Page 34 of Defect
Ezra’s hands found my hips and my pulse threatened to burn out from moving so quickly. “You’re tiny but you’re in my way,” he said. We both knew there was no real reason for him to hold me that way. Just like there was no real reason for me to be bent over in front of him.
It felt good though.
So fucking good.
He knew it felt good too because he dug his fingertips into my hips and pulled me back a little. I didn’t protest though.
“Am I?” I asked. “Here, can you see now?” I slid backward onto his lap and he locked his arms around my waist.
What the fuck are you doing, Solana?
“Much better.” He rested his chin on my shoulder and watched me put the class into the Sun Goddess system. “So next class you get, I’ll register them in the system.”
“Deal,” I smiled.
“You’re gorgeous when you smile, friend,” Ezra said.
“Thank you, friend.” I laughed and stood up before I lost my mind any further. “Your smile isn’t half bad either.” I closed the computer and put my fists on my hips. “I have an idea,” I said.
“I’m listening.”
“Why don’t you take night classes at Radcliff Community College? They have GED classes every other night.”
“Because I wouldn’t be able to stay at work all day.” He looked at me with a glint in his brown eyes that made me tingle.
“Your boss will be fine with it, I’m sure.”
“She’s fine with a lot of stuff…” His head tipped to the side slightly and I hid the hot sting of crimson begging to rise to the apples of my cheeks.
“So go and take some classes. I’m sure it will appease your mother.”
“Yeah, she doesn’t want me going anywhere by myself though, remember?” Ezra told me all about his mother and the way she kept him trapped under her thumb. I had quite a few choice thoughts but I kept them to myself.
“I can always tell her I’ll take you.”
“She doesn’t even know you exist yet, Solana.” He reached out and grabbed my hand, slipping his long fingers between mine.
“I can introduce myself and tell her I’m looking for help in my yoga studio. I can ask if she knows of any strapping young men.” I smiled at him and he shook his head with a chuckle.
We spent the rest of our evening running through scenarios where his mother would allow him to work with me and take GED classes. Every time I mentioned something, Ezra shot it down. I started wondering if he was making up things about his mother or if she was really that stifling and controlling. I was itching to meet her myself and find out but I knew he would freak the fuck out. It didn’t stop my wheels from turning anyway though.
…
EZRA
I woke up extra early on Saturday mainly because I was dreading it. I knew my mother wanted to go to the old house and finish cleaning it out. She wanted Everett’s room empty and she wanted me to do it. Going in there to take out the things that meant the most to me was hard enough. I hated the thought of going in there and rifling through his clothes, giving them away, and putting his stuff into boxes. My heart was heavy thinking about it.
Since I was awake before my mother for once, I walked over to the biggest window in my room and looked across the street at Solana’s house. There was one light on upstairs and I saw a shadow pass by it. A smile found its way to my lips as I grabbed my phone and sent her a text.
Me: Why are you up so early?
Solo: Having coffee and tea. I just got finished meditating.
Solo: Why are you watching me? Creep.
Me: You’re nice to watch.
I kicked myself for typing that shit. Sometimes I couldn’t help it though. Solana was stunning and every time I was around her I had to go to war with myself so I didn’t jeopardize our friendship. Being friends with her meant more than trying to shoot my shot with her. People like her didn’t come around very often. I wanted to make sure I held on to her tight.
