the living room. As I get closer, I identify the one on the couch as Tara and the other is Sydney on the floor. Her eyes are closed, but even in sleep, her phone is in her hand as if she’s been waiting for me to call.
I’ve been thinking about what it’d feel like to be back here, hugging her, all night. I swear those hours felt like weeks. I’m not sure why she left in the first place. Maybe she really thought there was a chance I’d get back with Amelia or maybe she’s pissed at Tara—that’d make two of us. But whatever the reason, I don’t want her to run when she’s upset. I want to be her person even when she needs someone to vent to or punch. Though, she’s punched me before and it fucking hurt, so I hope that’s not what she needs right now. I’m so tired it might knock me on my ass.
I’m still staring at her, blonde hair splayed out, the comforter from the bed tossed over her, feet sticking out, when her eyes flutter open. She lifts her head slowly. “Tanner?”
She scrambles to her feet, but I can’t make mine move. I manage to open my arms and brace myself before she throws herself around me.
“You’re really here, right? I’m not dreaming?”
I run a hand down the back of her head, tangling my fingers through her hair. “I’m really here.”
“Are you okay? What happened? Never mind, just kiss me.”
“What if I’m not okay?” I chuckle as I bring my lips to hers.
“Then you better make it a good one that I can remember you by.”
Sweeping my tongue into her mouth and digging my fingers against her back, I try to somehow get her closer. I don’t worry about it being one to remember me by because I’m not going anywhere.
Funny how something as simple as being cut off from the ones you love for half a day can put things in perspective.
“Tanner?” Tara’s groggy voice pulls at my attention.
Sydney and I break apart and I set her down. She moves to my side as Tara hurries to me.
“Oh my god, I was so scared.” She’s crying as she buries her face into my chest, then pulls back and smacks me on the arm.
“Ow! What was that for?”
“For scaring the crap out of us.”
“I’m sorry. My phone died and I didn’t have my charger.” Another slap. “The highway was closed. They wouldn’t let anyone through.”
She nods and sniffs. “I know. We went out looking for you and saw the barricade. We called everyone we knew trying to find you.” Her eyes widen. “You have to call Mom and Dad.”
I wince thinking of my mom freaking out. “Do me a favor? Call them for me. My phone needs to charge, and I need to catch up with my girl. Please?”
She hesitates, glances between me and Sydney, but then agrees. “You owe me, though. For this and for taking a good five years off my life last night with all the worrying.”
“I’ll make it up to you later. Boat ride in the morning? We’ll go to that place with the biscuits and gravy.” I’m still pissed at the shenanigans she pulled today or yesterday, whatever day that was, but now is not the time to hash it out.
“Buying my love with food? Nice.”
“You know it.” I wink at her and add, “Love you, sis.”
With a burst of adrenaline fueled from exhaustion and the prospect of kissing her until I pass out, I grab Sydney’s legs and toss her over my shoulder.
“Wait,” Tara calls after us. “It’s already morning. What time?”
“Tomorrow morning,” I clarify and shut the door before she can yell at me some more. For the next twenty-four hours I’m not leaving this room. I need to sleep for half of it and make out with Sydney for the other half.
“She was really worried about you.” Sydney pulls me down on top of her as soon as I lay her on the bed.
“Not you?”
“I knew you were okay. You had to be. I refused to believe that I’d just gotten you and then lost you.” Her brown eyes soften, and she swallows. “I shouldn’t have left. I’ve waited so long for this and then I ran at the first bump in the road because I was afraid that after all this time, I’d somehow lucked into it out of lack of options.”
My lips twitch at the ridiculous notion, but she doesn’t give me