Page 33 of Roads Behind Us
“I’m okay. Although, I’m no spring chicken. That’s probably gonna leave a bruise.”
“Here.” She held out her hands, but I didn’t try to get up. Instead, I reached up and held them.
I wanted to stay like that. I liked my view of her thick, dark hair falling wild and messy over her shoulders and the blush on her cheeks ’cause she was embarrassed she’d almost nailed me to the wall.
“Come down here with me,” I said, and I tugged.
“What? On the floor?”
“Why not?”
“Whatever,” she said, shrugging, and she sat next to me. “How’d you even get here?”
“A good Samaritan dropped me off.”
She’d changed from the jeans she’d worn earlier in the day, which were no doubt some shade of yellow now, into a long, flowing purple skirt and another oversized sweatshirt. This one was gray. Its neck had been cut out so that it slid over the top of her shoulder, showing a thin, black bra strap and her tanned skin, and it had the orange and black logo of a popular tool company on the front.
“Soup?” I asked.
“Yeah,” she said. “Remember? It’s the whole reason we went to the store this mornin’. Your sister left me a bunch of fresh veggies, so I thought I’d make soup to keep in the fridge while I’m here. I was gonna bring some up to your house after it cools.”
“Thanks.”
“Why are you here, Bax?”
“I thought you wanted me to come.”
“No, I did. I do. It’s just… What were we thinkin’?”
“I’m not sure,” I admitted.
She moved to get up, but I let go of her hands, grabbed her wrist, and leaned up on an elbow. “But don’t leave. Don’t walk away and act like today didn’t happen.”
“I don’t wanna put you in a weird situation. I work for your brother, and you have Athena. Candy. I-I don’t want…”
“Don’t want what?”
“I don’t wanna bulldoze into your life and interfere.”
I thought about that. I didn’t want that either. But that wasn’t who she was. “You wouldn’t. I don’t think you’re that kinda person.”
“Still. It wouldn’t be right.”
“Hey,” I said quietly. “Why don’t you let me choose what’s right for me, huh? I’m a big boy. I can decide for myself.”
“I mean, what did you think would happen though?” she asked. “I can’t have sex with you.”
“That’s not what I wanted.”
Her eyes lowered to the floor and she breathed, “Liar,” but then she lifted those sultry emeralds and dipped her chin.
“Okay, yeah, I do want that. I’m a guy, and you’re beautiful and funny and I got a feelin’ you’d be amazin’ in bed. But it’s not why I came here tonight.”
“For the record, I’m dynamite in bed,” she said with a coy smile, “but why did you?”
“I’m not sure. I guess I like bein’ around you. I like the sound of your voice too.”
And also, suddenly I’m starved for human connection.
