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“Since when?” I heard the doubt in her voice.
“Since you just told me everything I need to hear for the moment.”
I shot her a look, just to see her reaction. Her face reddened. She changed the subject immediately.
“Maybe I should go to bed. I’m not used to drinking alcohol.”
I reached for her hand and squeezed it.
“Stay for a while.”
My parents got home at some point. Troy was walking like a zombie. I was pretty sure he was half sleeping. Dad shook his head when he saw us on the couch. He was worried about the consequences, but got upstairs with Troy. Mom’s feet were glued to the floor. She was looking at us. Her chin trembled. She came closer, planted a kiss on my head, took a blanket and tossed it over Clementine, who was sleeping with her head on my shoulder, then followed dad and Troy. I turned the TV off and closed my eyes.
Chapter Eighteen
Clementine
The morning after the New Year’s Eve party I woke up with the worst headache in my life.
Did Lucas wish me the worst hangover last night?
I opened my heavy eyes and looked around. I was in the living room. Memories about last night started to flood my brain, and I felt mortified.
I got drunk and almost made out with Dylan.
I deliberately pissed off Lucas.
I got home, snuck into Lucas’s room, and made him undress me.
And the worst of all, I told him I had feelings.
Well, maybe not with those words, but the message was pretty clear. I had to do some damage control, but I couldn’t bring myself to sit up. It felt like every move could make me puke. And the taste in my mouth was already bad enough.
Eggs and bacon were stinking up the room. I heard voices coming from the kitchen.
“I think it’s because of Sylvia,” Elizabeth told someone. “Richard called after she boarded the plane back from Seattle. Apparently they got into a huge fight.”
“About what?” I heard Lucas’s low voice ask. Warmth filled my belly.
“I don’t know. But it must be something important if she got so drunk last night. You should give her some space.”
“I’m giving her plenty of space.”
“You slept on the couch together last night.” There was an accusation in her voice. It made me cringe. “Don’t you think it’s inappropriate? She’s our guest. Her father trusted us to take care of her. I’m not sure he would appreciate you two cuddling in the middle of the night in the living room. And Troy saw you. He’s only ten, Lucas.”
“Are you mad we were cuddling or that you saw it?”
This conversation was getting too personal for my ears. I wasn’t ready to hear Elizabeth say I’m not good enough for her perfect son.
“I love Clem. I don’t mind you two being together. And I don’t want you to hide. But having said that, I really do think you’re not thinking this through. Both of you. She needs stability. What if her father decides he’s not okay with her living under one roof with her boyfriend and moves her again?”
Boyfriend? He’s not my boyfriend.
I snorted. In my mind at least. I didn’t make any sounds or movements, because I was scared of them finding out I was eavesdropping.
“First of all,” I heard Lucas’s irritate voice, “I don’t need to think this through. I know how I feel and I know how she feels. Second of all, her father left her here, knowing she would be living with boys,” he paused. “And third, don’t call her my girlfriend,” he said with an icy tone. I felt like someone squeezed my heart to death. “You’ll scare her away. I need her calm and relaxed to seal the deal.”
Seal the deal? Did he mean sex? Did he just tell his mother that?
