Page 68 of Holding On

Chapter Thirteen

Ethan

We fall asleep, and when I wake up, Becca is on her side, hugging my chest. I normally don't cuddle with a girl after sex. It's not that I'm against the idea. It's just that the girls I've been with in the past usually assume I don't want that so they get up and leave. And I don't like them enough to ask them to stay.

I pop my head up to check the clock by my bed. It's only three. Becca doesn't have to leave for work until five. I have two more hours with her. Maybe we could do it again. Sex with her was freaking awesome and not just because it's been forever but because Becca knows what the hell's she's doing.

The sheet's pulled back, leaving me a view of her naked body. Over the years I've seen a lot of naked girls, but Becca's body is better than any of them. It's perfect. My eyes wander over the curve of her hip down to her round little ass. I run my hand lightly over her shoulder, feeling her soft skin.

My touch wakes her and she stretches her arm out. "What time is it?"

"Just after three."

She rolls onto her back. "I should start cleaning."

"You don't need to clean. The place looks fine."

"I'm sure not all of it does. And your mom paid for the service. I have to at least clean for an hour."

"My mom has no idea if the place is clean. She's in L.A. and she never comes here."

"Never?" Becca flips onto her side, facing me. "Your parents don't come to visit?"

"They come once or twice a year, always during football season. Other than that, no. They were here a couple weeks ago but left after a day. They work a lot. It's hard for them to get away."

That's not the real reason but it sounds better than the truth, which is that they don't give a shit about me.

"That's not an excuse. You're their son. They should come see you more often."

Reaching around her waist, I pull her closer. "Let's not talk about them." I kiss her. "And forget about cleaning. I want you right here. In my arms. In my bed."

"About that." She places her hand on my chest, holding me back. "We probably shouldn't do that again."

"Why not? I mean, you liked it, right?" I've never asked a girl that. I always just assumed she did. But with Becca, I want to make sure. I want to please her. Make her happy.

"I definitely liked it, but we're just friends and I don't really do the friends with benefits thing."

"We're more than friends." I slip some loose strands of her hair behind her ear.

"Not really. We just met."

"But we've spent a lot of time together. I've told you things I haven't told anyone else. And you went to the doctor with me, which I haven't let anyone else do. So to me, we're more than friends."

"Then what exactly are we?"

"We're dating."

"We've never even gone on a date."

"That doesn't mean we're not dating. And technically, hanging out here could be considered a date."

"Could we go out now that you're using the crutches?"

My gaze drops down to her arm, my hand running up and down it. "Not yet. I'm not ready to."

"Ethan, you have to get out of this house. And for more than just doctor's appointments."

I let go of her and stare up at the ceiling. "Just let it go, okay? I'm not getting into this. I told you I'll go out when I'm ready, and I'm not fucking ready."

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