He shifts, taking a deep breath. “Hey, since it’s Thursday, how do you guys feel about spending the night at our place? Just one more day in the week. We can order a big dessert and bring it back. I checked their menu and saw something that I cannot stop thinking about now.”
Heather practically squeals, and Micah nods eagerly. “Yes!”
I laugh, glancing at Jude. “Sounds perfect. I’ll text Mrs. Kent to feed Nova. I gave her a head’s up.”
He leans closer to me, then presses a quick kiss to my temple. “Can’t wait, baby.”
Heather and I follow the boys all the way back to their place, laughing as we speed-walk up the stairs because Micah ordered anentireItalian chocolate cake for pickup like it was nothing. Jude unlocks the door and immediately asks, “You guys wanna go for a night ride? Micah can drop the cake inside real quick.”
Heather claps. “Yes.Absolutelyyes. Cake after.”
I’m already smiling. “Let’s do it.”
We pile into Jude’s Audi. I take the passenger seat; Heather and Micah sprawl out in the back. Jude pulls onto the coastal highway and rolls the windows all the way down, letting the salty air sweep through the car. The night is surprisingly warm andclear. I tilt my face toward the wind and breathe in. I could never get tired of that smell.
God, Jude really has this car. This gorgeous, ridiculous, stupidly expensive car. Sometimes I wonder how much money he actually has...but I don’t ask.
Micah pulls out a blunt. “As promised,” he announces.
Heather gasps and grabs it. “Oh my god, Emma, we haven’t smoked since college.”
“That’s because we had exams,” I say, laughing, already accepting the blunt when she passes it forward. “I’m a respected therapist now. I have a license to protect.” I pause, glancing over at Jude. He gives me a soft smile. I’m hesitant to do this or contribute in any way to them partaking in drug use. But they’re going to do it either way it seems. So is Heather’s dumb ass.
Heather snorts, snapping me back from my thoughts. “You’ll befine. We’re responsible people.”
Responsible is absolutely not the word I would use for Micah or Jude, but the weed hits my lungs anyway. I haven’t smoked in so long that I start coughing. Micah throws a water bottle up at me.
“Thank you,” I choke out with a laugh. And then I glance to the left.
The full moon streams in through the window, lighting Jude’s cheekbones in silver. His hood is down now, hair tousled by the wind, jaw set as he focuses on the road. One hand on the wheel, the other resting on my thigh. His thumb makes slow, lazy circles, and the warmth goes straight to my chest.
He puts a playlist on, and the intro of MGK’sRoll The Windows Upfills the car. I grin so hard my cheeks hurt. “Holy shit, thissong,” I laugh.
Heather and Micah explode instantly, rapping the opening lines, dancing in the backseat like two unhinged teenagers.Jude glances at them through the mirror and shakes his head, smiling. The sight is so pure and stupid that it makes me warm.
I join in, leaning against my door, smoke curling out as I sing. Jude raps along, and it makes me giggle because he’sactuallygood. This musically talented human.Anygenre, I swear.
The wind whips my hair. The moon glows over the ocean. The waves shine as the highway curves along the cliffside. I take another hit, letting the smoke settle in my lungs. My chest loosensso easily I almost forget it was ever tight.
I’m smoking weed with my ex boyfriend.
On the coastal highway with the windows down, under a full moon. Singing. Laughing. Alive. Life feels so damn good right now. And it makes me truly realize that we would definitely be married if he hadn’t left. There isno waythere is anyone better for either of us than the other.
And then Heather shrieks in excitement when the best part of the song comes on. Micah is practically bouncing in his seat. Jude shakes his head, but he’s chuckling, and when the verse hits, he actually sings. I burst out laughing because the moon flashes over his jaw, sharp and beautiful, and he looks like some kind of cinematic fever dream.
Then the line hits. The one we all know and love.
Jude glances over at me, a wicked little curl lifting the corner of his mouth, and belts out the part about“giving me half his dick because that’s all I could take.”
“Oh my god,” I wheeze, coughing on air as I laugh.
Heather launches herself forward between the seats, screaming with us. All four of us shout the next outrageous line in perfect, chaotic unison—the one about“saying grace and blessing a face.”
We’re all laughing so hard the car shakes. My high kicks in fully, and I feel like I’m floating. Jude’s thumb rubs slow circles on my thigh again, and for a moment the whole world feelssuspended. Caught in the glow of headlights and moonlight and rolling ocean darkness. I look at him.
He’s beautiful. I’m high, and feel a little wild. I’m in love. And I’m really, really happy to be alive tonight.
We burst through the front door, and Heather immediately bolts toward the kitchen like it’s a finish line. Micah is right behind her, laughing, arms flailing as he nearly trips.
