Page 113 of Rock Me All Night
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The next threeweeks are a blur. Miles seeps further and further into my life. He texts me during the day. I text back between classes, while I eat lunch, on the walk home from the hospital. It's little things—jokes aboutStar Warsor promises to make me come until I'm screaming his name or details about our day—but I smile every time I see a new text from him.
This feels good. Better than it should.
For once, I allow myself to soak up the joy. He picks me up from work every Friday night and drops me off at Kara's every Sunday morning. The time between, at his place in Malibu, is ours and ours alone. It's like the rest of the world doesn't exist. Like nothing can ever hurt us.
Time goes so fast. All of a sudden, it's the day before Thanksgiving, and Miles is at school. A surprise. He takes me out for sushi and a special showing ofThe Matrix. Then he drives me home and makes me come more times than I can count.
* * *
When I wake, Miles is already dressed and ready to go. I speed through my morning routine, packing and dressing as carefully as I can manage.
There. Done. Now to spend two days at my parents' house. I can handle that.
Miles's eyes pass over me. "You look nice."
Nice is hardly the compliment I expect from Miles, but it's exactly right. I'm in my most parent-pleasing outfit—a polka-dot cardigan, skinny jeans, ankle boots.
"Thank you."
He focuses on the v-neckline of my sweater. "Are you wearing anything under that?"
"Yes. My parents will not be cool with us making out in front of them."
"I'm not sure. Your mom was asking if you're having safe sex."
"I will leave! I swear I will."
He laughs. "And go where?"
"Anyplace I don't have to die of embarrassment."
He pulls me into a hug and presses his lips to mine. "You won't die. I promise."
"I don't know if I can do this," I whisper.
"You can. Come on." He takes my hand and leads me to his car downstairs.
I let him take the lead, putting our things in the trunk, opening the door for me. Then we're in the car, the engine is on, we're heading towards Newport Beach.
"You hungry?" he asks.
I shake my head. I'm not sure I can eat right now.
"Want coffee?"
"Later."
The car moves fast, but it's not crazy fast like that first night we met. It's reasonable.
I turn on the radio. It's tuned to KROQ and what do you know, No Way in Hell pours out of the speakers.
Three a.m.and I can't sleep.
A common refrain, I know.
As a sentiment, it's cheap.
