Page 67 of Catching Feeling

“I understand why you didn’t tell me, but fuck, Viv. I wish I would’ve known. That someone would’ve known,” he says after a while. “Why not tell Hallie and let her at least be there for you? I know she would be.”

“It wouldn’t have mattered. I wouldn’t have let you help. That’s why I haven’t told Hallie either. She has this big, bleeding heart that wants to fix everything, and she can’t fix this, Reese. All she’ll do is worry herself sick, and that’s the last thing I want. She’s my best friend in this world—I just feel like every aspect of me is heavy, and I don’t want to be the friend who only takes and takes and leaves nothing in return because my life is such a mess. Especially now that things have settled for her, that she’s living her best college life. I just… I needed to get that off of my chest.” I sit up, staring down at him. “I’m hoping that my mom will be willing to get help soon. I keep trying to convince her. I’m hoping that if I just keep pushing on and doing the best that I can to get through this rough patch, eventually, everything will fall into place and get better.”

Reese sighs, dropping his head back against the seat rest. “I know I can’t fix it, Viv. And even if I could, I know it’s not my place, but I just hate seeing you go through this and not being able to do shit to take any pressure off of you.”

I shrug, leaning forward to press my lips against his softly. “Thank you for listening. Honestly, what I need right now is this. Exactly how things are right now. Okay?”

Finally, he nods. “Okay, Sweet Tart. Whatever you need from me.”

“As much as I love being in your lap and whatnot, it’s kind of creepy out here in the dark,” I tease, trying to lighten the subject after sobbing on this guy’s chest like he’s more than just my roommate.

He chuckles. “Ah, so now you’re scared of the dark? Babe, you literally spend eighty percent of your time watching scary movies, writing about scary shit, reading scary shit, and making podcasts about scary shit, and you’re afraid of the dark?”

“I-I didn’t say I was scared, All-Star. What I said was it’s creepy.” I bite the inside of my cheek to stop my smile.

“Oh, listen, before we go, I wanted to talk to you about something,” he says, rolling his eyes when my eyebrows shoot up. “Jesus, Viv, you should see your face right now. I’m not asking you to marry me. Fuck.”

My heart thuds in my chest. Obviously, I knew that. I did. I’m just still worried that he’s going to… try and change things between us when we’re finally at a place that works.

“I wanted to see if you would come to a Mardi Gras ball with me? My parents are part of the krewe, and it’s basically just a big-ass party. But I’m supposed to bring a date, so…”

“So… you want me to go with you?” I ask.

He nods. “Yeah. Rosie’s gonna be there, and I know the two of you are besties now.”

Hmmm.

“Reese, you know I can’t really afford a dress and al?—”

Reaching up, he stops me with his thumb along my bottom lip. “I’ve got it covered. You’d be doing me a favor, being my date, so I’ll take care of everything. All you’ve gotta do is show up and look pretty on my arm.”

A big Mardi Gras party does sound like fun, and knowing Reese, even if it wasn’t, he’d make it entertaining. Maybe this is a good diversion from all the heavy things happening right now.

“Okay, fine. On one condition.”

His lips quirk. “Name it.”

Leaning forward, I brush my lips along the shell of his ear and whisper, “I keep my heels on when you fuck me after the ball.”

He answers me by capturing my lips in a kiss that leaves me breathless, for reasons I’m not ready to admit.

16

reese

Date Date… Date?

SwiftyBoys4life

Reese: I need advice.

Grant: Did you accidentally use Viv’s body wash again?

Lane: Lmao. Still can’t believe you put that shit on your dick.

Reese: It was an honest fucking mistake okay. Don’t act like you both haven’t grabbed some random shit in the shower to beat off with. ??

Reese: Back to the advice. I need it.

---