Page 137 of Now and Forever

The sight of him leaning against the wall, frowning at his phone as if something bothered him, made me wonder whom it was he was going to see tonight. It had to be the woman who had left her lipstick on his neck so they could finish where they’d left off. She was probably waiting for him. Would he make a joke out of it as an explanation for why he had run later than planned? It was a sad thought.

“Going somewhere?” My voice broke him out his intense scrutiny, and he finally looked up to see me standing against the doorframe.

“Yeah, I came home to pick up something really quick …”

What? Like condoms?I almost asked, but I preferred to be oblivious.

“Put me to sleep before you go?” My request surprised me more than it did him. With the alcohol running amuck in my veins, my emotions had been triggered, amplified to the maximum.

His eyes heatedly took in my bare legs, brushing up my thighs then the plunging neckline that didn’t do much to hide my cleavage. “I’m already running late …” he meekly argued.

“Please?”

Conflicted, he closed his eyes before blowing out a breath while he seemed as though he were contemplating his chances. It took him a good thirty seconds before he finally opened those marvelous depths of his. “Five minutes, and then I’ve gotta go.”

Five minutes was perfect.

“Whatever floats your boat, mister.”

A nervous laugh came from him as he approached and gave me little notice before he scooped me up and carried me to the bed. He was getting the hang of lifting me up.

Once he switched the lamp light off, he then slid on the other side of the bed before I felt his shoulder touch mine.

“Drew?”

“Hmm?”

“I love you.” It wasn’t news. I had told him this time and time again while growing up, but tonight, my heart ached to tell him for some reason.

“Good night, cupcake.”

“Good night.”

?

It was Friday night, and after reading messages from Manolo and Chuey, inviting me to come see them again tonight, I decided that would be pushing it. Not only was I suffering from the worst migraine of the century, but I was also dehydrated. Nothing I drank could quench my thirst, nor was there anything that could make this dry patch behind my throat retain moisture. Maybe it was all the strain I had put my body through for the past few weeks. Those painkillers were strong, and they might be wreaking havoc on my system. Or maybe I simply needed some downtime and extra sleep.

Even though I had fallen asleep almost the moment my head touched the pillow, my dreams had been riddled with the past. It kept haunting me, provoking me to take some measure, some risks. It was no wonder I was in a jumbled state. A chaotic mind meant body unrest.

I was in the midst of making grilled cheese when my phone rang with Spencer’s name flashing on the screen.

“Hello, hello.” A soft smile crossed my face as I licked the butter off my fingers, placing the call on speaker so it would be easier for me to maneuver.

“What are you up to these days? It’s been ages since I’ve heard from you.” His typical jovial, flirty tone drifted from the speaker, making me pause before flipping the sandwich to the other side.

“Pft, you know me; I’m quite the busy bee. What’s up, Spence?” Everyone here knew I had nothing else going on but school, so it was becoming a joke when I pretended.

“Just thought you might like some company. We can order in some pizza and have some champagne while watching a movie. Heck, throw in some chick flicks if you like; I don’t mind really. Whatever your preference is, it’s also mine.”

Pizza and champagne? How unlike me, but I was all for new experiences. Besides, I had been preaching to myself about how I needed to get a move on in my life. This was a good time to practice it, to try to really move on.

“Pizza and champagne sounds like a blast. How does eight sound?”

“It sounds perfect. See you at eight.”

“See ya,” I happily responded before cutting the call.

Tonight ought to be interesting. Aside from Drew’s profound protestation, I kind of liked him. He wasn’t bad-looking, far from it. He had that affluent punk, rock star, chic-like style, which was part of his charm.

---