Dread pooling in my stomach, but I strode to the front door in spite of it. I’d just tell her. She’d understand. Charlie always understood. We’d just have to make it work somehow. People did that sort of thing all the time. Besides, if anyone knew what I was feeling it would be her. She had her own future to think about. There’s no way she wouldn’t understand when I had to leave.
The moment I laid eyes on her all logic seemed irrelevant. She’d changed out of her scrubs after work and was wearing a pair of shorts and one of those drape-y shirts that girls liked now. It clung to her breasts and flared at her hips, skimming her thighs and making me consider how soft it would be under my hands.
“Hey,” she said warmly. Her bare feet were propped on a rung at the island stool. There was something so sweet about how naked they were that had me stopping in the entryway. The words I’d so carefully considered evaporated.
“Hey,” was all I could manage.
Before I could say anything else, she got to her feet and said, “I have some news.”
I let out a breath. Here was my chance. “So do I, but you first.”
She took a sip from the glass of wine in her hand. “I was accepted for the volunteer position.”
“That’s amazing! I had no doubt you would be.”
I closed the distance between us, unable to hear her say anymore. I should be happy for her, but all I could think about was how empty my place would be when she was gone.
There was a long silence. I could tell she expected me to fill it, but I still didn’t know what to say. “What about you? What’s your news?” she asked.
I glanced at my watch, unable to look her in the eye. “Don’t worry about it. We’d better get going or we’re going to be late for Taco and Tequila Tuesday with your friends. I think we should celebrate your good news first. We can talk about this after.”
“Are you sure?” she asked. “You’re acting weird.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just been a long day. I could use some of that tequila.”
** *
A couple hoursand several shots of tequila later, I’d pushed the email, the future and everything but Charlie out of my mind.
I couldn’t get enough of her. Enough of looking at her, talking to her, kissing her. I spent most of the night imagining just what I’d do to her once I got her alone.
Tripp shoved my shoulder. “Someone’s whipped,” he joked. “Were you even listening to me?”
“Fuck you. You and I both know I’m not the only whipped individual here.” I glanced pointedly at Ember, and Tripp sighed and sipped his beer. Taking pity on him, I changed the subject. “What were we talking about?”
“Graduation. How does it feel to finally have freedom on the horizon?”
The immediate answer should have been resoundingly enthusiastic, and would have been a couple months ago, but now, all I could think about was Charlie and leaving her behind. “It’s good, man.”
Tripp quirked a brow. “Well now I’m just overcome. C’mon man, seriously, what the fuck? I thought you had vet school all lined up.”
I sipped my beer and wished it were another shot of tequila. “I did, I mean I do.”
“Well, spill, dude. Where did you accept?”
I sighed. “I had a couple of places I was considering.”
“You don’t sound too excited.”
“No, I am. They’re a great opportunity. All really good schools.”
“I’m happy for you, dude.”
“Thank you.” He lifted his beer to knock it against mine, but for some reason, I no longer felt like celebrating.
I downed the beer anyway, and went in search of Charlie. I needed to see her, hold her. I had to tell her about school at some point, but I wanted to make this moment last a little longer.
I found her playing Cards Against Humanity with Layla, Ember, and Ember’s neighbor and rival Dash. They were falling over each other with laughter, faces bright from the tequila shots they’d been doing and stacks of messy cards in front of them. Charlie caught my eye and motioned for me to come sit next to her on the couch. Just being near her soothed me.
