He stops my hand just above where the waistband of his trousers rests.
We both freeze, knowing well enough where this is going.
“This is natural because you’re my girlfriend and I love you.”
I nod, my face probably resembling a red brick.
“We’re not going to do anything until you say so.”
Before I can tell him that I want him, there’s a knock on the door. And then the door opens.
“Heath do you want — Oh my God!” Carol stands in the doorway, with her open mouth and eyes wide.
My face pales.
I scramble off, rushing as far from him as I can, while he remains motionless, sitting exactly where he is and watching his mother with an annoyed expression.
I want to disappear.
37
HEATH
“What is going on here?”She glances at Hope, then me. “Were you guys — ”
I roll my eyes. “Nothing happened.”
Grabbing my T-shirt from beside me, I slip it on and sweep a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the tension.
“But — ”
Standing up, I glare at her. “I said nothing happened.”
Disbelief lingers in her eyes, and worry etches onto her face — for what, I don’t know. She found us in a compromising position, so what? It’s not like this kinda stuff doesn't happen between teenagers.
She shifts her gaze on Hope and I hate it.
Walking in her direction, I plant myself in front of her, hiding her from her peculiar gaze.
“I thought you weren’t coming home,” I say, finding those words so strange. For years, I lived without them, never really bothered by when they showed up or when they disappeared. Because in the end, they never stayed.
But now it’s different. They come back when they go out. It’s a mundane thing that doesn't even matter, but it holds so muchmeaning. All my life, I only watched them walking out of the door.
Mom rubs her arms — a clear sign of discomfort — as she steps into the room. “Uh, yes. I was going to stay with your dad in the city, but I came back.” Looking up at me she adds, “I didn’t want to leave you alone again.”
My heart clenches. “You didn’t have to come back.”
Her face softens. “I know, but I wanted to.”
We stare at each other for a moment.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m always alone here.” Words leave my mouth before I can think.
“Maybe that can change now,” she says in a gentle tone.
“Too fucking late,” I murmur.
Hope grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze. The storm of anger and frustration stirring within me begins to fade, its intensity slowly draining away.
