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she walked over to grab her coat.
    “Sorry , Car, my mom has some things for me to do tonight.”
    “What? You mean I’m stuck here tonight?”
    “Don’t think of it as stuck. I’ll see you in the morning ,” I spoke, softly while gently placing a light kiss to her temple and headed out the door. I quickly climbed into the Bronco and put the beast in reverse, praying she wouldn’t run outside after me. I needed tonight to myself. It was getting too close to graduation, and I had to figure out how to keep this woman here and in my life. Glancing in my rear view mirror, I noticed Carmen standing on the porch, watching me as I drove away into the night. I loved that girl, and there had to be a way to get her to stay here with me.
     
     
    The ride to scho ol the next morning was silent. I knew she was still mad at me for leaving her by herself for the evening, but oh well. What was she going to do when she skipped town? I refused to follow her. I loved my life in this farm town everyone knows your name, and you could always count on someone to be there when you need it. I have no intentions of leaving this place, and I still didn’t understand why she hated it so much. This town is my home; I was born here and I’ll more than likely die here, and that was okay with me.
    “So , Friday night party down at the rock quarry. You game?” Carmen flashed me a smile. Even if she was breaking my heart, I could never say no to her.
    “Of course; I just don’t want to stay out too late.”
    “Walker , this is the last party we will ever partake in together; let’s get a little crazy!”
    “When are you not crazy , Carmen?”
    She shrugged a nd swung herself out of the truck. I couldn’t help but watch the way her long dark brown hair blew in the breeze this hot summer morning. Her tight jean shorts that barely covered her ass looked fantastic on her, and pairing it with her old vintage Cash shirt that was almost two sizes too big for her small body made even the married men drool. I’ve wanted to call her mine forever; to caress her lips with mine, rub my hands all over her naked body, and treat her like a lady, like she deserved. However, that wasn’t going to happen; I was stuck in the forever category of ‘best friends’.
    “Hey , slowpoke, are you coming? I’ve got to go try and seduce our history teacher if I didn’t pass that test,” she said, as a wicked grin came across her face.
    Sad thing is I knew she wasn’t joking; whatever it took to get the hell out of here was her only thought process right now. Selling herself for an A was an easy out, in her mind. Hell, she would be ecstatic if he gave her a B.
    “ You’re going to pass, Carmen, so knock it off.” I rolled my eyes; I knew the teacher wouldn’t take her up on her offer anyway. He wasn’t dumb enough to lose his job for a quickie in the closet, even if Carmen was scorching hot.
    “Well , just in case, do you have a condom? Never can be quite sure.” Carmen laughed as she skipped to the door.
    “Not funny , Carmen.” Not funny at all.
     
     
    Walking out to the Bronco after the last class , I was unexpectedly accosted by a pair of tan legs wrapping around my waist. “Where have you been, Walker? I have the most amazing news!” Carmen shrieked into my ear.
    “What , you decided that staying in town was a great idea?”
    “No loser, I passed the test all on my own! I didn’t even have to flash him a little boobie,” she laughed as she dismounted from my body.
    “I’m proud of you ,” I said, with emptiness in my voice. I was happy that she managed to pass without having to result in using her sex appeal, but it was one step closer to walking out of my life.
    “I do believe this calls for ice cream.”
    “I’ve got stuff to do for Mom’s shop tonight,” I mumbled, while climbing into the beast. I needed more space; I couldn’t break down now and begin to beg her to stay. If she wasn’t going to willingly, then I had to let her