Him by Carey Heywood (reading strategies book .txt) 📕

As we drive to my house, Will rests his hand on my thigh. The sensation of his hand there feels so familiar but new at the same time. On the drive back to my house, Will texts Brian to see if it's cool if we hang out at their place. Will has a spare key, and they’re staying in a hotel for the night. Brian seems to talk for a long time, but Will doesn’t tell me what he says, just that it’s alright for us to go over there.

Will follows me up the stairs and watches me as I throw some things in my carryon bag for the night. It's like he doesn’t want to let me out of his sight, so I'm not surprised when he trails me into the bathroom. I grab my toiletries and pause to meet his eyes in the mirror. I cannot believe this is happening, that we are happening. The last time I was as scared and excited at the same time was when I was with him all of those years ago.

I want him, but even admitting that to myself is frightening. I start to pull the pins from my hair. He sits on the edge of the tub as I work at removing them before getting up to help me. His hands in my hair feel heavenly, and I'm pleasantly surprised to see there is less hairspray in my hair than I expected.

"Sarah." My brown eyes meet his in the mirror. "Has there been anyone since me, you know, for you."

"In what way?" I'm not sure what he's getting at.

He's chewing on his bottom lip. "sexually."

I pause, my hands dropping. "Have I had sex since you?"

He drops his eyes and nods.

There is no point lying. "Yes, I've had relationships over the last seven years, Will." I hesitate. "Have you?"

He looks up and nods.

"So," I start. "Neither of us has anything to be worried about, right? Just," I take a deep breath. "Did you get back together with Jessica after I left?"

He makes a face. "No way."

He grabs one of my hands and kisses it. When the last of the pins is out, I close my eyes and lean back into Will's chest as he drags his fingertips over my scalp and through my hair before resting them on my shoulders. My eyes flutter open as I watch him in the mirror, his expression hooded as he slowly sweeps my hair to one side and lowers his lips to the back of my neck. I melt against him and reconsider my no sex ground rule before pulling away.

"You stay here or go downstairs. I'm going to change out of my dress."

He starts to follow me. "You sure you don’t need help with that."

I try to keep a straight face and point down the stairs. He pouts but turns and slowly makes his way down them. I go back to my room and pull on some jeans and a v-neck t-shirt, purposely avoiding anything with easy access. The less of my skin Will has the opportunity to touch, the better. Tonight is going to be all about talking about what happens next. Talking, not action. I pull out my phone and call Sawyer.

"Just so you know, I've been fucking dying for an update."

I laugh. "Well, I have a big ass update." I pause, just to piss her off.

It works. "Sarah, I swear to God. Spit it out already."

"So, I talked to Will, and I think we’re dating now."

"Shut the fuck up!"

I shake my head. "No lie. He’s waiting for me downstairs right now. He's been in love with me this whole time and says he'll come to Denver for the rest of the summer."

"Aww. That makes me want to cry. Wait, the whole summer? Is homeboy unemployed?"

I snort. "No, he's a teacher. You know, summers off."

"I'm going to get to meet him. Just so you know, I'm happy dancing."

I didn’t expect anything less. "But I have to go. I will tell you more later. I love you."

I hear her making kissy noises as I end the call.

"Who do you love?"

I look up to see Will leaned up against the doorway. Mental picture. God, he looks hot in his tux. I'm almost regretting not wearing something more revealing.

"Spy much?"

He shrugs.

I walk over to him and slip my arms around his waist. He rests his chin on my head. "It was Sawyer, my new best friend."

I feel him tense and look up at him. "What's wrong?"

He's chewing on the side of his mouth. "What's he like?"

I get a dirty look when I laugh at him. "Will, Sawyer is a girl. All better now?"

He avoids my eyes.

I smack his chest. "You were jealous." I laugh. I have no idea why I find this so funny.

He silences me with a kiss that makes my knees feel weak. He raises his lips from mine. "Yes, I was jealous. I just happen to know your last best friend fell in love with you, so I got nervous."

I meet his gaze as he dusts another, more delicate kiss across my lips.

Chapter 22

Past

The telephone call to my parents sucks. My mother asks why I was trying to scare her to death and demands I come back home immediately while my father tells me he’s disappointed in me. I hold firm, though. Then she says Will had come over looking for me and that I need to call him.

That's when I start to cry. "We broke up, mom."

"What happened?"

"I don’t want to talk about it. I just need to get away. Please, can I have Uncle Chip's number?"

Hearing the desperation in my voice must do it. She gives me his number. I call him next. He’s surprised but said he meant it when he said I could always stay with him. Just hearing that makes me exhale. I had no idea what I was going to do if he had said no. Jake and Sawyer drive me over to his