Page 68 of Love ad Lib
In the silence he could hear her breathing. It matched his own. Her thumb was making tiny circles on the back of his hand. The circles suddenly stopped but she didn’t let go.
The door to the bedroom opened with a crash.
‘If you’re in here, you’d better not be shagging,’ Estelle shouted.
‘I need a new lock,’ Henry whispered.
Libby giggled and Estelle threw open the wardrobe.
‘There you are! Knew it. Right, budge up.’
Estelle clambered in, pushing Libby further up against him.
‘This spot could only fit eight if we were playing with fifteenth-century-sized people,’ she grumbled. ‘Even Libby would be considered a giant in those days.’
‘Are you okay?’ Henry asked Libby as she was sandwiched between them.
‘I can just about breathe,’ she replied, her head muffled by Estelle’s breasts.
His sister snorted. ‘You’re facing the wrong twin.’ She turned Libby around so her front was now firmly pressed up against his. ‘That’s better.’
No, it’s really not.
Henry squeezed his eyes shut and ran through the very long list of things and people he didn’t like. James Hunter-Savage, mess, public toilets, his family’s portrayal in the media. The list was long, but not long enough, and as Finn, Jasmine and Ella joined them in the wardrobe, the sense of Libby overwhelmed all other thoughts.
Rats. I hate rats. They’re squirrels without the fluffy tails. They’re cute, they’re fluffy, yes, red squirrels are the best! Fuck!
‘Are you okay?’ Libby whispered to him. ‘You’re as stiff as a board.’
You have no idea. Henry kept both hands clamped over his dick so she wouldn’t experience just how stiff he was. This was bad. Very,verybad. And he was the worst of the worst. He doubted even Hunter-Savage would have employed a fake girlfriend, then ended up wanting her more than anyone else. The thought shocked him. Did hereallywant Libby more than his last date? Or any of his previous girlfriends?
‘There you are.’ Leo opened the wardrobe door and pushed in. ‘I should have known to look here first. ‘Who else have we got?’
‘Everyone except Willow and Summer,’ Ella replied. ‘Connor went home as he’s got an early shift in the morning.’
Libby was now so close Henry could feel her heart beating. Or was it his own?
‘Could you possibly move your hands?’ she whispered. ‘They’re really digging into my tummy.’
Henry had never been a particularly religious person, but right now he was in fervent prayer that this round of the game would end immediately.
The sound of Estelle farting filled the tiny space.
Thank you, God.
Finn laughed as everyone else stampeded to get away with more speed and determination than shoppers at a Black Friday sale.
‘Hold your breath,’ Henry said to Libby. ‘And don’t breathe again till you're outside the room. I’ll open all the windows.’
‘Ah, c’mon,’ Estelle protested. ‘It’s not that bad.’
Leo pinched his nose. ‘Don’t take any risks, people. Run for your lives.’
After throwing open the windows, Henry joined the others in the corridor. Libby was giggling and shaking her head as Estelle held her finger out, trying to persuade her to pull it.
‘You’re no fun,’ Estelle told her. ‘Anyone else?’
Everyone backed away.
