Page 85 of Holding On

"And go where?"

"I don't know. The park? The burger place on the corner? Wherever you want to go."

"But you don't like going out."

"I'm doing it for you. You need to get out of here and put your mind on something other than your mom."

She smiles. "You'd really do that for me?"

"Of course. You're my girlfriend. I'd do anything for you."

She tilts her head. "Like maybe that thing you did the other night?"

I know exactly what she means. She was moaning my name when I did it.

I kiss her. "I'll do that and more. But we should go back to my place, in case your brother comes home. You want to pack some stuff?"

"Yeah, and I need to change clothes. Wait here." She goes around me down the hall to her room.

What am I doing? I just agreed to go out. To be seen in public and risk having people talk about me. But I have to do it, for Becca's sake, which just proves how much I like her. Not that I needed proof. I already know how much I like her, and how much I love making her happy. Like just now, making that sad look on her face go away felt as good as making a game-winning touchdown.

A few minutes later, she returns wearing jeans and a t-shirt, a small duffle bag slung over her shoulder. "I'm ready."

I take the bag from her. "You should just leave some stuff at my house so you don't have to pack a bag."

"I'm not planning on moving in." She laughs as she opens the door.

"I didn't say to pack your whole room. Just a few things."

I've never asked a girl to leave stuff at my place but I asked Becca to because I like having her at the house, and not just because I'm bored or lonely, but because I like being with her.

"I should carry that," she says, pointing to her bag as we wait for the elevator. She tries to take it from me.

"Leave it. If I can't drive I at least need to carry your bag."

The elevator opens and we go inside. We're alone, so I kiss her on the way to the first floor. When the doors open, we hear a girl say, "Becca."

We turn and see a young woman standing there holding a grocery sack.

"Hi, Heather," Becca says as we exit the elevator.

Heather. Must be the girl her brother's dating.

"Is this your boyfriend?" she asks.

Becca looks at me. "Um, yeah. This is Ethan."

"Mike said you were staying in tonight."

"I was, but then Ethan stopped by and surprised me."

"You want to join us for dinner? We have plenty of food."

"We were just heading out," Becca says, "but thanks for the offer."

"Maybe we can all go out sometime. Like a double date."

"Yeah, maybe." Becca takes off for the parking lot. "See ya, Heather."

---