Page 113 of Promise Me Nothing
It was perfect.
One of the best nights of sleep I’ve gotten in years. I feel rested, relaxed, happy.
Except for this whole Lucas thing.
There’s a knock on Hannah’s door and her eyes widen. I shake my head and step backwards into the bathroom, then into the shower so I’m out of the line of sight.
“Come in,” she says, her voice slightly off.
“Hey.” I can hear the smile in his voice. “Did I wake you?”
“No. No you didn’t. I was just… about to get some laundry together.”
There’s a pause.
“Welcome back. I missed you.”
“Thanks. You know, I missed you, too.” He chuckles. “It’s weird, right? Like, I didn’t know you a few weeks ago and now I go out of town and I have a person to miss.”
Hannah laughs as well. “I know what you mean.”
“We left really early this morning to get back to town, and I’mstarving. Wanna grab breakfast?”
“Yes, please! Can we go to Mary’s?”
“Sure. I’m gonna go shower and change first, that okay?”
“Sounds good.”
A few seconds pass and then I hear her door close.
I step out of the shower and stand in the doorway between her bedroom and bathroom. “Can I ask you a question?” I say, before I can think better of it.
She nods.
“Why don’t you want Lucas to know I’m here right now.”
It isn’t a fair question to ask, but can’t seem to help myself. The idea that she wants to keep it a secret twists something inside of my chest.
Hannah looks away, crosses her arms. “Joshua was already gone by the time I was finally old enough to date,” she says, her voice soft, her expression slightly pained. “He was never able to have the awkward sex conversation. To harass the boy.”
She lifts a shoulder, and my heart slumps. I read this situation all wrong.
“I’m still getting used to having family. And if I let Lucas know about us, it means Joshua won’t ever get to be the one who does those things.” Her eyes close. “I know that soundssostupid, because he’s gone. I get that. But I just…”
“Hey,” I say, my voice soft. I put hands on each of her biceps, rubbing up and down on her arms. “You don’t have to explain. I understand. I’m sorry I pressed.”
She nods.
“I just… thought maybe you were embarrassed of me. That’s why I asked.”
Her head flies up, her eyes wide. “Absolutely not. No way.” The vehemence in her voice puts my fears to rest. Fears that came out of nowhere and that I didn’t even know I could feel.
Especially this soon.
“Wyatt, you’re one of my favorite parts of life right now.”
My heart thumps, and I grin at her.
