It makes my eye twitch.
“You’re awake,” I finally say, my hands slipping off his back.
His face scrunches slightly, and then he slips off me.
“Shit. Sorry, man.”
“It’s fine.” Now that he’s off me, I realize how warm I’d been. The fabric of my shirt adheres to my skin, and I know I need a long, cold shower.
“How long have I been out?” he asks, his hand scraping down the scruff on his face. The sound makes me shiver.
“Three days.”
He sighs, flopping down on the bed, his body still pressed against mine. “Shit.”
I clear my throat, telling myself to move, but for some reason, I just stay where I am. It makes absolutely no sense.
The way I react to Caleb seems to defy all reason.
“Your friends and family were worried about you.”
He peers over at me, and I force my gaze back to the ceiling. “So, I didn’t hallucinate that then?”
“No, they were texting and seemed worried, so I replied. And then they showed up. En masse. I hope you’re not upset.”
“Nah. It’s fine. There’s no stopping them anyway,” he mutters as he fiddles with the end of my shirt. “Thanks, man.”
“No problem,” I reply, and then decide it’s time to get up. He can’t continue touching me like this. The past few days were hard enough.
His bottom lip juts out slightly as he watches me stand before he rolls it between his teeth. He still hasn’t moved from my bed.
He’s still very naked.
“Probably want your bed back, huh?” he finally says.
I clear my throat and feel my palms tingle slightly. “I gave up on that about three days ago when you wouldn’t leave.”
He closes his eyes and lets out a cute little huff. “I can get a little clingy. I have attachment issues.”
My mind slips to his dead mother. That would make sense.
“It’s fine.”
He lifts his arms and stretches, the sheet slipping further and further down his chiseled abdomen. “Fuck, I smell. I can’t believe you let me sleep with you like this. I need to shower.”
I can’t look anymore. I really can’t. I turn and fiddle with the sheets on his bed, making it up once more.
Caleb is silent a moment and then says, “Go on. I know you have things to say. Just tell me.”
I really can’t say anything I’m thinking. EvenIknow that wouldn’t go over well.
“No, just shower and then come lie back down while I wash my sheets.”
I turn my back on him completely, hearing him stand up once I do. Knowing he’s completely naked now has my fingers curling into my palm. I need him to hurry. To disappear.
“Why am I still naked?” he says instead.
“You complained the fabric was too scratchy. I gave up trying to clothe you after the first day.”
