And that felt liberating.
With a long, slow sigh, I turn and head back into the house. I’m beyond exhausted and wonder if I can even get to sleep now. But I better try for some or driving home tomorrow will be dangerous.
Home.
I shake my head.
My parents are going to grill me until I’m charcoal. They’ll want every detail, and I won’t be able to give it to them.
You’re twenty! You don’t have to tell them anything!
Cringing, I run a hand through my hair and make my way upstairs. I bump into Mac coming out of the bathroom, and he gives me a light slap on the arm.
“Have a good time tonight, man?”
“Uh…”
He starts to laugh before I can even form my lie. “I know it’s not your scene, but it’s good for you to be exposed to the real world.”
“This isnotthe real world.”
Mac snickers and crosses his arms. “Yeah, maybe. But neither is your life.”
I nod because it’s true.
“Glad you came.” His voice is a gravelly mess, like he’s been yelling karaoke for too many hours. He nods at me once, then shuffles off down the hallway.
I brush my furry teeth, then head to bed. Thankfully, my mattress is free, and I flop onto it, drifting into a restless sleep as I try to figure out where my place is on this vast, confusing planet and how I’m ever supposed to find my way.
32
BEN
A beamof light breaks through the crack in the curtain, waking me from a blissful sleep.
I didn’t get too involved with the party last night. I was too busy wrapped up in Mandy and my love confession. We ended up drifting off to sleep together despite the noise outside.
I don’t know what time people left, but I drifted in and out of sleep as different noises roused me. But Mandy was there beside me every time, and she’s still?—
Wait, where is she?
I run my hand across her space on the mattress, but all I can feel is a rumpled sheet. I bolt upright and start searching the room.
Did she leave without saying goodbye?
Or is she just getting a coffee or?—
There she is.
My shoulders relax and I drink her in. She’s sitting in the bay window, her lean legs tucked up to her chest, her sleek dark hair draped over one shoulder. She’s already dressed for the day in her denim shorts and little red tank top with the shoestring straps. Damn. She’s so sexy right now.
Her tongue darts across her bottom lip as she pulls the curtain a little wider to peek out through the window.
So she’s the one who let in the light that woke me.
Not a problem.
If I get to wake up to that view, I’m a happy man.
