Don't Let Go Read Free

him. He’d almost told her that on the doorstep, but some instinct made him wait.
    He stopped short when a squirrel scrambled in front of him. It climbed a nearby birch tree and from there leapt to a telephone pole. Maybe it was the same one who’d teased Bobo.
    He lengthened his stride, trying to walk off his frustration, to ease the knot in his gut. Shit. Now that I can finally tell her how I feel, she’s not ready to hear me.
    He’d had a terrible stutter growing up. It plagued him through elementary and middle school, and was no better in high school. He’d been teased by some and pitied by others, which pissed him off.
    He hadn’t been a total outcast, though. He’d had loyal friends and got high marks in school. Teachers learned not to call on him in class, but his writing skills were sharp and he excelled in math and science, essential for his profession as an engineer. In high school, he learned the bullies backed down when he fought back. Though it cost him a few afternoons in detention, it gained him respect.
    Still, the stutter had tormented him and circumscribed his social life. Meeting new people had always been a bitch, not because he was shy, but because there was no way of knowing how they’d accept him and his stutter. When he went out to eat, he dreaded ordering from a menu. He ordered what he could say, whether he wanted it or not. And dating was a disaster.
    Except for prom night twelve years ago.
    They stood on her parents’ doorstep. Though it was late, Eric felt as jazzed as if he’d drunk a dozen cups of coffee, black. Because of Annalee. He needed to tell her what an awesome time he’d had. How much he cared about her. But his stupid tongue let him down again. He blocked. His chin and jaw tightened up, his lips contorted as he tried to get the words out.
    “Th—th—th—” His face heated with frustration and despair. She’d hate him. Think he was stupid. He’d never have a chance with her.
    She took his hand. “Thank you,” she said. “I had a great time.”
    Then, as if on impulse, she brushed her mouth against his. Maybe she’d only intended a brief, friendly embrace, but as soon as their lips touched, he ignited. He slid his arms around her and pulled her to him, firmly but carefully. She was smaller than he, so delicate. He didn’t want to hurt her. When her breasts flattened against his chest, the spark flared to a bonfire. Before he knew it, Annalee had slipped her arms around his neck. His lips parted, searching for her tongue.
    Suddenly, the kiss ended, and Eric wasn’t sure which one of them broke it. His lips tingled and bubbles fizzed in his head. Annalee looked dizzy, too. He stepped back, then fell sideways off the stoop, his arms flapping crazily.
    “Umph!” He landed in the honeysuckle bush. After a moment’s confusion, he sprang up and brushed a leaf from his hair.
    Annalee’s eyes and mouth were round with horror. “Are you okay?”
    He was awesome. He was fantastic. That kiss… Now he knew what people meant by “walking on air.” His mouth stretched into a goofy smile, and he gave her two thumbs-up to show he was all right. He stumbled once more before he made it to the car.
    Before he drove away, he saw her still on the doorstep, her hand lifted in farewell.
    He knew, in that instant, he was in love with her.
    ****
    Inside the house, Annalee kicked off her muddy shoes, then hurried to the bedroom to change out of her wet gear. She emerged dry but still chilly. Maybe it was nerves. She’d nearly made a fool of herself with Eric. What had she been thinking?
    Coffee was just the thing to warm her up. Bobo followed her to the kitchen, whining softly, wondering what she’d done with his new friend.
    As she poured water into the coffeemaker, the phone rang. “Hello?
    It was Dee McIntyre, Eric’s sister. “Do you want Thom and me to pick you up tonight?”
    Annalee sighed, dreading that evening’s high school reunion. Their fifteenth year. “No,