Page 82 of Check the Halls
“Maddy,” Sam’s sarcastic tone carries over the music. “Did you not have the Santa talk with Ben yet?”
Maddy shakes with laughter in the seat beside me before answering. “I didn’t think he was ready yet.”
I try to scowl at them, but I’m just too goddamn happy. I reach across the console and take Maddy’s hand in mine.
“You’re both on the naughty list.”
CHAPTER 27
MADDY
THEN
“Do you mind?” I ask Ben, as I once again reposition the text book so I can see it over Ben’s head.
“Not at all.” He doesn’t even open his eyes, just nestles his head further in my lap, burrowing in.
“I can see that.” That’s all I can see at the moment. I’m trying to study for my ethics midterm, but having my boyfriend splayed out on top of me is making it difficult. “You’re distracting me.”
One eye squints open. “It’s not my fault you can’t take your eyes off me, Madness.”
I scowl, but he’s right. Sleepy Ben is one of my all-time favourites. He’s so snuggly and warm.
“Be that as it may, I need to study for this exam.”
“No, you don’t. You’re already the smartest person I know.”
“That’s because you hang out with dumb jocks.”
“That’s it,” he growls, tightening his arms around meand flipping us over so I’m lying across his chest. The heavy textbook falls to the floor with a loud thunk.
“I need a new bed,” I groan into his chest. I’ve had the same twin mattress since I was in elementary school. It’s fine for just me…but sharing with Ben is a tight squeeze.
“I like your bed,” he says, kissing the top of my head.
“Your legs are dangling off the end.” I point out. “We’d have more room in a bigger bed.”
“But then you’d be farther away from me.”
I smile into his t-shirt, lulled into submission by the sound of his heart against my ear. When I’m in Ben’s arms, everything else falls away. Juggling a demanding third year course load at Dalhousie University, my volunteer shifts, and our relationship has been a struggle. Here, on this too-small bed, with his strong arms around me, I forget about all of it and can just be.
“We’ll get a queen-size bed when we move to Philly,” Ben says with conviction.
My entire body stiffens at his words. I can tell he notices because when I push myself up and off the bed, he doesn’t try to stop me. I don’t look at him as I bend to pick up my discarded text book from the floor.
“We’re going to need to talk about it sooner or later, Madness.”
I choose later. Definitely later.
Ben turns on his side to face me, resting his head on his arm. Cheshire chooses that moment to come strutting out of my open closet. His favourite place to sleep is on the shelf where I keep my sweaters. With a graceful leap, he hops up onto the bed and immediately cuddles into Ben’s side. Ben strokes his head while the cat purrs. “Idon’t understand why you aren’t more excited about going.”
I sit down at my small desk and try to find my page in the textbook. I want to tell him how I feel, but the words don’t come. This happens every time he brings up the move.
I was so proud when he was a first-round pick in the draft this past June. He’s worked so hard and couldn’t deserve it more. But Philadelphia? It’s so far away.
“It’s not that,” I start.
“Then what is it?”
