He shrugs his shoulders, holding the doorknob. His eyes are bloodshot red and he stinks as he sighs.
“You know, you two kind of make sense.”
Penny gets off the bed and approaches the door.
“Please don’t tell anyone, Gavin. Please,” she pleads with him.
“This was a one time thing?” he questions.
Penny, being the amazing liar she is, nods her head. “We drank too much. We weren’t thinking. It was just a kiss.”
Gavin looks over her shoulder at me, and then back at Penny.
“Your Alabama secret is safe with me,” he says.
“Gavin, get the fuck out,” I nearly yell and he smiles, grabbing the door handle and shutting it behind him.
As soon as he shuts it, Penny begins to spiral. She’s pacing back and forth and I just lie on my futon.
“Gavin has the biggest mouth of all of you,” she complains, and I nod in agreement. “You know he’s going to tell Ben. He tells Ben everything.”
“Yeah,” I mumble.
“Did you plan this?”
I sit up on my elbows and glare at her. “Yes, Penny. I planned to kiss you at the exact fucking moment that my stoner brother came barging in asking for God knows what. You caught me.”
“Sorry,” she hisses, while she continues her pacing.
“You really think Jessa isn’t going to crack and tell Aiden, anyway?” I ask her.
“She said she wouldn’t.”
“Two people know, Pen.”
“I know that,” she snaps. Her pacing picks up.
I stand up and get into her space, grabbing her face.
“Take a deep breath.”
She listens to my directions, and her eyes meet mine.
“I’m going to give you time to think. I didn’t intend for tonight to happen, but I’d be lying if I said I’m not glad it did. I’ve tried to stop thinking about you, to stop wanting you. I know you feel the same way. You kissed me back. Despite everything, you want this too.”
She nods her head slightly, confirming that at least I’m not deluded and dealing with a completely fucked up unrequited love situation.
“My brother just saw us and really didn’t give a fuck. Jessa doesn’t care either. Do you think maybe you’re underestimating our family?”
She blinks at me, taking in my words before closing her eyes and resting her forehead against my chest.
I rub her back, and she pulls away.
“I don’t want another life lesson, Lincoln. I want a life partner. If you really want me. This,” she says, pointing between the two of us. “Then I need to know it’s for keeps.”
I can’t help the smile that takes over my face.
“You’re really going to give this a shot?” I confirm.
