Voices in the Night (The Dark Mind Trilogy Book 3)

by Matthew Goldstein

  Cole, beaming, swung the door wide. “Come on in!”

  Michelle stepped through the doorway and Cole closed the door behind her. “Hey.” She kissed his lips. “This is awesome, you living so close to me. I can just stop by whenever I feel like it.”

  “I know, it's even better than I imagined. I can't get used to how cool this is.” They sat down beside each other on his bed. “Are you psyched for tonight?”

  “I don't know. Crowded room, loud music, bunch of people we don't know, mostly guys, and all drunk. I'm a little curious, but not sure this is exactly my kind of thing.”

  Cole laughed. “Yeah, can't say I really disagree, but I want to see at least one. Don't know 'til you try, right?”

  “I guess so. Also, I was thinking...” Michelle averted her eyes and bit her lip, the common sign that she was having difficulty saying something. She met his eyes. “We should have a special night for us, you know? We could think of it as a way to celebrate our newfound independence.”

  Cole's heart beat faster. She's been bringing this up more often lately. I need to tell her the truth. His mother's words echoed in his head as they had every day since she had said them. I have no idea what will happen... But he couldn't bring himself to tell Michelle at that moment. Later. I'll find the right words and do it later. He smiled and laid his hand on hers. “Yeah, I'd like that. Soon.”

  “Yeah?” Michelle brightened. “I've been hoping you'd say that for so long. This is going to be a great year. I love you.”

  “I love you too.” They kissed.

  “Let's go get some dinner. I'm starving.”

  Several hours later, they arrived at the frat party. They danced for a while, but it was not long before the novelty of the party began to wear off.

  Michelle leaned in close to Cole's ear to be heard over the blare of the speakers. “Do you want to find somewhere a little quieter? I need a break.”

  “Yeah, me too,” he shouted back.

  They explored the depths of the house where they found a vacant back room furnished with armchairs, away from all the noise. They shut the door and plopped down on two of the largest chairs.

  “Ah, that's so much better,” Michelle said. “I think my ears were starting to bleed. Now I just have to wait for the room to stop dancing around me.” She gave an exaggerated laugh, kicking her legs, which hung over the armrest of the chair. The faint sounds of laughter and music drifted in through the closed door.

  “I think you're more than a little tipsy,” Cole said, smiling at her. “How much did you have?”

  “More than you, you little pansy, and you're even drunker than me.” She got up and flopped down on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Hey, you.”

  “Hey, yourself.”

  “Do you remember when you had telepathy? That was so cool. It's hard to believe it even happened anymore. Was it real or did I dream it?”

  “Seems like a dream sometimes too, but I know it's real because your brother still thinks I'm weird after that prank we pulled on him.” Cole smirked down at her.

  Michelle tossed her head back and laughed. “That will never stop being hilarious.” When she had recovered, she tapped him on the nose. “Did you want to go back to the party?”

  “Nah, why would I want to go back to a lame frat party when I have you all to myself in a dark back room?”

  “Naughty boy, I like the sound of that.” She planted a wet kiss on his lips.

  “Did I ever tell you you're awesome?”

  “You're pretty awesome yourself. Maybe not as much as me.” She laughed and snuggled her face in his neck.

  “Full of ourselves a bit?”

  “Hey, babe,” she whispered in his ear. “I want you so bad right now.”

  Cole pressed his face to hers, enjoying the sweetness of her mouth as the room spun around him.

  Michelle pulled back and lifted his shirt off. “I want all of you.” She discarded her own shirt in a corner and began rubbing her hands across Cole's chest, down toward his waist.

  “Wait, wait,” Cole said, breathlessly. “I don't have a condom on me. We can't do this now. It's not worth chancing.”

  “Oh, come on. Nothing's going to happen. You know how slim the chances are? We’ve been dating forever. I can’t wait any longer. I want you now. I need you now.”

  The small part of his brain that was still capable of logical thought was wishing he had told her the truth about his celibacy, the reason he was terrified to even use a condom. As awkward as this timing was, he would have to tell her. “There's somet–” he began but gave up as the top button of his pants came undone.

  She's right. It'll be fine, he thought.

  THE END