Chapter Twenty-Three
Ellie
I roll over and sigh as the sun beams through my window, slinking through my drapes and covering me with its golden light. I cover my eyes with my forearm as my head pounds, reminding me of the one too many shots I had last night. My mouth is dry when I open and shut it and I remove my covers to feel some coolness from my fan. I groan as I sit up, running my fingers through my hair and getting them stuck because it’s tangled. I peer down and see my pajamas on the floor, and I reach down to scoop them up.
Standing, I feel lightheaded as I slide them up and pull the hair tie out of my ratty hair. Dark blue curtains blow from the soft blowing box fan in my room, and the floor creaks when I walk over and stand in front of the fan. It’s only spring, and it’s already hot in here.
“Ugh, I’m never drinking again,” I say as I lean over and rest my elbows on the fan.
“Me either.” I hear and still as my eyes grow wide. I carefully peek toward the end of my bed, seeing one of my study buddies, Caleb, on the floor. I clear my throat.
“Umm… what are you doing here?” I ask.
He looks up at me from under his arm. My eyes travel down, and I see he has no shirt on. I look away.
“You don’t remember?” he asks.
“Enlighten me.” I move from my fan and pull my hair up. My eyes fixate on the pictures of Tommy and me above my bed before moving back to Caleb.
“You felt sick and said you needed someone to talk to you so you wouldn’t think about it. You finally passed out. It was late so I just threw a pillow down here.”
“Oh,” I recall and cringe. “Umm, sorry about that.” I look anywhere but at him as he stands up.
“It’s fine. You were cute.”
I lift a brow and peer back. “Cute? Yeah, I’m sure that’s the word you wanna use.”
He laughs. “Seriously, you were. I need to get a fan. I slept great even though I was on the floor.”
“Well, at least one of us did. I don’t think what I was doing should be called sleep. More like comatose.” I shake my head.
He chuckles and neither of us says anything for a moment until I break the awkward silence. “I’ve got to get a shower.”
“Yeah, okay,” he replies.
I amble over to my dresser to grab my toiletry bag. He lays the throw on the end of my bed and tosses the pillow back up to where all my others are. I see his shirt and go to grab it just as he does, causing us to bump into each other.
“Sorry,” I say, pulling back. He chuckles as he scoops the shirt up.
“No need to make this weird, Ellie. We didn’t do anything wrong.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Yeah, I know,” I say this out loud, but on the inside I know if Tommy saw this situation right now, he’d flip his shit.
“I’ll see you later,” he says, giving me a wink after he pulls his shirt over his head. He walks to the door, not waiting for my answer. I shut my eyes and shake my head.
Don’t screw up, Ellie. I hurry out and head to the bathrooms.
*
I made it to two classes today, but I’m no saint. I skipped my last one and grabbed a loaded baked potato from the cafeteria. I then took my ass back to my dorm. I’m chewing on my last bite when someone knocks on the door. Binny and Jenny are still in class, so I jump up to grab it. I’m in yoga pants and a T-shirt that I stole from Tommy. I answer and there stands Caleb.
“Hey,” he says, looking down at my clothes.
“Hey,” I reply, still chewing my food and not giving two shits about how I look right now. Because this guy isn’t Tommy.
“Just came by to check on you. We all tied one on pretty good last night.”
I swallow and clear my throat. “Sorry, full mouth.”
He looks past me. “What are you eating?”
“The loaded baked potato from the cafeteria.”
“Oh, damn, those are good.”
“I know,” I say in all seriousness.
“Did you go to class today?” he asks.
“Yeah, made it to two of them.” I hold up two fingers and shrug. I realize we are still standing in the doorway and people are walking by.
“You can come in if you’d like. I’m just watching old reruns of I Love Lucy.” I walk back to the couch and flop down.
“That still plays on TV?” he asks.
“I don’t know. My dad bought me a few seasons on Blu-ray for Christmas. We used to watch it a lot when I was a kid.”
He nods and looks at the TV. “That’s pretty cool.”
“Yeah, it’s Jenny’s. She’s a huge gamer.”
“Never pinned her for that.” He chuckles.
“Me either.” I laugh, thinking about my country girl Jenny. My phone rings, and I peer down at the screen.
“That your boyfriend?” Caleb asks with a lifted brow.
“Yep.”
“You gonna grab it?” he asks.
“Yeah.” I reach over to pick it up. “Hey, baby,” I answer, standing.
“Hey,” he says on the other end. “You at your dorm?”
“I am. It’s been a lazy day,” I reply as I hold my finger up to Caleb, telling him I’ll be right back.
“You wanna come to the door?” Tommy asks me.
Panic rises in my chest as I turn around and look at my dorm door.
“You okay?” Caleb asks.
My eyes move from the door to him.
“You’re here?” I say into the phone. My voice sounds higher than normal, and I know a hint of worry is noticed. Caleb smiles a tad, but he doesn’t know my guy. This isn’t funny. It’s stupid.
“Yeah, let me in,” he says.
I look at the coffee table and bite my lip. There are no books out so I can’t say this is a study thing. Shit, shit, shit. I run a hand over my hair as Caleb chuckles at my obvious freak-out. I swallow nervously. There is nothing wrong with this. Sure, we are in my dorm, but lots of people come in and out of this dorm. It’s just us two though, and I’m in lazy clothes. I walk to the door and put my hand on the knob.
“What’s taking so long?” Tommy asks on the other end. “There are girls taking my clothes off out here.”
I pull the door open with the phone still up to my ear. I try to contain my smile. Seeing him here is odd, but so good. I scan my eyes over his body––new black-on-black low tops, khaki shorts, and a gray T-shirt. I see this boy has been shopping. He slightly lifts the charcoal fitted hat off his head.
“You look intact to me.” I bite my lip and move the phone. Confident and beautiful, he gives me a slight grin.
“The hell you doing? Come here, girl.” Grabbing my arm, the boy who makes me feel things I’ve never felt before pulls me to him. People walk by, but I don’t care. I’ve got Tommy.
I breathe in his closeness as he lowers his face to mine, barely touching my lips, making me melt. The smell of new clothes and my boy makes me grin. “I missed you,” he says before he kisses me. Caleb clears his throat behind us, and Tommy pulls away.
“Oh, sorry,” I reply, only a tad bit embarrassed. “Tommy, this is Caleb. He’s in my study group.”
The one who makes my skin warm narrows his eyes, scrutinizing the boy who’s in my dorm.
“Nice to meet you.” Caleb smiles confidently, reaching his hand out. Tommy takes it.
“You too,” Tommy says, but it’s not friendly. It’s brackish, and Caleb notices.
“I better get going. Ellie, I’ll see you next week?” He looks to me for an answer.
“Yeah.” I nod.
“Nice meeting you, Tommy. You’re a lucky man,” he throws in as he pats my boyfriend’s shoulder.
“I know,” Tommy says with a low warning voice.
Acting like nothing is weird, I chew my nail as he watches Caleb leave.
“Well, come on. You’ve never seen my dorm before.” I turn to walk inside and then hear the door shut behind us.
“This is the common area,” I say, reaching over
and grabbing the hand he takes off the doorknob.
“That’s my roommate Jenny’s TV. You’ll meet her later. This is the kitchen obviously.” I link our fingers and rub my thumb across the top of his skin, pulling him around. “Jenny’s room is there, and Binny’s room is over there beside mine.” I point.
Tommy drops my hand.
“You want something to drink?” Walking to the small kitchen, I reach to the fridge. “We’ve got water, and I made some lemonade yesterday. Surprisingly, it’s not all gone.” I peek over the rim of the refrigerator door at Tommy who is leaned against the wall watching me dubiously.
“I’m not thirsty, L.”
Letting the door go, it shuts and I move in front of the counter. He’s guarded and unnerving with his hands shoved into his shorts pockets. His eyes roam over my face before going down to my clothes. His tongue darts out and wets his bottom lip, and my body reacts. Warming from the inside, I feel heat like fire crawl up my neck.
“That my shirt?” he asks.
Clearing my throat, I grin. “Kinda took it.”
He doesn’t return my smile, but he lets his eyes leave me and wander over the dorm to the couch where Caleb and I were seated. Gripping the bottom of my shirt, I hear water as it drips from the faucet and the TV plays in the background. Lucy yells about chicken and rice, and Tommy looks back at me.
“Take it off.”
“What?” I ask.
“Take off the shirt.” Lifting his chin, poker-faced and purposeful pushes off the wall and removes his hands from his pockets. Intrigued and a little nervous, I bite the inside of my cheek and scrape the cuticle on my thumb, lifting skin and making it sore.
Close enough to feel his breaths feather against my hair, Tommy lifts his finger and runs it along the hem of the soft cotton that swallows me. He dips it under and skims my skin, causing goose bumps to rush along my body. Almost afraid of what I’ll see, I avoid his eyes, choosing to watch his finger instead as it rises, taking with it my shirt.
“Tommy,” I warn as it goes higher.
“No bra.” Satisfied and making my heart flutter, he rubs over my breast.
“Someone could walk in.”
“I locked the door,” he says.
My eyes shoot up to his, seeing indifference and hidden emotion.
“Lift your arms, L.”
I inhale a shaky breath, but do what he says. Cotton that used to smell like him moves up and over me, puddling to the floor when he lets go. Brown eyes gaze into my blues, sending rushing blood through my veins and butterflies into my stomach.
Tommy licks his lips, and in one unhurried move he grasps the back of my neck and his mouth touches mine. Tenacious and welcoming, he kisses me, moving backward so I follow. His hand travels down at a lazy pace almost tickling me.
The boy who makes the butterflies flutter ventures his rough hands to my waist. Snaking his arm around, he lifts me. Barefoot and clinging, I cross my ankles behind his back as he takes us to the couch.
Laying me on top of my throw, he grips the edge of my pants and cotton underwear, yanking them and pulling them off. He doesn’t stop kissing me, not once. I hear his zipper go down, and I lower my feet to help drag his shorts and boxers past where they should be.
Pushing forward once, he is where he wants to be. I moan and clamp my eyes shut, exhaling into his mouth. The deepest groan, sounding gritty, moves up from his throat and vibrates against my body as it leaves his lips.
Extending my hand up, I feel between his ribcage where his heart beats wildly for me. A hammering pulse against my palm matches my strongest muscle and he sinks lower. My hands explore. Reaching, I rub his forehead, pushing his fitted hat until it falls. Splaying my fingers, I run them through his thick russet hair and whisper, “I love you.”
“How much, Ellie?” he asks, driving forward, bracing himself with his left arm on the back of the couch.
“More than anything,” I breathe out.
“Look at me and tell me,” he urges, his deep voice gravelly and music to my ears. Gazing into eyes like fall, I blink as he moves slower, dragging out each stroke so I feel everything. He’s consuming and wanting, and desperation pours from his lips as he says it again, “Tell me.” Gone is his indifference. This is the Tommy I know, unguarded and fervent, but only when it comes to me.
“More than anything, Tommy.”
His lips lift before he kisses me, robbing me of my breath. He owns me even more than he already does because I’m weak when it comes to him too and always burning for his touch.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Tommy
“Today’s the day!” Ronnie sings out as he walks into Banner’s bar. We all look over.
“Today’s the day for what?” Banner asks as Ronnie sits down beside me.
“I’m going to rehab!”
I laugh, like burst out loud, bending over, eyes watering laugh.
“You in rehab? Yeah, I’d pay to see that.”
“Well, pay up, son. I’m going. Banner, give me five shots and a pitcher of beer.” Ronnie slaps his hand onto the bar.
Banner looks at him like he’s grown two heads.
“Come on, man. I’ve got to get drunk before I go in.”
I shake my head and Banner looks at me.
“Don’t put that shit on my tab. I’m not paying for his pre-rehab drunkfest.”
Hudson walks in with his head freshly buzzed.
“Been to Berry’s?” I ask as he sits down on my right.
“Yep,” he says, running a hand over his head. “He says to tell you hello and to bring your ass in there to trim up that thing you’re growing on your face.”
“Shut up,” I say, rubbing my jaw.
He smiles and lifts his chin at Banner. “Give me a cold one, would ya, Banner?”
“I’m still trying to figure out who’s paying for your dad’s drunk party.”
I roll my eyes. “Ronnie’s quitting the drink.” I grab my pack from the bar and hit the side to slip a smoke out.
Hudson chuckles. “Rose get to you?”
“Rose?” I ask, flicking my Bic and putting the flame to the end.
“Yeah, Rose got all over Ronnie last weekend when she caught him passed out in her back seat. Told him that if he didn’t get his shit together he wouldn’t have anything to do with our little green bean.”
“Green bean?” I smirk.
“Don’t ask.” He grabs for my pack.
“Outta Reds?” I ask.
“Yeah, smoked my last one on the way here. You mind?”
“I don’t know. Wanna go a round or two over it?” I tease, blowing smoke.
He laughs. “Brother, I’m getting too old for that shit.”
“Am I going to get my drinks or not?” Ronnie says.
“I tell you what, Ronnie. You come back here, take the trash out, clean up my storage closet, and mop and sweep this whole place when I get ready to close, and I’ll give you your five shots and your pitcher of beer,” Banner chimes in.
“Sounds like a plan to me.” He smiles and grabs my cigarettes from in front of Hudson. I snatch them away and shake my head.
“He’s gonna be too drunk to hold a broom, much less sweep with it.”
“Son, you sure know how to ruin a good thing,” Ronnie says, annoyed.
“A deal’s a deal, Ronnie. Shake on it.” Banner reaches his hand out, and Ronnie takes it.
“Put some dirt under me, boys. My ass is planted here for the rest of the night.”
I look at Hudson with a smirk. “So, Rose is the cause of this?”
Hudson shrugs. “I’m sure this wasn’t what she had in mind.”
*
Ronnie stumbles out of the car. He smells like stale beer and tobacco. He looks up and spreads his arms out.
“When I come out of here, I’ll be a new man.”
I sigh and slip my hat off. “See you in thirty days, Ronnie.”
He smiles and lifts the beer he’s holding to his lips, draini
ng what’s left.
“I hope you’ll visit.” He spots the trash and tosses the empty can, missing it. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he stumbles again.
“I’ll see ya.” He salutes.
*
A dead potted plant sits on Ronnie’s back porch, and I dump it into the trash bag I’m holding. Ronnie’s been in rehab for ten days now, and each day Hudson and I have come over to clean up his dump of a house. The bag is full, and the kitchen is cleaned. The ashtrays are emptied, and I’ve poured bleach into his toilets and shower. The toilet in the downstairs bathroom was running again, so I got back there and fixed it, having learned a thing or two from a few plumbers at work. There’s no hope for that ceiling fan, though. It’s a damn mystery.
I shut the door behind me when I walk out, leaving the upstairs windows open so the house can get some fresh air. God knows I never want Ronnie to have to live with me, so we’ve got to make sure his house doesn’t fall apart while he’s getting clean.
Truthfully, it’s probably better off with him gone. I put the bag into the trash bin and walk out to my car. After sliding into the seat and leaving the door open, I grab my cell phone and find Ellie’s number. I haven’t seen her in weeks, and it’s driving me crazy.
The weekend after I went up there, she came down here for spring break. I met all her friends and her roommates. One person I didn’t care about meeting, though, was Caleb. I can tell that motherfucker wants Ellie. But now anytime they sit on that couch, she’ll think of us on it. And that makes me feel a little better. I hit Call and wait for her voice. She doesn’t answer, so I leave a voicemail.
“Hey, baby. Call me when you can.” I toss the phone onto the passenger side and reach for my door handle. I pull it shut and start the car heading home without her.
*
“Yes, Elizabeth,” Piper says. “I know Joe can be a pain.” She winks at me as I sit down. I’m not this guy. I don’t usually give a shit what people do, but this girl has me worried because she hasn’t answered any of my phone calls. So, I’m here sitting in the chief’s office for something that isn’t about what I’ve done while drinking a cup of coffee and listening to Piper talk to my messed-up family.
Chasing Ellie: A Chasing Fireflies Spin Off Page 19
