Anytime, Birdy.
Chapter 33
Rayne
Midnight Rain—Taylor Swift
It feels almost surreal when Easton and I go upstairs to his room later. The last time I was here, we kissed. Earlier today, we kissed again. Everything is different from last time, and when I walk into his room, I realize justhowdifferent.
I don’t really know how to deal with it.
Easton strokes the back of my hand, and I look up at him and meet his questioning gaze.
“Should I drive you back to school?” He sounds reluctant, as though he doesn’t want to be asking this at all.
I shake my head. “No. Unless you want me to go.”
“No,” he says immediately. “I want you to stay.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Okay. Me too.”
He smiles. “I’ll just check in the bathroom to see if I can find a toothbrush for you. You can use Willow’s stuff, I’m sure she won’t mind.” He walks over to a dresser, pulls open a drawer, and handsme one of his T-shirts. “Here. My sweatpants will probably be way too big for you, but you can have a pair if you want.”
“No, that’s okay,” I reply. I want to feel his warm skin against mine.
“I’ll be right back. Do you need anything else?” He runs a hand through his hair, looking strangely embarrassed, as if he’s just as insecure as I am. That helps the nervous tingling in my stomach ease a little.
I smile. “I’ve got everything I need.”
“Okay.” He walks to the door but glances back over his shoulder, and a tingle goes through my whole body.
I nod even though he didn’t ask a question, but I can’t just stand there and look at him, even though it’s what I want to do most. Easton bites his lower lip, and I immediately gaze at his mouth. Those lips... He hesitates, then turns away. I can hear him take a deep breath before finally leaving the room.
The lamp next to his bed is the only source of light. I toss the T-shirt he just gave me on the bed and pull my phone out of my small backpack. The display is miraculously intact after I threw it against the wall earlier. Only the case is cracked. I tap the screen and discover half a dozen messages from Zoe and Mae in our group chat, and I realize it’s later than I thought. It’s almost midnight.
I open our chat; I have to at least let them know that I won’t be coming home tonight, otherwise they’ll definitely worry. I bet Mae has been knocking on my door every few minutes for hours to see if I sneaked back to school without saying anything. I haven’t written all day, even though I promised I would, and my guilty conscience makes me send a quick text back.
Mae:
How’s it going?
Mae:
Come on, Rayne, we’re curious.
Mae:
Please answer me.
Mae:
Raaaaaaaayne, I’m going to keep bugging you until you write back!
Zoe:
Gosh, Mae, don’t be so nosy. She’ll get in touch.
Mae:
