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

"I'm not sure when, or how, or where we'll live. We just talked about it right before you and Caleb got back," I ramble.

Jared sits on the edge of his bed. "Relax, Sarah. Let Sawyer figure all of that stuff out. That girl is an expert at moving."

He motions for me to sit down, patting the spot next to him on the bed. I shrug and sit down next to him. He turns his body towards mine, motioning with his finger for me to turn my back to him.

"Why are you so tense?" he asks, his hands rubbing my shoulders.

"Don’t know," I mumble.

I sit quietly as he massages my neck and shoulders but tense when his hands move further down my back. I roll my eyes when I hear him chuckling behind me.

"What?" I turn my head.

"You are like one giant knot."

"Why's that funny?"

"It isn't, but the ways I was thinking about getting you to chill out were."

I hunch my shoulders, which makes him laugh even more.

"Fine," I snap. "How would you get me to relax?"

"Hot tub."

"But it's freezing outside," I stammer.

"Our complex has an indoor pool and hot tub."

"Oh, doesn’t matter. I didn’t bring a suit."

He tugs on my bra strap through my shirt. "Wear this."

I think about it for a moment. "Any other ideas?"

"You could wear nothing."

"Ha! You're funny. I meant any ideas other than the hot tub."

He takes his hands off my back and lies back on his bed. "I don’t see you going for any of my other ideas. Besides, after we go tubing tonight, you'll be all for chilling out in the hot tub. If you're worried about not having a suit, I can run you over to the mall right now."

I stand, stretching my arms up over my head. My muscles do feel more relaxed. "Thanks for the shoulder rub. You don’t have to take me anywhere. I'll be fine with stuff I brought."

I turn to walk out of his room, and he calls out for me to stop.

I look back at him. "Yeah?"

"You can hang out with me in here."

I look around. There isn’t really anywhere to sit besides his bed. "You look like you're about to take a nap."

He yawns. "Dude, late night last night. Aren't you tired?"

I am. I’m thinking about curling up on the sofa myself. "I am."

"Why don’t you lay down in here?"

He laughs at the expression on my face. "No pressure. I'll keep my hands to myself. That couch is uncomfortable. You could sleep in here."

"With you?"

"Just sleep, Sarah."

I wrinkle my nose. "I don’t know."

He gets up and tugs me back over to the bed. "Look, Sarah. I think you're cute. I'd like to be your friend. I won't try anything."

I lie down, facing the ceiling. He walks into the living room and grabs the blanket I have been using and covers me with it. I yawn and turn onto my side. He lies down next to me, leaving plenty of space between us, and closes his eyes. I look at him for a little bit before I fall asleep. The last thing I remember thinking is if I'll feel something for someone other than Will.

Chapter 27

Present

Will's hand is on my leg as we drive to the airport. Once he was done packing, we got the guest bedroom of his house all set for Sawyer before he spoke with his mother again. I waited in his car while he explained to her Sawyer was coming to stay with her for the time he would be with me in Colorado. He had made her dinner after he talked to her, and then we went to my parents’ house to have dinner with them and my uncle Chip. My parents were thrilled Will and I are together. It was strange, but since they see him more than me, it felt like they were happier for him. It’s like they all know how important this is to him. My uncle had pulled me aside after dinner. He’s the only member of my family who knows how messed up I was over Will the last time.

He was cautiously happy for us. He just didn’t want to ever see me hurt again. I had smacked his arm when he joked he had a spare bedroom in Florida if I ever needed it. Running had been my M.O. when it came to Will for so long. I’m scared by how fast everything is happening but also recognize that while it feels fast it has also been a long time coming. It feels like we’re meant to be together. If we weren’t, one of us would have moved on by now. I put my hand on top of his and squeeze it. His eyes flick to mine, and he smiles. I know he's stressed out over this whole thing with his mom. He wants to be angry at her for the part she played in my leaving, but she's his mom. I respect that about him. Will is the type of guy that does the right thing no matter what the situation.

We check the arrivals display once we're in the airport. Sawyer's flight had landed ahead of schedule so we hurry over to baggage claim to look for her. I spot her cotton candy pink hair from across the floor and run over to hug her.

"Hey, babe." She laughs, dropping her bag to hug me back.

I pull away to look at her. "Thank you so much for this. I just…" I can't finish without crying.

"Please, it's nothing." She pauses and squints at me. "Getting laid looks good on you, babe."

I blush and shush her as Will walks up to us. Her mouth drops when she gets a good look at him. He holds out his hand, and she pushes it away and gives him a hug instead.

When he isn’t looking, she mouths, "He's hot" at me.

Will looks at me when I laugh so I stick my tongue