“Me too?” I ask, unsure if I'm going to be happy with whatever answer she gives.
“Of course, silly. Where else would you go? Unless you and Ezra are at the stage of living together?”
“Definitely not at that stage. I've just gotten a key. Let's not rush things. But are you sure he wants me to live there?”
There's nothing worse than having your new step-daddy resent you.
“He was adamant. Now, I need you to start packing your belongings while I'm gone. When we get back, the movers will be here. I'm going to place the furniture in storage for you when you do decide to get your own place.”
Two weeks. To box up ten years of my life. To meet a stranger I’m supposed to fake chemistry with. To film a performance that could blow up my entire world. No pressure.
Chapter 8
Felicity
Momwassupposedtospend her last night before eloping with me. Instead, she disappeared right after dinner. If I had been paying more attention, I would have caught her luggage waiting by the front door. But I wasn’t. And I didn’t.
It’s been three hours since she left and I’ve not gotten any closer to packing my belongings. Walking into my bedroom and seeing a stack of boxes and packing tape on my bed really made her news real.
I’m sitting on the floor, my knees pulled to my chest, head resting on the edge of my mattress as I clutch my beloved stuffed puppy in my hand, Pup-Pup. He came into my life at some point, I just don’t remember when. It’s almost as if he’s always been here. Tears well in my eyes as memories flood my mind. This house holds a ton of them, and now I’m having to say goodbye to it.
It’s bittersweet.
Why Mom didn’t think to ask me if I wanted to stay here instead of moving with her, I’m not sure. Maybe she thinks it’d be too much money for me while I’m still in school. Does she notremember how I carried us when she couldn’t? Or, maybe, she just didn’t want to leave me here alone.
My mind drifts to living with the newlyweds, and I shudder. All I can think about is hearing them having sex or worse, walking in on them. My body shakes vehemently and I gag a little. Nope, I’ll need to start shouting every time I enter a room.
My eyes scan the room, taking in the boxes, the mess I’ve made, and what I still need to do. This isn’t where I want to be tonight or what I want to be doing. With a sigh, I toss my beloved stuffed animal onto the bed and stand up.
I rush around the room, grabbing pajamas and some clothes for tomorrow, and stuff them in my overnight bag. Next, I run to the bathroom and collect my toiletries and makeup, adding them to my bag. Glancing around the room one final time, I make sure I have everything I need. My book bag is still by the door, so I’ll just get it on my way out. For a minute I debate messaging or calling Ezra to let him know I’m coming, but decide to surprise him instead.
Once I’ve made sure I have everything, I lock the house up tight and head to my car. Before I pull out of the driveway, I take one last look at the house. Sadness seeps into my soul knowing that this isn’t going to be my home much longer. I knew I’d be moving out one day; living my own life away from Mom. I just expected her to always be here. In this house. But she’s not.
Two weeks. It’s going to come so quickly.
The lights are out when I pull into the driveway at Ezra’s. I take a look at my watch and see it’s getting close to ten thirty. He should still be awake, but he does have school tomorrow. Wehaven’t talked since earlier tonight, so he must have assumed I wasn’t coming over.
I park the car and get out, then grab my bag and purse from the backseat. My book bag can stay. The wind whips around me as I make my way up to the door. The coolness of the air cutting right through me. Spring can’t get here soon enough. One day when I finally settle down, I want it to be somewhere warm, with beaches within driving distance. Hopefully, Ezra will be there with me.
I clench the keys tightly in my hand as I open the door and step inside. It’s quiet. Eerily so. For a minute, I debate whether this was a bad idea and if I should turn around and go back home. But then the naughtier side of me takes over and I wonder how Ezra will react to waking up to me sitting on his face.
I gently place my bags on the floor and slip off my boots, trying my hardest not to make a sound. Carefully, I peel off each layer of clothing, the room cool against my bare skin. The soft rustle of the fabric falling to the floor sounds louder than I'd like, and I pause for a heartbeat, listening. But there's nothing but the hum of the night. Ezra’s not rushing to the living room to knock the intruder over the head with a bat.
Padding on my toes, I ease down the hallway, the floorboards barely creaking beneath my weight. The house is still. I move like a breath of air, my eyes focusing on the closed bedroom door at the end.
My fingers curl around the doorknob as I turn it slowly, and push the door open just enough to slip inside. The room is dark except for the faint blue light of the moon leaking through the curtains.
And there he is.
Ezra lies tangled in the sheets, one arm thrown above his head, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. His shaggy, wavy light brown hair, in need of a trim, falls across his brow. There’sa bit of stubble along his jaw and chin, giving him a roughness even in rest.
I stay still for a moment, just watching him, my heart full and quiet. This man is amazing, and he’s all mine.
Not wanting to wait any longer, I tiptoe across the room to the bed. Just as I’m about to put a knee down and climb onto the bed, he rolls away from me onto his side, nixing my riding his face idea.
I pause.
I just need to feel something that doesn’t hurt right now. Something real.
