Same Time Next Year

A couple of stragglers roamed the aisles of the Shop N Drop. The manager had gone home for the evening and I was indeed clock watching. I counted down the minutes until we could lock the doors. The snow was drifting across the windows outside and these shoppers would not quit. It was going to be like that from now until Christmas. I hated the Christmas rush. I flipped my phone open -- 8:36 p. m.

Kyle, my co-worker, came up and leaned on my counter, chin on his hand smiling that big goofy grin. God, he was beautiful. He had blonde locks that fell across his forehead and these big dark eyes. Unlike anyone else working in the store, he wasn't local. He and his dad had moved here a couple of months ago. His dad is co-owner of some large furniture chain or something. Kyle was my age - 19. He had also finished high school last year and was still trying to figure it out like me.

"Hey Beth," Kyle said still grinning, big white teeth gleaming. "I think we should be naughty."

My breath caught. "What?"

"You dare me to lock up before 9?"

I let out a laugh and a tension I held in my chest released. I could feel my face heating up because for a moment I thought the conversation was going elsewhere. I hated being a porcelain-skinned red-head for this reason. It took barely any internal panic to make my skin flush. In grade school I blushed at the sound of a teacher calling my name.

"I guess so. If you're feeling particularly naughty," I whispered.

"Only if you are. I won't do it unless it's what you want to," Kyle whispered back.

Jesus! What kind of game was this?! Kyle definitely noticed the heat creeping up my neck as this banter continued. He gave me a wink and made an announcement over the intercom that the store would be closing in 15 minutes. He locked the entrance and started his end of shift clean-up routine. He'd comb the aisles to ensure they were neat and tidy and then he would start on aisle 8 and work his way backward. He had a good work ethic and accompanied his father to opening week of every furniture store he opened across the country. It showed.

I liked Kyle. He was thoughtful and kind and devastatingly handsome. Rebecca, a co-worker thought he crushed hard on me but I could never be sure. Some people just have those personality types.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

I flipped it open and it read, "Hey gorgeous. Cant wait to see you tomorrow night."

My heart fluttered. It was Dylan. My literal knight in shining armour. Or rather soldier in army greens. Last year my boyfriend cheated on me two months before prom. I was obviously crushed and ended things. Heartbroken, I had sworn off prom and all associated activities.

Dylan had sat beside me in chemistry. He wasn't the brightest crayon in the box but he was cute in his own way. He never had a girlfriend and was totally underrated in my opinion. He had this chiselled jaw, piercing blue eyes and biceps that showed he clearly worked out. He didn't play sports or get good grades, and was seldom able to have a serious conversation. He did however, like to hang out behind the old corner store and smoke cigarettes at lunchtime and collected Pokemon cards. I guess that made him less attractive to the masses. I always liked him. He smelled like Adidas cologne and he always chewed winter fresh gum, probably an attempt to cover up the cigarette odor. I was in a relationship throughout most of high school so nothing ever happened between us.

He had a class clown reputation but I couldn't help seeing past that. One afternoon right before our grad photos were scheduled to be taken, we got our chemistry test results. I failed. I had never failed a test before and I could feel tears welling in my eyes. Dylan actually did well on the test and was elbowing me in delight. He saw my face and immediately stopped boasting.

"Hey Beth, I'm sure it's not that bad. I bet you still beat me."

He turned over my paper and saw it: 48%.

It was one of the few times I'd seen him put away his clown act. He squeezed my shoulder and said, "It's one test. Mr. Mealson might even drop the lowest mark, remember? Beth, you're so smart. Don't you worry."

There was a knock at the door.

Mr. Mealson announced, "Dylan and Beth, you can go get ready for your grad photos now. It's your turn."

Fuck. Cry eyes for my grad photos.

Dylan insisted he go first, giving me time to get my shit together. I got into my cap and gown, all the while Dylan made stupid faces for half his photos making me laugh. Cry eyes be gone. I was applying my lip gloss just as he finished up.

"Hey, I think you missed a spot," he joked.

He took my lip gloss and started dabbing it on my bottom lip. We were both laughing and then we locked eyes.

"Next!"

The photographer's pitchy yelp took me out of the moment. Dylan gave me a wink and headed back to class. Definitely an underrated guy.

Fast forward to prom week. My cheating boyfriend managed to convince a naive Beth that it was all a giant misunderstanding. He begged to take me to prom and I obliged. Deep down I knew this reconnection wasn't going to last, but it was more about addressing the FOMO I had over missing this milestone with my friends and the opportunity to wear that sparkly mermaid dress that hugged my body in all the right places.

Before I even had a chance to update my bestie she called me on my landline.

"Hey Tam," I said.

"Hey girl. Beth before you say anything just hear me out, okay. You're not missing prom. I know you think it's stupid to go alone but you wouldn't be alone. And I know it's not ideal -- but Shawn said Dylan wants to take you."

My heart sank.

"What?"

Tammy's boyfriend, Shawn, and Dylan lived next door to each other and were buddies. Apparently they had been talking about me skipping out and Dylan volunteered to accompany me.

"We think it's ridiculous that Rick cheated and Dylan said he'd totally take you."

Tammy didn't have a cell phone and this wasn't yesterday, so she had to wait until she got home to call me. I just wished so hard that she'd been able to get to me before Rick. I had real feelings for Dylan that I had been burying.

With tears in my eyes, I said, "Tammy, Rick and I just got back together."

Silence.

"Oh. Shit. Sorry Beth."

"Can you let Dylan know? Can you tell him I said thanks."

Prom came and went. I didn't go away to college like a lot of my friends. I stayed here to be with Rick. That is until he cheated again months later. So I ended up working in the town's only department store, Shop N Drop, while I tried to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Dylan joined the military. We hung out a few times in a group of friends before he left. We never said any big goodbyes or anything. One day he was just gone.

Then this morning, I got a text from an unknown number. "Hey beautiful. Know who this is? I got your number from Tammy. I'm home for a couple of weeks. R U goin to Ben's party tomorrow night?"

It was Dylan. We had been texting all day. He was home for the holidays. Could things work out for us after all? I was elated. Of course I was going to go to Ben's party and ever since that first text I'd just been vibrating from the inside out with giddiness.

I checked out the last customer and Kyle and I turned off all the lights. It was still snowing pretty hard so I offered to drive Kyle home.

We both shivered, sitting in my Corolla waiting for it to warm up.

"Hey look, it's so cold that we're smoking!" Dylan laughed and breathed out his breath like it was cigarette smoke. Even his breath smelled nice, like cotton candy. What sorcery was this?

I burst laughing at him.

We got to his house and he thanked me for the ride. He asked, "Do you have plans this weekend?"

"Yeah. A guy from high school is throwing a party and I'm going with a couple of friends. You?"

"Uh.. Nah. Nothing really. Maybe heading out with Dad to get a Christmas tree."

I wanted to invite him to come to the party and get to know some people, but couldn't really show up to the party with another guy when I was planning to meet Dylan there.

"That sounds pretty nice. Hope you find a good one."

"Thanks. Hey, have fun at your party". Kyle flashed me that incredible smile and departed for the evening.

Back at Tammy's, she and I got ready for the party together before Shawn picked us up.

I decided on a V-neck red satin blouse and a leather skirt with tights and high heel boots. My hair in loose curls and maybe too much bronzer if there is even such a thing. Finally a spray of Britney Spears Fantasy.

"Your tits look great in that shirt," Tammy squealed giving them a playful pinch. "Why you wanna give those great titties to that goof?" Tammy couldn't understand the Dylan appeal.

"Beth, I know he has been sweet to you at times but he's so immature."

"He's sweet and kind and handsome, Tam."

"Girl, is that the only criteria someone needs to meet for your standards?"

I laughed. "What else is more important than kindness and looks?"

"I don't know, Beth. Maybe the ability to hold a sensible conversation? To read a book once in a while or have a hobby that isn't just playing around?"

"I don't know. That seems shallow."

Tammy just blinked at me and said, "I cannot with you right now. You ready?"

We arrived at Ben's. He was visiting his family from college and his parents basically lived in a mansion. Our entire graduating class seemed to be there, sprawled across his massive house. I immediately scanned for Dylan. No sign. I exchanged greetings and made small talk with a couple of people I hadn't seen in a while.

Alanna Scott AKA little miss student of the year, approached me and in her perky little Minnie Mouse voice said, "Hey Beth!! How's the department store?"

"Good. It's good." I wouldn't give her the satisfaction to ask how her life was going at the moment. I didn't want to hear about fancy university or her daddy's BMW.

"So," Alanna started, "The hottie with the blonde hair and brooding charm? Is he single?"

Tammy spoke before I could. "He's only got eyes for Beth honey, don't waste your time."

Tammy yanked me away from the conversation. Alanna Scott is not someone you want to get stuck in a conversation with. She will drone on and on about what her volunteer group is up to and brag about the car her rich daddy bought her.

"Tammy what the hell?" I said through my teeth.

I hadn't heard from Dylan and I wasn't sure if he was already at the party or not. I wasn't about to text him. I didn't want to look desperate. We meandered slowly through the first floor to the kitchen, exchanging more pleasantries with former classmates. I sipped a drink, interested in some of the gossip but only half listening. I flipped my phone. Nothing. No text. I saw Tammy eyeing my activity with a partial scowl. She knew what was up. The only reason I was here was to see Dylan.

From the moment I heard he would be coming home for the holidays I had fantasized about our reunion. Imagined how he might embrace me and confess years of holding back feelings. He'd tell me how each day sitting beside me in chemistry was pure torture because he longed for what he couldn't have.

Tammy startled me out of my fantasy.

"I'm bored, let's keep moving."

We rounded the corner to a sunken living room complete with conversation pit. A familiar bellowy laugh caught my attention immediately.

Dylan.

I had to remind myself to breathe because at the moment I saw him it was like my breath got stuck in my chest somewhere.

He looked taller than I'd remembered and definitely more built. Military life had done kind things to that guy's body.

"Holy shit," said Tammy. "Well I take it back. Kind and goofy is okay when you got a body like that."

Dylan was surrounded by a group of girls and guys, like a shiny new toy, people were noticing him. He wore a black button down and dark jeans dawning a ball cap like he always did, cigarette tucked behind his ear. He turned and saw me and Tammy. He smiled right up to his eyes, a smile that always left his eyes squinting like a little boy excited for Santa Claus on Christmas morning.

He made his way out of the group and bounded toward us like a golden retriever. He grabbed me and hugged me tight, picking me up. Then he did the same to Tammy.

"Hello ladies! You're looking great!"

"Same to you, sir," Tammy said scanning him up and down.

I was still breathing him in. There it was again, that same smell combination I knew so well. He had new tattoos and was louder and more talkative than I'd remembered.

Someone shouted for Dylan and he was gone. Tammy blinked at me.

"Tammy, he's not been home in months and months. He's catching up with everyone."

Tammy didn't have a lot of patience for my Dylan crush. She said I could do better. I saw her eying him again. He was talking enthusiastically with another group of girls.

Suddenly I felt a bit stupid. Like a victim of emotional whiplash. I brushed it off and followed Tammy's lead and we made our way to Ben's dining room where we spent some time catching up with people we could tolerate.

I checked my phone yet again. Wishful thinking that Dylan would be texting me a sweet nothing or seeking me out.

It was a photo message from Kyle.

A picture of the saddest little Christmas tree I'd ever seen complete with a couple of drooping branches and a few pieces of tinsel barely hanging on.

This one does not spark joy.

I had a quiet laugh to myself.

LOL. Is that your tree?

Dad says its nostalgic. I say it's a cry for help.

Tell him I think it's adorable.

I smiled at my phone.

I will. He will be thrilled. Personally I think we should use it as kindling for the fireplace.

Still smiling, I slipped my phone back into my purse.

Around 1:00 a. m., Tammy and her boyfriend were ready to leave and I was going to catch a ride. Shawn yelled out to Dylan. He would be driving him home too.

Dylan and I climbed into the back of the truck. He swung his arm around me. "Where have you been hiding all night?"

I just smiled. It felt like something a player would say. But Dylan was never a player. At least I didn't think he was. He pulled me closer to him and enveloped me in that smoky-minty aroma I had become so fond of.

Shawn pulled into my driveway and Dylan insisted on walking me to the door. There he was, that sweet guy I remembered. Against the night's black backdrop, Dylan gave me one of his tight-gripped hugs. He leaned back, still embracing me, and asked if he could kiss me. I asked him what he'd been waiting for. He lips pressed against mine. His grip on me loosened and he moved his hands from my hips to my face cradling it in his hands.

"I'll call you tomorrow, beautiful."

My heart felt like it might burst out of my chest.

As I went inside and closed the door behind me, my phone buzzed. It was a puke face emoji from Tammy. I rolled my eyes and it buzzed again. This time Dylan.

"That kiss. I can't believe that's what I've been missing all this time."

"I know right," I responded. "And where did you find that new body?"

"Found it on sale at Target. Ya like it?"

I laughed to myself. He could say the stupidest things and it would only make me like him more. We texted like that into the night until sleep overcame me.

I woke to find two missed texts from him. At 4:36 a. m., "I can't wait to hold you in these arms again."

And at 10:54 a. m., "Good morning beautiful. How R U?"

I spent the day texting silly nothings back and forth with Dylan and leaning against the cash register. It was Saturday, so Kyle and I were working the short shift. It was busy again so we didn't have much time to chat today, which I was glad for because I didn't want to elaborate on my past evening's events or this evening's plans with Dylan. I guess there was something in me that wanted to leave a door open with Kyle if it were a possibility. I wasn't convinced he was interested in me. Any time I thought he might have been flirting with me I got so shy and crawled into myself. What was that feeling?

Around 4:15 p. m. a tall man maybe in his mid-forties strolled in.

Hello, handsome.

He browsed some shelves before making his way to my register and asked for Kyle.

"Sure, just a second."

I paged Kyle on the intercom to come to the front.

He turned the corner. "Dad! What's up?"

Oh for Christ sake, Beth.

"Dad, this is Beth," Kyle introduced us.

"Hi Beth." Kyle's dad shook my hand and smiled. He turned to Kyle and said, "Ahhh, so she does exist!"

Kyle's cheeks went scarlet. He never blushes.

"Oh my God Dad," Kyle said half muttering, half laughing. He scratched the back of his neck. "Are we still on for supper?"

"Yes, indeed. Should I pick you up at 5 or you getting a ride with Beth?"

Before Kyle could answer his father turned to me and said, "Beth, you know you're welcomed to join us."

"Yeah Dad, I think it's Saturday and Beth probably has plans."

I smiled and thanked his dad for the invite.

Kyle ushered his father out of the store and said he had to start closing.

Kyle still looked flustered and I decided to have some fun. "Hey Kyle, rude!! Maybe I wanted to come for supper!"

He laughed and shook his head. "Jesus, I dunno which one of you guys is worse!"

Interesting. And why did I now feel a weird sense of guilt? Beth why the flirtation with Kyle when you have a date with Dylan tonight?! I scolded myself internally.

Kyle got started with aisle 8 and I started cleaning up around the cash register and counter.

"Seriously though Kyle, you need a ride this evening?"

"Nah, that's okay. I'm gonna take a stroll over to Lee's Restaurant to meet Dad. It's a nice evening for a walk."

"Okay. Well enjoy."

Kyle closed the door and waited for me as I rummaged through my purse for the keys to lock up.

"Maybe another time, if you wanted to... With me and not my dad... Maybe we could have dinner or something like that. You know... I wouldn't want to be rude."

I was not expecting that kind of invitation from Kyle today and had to stop myself from smiling too big. "Yeah? Yeah, maybe!

"Okay."

"Okay."

"See ya, Beth."

I spent the rest of the day primping for mine and Dylan's date tonight. I did my whole sexy routine. Long hot shower, shaved legs, shaved puss, body lotion over every inch of me... I chose my velour leisure wear for our movie date at his place. The type of fabric that made a guy want to put his hands on you. Thick lip gloss and two sprays of fantasy and I was out the door.

His parents were spending the night in the city so we had the place to ourselves.

I knocked on the door and Dylan opened it with his big squinty grin.

"Welcome m'lady," Dylan said, acting the part of a knight while bowing at me and taking my hand.

"You goof." I curtseyed at him.

He grabbed me in one of his signature tight hugs and said softly, "I am so glad you're here."

We hung out in the kitchen just chatting for a bit. We were both nervous. He was chewing on his nails on and off. Not a cute habit but one he'd had a long time. Sitting next to him in chemistry I witnessed this nervous tic before a test, if he was called upon and sometimes when we talked.

"Let's head downstairs to my man cave and put something on the boob tube." He gestured toward the stairs and said, "Ladies first."

I took a step down the stairs and he called my name.

"Yeah?" I turn around?

"I hate to see you leave but I love to watch you walk away."

"Oh my God, Dylan really?" I was laughing. "Promise you'll never lose your cheese factor, okay?"

The basement was inviting. Plush carpet big brown leather couches with fluffy blankets spread out. Dylan turned on a lamp and the television. We sat on the couch for a while. He showed me his 14 new tattoos and enthusiastically told me the story surrounding each one.

"Me and the guys drank about 15 beers and got matching tribal tattoos. I got a twelve on my shoulder because that's my lucky number. Oh and I got "HAHA" here because that's where your funny bone is supposed to be." He threw his head back laughing.

Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz.

"Sorry." I was riffling through my purse looking for my phone.

"No worries. That's me -- Mr. Popular." He winked at my and silenced his phone and put it on the coffee table. "Okay what do we want to watch?" He flicked through the channels.

I couldn't help but notice the texts popping up on his phone. It kept lighting up. A couple of texts from someone saved in his phone as Kristy and a Melissa. Far be it from me to monitor this activity. We weren't in a relationship, I reminded myself. I watched carefully as he opened his phone and smirked while reading and responding to the messages. His fingers moving furiously as he texted back.

He laid his phone face down on the coffee table.

"Hey, Mom rented this last night. Wanna put it on?" He held up a DVD of the Devil Wears Prada.

"Sure. I love Meryl," I said.

"I dunno who that is." He popped on the DVD and grabbed a blanket, motioning for me to get under with him. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me in close again. My God. There was something about that I loved. No one had ever gripped me so tightly.

"Oooh," he whispered, "Soft." We giggled a little nervously and he rubbed his hands along my velour suit.

"I can't believe you're actually here with me right now," he said half shy.

"Why's that?"

"I never thought I stood a chance with you."

"I always liked you, Dylan. I never knew if you liked me."

"And to me that's just crazy, that you liked me this whole time before I was even hot."

"You've always been hot you fool."

He just stared at me for a moment embracing me.

"Can I take this off?" he asked, tugging at my sweater.

I nodded. Underneath it was a white spaghetti strap tank top. His lips parted and his pupils dilated. He rubbed my arm and neck with the back of his hand then started kissing me. The opening credits scene hadn't even started and we were neck deep into each other.

He slid his hands beneath my shirt and kissed my neck feverishly. His winter fresh smoky breath was hot on my skin and I could feel him trembling.

I started to unbutton his baby blue American Eagle shirt and took off his plain white tee shirt exposing his chest and abs. My breath caught at the sight. I had not been expecting this. He noticed my surprise.

"This is what basic military training will do to your body." He smirked.

His hands were all over me and it was mesmerizing. These masculine hands I recalled so well from high school. More than once he unstuck my locker for me and I admired his hands that seemed as though they could do anything. Young and naive, I was never certain whether the chemistry existed on my end only.

He pulled my tank top up over my head and took off my bra. He paused as he took in my DD's.

He softly caressed my breasts slowly and took a nipple into his mouth, sucking and licking. He looked up at me with the same type of surprised look I had seeing his chest for the first time.

Seated on the couch still, he grabbed me by the waist and threw me on top of him. We kissed and explored each other. The nervousness we were both feeling seemed to dissipate and a more primal feeling took over. He grabbed my hips and rocked them back and forth grinding his cock into me. I was soaking now. I could feel it pulsating through his denim into my velour. He was sucking and licking my titties again and I ran my fingers through his jet black hair let my hands wander down his tattooed arms and chest.

I eased myself off Dylan and on the carpeted floor between his legs. I unbuckled his belt and unbuttoned his jeans, letting my fingernails gently rake down his legs as I pulled his jeans off. I could feel his body quiver at my touch. I took off his boxers exposing his 9-inch cock. It catapulted back onto his stomach making a sound of rock slapping concrete. I felt my whole body loosen just at this pure sensory magic. I was elated. I love big dick.

I took his entire cock in my mouth sliding it down the back of my throat. Dylan gasped and sunk deeper into the couch as I drooled and slurped on his massive, swollen cock. Tasting his pre-cum I was now dripping wet. He whimpered and for a moment sounded like he might burst into tears. I looked up at him while I sucked. He face had an expression I had never seen on him before, but I knew that expression -- pure ecstasy. I had made Rick's face take that expression many times before. Dylan had never had a girlfriend, and we all know girlfriends know how to give the best head.

My hands traced over his legs to his chest - his ivory carved beautiful chest where his dog tags hung. I stopped sucking and looked at his dick pulsating. I was not letting him cum yet. I had waited too long for this cock. I licked the tip, teasing him. Once more, I thought he might cry. I looked at him with a devilish smile. I had never encountered Dylan with so few words to say.

"I want you inside me," I whispered to him.

He nodded.

I came to my feet and took off my black velour pants and black lace thong. His mouth hung open as he watched. I climbed on top of him and lowered myself on to his cock, slowly little by little, taking in a couple of inches at a time until my soaking wet pussy swallowed it whole. Now we were both whimpering and moaning.

His expression changed again and now his mouth was gaping open and his eyes wide. He was almost breathless as I grinded on his cock. He grabbed my tits like he was clinging on for dear life. "No, no you can't get too close, baby," I didn't say out loud but thought to myself. I slowed my pace now.

"Your fucking cock, Dylan. How have I waited this long for your cock?"

He grabbed me and steadied me for a moment.

"Don't make me cum. Not yet," His voice so much softer in this intimate moment that ever before in everyday life. Who was this Dylan?

I dared not move and he took a minute to breathe with his eyes closed. He licked his lips and pursed them tightly. "Okay, okay I think I'm good."

We were slippery together now. I was dripping pussy juice all over him and he was surely filling me with pre-cum by now. Tingles of pure ecstasy was rippling through my body now as my clit rubbed up against his abdomen and his cock filled up every space inside my pussy. As the rush of the pulsating orgasm overcame my entire body, I near convulsed.

"Fuck! Dylan. Oh fuck Yes. Yes. I'm cumming all over you," I breathed as my pussy contracted around his cock.

He pulled my face to his, his lips frantically searching for mine as he whimpered into my mouth while filling me with cum and grabbing my ass so hard he left fingerprints.

Every cell in my body was vibrating. We both let our bodies quiver and vibrate together for a moment as we steadied our breathing inside each other's mouth.

I slipped off of him and we both lay there for a moment. Dylan passed me a towel and said, "Ladies first."

I let out a breathy laugh.

He rolled over, lit a cigarette, and took my hand in his.

"Beth, I think that was the best fucking sex I've ever had."

I smiled.

"I have something really important to ask of you."

"Ok?" I waited.

"Beth, can you make me a promise?"

God, I loved the sound of his voice saying my name.

"Of course," I said.

"Same time next year?"

Confusion washed over me as I still basked in the release of our sexual tension.

"Huh? What, what do you mean?" I laughed again, confused.

"If you can fuck me this good again next year and I can still say it's the best I've ever had, I'll probably want to marry you."

He laughed and pulled out his phone and responded to Kristy. I saw the text over his shoulder, "U doing tomorrow?"