Page 56 of Overachiever
Remee: Are you seriously sitting outside my Mom’s house?
Me: Of course not. I’m down the street a bit.
It takes her a moment to respond, but when she does, I let out a sigh of relief.
Remee: Drury Hotel on 6thavenue. Room 23. I’m on my way there.
Me: So am I.
It isn’t far to the hotel, which is nicer than the one I left. Remee’s car is in the parking lot, and I barely have to tap on the door to her room before she opens it. An awkward moment ensues after I’ve stepped inside, while we stare at each other.
“What are you doing here?”
“Oh, you know, I’ve always wanted to see Illinois. Land of Lincoln, tornadoes…um, that Superman statue.”
My rambling is brought to a halt by her lips on mine. She wraps her arms around my neck and thrusts her tongue into my mouth. It’s not the reaction I expected, but damned if I can resist. She groans when I back her against the wall. Everything I’ve felt in the last three weeks surges into the kiss, and I feel it from her as well. All the hurt and anxiety and anger. We could tear each other apart.
It feels endless, like pouring ourselves into each other. Hands grabbing and groping. We jar the wall, knocking a cheap painting from it, and the crack of it against the floor draws my attention away long enough to get control of myself.
I missed her, but sex isn’t what I came here for.
“It’s fine,” she says, shoving the painting aside with her foot and reaching for me again.
“Wait, Rem.” Taking a deep breath, I lean my forehead on the top of her head.
A second later I feel her shoulders shake, and her words come out on a sob. “I’m sorry. I…god, Owen, I’m a mess.” She pulls away from me and walks across the room.
During our time apart, I wondered and sometimes hoped she was feeling every bit as bad as I was. That she was missing me like I was her. Now that I’m face to face with it, it tears my heart out. I have to make her see this can work.
“It’s okay.”
“It’s not!” she cries, shaking her head as I put my arms around her again. “I thought I knew what I was doing, but I hurt you. I thought I knew what I should do. I had a plan! Now I’m so confused.”
Hugging her tight, I speak softly into her ear. “Remee, I mean this with all my heart. Fuck your plan.”
Drawing back, her gaze lands on mine. “What?”
“Fuck your plan. Make a new one with me.”
“You don’t understand. I’m so screwed up. I don’t know why you even want me.”
Taking her hand, I lead her over to the tiny love seat between the bed and the window. “I want you because you’re kind and thoughtful. You never get embarrassed by me, or try to get me to calm down or change. You try to be serious and hold yourself back, but when you let go and have fun, it’s a beautiful thing to see. Your drive and ambition are inspiring. I’d never get in the way of that. I want you to succeed and get everything you want, Rem, because I love you.”
Her head jerks up, and wide eyes look into mine.
“You heard me. That’s what I came here to tell you. I’m in love with you.” She licks her lips as I run my fingers down a lock of her hair. “You don’t have to say anything right now. I just needed you to know. I want to be with you. The decision is yours.”
I plant a soft kiss on her lips and start toward the door. Exhaustion is finally starting to catch up with me, physically and mentally. I’m going to get a room and crash for about ten hours.
“Owen,” she calls. Her cheeks are pink, her eyelashes dark from her tears as she fidgets with the edge of her shirt. “Will you stay with me tonight?”
No chance in a frozen hell I can say no. “Okay.” I point my finger at her. “But no more dick for you. I’m not easy anymore. You want the cock you have to buy the bull.”
It’s the first smile I’ve seen from her since I got here. “I’ll try to control myself.”
After borrowing her shower, I crawl into bed beside her. It doesn’t feel awkward like it did on that last night in Florida, but she keeps a little distance between us. Despite the anxiety of what tomorrow might bring, whether I’ll have to go back home without her or not, my body has had enough, and I fall asleep almost as soon as my head hits the pillow.
The weight of an arm tucked around me, and her head on my chest registers before I even open my eyes. I don’t know how long she’s been awake, but she looks up at me with a small smile. “Hey,” she whispers.
