In my Dreams by Courtney Barnes (each kindness read aloud .txt) 📖

/> Lucas tried using his chopsticks, but kept dropping his food. He didn’t give up too easily though, it was fun to watch. Finally, he managed to grasp a chicken ball between the two sticks. “I did it,” he said triumphantly, holding it up in the air. His finger twitched. Loosing his grip, the chicken ball fell and rolled on the floor, landing beside the shoe of a very large man with long, curly black hair. He was dressed in leather. Biker dude was what popped in my head.

I started to laugh, but a quick terrified look from Lucas silenced me.

The man glanced down at the red-sauce, soaked chicken ball and then at Lucas. His black boot now had a spot of red on the edge. The man smiled and went back to his meal.

Lucas breathed a sigh of relief. I started to giggle again, this time he joined me. “I guess it’s time to use this,” he said, picking up his fork.

When we finished our food, Lucas asked our waitress for the bill.

“You know, you don’t have to play video games with my dad tonight, we can just watch a movie in my room if you want.” I asked, after finishing off my soda.

“No, it’s okay. Playing video games sounds fun. How about we hang out with your dad for a bit, so he can get to know me. Then we’ll head to your room. We don’t even have to watch a movie,” he added wiggling his eyebrows. I chose to ignore his last comment.

The waitress brought the bill, and after Lucas paid, we headed outside.

Inside the car, I leaned over and gave him a kiss. Every time our lips touched, I felt a warm, tingly jolt inside my stomach.

He pulled back. “What was that for?” he asked smiling.

“Thank you for dinner.” I ran my fingers in his hair and yanked him forward. I kissed him again, and this time took it deeper. He drew away again but only to gently kiss my jaw. He traveled down toward my neck, lingering there. I started breathing faster. He brought his lips back to mine, but this time the kiss was more aggressive. We were both breathing heavily when we finally withdrew from each other, deciding it was time to head home.

We drove home silently, holding hands. “I had a really good time tonight, your fun to be with Lucas.” I was feeling really happy, and I wanted him to know it was because of him.

“I love being with you Sarah, I have a hard time leaving you.”

I nodded my head and glanced out the window. The sudden fierceness in his tone surprised me.

For the rest of the night, we were immersed in a cutthroat game of Guitar Hero World Tour. My dad and Lucas each played the guitar. I played the drums, and my mom sang. Alex was out with his friends, so thank god no one was around to witness me and my boyfriend hanging out with my parents. Lucas was usually in the lead, which led me to believe he had played many times before. It was weird; we actually had a lot of fun. My dad and Lucas laughed at my mom’s singing, and my lack of drumming abilities. While, we teased them about having nothing better to do than play video games. After about an hour, I had enough.

“Okay that’s enough for me. Luke, do you want to come upstairs and watch a movie?” He and my dad looked heartbroken. “Or, I could leave you here to play while I go up and watch one.”

He smiled pulling the strap over his head and placing the guitar against the wall. “No I’ll come with you.” He turned to my dad. “That was fun Mr. Samson. Next time I’ll bring over my Mario Cart, and we can race.”

My Dad smiled. “Call me Jim and you’re on.” Dads smile faded. “Sarah, I don’t know if I want you two in your room alone.”

He was about to say more when I cut him off. “Give me a break, Dad.” I took Lucas’s hand and pulled him up the stairs.


Ch.13 Late Night

“Are you sure you should shut the door, after what your dad just said,” Lucas asked, once we were inside my room.

I smirked at him. “If he has a problem with it, he can open it.”

I took a few movies out of my collection, and placed them in front of him to pick one. He chose one of my favorites, a thriller called Disturbia. I put it in, and we sat down on the small couch in the corner of my room.

“Hey, how about some popcorn or chips?” I asked him.

He thought about it. “You probably get sick of popcorn at work, so how about some chips?”

“Good call. I’ll be back in a minute.” I stood up and headed downstairs

I had just taken the last step onto the carpet, when I heard, “Sarah, I like him very much, but if he tries to push you into something your not ready for, I will throw him out on his ass!” My dad gestured wildly in the direction of my bedroom. He was pacing at the bottom of the stairs.

I glanced at him, then at my mother to explain.

She was sitting on the couch facing him. She laughed. “He’s been pacing ever since you went upstairs, and we heard your door shut.”

I tried to stifle my laughter. “Dad, relax we’re just watching a movie. I shut the door because I didn’t want to feel like you were listening at the bottom of the stairs.” I raised my eyebrows waiting for him to deny it.

His lips pressed firmly together, and then he sighed deeply. “Fine, maybe I’m overreacting. I’ll sit in the living room with your mother.” He raised his arms in defeat and did what he said he would, taking the far side of the couch that just happened to have a perfect view of the staircase. He looked up the steps, and then at me, showing me that he’d be watching.

I rolled my eyes at him, and strolled into the kitchen, taking out some chips from the pantry, and a couple of sodas from the fridge.

My mom came in as I was leaving. “You two are cute together honey,” she said smiling. “But I’ve got to say, I’m having a blast watching your father have a panic attack.” She opened the coffee pot, and started scooping coffee grounds into the filter. The strong smell of coffee filled the kitchen.

“Why aren’t you worried like he is?”

“I trust you both, and I know Lucas better than your dad does. Don’t worry he’ll get used to it.” She poured water into the machine, turned on the coffee pot, and set it for morning.

I smiled at her, she was happy for me, and that made me feel good. I kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you for trusting me,” I said before heading up the stairs.

On the top step, I stopped to listen to my parents argue quietly about letting me and Lucas stay in my room. I laughed softly, my dad was so funny. I had never seen this side of him.

I fumbled with my doorknob, afraid to drop one of the cokes. The door flew open, and Lucas took the drinks out of my hand. “Thank you,” I said, shutting the door behind me.

I dropped the chips on the coffee table, and we settled on the couch to watch the movie. He put his hand on my leg, and softly rubbed, it felt nice.

“My dad said if you try anything I’m not ready for he’ll throw you out on your ass.” I laughed at his expression; he looked terrified. He slowly lifted his hand away.

“Of course he said that, after he told me that he really liked you.” I laughed softly. Reaching over, I cupped my hand around his and guided it back onto my leg. “I was kidding, it’s okay.”

“He didn’t really say that?” He was visibly relieved.

“Oh, he said it, but don’t worry, my mom and I will protect you.” His eyes widened. “Don’t worry, my dad likes you.”

“Okay,” he said, still unsure. I leaned in and kissed him. He kissed me back but cut it short; worried my father was listening at the door.

We shifted our positions, so he was sitting against the arm of the couch, I sat leaning against him. “Do you want to go to a movie tomorrow night?” he asked, wrapping his arms around me. The warmth of his arms and the sweet, spicy smell of his cologne made me feel safe and content.

“Sure, I’d love to. What time?”

“I get off at two. Do you know when the next movie starts?”

“There’s a good thriller that just opened, that starts at Seven o’clock.”

“I guess we’ll have some time to kill, do you mind if I come over after work and hang out until it’s time to go?” He was leaning his chin in the top of my head. I could hear and feel him crunching on his chips.

“Of course I don’t mind.”

We grew quiet as we both became wrapped up in the plot. The neighbor was starting to terrorize the teenage boy named Kale. I shoved my face into Lucas’ arm when the psycho took out the chainsaw and was swinging it over their heads. “Are you seriously afraid?” he asked me with laughter in his voice.

“I’m not afraid. I just don’t like to see guts and gore. But I’ve seen this at least twenty times. Nothing gets chopped off.”

He smiled and kissed the top of my head. We grew silent again, watching the end of the movie.

The next thing I knew, I was running hand in hand in a meadow with Lucas. He tripped, and I fell on top of him. We started