There are rows of tables with kids with headphones on and others quietly reading as I pass before I come to the staircase that leads me up to the second floor. American Literature and all the classics are located upstairs, probably because it’s the least used section.
This library could be the envy of any college campus with its selections and spare-no-expense décor. It’s all dark woods and iron, books stacked from twelve feet up and plush couches placed sporadically for comfortable reading. I walk down my row, letting my fingers trail over the spines of the books, searching for what I need. Stopping, I look over the books, but the one I need must’ve been checked out because I don’t see it. Damn.
I switch Grey’s novel to my other hand and squat down, hoping that my book was put back in the incorrect space, but nothing. As I stand, a familiar set of eyes stares back at me from the other side of the stack, making me jump, gasping.
“Grey. You scared the shit out of me.”
“Shhh. This is a library.”
“What do you want?” I grin as he just stands on the other side, eyes on me.
“I’m still deciding.”
Three innocent words that feel anything but. I’m suddenly hyperaware of everything. It’s quiet where we are, nobody around, no sound other than the crinkle of the leather as I pull a book out. He does the same, creating a tiny window that shows his hand brush through the pages of his book. I can see the calluses on his palm and the way his fingers pluck at the pages with each flip, making me wonder what that would feel like on parts of my body. How deft his fingers would work me over until I was breathless and happy. I place my book back, feeling myself heating up in places I don’t want a fire, and turn my back to him.
Glancing over my shoulder, I don’t say anything as he pushes his book back into the space and follows me as I stroll down the row browsing books that I don’t need, me pulling them out, Grey doing the same, giving me another peep show. The whole scene unfolding begins to feel like a dangerous liaison. Foreplay before we fuck in the stacks like animals, leaving our marks on the books and each other.
I turn and move into the hall, giving him my back as I walk, sensing him behind me. I turn into the last row tucked into the very back of the library where the lighting is dimmed, giving it a feeling of anonymity. Grey’s hand grips my waist, stilling me. He’s so close behind me that I can feel the heat from his body. It makes me feel as if I’m burning.
“For someone who refuses to date anyone, you play a mean game of chase.”
If he knew that he makes the “anyone” part feel impossible, I’d be lucky to make it out alive.
“I need to put your book back,” I answer, breathier than I’d like.
Grey spins me around slowly, searching my face before he speaks.
“I wouldn’t want to stop you, but first, I have a question.”
I raise my brows for him to continue, then wave him off, thinking back to Liam’s question from earlier. “If you’re going to ask me who my first kiss was, you’ll get the same answer as Liam.”
I begin to walk off, but Grey splays his hand on my stomach, pressing my back against the books. “Not so fast. One, you’ve never been kissed, not really. Two, why are you ignoring our texts?”
His hand feels like it’s burning through my shirt, so I push it away and step forward, but he closes in on me with both hands on the side of my head, forcing me back again.
“Wanna know how I know? That you haven’t been really kissed? It’s because your mouth begs for it.”
My mouth begs for it? Jesus. I can’t answer. I’m fuzzy. Turned on and stupid. His eyes drop to my lips, and I realize that my tongue is sweeping my bottom lip.
“See. Begs.”
I clear my throat quietly and look at him. “What texts?” Grey’s hand runs down the side of my body, bringing him flush to me as he dips inside my blazer pocket and pulls out my cell, holding the message up to my face.
Bert: You have one minute to hide. Then we come to find you.
My eyes shoot up to Grey’s. “I’m not playing hide-and-seek in the library.”
I take my phone from him and turn the ringer back on.
He shifts back, smirking. “Come on, Cherry, it’s like when we were kids. Except now when we catch you—”
“What? What happens when I’m caught?”
My heart ticks up, waiting, anticipating his answer.
“I’m still deciding.”
The way he says that gives my memories a whole new flavor. Hide-and-seek just got dirty. And yet, not, all at the same time. He stares at me like he’s waiting for an answer; except, he didn’t bother to ask a question. Shit. Fidgeting with my bracelets, I look around.
“You know I’m upstairs. It’s unfair.”
“Thirty seconds,” he whispers, leaning in closer.
I duck under his arm and walk backward, smiling at him as I do. The moment I lose his face, I turn and start walking faster, searching for a hiding space. My phone buzzes, and I look at it quickly as I dart around.
Ernie: Ready or not, here we come.
My entire insides freeze as panic sets in. We played this all the time when we were kids, but the best was when we got to go to the Met with Liam’s mom. The museum hated us because children hiding in displays isn’t well liked.
I search as I walk faster toward the other side of the library, where all the classics and first editions are kept. A stream of light catches my attention, and I slink between two stacks to find a small seating area that’s tucked behind them. Perfect.
I stifle a laugh, my feet moving quickly to a large cabinet full of plaques that has room next to it and the wall. I slide into the shadowed space and stay completely still, trying not to even breathe.
What feels like hours is really only minutes, but I’m lulled into a sense of comfort, thinking I may have beaten them, so I peek out only to jump back as “Back here” is whispered by someone, making me hold my breath again.
My body is shaking, trying to hold in my excited laughter as I hear the footsteps grow closer. What happens when I’m caught? I press my body against the wall, trying to disguise every bit of me in the shadow.
“Cherry. I know you’re in here.”
Grey.
“Dude, she’s not here. I bet she went back downstairs.”
Liam.
The room goes silent again, but I wait. This could be a trick. But it’s so quiet, there’s no way they’re still here. I wait a few more seconds before taking a slow step forward, bringing my face into the light.
“Gotcha!”
Grey grabs my waist, and I scream, covering my face with my hands. Liam begins to howl with laughter and tugs my hands down, bringing his nose close to mine.
“You lost your touch, Van. That was too easy. What should she pay for getting caught, Grey?”
Tears streak down my face from laughter, as I stare at Grey for a verdict, but before he answers, the bell rings. I wipe a hand over my flushed cheeks as Grey hauls both of our bags over his shoulder and takes the book I’m still holding.
“Saved by the bell. I’ll have to think of your payment next time, troublemaker. Class beckons.”
Liam walks ahead, waving off an irritated librarian and smiling back at us. My eyes dart down to the book as Grey and I begin to follow Liam out.