She laughs, but it’s off pitch. “I asked what we’re going to do. Neither of us are sober enough to drive. And I’m guessing from all the cars still parked that everyone else might be in the same condition.”
I shrug, blinking my focus back to her face. “I guess we’ll have to just chill here until we sober up. I’m not super drunk, so I’ll probably only need an hour or so.”
She presses her lips together, her gaze relentless until she finally clumsily hops over the console and falls into the backseat. “Well, I’m getting comfortable, then. There’s a good chance I’ll end up passing out.”
“Not fair.” I rotate in the seat and watch her stretch her legs out. “How come I have to stay up here?”
“Who said you have to stay up there?” she questions, wringing out her hair.
Taking that as an open invitation, I turn on some music then tumble over the console, probably a little too eagerly, and end up bumping my elbow into her stomach.
“Micha,” she grunts and then laughs as I force her to lean forward and then climb on the seat behind her. “That was probably the most unsmooth I’ve ever seen you act.”
“Yeah, maybe.” I position us so both our legs are stretched out across the seat and my back is against the door. Then I guide her toward me until her back is resting against my chest. “This is nice,” I admit.
“We’ve sat like this before.” She jumps as thunder booms and lightning snaps just outside. “Probably too much … people are starting to think stuff.”
“Oh, yeah?” I comb my fingers through her wet hair. “Like what?”
She shrugs then reclines back and rests her head against my chest. Her ear is very close to my heart, and I worry she’ll hear how rapidly it’s beating. What will she think if she hears it? Does it matter? You were going to tell her anyway. Tell her!
“They think we’re a couple,” she says before I can get a chance to pour my heart out. “Which is a little weird considering you fool around with other people all the time. I mean, what do they think? We have, like, an open relationship or something?”
“I already told you I’ve been chilling on getting laid,” I tell her. When her back goes rigid, I quickly move my hands to her shoulders and gently press my fingertips into her skin, massaging her tense muscles. “Maybe that’s why they think it. Perhaps they think my celibacy is because I’m with you.”
“Well, that’s still insulting.” Her head falls to the side as I continue to shower her muscles with attention.
“And why’s that?”
“Because … it means they think we are having...”
“Sex.” I smash my lips together, trying not to laugh at her slight embarrassment over the subject. The girl can rock out solo in front of a ton of people, but talk about anything sexual, and she grows uneasy.
“Are you laughing at me?” She starts to turn her head, but I move my fingers downward, splaying them across her collarbone, and she sinks into the touch.
“No way.” I rest my forehead on the back of her head. Her hair smells like rain, and I inhale the delicious scent, branding it into my mind, branding this moment into my mind forever. “You smell so good.”
“This feels so good.” She moans, the kind of moan I imagine would leave her lips if I was thrusting inside her.
A low moan escapes my own lips as I battle to remain in control over myself. But I can feel my willpower fraying, about to break.
“Ella, there’s something I need to tell you.” I kiss the back of her head, making a path downward.
“Yeah, me, too … it’s about our pact.” She sighs into me. “Maybe we could go somewhere else.”
“Like where?” I nuzzle my face into her neck. “I’ve always thought California was an awesome place. I mean, I know it’s a little bit more expensive, and we’ll need to probably stick around here a little bit longer to save up, but I like our plan.”
“But what if I told you there was somewhere else I really wanted to go? And soon.”
“Then I’d listen. You know I’ll always listen to you. So what’s up? What plan are you conjuring up in that beautiful head of yours?”
“Well, I got acc—” Her phone vibrates from inside her pocket and cuts her off.
Sighing, she fishes it out then mumbles, “Who the hell is that?” She puts the phone up to her ear. “Hello?” she answers tentatively.
“Ella, where are you?” Her dad’s loud voice can be heard clearly through the cab of the car.
“Um, out and about.” She glances at the clouds in the sky. “Where are you?”
“You need to get home,” he slurs. “You have mom duty. God dammit, Ella, I already told you this. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“But I …” She touches her numb lips then looks over her shoulder at me. “It might take a while.”
“About an hour,” I whisper, hugging her against me.
“About an hour,” she tells her dad.
“Whatever,” her dad snaps. “Just get your ass home.” With that, he hangs up, and I grit my teeth, pissed that he ruined her night.
“I should have stayed home,” she yawns tiredly, switching her phone to the text screen.
“What are you doing?” I brush her hair from her shoulder and peer over to read what she’s typing.
“Texting my mom.” Her fingers move across the buttons. “Making sure everything’s okay. Hopefully she’ll respond.”
Ella: Mom, r u ok?
It takes a minute before she responds.
Mom: I’m fine.
Ella: Is this mom?
Mom: Of course, baby girl.
The endearing name makes Ella relax.
Ella: I’ll be home soon. Just stay in your room, okay?
Mom: Of course, baby girl. C you soon.
“I need to sober up,” Ella mutters as she stuffs her phone into her pocket.
“I’ll get you home as soon as I can, okay?” I promise her. “You just try to relax.”
“That’s the problem. I’m too relaxed. I never should have gone out tonight.”
“You’re fine,” I whisper, stroking her cheek with my fingers.
She sinks deeply into my touch with a sigh. A few minutes later, her breathing softens as she passes out.