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“Uh-huh.”

“Now?”

I rolled my eyes. “It’s, like, not even nine, Mom.” And I’m twenty-freaking-three years old.

She huffed, and her tone was a little sulky when she said, “Fine. Make sure you’re home by—” She cut herself off, seeming to remember, for once, that I was indeed twenty-freaking-three years old. “Just be safe.”

“I will.”

“Don’t drink and drive.”

“Mom, come on.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. “When have I ever done that?”

“And don’t do any drugs, for the love of god.”

“Oh my god,” I muttered under my breath, turning to go back into my room.

“What was that?”

After a silent huff, I raised my voice again. “No, I won’t do any drugs.”

I couldn’t help but wonder if she’d rank drug-taking higher or lower on the forbidden list than what I’d done on the beach with Elliot last night.

***

I didn’t actually have anywhere to go, I’d just needed to get out of the house. And I’d been in such a rush to do that, I hadn’t actually called any friends to see if they wanted to hang out before leaving. I’d just fixed my hair, thrown on some jeans and a sweatshirt, and dipped.

At first, I considered going to the mall to wander around for a while. It’d be open for a few more hours, but all I’d want to do was go see Elliot, and it wasn’t like I could hang out with him in the special kitchen at work.

I almost went to the movie theater to watch something, initially finding the idea of sitting alone in a dark, quiet room with a big bucket of popcorn appealing. But then I imagined doing it with Elliot instead. Finding seats right at the back, out of sight. Not even paying attention to the movie, because we’d be too busy making out under the cover of darkness.

So a movie on my own lost all its appeal too.

I ended up just driving around for a while listening to the radio, trying to chill and not let myself get too irritated by my mom. She wasn’t that bad, just kind of domineering, in some ways treating me more like a kid than she did the twins—the actual two kids in the house. I didn’t know if it was an unwillingness to accept that I was an adult now, on the cusp of moving out for good—god, I hoped so, anyway—or a case of the eldest child just being held to a different standard than the kids who’d followed, but it was getting to me. A lot. I needed to move out. Soon.

I needed space. And privacy.

If I had my own place, Elliot and I could…

I couldn’t remember if Elliot had ever mentioned having his own place, but I was pretty sure he did. He was twenty-six, so it was likely. I didn’t know if he had roommates, though. I wondered if I’d get to find out. If he’d ever invite me over.

I tried not to let my mind drift too much because I was driving, but it was impossible not to imagine what we’d be able to do if we were alone together somewhere, without any chance of being interrupted or walked in on. I imagined being completely naked with him. Every inch of his body pressed against mine. Our hard cocks sliding together like they had last night on the beach. All his smooth, pale skin on display for me to touch and taste.

I wanted to lick every inch of him, of his cock, his balls. I wanted to suck him into my mouth and feel the weight of him on my tongue. I wanted to know what his cock tasted like. What his cum tasted like.

I wanted him so, so much. More than I’d known it was possible to want anyone.

I lost track of time, and by the time I realized Broth with a Bite would be shut by now, it was too late for me to drive to the mall and hope to catch Elliot leaving. Maybe that would’ve been creepy behavior anyway. Maybe he would’ve found it weird.

Shoulders slumping in defeat, I decided to start heading back home. Mom would probably be asleep in front of the TV by now, so I should be able to creep back in and up to my room without having to give her a minute-by-minute rundown of everything I’d done while out of the house. If Dad wasn’t still at work, he’d be down in his “den” in the basement watching football.

When I was about halfway between home and the mall, near the oceanfront part of town, I pulled into a gas station to get some snacks. Pity-party snacks, I decided to call them. I was going to get whatever the hell I wanted, including a giant slushie as a tiny rebellion, seeing as Mom had never allowed me to have sugar in the evenings when I was growing up.

Giant cup of pure sugar before bed it was. That was what being an adult was all about.

I parked and climbed out of my car, shivering a little in the cool night air. I was pretty sure Elliot still had my denim jacket from last night, but I’d forgotten to ask him at work. It was fine, though. It wasn’t all that cold, and I was in no rush as I started heading for the entrance, absently jangling my keys in my hand.

I was just a handful of steps from the doors when I heard someone yell my name. I tensed up before bracing myself and slowly looking around.