded a new book on my kindle, while I waited. I read for an hour and looked at the clock. 9:05 He should be back in his dorm by now. I picked up my phone and let my thumb hover over his name. I will not call. I will not be that girl. I put my phone back on my stomach and focused on my book. This was going to be a long two weeks, if I couldn’t even handle one night.

  9:45

  Where the hell was he? Had he forgotten about me already? I went back to my book, but I was fighting against my eyelids. My eyes closed and I startled myself awake.

  10:15

  Finally, I lost the battle and drifted off to sleep. I felt my phone buzz and my eyes popped open. 10:27 I looked at the screen and saw his face. I quickly answered. “Hey.”

  “Hey, baby.” He sounded exhausted.

  “How was your first day?”

  “Brutal, but awesome. The guys are cool. The coach is a hard ass, though.”

  “It’ll get better,” I assured him. “How’s your roommate?”

  “Cody’s cool. Listen, I’m sorry I called so late, but I have a feeling this is going to be the norm. I have to be back on the field by seven.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” I lied. “We knew this was going to be tough. I just wanted to hear your voice. I’m glad your first day went well.”

  “I miss you already,” he admitted.

  “I miss you, too.” I stared at the ring on my finger. “Two weeks, baby, and I’ll be back in your arms. It’s not that long and I’m sure it’s going to fly by for you. It sounds like they are going to keep you busy.”

  “I know you’re right, but it just seems like forever right now. I love you Kyla.”

  “I love you, too. You should get some rest. You’ve got a long day tomorrow.”

  “I’m so exhausted, it’s going to take about two seconds to fall asleep.”

  “Go to bed. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay.”

  “Goodnight, baby.”

  “Goodnight.” I pushed end and set my phone on my chest. This was going to be awful. The days might fly by for him, but mine were already dragging. Tomorrow I would go back to the marina to work. I hoped the distraction would help.

  Chapter 34

  Tyler

  Practice at MSU was kicking my ass. Every day it was the same routine. G
et up at six. Eat a quick breakfast and head to the gym. We were on weight training and cardio all morning. Quick lunch and then to the field, where we would do drills and run plays. Dinner. Watch tapes and go over more plays. We would finally finish around nine, then hit the showers and meet with the trainers who tended to any sore muscles or injuries. I had worked out during the summer, but you would never know it by what my body was being put through on a daily basis. But every day, I handled it a little better. I was definitely increasing my strength and endurance.

  By the time I got back to the dorm, it was usually around ten or so. I would make my nightly call to Kyla. It was my favorite time of the day. Just hearing her voice, helped me get through the next day. She never whined about missing me or our time apart. She always had words of encouragement and support. I knew it was hard on her, but she never made me feel bad about it. Kyla was my rock.

  I usually texted her in the morning, just to say ‘good morning’ and ‘I love you’. She would send me sporadic texts throughout the day. They always put a smile on my face, just to know she was thinking of me.

  My first two weeks quickly came to an end. All I could think of was getting home to my girl. We ended practice early Friday and I was sitting on my bed packing my bag for the weekend.

  “You going home to see your girl?” Cody asked as he plopped down on his bed.

  “Yeah. It’s been a long two weeks. You going home?” I asked.

  “Nah. I’m just gonna hang around here. Catch up on my sleep,” he answered.

  “I’d love sleep, but I love my girl more,” I said as I stood and grabbed my keys. “See ya Sunday night, man.”

  “See ya.” He knuckle bumped me and I was gone.

  I didn’t even go home first. I went right to Kyla’s house. Before I even had the car turned off, she was running out the front door. I got out of the car and she jumped into my arms. I swung her around and locked my lips to hers. Fuck, she was a sight for sore eyes. Sure I had my pictures, but nothing could replace the feel of her in my arms.

  “God, I missed you, baby!” I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight to my chest.

  “I’m so glad you’re home. I missed you so much!”

  I held her out so I could look at her beautiful face. Those green eyes always captivated me. “Would it be awful if I said I wanted to take you home with me right now? I need you. I need to be inside you,” I whispered in her ear. My parents were a lot more liberal than Kyla’s. Plus, I knew they were at a fund raiser tonight and wouldn’t be back until late.

  “It would be awful if you didn’t say it. Please… let’s go,” she whispered back.

  Kyla ran back to the house to grab her purse and talk to her parents. Then we were off. She snuggled into my side during the short drive. Just the scent of Kyla was intoxicating. The coconut that she always smelled like, reminded me of the beach and our week at the lake house. The sex we’d had, her sleeping in my arms, waking to her every morning. She was my home.

  I was afraid I wouldn’t last long. But that would just be an excuse to have her again. We barely made it to my room before clothes were being torn off and thrown to the floor. In only my boxer briefs and Kyla in her bra and panties, I lifted her in my arms. She wrapped her legs around me, holding me tight. I carried her to the bed, setting her down on her back, as I leaned over her.

  Kyla’s hands ran up my chest. “What are they doing to you? You were sexy before, but my god, I swear your muscles have gotten even more defined in the last two weeks.”

  “I told you they were kicking my ass every day. I guess it must be paying off.”

  “Uh, yeah! I’d say it’s definitely paying off.” Kyla ran her hands over my shoulders and down my arms. I shuddered at her touch.

  I ran my fingers down the side of face. She bent her head back giving me access to her neck. I kissed down her neck and between her breasts, down to her stomach. I pulled back and just looked at her. She had lust and need in her eyes. I’m sure I did too. I needed this girl like I needed air to breathe.

  “I want to try something with you,” her voice was quiet and unsure.

  I quirked an eyebrow at her. “What do you have in mind?” I was more than willing to try anything with her. She was usually the one holding back, so I was curious. I wasn’t complaining, making love to Kyla was always more than satisfying, but we stayed in her comfort zone. I had made a promise to her, that I would never push her into something she wasn’t comfortable with, and I kept that promise. I had pushed the boundaries a few times, but she held all the cards. She was self-conscious and I found it endearing, so I wondered what was on her dirty little mind. If I’d learned one thing, it was that she had an inner sex kitten that she kept hidden, except with me.

  “I’d rather show you than tell you,” she said softly.

  “Anything you want, baby,” I assured her.

  “Lay back on the bed for me.” She didn’t have to ask twice. Now I was intrigued.

  I laid back on the bed. She got up and slid her panties down her legs, baring her freshly shaved pussy to me. I swallowed down my lust and let her drive this. Kyla climbed up on the bed and straddled my chest, backwards. She leaned forward and slipped her fingers in the waistband of my boxer briefs. I lifted my hips and she slid them down my legs. All the while, I had a perfect view of the curves down her back and ass.

  I ran my hands down those curves, and released the clasp of her bra. She let it fall down her arms and threw it to the floor. I reached for her tits from behind, ran my hands down her waist and rested them on the small of her back, making her arch more. She took my dick in her hands and gripped me hard, rubbing me up and down. She bent forward, taking me in her mouth and running her tongue along the top. Then she sunk down further ‘til I was deep in her throat. She moved her hands and mouth in perfect rhythm. Stroking me. Sucking me. I let out a low growl and captured her hips in my hands.

  I pulled her hips back towards me, until her pussy was at my mouth. She didn’t protest, which told me that this is what she wanted. I loved her wetness right in my face. I stuck my tongue into her hot little pussy, lapping it all up. I moved my tongue through her folds to her clit and licked her up and down, all the while she was sucking me off so good. Her tongue wrapped around my dick as she took me to the back of her throat over and over again.

  I licked her clit roughly, then took it into my mouth and sucked it in and out of my mouth. She released her mouth from me to let out an intense moan and savored her own pleasure. But what I was doing to her, made her take me again. She wrapped her lips around my dick and sucked harder and faster. I felt myself stiffen even more as she drove me closer to the edge. She was relentless, but so was I. I kept sucking her clit and dipped two fingers deep into her, pumping them in and out. I was gentle at first, but as she took me closer and closer to the brink of insanity, I thrust my fingers deeper and harder into her wetness. I licked and sucked her clit until I felt her pussy clamp down on my fingers.

  With her mouth wrapped around my dick, I hardened and shuddered, releasing everything into her mouth, as she came on my face. She swallowed it all down as she sucked me through my orgasm and I pumped her through hers. It was so intimate, so raw. She finally released me and moved her hips forward off my face. Her ass was glorious as it sat on my chest and she collapsed between my legs. I rubbed her ass and up to the small of her back again, as I caught my breath.

  She peeked at me over her shoulder and I pushed her hair aside so I could see her beautiful face. “I missed you so much, Kyla. That was…” I sighed, letting her know how awesome she had made me feel. Kyla turned and crawled up my chest, kissing me so deeply. We tasted ourselves on the other’s tongues. It was erotic as fuck.

  “That’s not all I had in mind,” she confessed, this time more brazen. She leaned to the side and whispered in my ear. “I want you to take me from behind.” She dropped her head to the pillow next to me and buried her face. It was a huge step for Kyla to ask for what she wanted, unless we wer
e in the heat of the moment. Then some of the shit that came out of her mouth shocked the hell out of me.

  I turned my head to her ear and whispered back. “Yes. I would love to take you from behind.”

  She turned her head on the pillow, “Yeah?”

  “Oh yeah.” I could hardly contain the smile on my face. “Just give me a few to refuel.”

  We rolled on our sides so we were face to face. I ran my knuckles down the side of her face then took her long strands and ran my fingers through them. “You know I’ll do anything you want, right?” I asked her. “I feel like I can’t get close enough to you. Being away from you has been torture.”

  “I hate being away from you. I want to make the most of every moment we have together. When I come to your games, do you think maybe I can stay the night with you? Do you think Cody would be alright with it?”

  “I think that can be arranged.” I ran my hand up her side, leaving goosebumps along her skin. I captured her lips with mine and kissed her deep and passionate. We devoured each other, feeding a hunger than couldn’t be satisfied. We became a tangle of groping hands and twining legs. “Ready for round two?”

  “Yes, I know this was my idea, but I’m a little nervous. We’ve never…” I put my finger to her lips.

  “Don’t overthink it. I got you, baby” I got on my knees and pulled her up to face me. I took her face in my hands. “Always together.” I held Kyla close and then turned her by the shoulder, ‘til her back was against my chest. She leaned forward, stretching like a cat, placing her hands on the bed. I ran my fingers along her soft back, pushing her tits to the mattress. Kyla went down on her forearms, sticking her beautiful, round ass in the air. “You are perfection,” I said as I ran my hands along the curves of her. I nudged her legs apart with my knees. I took in the sight of her glistening, ready for me. I grabbed a condom and placed myself at her opening. Taking her hips, I pushed in gently, slow and deep. Kyla let out several short gasps as I sank into her warmth. Fuck, she was tight like this. I savored the feeling of her surrounding my cock, gripping me tightly.