“I’m serious. I’m not moving.” But instead of getting upset, James snickered at me, amused.
“If you don’t get out of here, I can pick you up and move you out of here whether you like it or not.”
“James!”
“Look, go sleep on the living room couch or go home. This is my fucking bed. I’m not kidding.”
I squeezed my fists. “First of all, we do have a truce, so try to be polite. Second of all, Will asked me to stay, and I have every intention of doing so, especially after everything he told me. Try to make an effort to understand other peoples’ reasons. Thanks.”
I stood up and kept my strong attitude.
“And I suppose I should sleep downstairs where there’s no Netflix or PlayStation, because the fucking princess has graced us with her presence? Forget it.”
James came toward me with a cutting stare.
“What a gentleman,” I murmured, an inch away from his face.
“You’re barking up the wrong tree.”
We glared at each other with our jaws clenched. I was exhausted from this tension between us. I couldn’t put up with it any longer.
“I’m gonna call my mom.” I groaned to get myself away from this annoyance. I walked into the hallway and decided to face the music and make that uncomfortable phone call.
I told her that I was going to sleep at Amelia’s and that it was an emergency. My mom obviously didn’t believe any of it, but I didn’t really care right then.
Now what? I couldn’t really sleep on the leather couch in the living room. It looked like one of those classic designer sofas that was rock-hard and anything but comfortable. Not to mention, I wasn’t even tired.
I went back into the bedroom where Will was still sleeping. He looked like an angel with his mouth ajar and his eyes shut. His locks of ashy hair cast a shadow over his eyes. I wanted to lay down next to him, but he hadn’t left any space for me.
I watched him, hoping he would move. Then I realized that I had to change. I put on the first T-shirt that I found on William’s nightstand, but then realized it belonged to James. I recognized the scent, which was so strong that it stuck to my hands like poison. I had to wash my hands.
I headed to the bathroom, where the door was ajar.
“What the fuck? Weren’t you leaving?” James was brushing his teeth, and glared at me in the mirror’s reflection.
“I have to wash my hands. Move over.”
He moved over, completely focused on staring at the mirror, holding his head up high.
I felt his hip push against mine when he bent over to spit. I moved my lathered hands away before he could take aim at them.
“Child . . .”
Then he put his mouth to the running water, took a small sip between his full lips, and spat again.
“Couldn’t you wait?” I snarled, irritated.
I looked in the mirror as I left the bathroom with one hand on my face and one on my stomach. My cheeks were round, and my stomach was never fully flat. I lowered my gaze. My thighs were definitely too big. I’d always thought feeling insecure about my looks was foolish; there were plenty of other qualities that I longed to have. But why did I feel so unattractive near a guy? If James were a woman, the comparison would probably be even more agonizing and the contrast even more unforgiving. The truth was that I’d never had anything to do with guys that good looking.
After brushing my teeth with my index finger and taking a large swig of mouthwash, I went back to Will’s room hoping James had left enough space for me. I flung the closet doors open and looked for something to put on. I didn’t see anything light. I rummaged here and there but only found sweatshirts, jeans, and jerseys. All of a sudden, I noticed a big basket of dirty clothes next to the closet. It was overflowing and looked like it had everything in it. Maybe I’d have to help Will not just with my words but with my actions. Clearly he needed someone to do his laundry.
“You can use mine, so you at least quit making a mess in there.” I jumped at James’s voice behind me.
“What are you doing here, Hunter?”
He went to sit on the couch at the foot of Will’s bed and turned on the TV.
“What are you doing?” I asked as he pulled his T-shirt over his head and threw it in my face.
