I can't thank LAHomedog enough for encouragement, patience, input and multiple edits on this first attempt at fiction. Everyone is over 18.
Chapter 1
Renee opened the door of Pete's black '82 Dodge Challenger, hopped onto the passenger's seat that was as familiar as her favorite, old sweater. The grey blue upholstered seat was one she had sat in it so often. Though lately she often ended up in the backseat - demoted by whoever had captured his attention.
She put the container of chocolate chip cookies she was bringing to the reception after the choir concert on the console next to the driver's seat, glancing up at Pete's dark wavy hair and profile.
"Thanks for picking me up," Renee said as she pulled the eyelet hem of her dress in so it wouldn't catch in the door as she closed it.
"No problem," Pete answered staying focused on the rear view mirror as he shifted gears and backed out of her parents' driveway.
"Anyway Renee, I wanted to check in before the concert and everyone was around. How are you doing?"
"I'm really good. Really good."
He arched an eyebrow. "Really, really good? If that's the case, why don't you tell me about Tim? What the hell do you see in this guy? He's a jerk."
He looked at her for an answer.
"Please don't tell me you have another date Saturday?" Pete asked, as he shifted into second gear.
"He is not a jerk and yes, as a matter of fact I do. " Renee said with a sneer. "Do you also need a description?" He frowned a bit. "Okay, he kisses deliciously. What?!"
"I just want to make sure he's being respectful," Pete said.
"Why don't you ask him? Renee said.
"Believe me, I plan to. Plus, I know he's getting that used car he bought next week. That means he is planning to do a little parking at the lake with you."
"If you say so. You'd be the expert on that." Renee said, her voice trailing off and glancing at the back seat wondered how many women had steamed the windows back there. She remembered when his sisters and parents bought the classic used car as a 16th birthday present for him. The car was now a decade old, and he had put countless miles on it over the past six years.
Pete took his eyes off the road and turned toward her for the first time that day to shoot her a don't-test-me look.
"Pete, seriously stop being such a hypocrite and policing me. I'm not a kid, you know. I'm in college for lord's sake. Don't worry I'm still a virgin. Not that it's any of your business - you're not my dad!"
"No, but I gave him my word I'd look out for you," Pete said, as he reached full speed on the main road in town leading to the school for the concert. The oak trees lining the road looked taller, but otherwise nothing had changed since he graduated four years ago.
Pete was the son of Renee's parents' best friends, Stephanie and Scott. He was born two years before her, the unexpected baby of his family of three much older sisters.
They grew up together in elementary school and Renee would spend Saturday evenings in their downstairs guest bathroom watching his glamorous sisters share a curling iron getting ready for dates. Renee watched in awe at the transformation of their smoky eyes in the mirror, as she learned ways to help lipstick last and heard about the aftermath when the relationships did not.
By middle school, his sisters were off to college and Pete became the older brother she never had.
Then Renee's family bought a larger house and moved into the next neighborhood in the subdivision closer to the lake, but his folks were still her folks' best friends and they saw each other for school holidays, backyard barbeques and pool parties.
The pattern of family get-togethers changed when she was in high school and her dad got sick. Cancer. He was going to die too young, and he made Peter promise to look out for her as he would.
After that for the rest of her senior year of high school her dates actually had to check in with her 6' - 4 " "older brother," Pete, before and after to confirm nothing - or nothing much - happened.
Pete was finishing his last couple months of college, but an old soul and well-spoken. Most parent trusted him enough that he could lead overnight trips with younger students to camp on the beach or wander the lights, Tex Mex offerings and margaritas on San Antonio's River Walk.
Local police seeing his Dodge pass the first stoplight in their small suburb would pull him over just to see what he was up to that night. Renee was never sure if police suspected he was doing much beyond driving fast or just wanted to see how many attractive women were in his car with him. Living vicariously no doubt.
When her dad died Pete gave her his own Bible engraved with his initials and took her calls anytime day or night.
To say she had a crush on him back then didn't fully describe it. It was more than his smoldering brown eyes, the enticingly V-shaped of his upper body with those broad shoulders and biceps he built on the weight bench in his parents' basement.
It was his smile and confidence that edged on arrogance. His charm entered the room before him. Once in, he moved like the newly elected President Bill Clinton or even a young John Kennedy walking onto a campaign or debate stage.
Few people ever said no to him or even tried. As leader of their group of students he usually had fun ideas like taking an hour and a half road trip to the beach to build a bonfire, roast burgers and marshmallows and party into the night. Women flocked to the group and Pete always had first pick of any newcomers and other guys hovered, happy to date any of the other girls.
Renee saw Pete discard one after another. He was now dating Stacey or was it Tracey? Maybe it was Lacey! She knew that the big-boobed blonde Monique was last semester.
She didn't realize she was leaning on the door daydreaming until it suddenly opened and Pete's hand was waiting to help her out.
When they got inside and stood at the end of the bench, the whole row of their friends stood, letting Pete choose his seat. He paused between two busty blondes and everyone reshuffled. Pete languidly sat down with an arm over the bench framing Linda and Kelly, his knees spread, touching theirs.
Renee quickly took a seat and the end of the row as the lights dimmed and the piano intro started.
Chapter 2
Pete pulled into the grocery store parking lot to return the call. He had caught Renee's number pass on his car's built in mobile phone, but didn't want to take his eyes off the road.
Her call was exactly what he needed. He and Tracey had broken up the day before. His parents had driven to the Louisiana coast to see the new grandchild, and his mind was churning over the breakup as he drove aimlessly not wanting to be home alone.