Say When - Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,76
kiss to the spot where my pulse races.
“That was—”
Stroking my fingers through his hair, I cut him off with a quiet, “I know. I know.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
“I survived,” Molly announces, stepping through the door two weeks later, her suitcase at her side.
I finish wiping down the counter after I spilled coffee on it. It was tragic, my freshly made iced coffee went everywhere all because Hayden sent me a sexy text reminding me about all the things, he wanted to do to me on his desk.
“That bad?”
“You have no idea.” She wheels her suitcase behind her. “I picked us up a whole cheesecake,” she holds up a paper bag I didn’t notice before, “please say we can watch Golden Girls and stuff our faces. I need it more than anything.”
“You had me at cheesecake.”
“Thank God. I’m going to go unpack first.”
While Molly gets settled, I get the T.V. ready with the next episode we have to watch. I don’t know why Golden Girls has always been our comfort show. We’ve watched all of it at least three times now, making this the fourth run through.
She comes back with the bag, pulling out the box of cheesecake already pre-sliced.
“Don’t judge me when I eat the whole piece,” I warn, grabbing plates from the cabinet.
“Don’t judge me then when I eat two.”
We laugh, setting our slices on the plates and grabbing forks.
“Did you see Jake at all while you were gone?”
“Twice. My parents were busy, so I went to his parents’ farm and we just hung out. They have a cow named Millicent that’s in love with him. It’s hilarious. She runs after him and tries to lick him. I think she might believe she’s a dog.”
“That’s amazing.” I can’t help but laugh at the visual of Jake running away from a cow. “Have you guys put any label on things yet?”
She wrinkles her nose, spearing the fork into the dessert. “Not really. It makes me nervous, because you know me, I like to know where I stand with people, but I don’t want to push things too far too fast.”
“I understand.”
“It’s crazy. I didn’t think I’d like him so much.”
I pick up the remote, starting the show. “I’m happy for you, Molls. You deserve to have someone you care about.”
She snorts in a self-deprecating way, tossing her long red hair over her shoulder. “If only my mom saw it that way. She’d have a fit and go on a rant about how guys are just a distraction and I’ll end up pregnant and a college drop out.”
“That’ll never happen.”
“I just wish she’d realize that her saying stuff like that only hurts me and gives me anxiety. It’s like nothing I do or say is good enough.”
“I’m sorry, Molls. I think you guys need to sit down and have a chat.”
She rolls her eyes. “I would if I thought it would do any good. But she doesn’t listen. I thought she was all on board with us living together this year but almost as soon as they left, she was texting me saying how I should just come home until school started and it didn’t make sense for me to stay around here when I don’t have classes. She doesn’t want to let go and I. Am. Drowning.”
“You need to talk to her,” I repeat. “Or else you’re going to lose your shit one day when you can’t take any more and blow up at her and that won’t be good for anyone.”
“You’re right, I know, but it feels impossible. I feel nauseous thinking about it.”
“Don’t psych yourself out. This is your mom. You can talk to her, and if she doesn’t want to listen to what you have to say that’s on her not you. You have a right to your feelings, Molly. No one is allowed to invalidate them.”
“You’re so much stronger than me,” she practically whispers the words.
I snort. “Trust me, I’m not.”
If I was strong, I wouldn’t be keeping Hayden a secret from my best friend. But the less she knows the better. I know she wouldn’t approve, but she’s loyal, and I don’t want her in the middle of keeping my secret.
“You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
I stare back at her with a melancholy smile. “Neither do you.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Campus is buzzing with life with the winter break return. The weather is surprisingly warm for this time of year, nearly fifty, and a few brave souls even wear shorts. There’s an energy in the air, the buzz of conversation,