Able to shine like ours
Blessed are we to
Love
Each other
I’m in shock that clean-cut All-American Boy Drew Callahan has a tattoo. And that he got it after we were together.
“What does it mean?” I ask him, slowing skimming the words, each individual letter, with my index finger.
He seems surprised by my question. “Read it again,” he says quietly. “Slowly.”
I do so, realizing that the first letter of every sentence spells my name. Reminding me of the marshmallow note he left for me. I’m shocked. Overwhelmed. Touched so deeply, tears form in my eyes, and he kisses them away as they fall onto my cheeks. “I wrote those words for you,” he murmurs against my mouth before he kisses my lips. “You’ve turned me into a poet, Fable.”
God, he’s so sweetly romantic I want to lose myself in him forever.
We take a shower together and that eventually leads to more delicious sex, leaving me so spent afterward, my legs are like wobbly noodles when we finally climb out of the tub. He towel dries me, his fingers sliding between my still-wet legs, and he brings me to another earth-shattering orgasm.
Together, we’re absolutely ridiculous. We can’t keep our hands off of each other. And I love it.
I love him.
I put back on my shorts from last night but it’s too cold towear the stupid lacy top, so Drew lets me borrow an old sweatshirt. I pull it on, laughing when it stops just above my knees. I know I look ridiculous but he says I look cute, and then he sweeps me up into his arms and kisses me. Again. Thoroughly.
So thoroughly I finally have to smack his chest and tell him I need to get home so I can check on my brother before we get carried away again.
The disappointment on his face is clear, but he respects my wishes and we take off to my crappy apartment. The closer we get, the more nervous I become. What if my mom is home? No way do I want her to meet Drew. Not yet, anyway, because if this is going to continue between us, then eventually they’ll have to meet. It’s just a reality I’m not ready to face.
My mom is so incredibly embarrassing, with her drunken, trashy ways, how she flat-out doesn’t care about anything or anyone but herself. Drew thinks his family’s all fucked up—well, they are, let’s not fake ourselves out here—but my mom is no prize either.
What’s scary is that I’m constantly afraid I could turn into her. It would be so easy. We’re a lot alike, as much as I hate to admit it.
When we pull into my apartment complex parking lot, I notice my mom’s car isn’t there, thank goodness. The relief that floods me is palpable and I immediately feel lighter. Drew comes with me to my apartment, even though I tell him he can go ahead and leave since I have to work this afternoon. But he insists on walking me to my door like a gentleman.
I think he’s afraid to let me go, truthfully. And I feel the same way.
Pulling my key ring out of my purse, I go to unlock the door, when it swings open, startling me so much I drop my keys. Owen is standing there, clad in sweatpants and an old T-shirt, his hair an absolute mess. He throws himself at me, his arms so tight around my middle, I can hardly breathe.
“Where have you been?” he asks, giving me a shake when he withdraws from me. “I’ve been worried sick!”
“I thought you were at your friend’s house.” His outburst surprises me. Talk about a role reversal. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen him so worked up.
“I’ve been homealoneall night. Mom’s over at Larry’s house. She thought you were coming home. So did I. I tried to text you and call you but you never answered.”
Crap. “My phone must’ve died.” I bend to grab my keys. The excuse sounds weak, but it’s the truth.
Owen glances over my shoulder, his gaze alighting on Drew. “Who the hell is this?”
Jeez, why does he sound so hostile? The look he’s sending Drew could kill, it’s so intense.
“Um…” I don’t know how to answer. This is awkward. I didn’t expect my brother to actually greet us.
“Wait a minute.” Owen steps around me so he can stand directly in front of Drew, who towers over him. “You’re Drew Callahan, aren’t you?”
Oh, shit. I didn’t expect my brother to recognize him, but Drew is one of the star players on the college team. They have some minor celebrity status here in town.
“I am.” Drew’s smile is easygoing and full of warmth. “You must be Owen.”
