Page 68 of Over the Edge

My body arches into him to find that he’s hard, and I do my best to gain more friction. I’m chasing so much. Him. Me. The life I think I still have but might have thrown away. But this right here, the electric current that is looping through me? It’s a reprieve. His palm traces the curve of my spine.

Up. Up. Up.

Then his mouth is gone and I’m still left wanting. Hungry. The inches between us could be an infinity as far as I’m concerned.

“Good?” he rasps.

“Yeah.” I nod and my tongue darts out to wet my lips. He tracks the movement and I’m tempted to do it again. I want to watch him as he watches me. Before I go deeper into dangerous territory Garrett looks up and past me.

“I don’t see them anymore. We should get going now.”

Garrett turns up the radio the moment we get to the car. How can he just move on from a kiss like that? Is that what it’s like for him, a moment of high floating relief and then on to the next? Neither of us say a word until he pulls up my driveway.

“How do you think it went?” Garrett asks.

“I kind of wish I had something to compare it to. Like was that a normal amount of conversation or not enough,” I say as I sag against the car seat.

“If only this was the second time you encountered an ex who was dating your best friend,” he muses.

“If only I were so lucky to be able to repeat this experience.” I throw my hands up in indignation. “At least it wasn't as bad as it could have been, and without you here it would have been worse.”

“I do enjoy when people keep me around to make sure things aren’t worse.”

“Garrett,” I say as I remember our conversation during the pottery class. “I do mean it when I say that I would rather be doing this with you than anyone else.”

“That makes sense. Unlike most fake couples, we’ve already had practice.”

“I wish it were appropriate to send the Barlowes a thank you note for their service. But even without that, I like knowing I can rely on you and that…” I scramble for the right words. “We’re good together. Good at this.”

“We are,” he agrees.

“I—” I hesitate, wondering if I should ask if he wants to come inside. “Just thank you. I couldn’t have survived tonight without you.”

Without waiting for his response, I push open the car door and head toward the house.

25

Evelyn

Party with Jimi Hendrix: Sunday, All Day Event @ Museum at Bethel Woods

We silently agree to take separate cars to Bethel. We’d all fit in Quinn and Oliver’s rental, but I think the elephant in the room would have a hard time fitting in the trunk.

This morning when Garrett picks me up, I try to play off my silence as being tired. I’m pretty sure if I speak, something like “Could you kiss me again—you know, for science” will fall out, which would make the car ride even more super fun and pleasant than it already is.

I stayed up for hours feeling the specter of his touch trail over me until I had to put my vibrator to use. His name tumbled from my lips when I came, not on purpose, but the shape of it fit perfectly in my mouth.

“Eve?” Garrett asks, and my cheeks flair with heat.

“Yes?” I chirp.

“Could you tell them we’re about fifteen minutes out from the museum,” he directs, his attention fixed on the road.

Our first stop will be The Woodstock Museum at Bethel Woods, dedicated to the groundbreaking festival and the artists who performed at it. There is a Woodstock, New York, but there’s close to a two-hour drive between the two.

Once we arrive, we meet Quinn and Oliver who are already outside. Garrett and I got a late start—only a few minutes, but still. The building is a series of wood sided octagonal spaces connected by long halls.

“Hey, pumpkin, look who decided to show up,” Oliver says to Quinn.

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