Page 74 of You Found Me
“Maybe. I think the pants are too heavy.”
“Boxers and boxer briefs are in the top drawer, along with different kinds of socks. The gym shorts are in the second drawer. I’m gonna jump in the shower really quick. Feel free to hide in here until I’m out.”
She gives a little laugh. “I think I should go out there. I’ll talk to Beckett.”
I take the fastest shower, even for me, and head to the living room to see my mom lighting candles, my dad glued to the radio, while he keeps up with the live feed from his phone, and Beckett and Emmaline talking. Beckett notices me first and takes off to go shower, leaving an open spot next to her.
Not even two minutes later, the power goes out and we hear “oh come on”from the bathroom. The four of us snicker before Mom tells Dad to take a candle and a flashlight to Beckett.
“I finished cleaning everything up, but I think I’m too tired to play board games. I’m just going to read in bed until I fallasleep,” June says before hugging us both. “I’ll see you two in the morning.”
Looking over at Emmaline, I notice she’s chewing on her cheek. I put my hand on her knee. “I’m sorry about all of this. I’ll sleep out on the couch.”
“Spencer, don’t be silly. I hate to break it to you, but this couch is incredibly uncomfortable. And I like you too much to force you to use this as your bed. We’re both adults, we can sleep in the same bed.”
“Oh, youlike mehuh?” I tease.
“Shut up. You know what I meant.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. What’s got you so worried? You’re about to chew a hole through your cheek.”
“I didn’t realize I was doing it,” she says, touching her cheek. “Storms have always freaked me out. And maybe it is a little awkward to sleep in the bed you spent your hormone filled teen years in.”
I feel my ears become hot, and they must be because she starts laughing. We’re talking full on belly laughs.
“Okay, okay. Laugh it up,” I say as I poke her in the side. “I’m not the same out of control horny teenager that used to live here.”
“Our apartments share a wall, so I’m not too sure about that,” she mumbles.
“You do know that goes both ways, right Shortstack?”
Her eyes get impossibly wide while her neck and cheeks flush. “I was joking about hearing that.You can hear me? I’m not usually vocal but maybe I’ve changed and moa—”
“Stop!” I quickly say. “I’m only joking. Pretty sure our walls are thick enough to drown out sounds.”
Emmaline puts her head in her hands, groaning out, “Are you trying to get kicked out of your room later?”
Grabbing her wrist, I pull her closer. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you. What can I do to make it up to you?”
I swear I see her eyes darken while glancing down at my mouth before looking back to my eyes. She leans in close enough that I feel her ragged breaths against my skin. I drop her wrist to grab her by the waist, pulling her body closer to mine.
“Emmy,” I say, putting my forehead against hers, “tell me now if you don’t want this.”
“I—”
“It’d be my luck to have to shower by candlelight,” Beckett walks into the living room unaware of the sexual tension humming through the air. “I need a drink.”
Emmaline pulls back and quickly stands. “Um, yeah. Me too.” She looks down at me with rosy cheeks. “Want me to grab you one?”
“Just a beer, please. I can’t get up right now,” I tell her before grabbing a throw pillow and placing it over my lap.
“I’m so sorry,” she squeaks before scurrying off.
Maybe it’s for the best that he walked in when he did. Kissing at the end of a date is one thing, but to do it randomly might push boundaries that we never discussed. I want her, always have. But, I don’t know how to be in a relationship. I had one girlfriend in high school that wasn’t serious and then one in college. They weren’t deep, I didn’t have to try to plan any dates or meet the parents . . . I’m out of my depth with this.
Emmaline and Beckett walk back into the living room with the drinks. “Mom and Dad bailed, huh?”
“You know they did,” I reply before looking at her. “They never deviate from their schedule, even when they’re away from home.”
