“Well I’m not just some little boy like the people you hang around,” he pointed out matter-of-factly. And he wasn’t wrong. I’d tried getting Ren to make me an emergency run to the campus store when I was out and the school bathroom dispenser was empty, or even just to ask any girl he passed who probably had something tucked away in their bags, but he was too embarrassed. I’d held a grudge against him for weeks because I’d had to wrap toilet paper around my underwear to make sure I’d be safe enough until I found something better.
I emptied the bag and smiled at the selections of products. He’d gotten different kinds of pads and Tampons, all making my smile grow wider on my lips. “Thank you.” Reaching for the dark chocolate and soup container, I walked over to the microwave and began preparing the soup.
“I can do that for you,” he offered, walking up behind me until his chest brushed against the entire backside of me. His arm reached out and plucked the sizeable plastic container away from my capable hands and began taking over.
Realistically, I should have moved. But he could have too, and he remained pressed against me invading my space. I absorbed his body heat, the warmth he offered, and stared at the chocolate bar resting in front of me on the marble countertop. That annoying voice in my head told me not to open it—to throw it away when he left so he thought I ate it. But my mouth watered over my favorite snack with the little almond pieces mixed in and I was sick of fighting myself. I knew the thoughts were purely because of the bloat that made my stomach look like I’d gained weight and that it’d go away in a few days, but that didn’t silence the demon that demanded I do something about it. “You didn’t have to do any of this, Theo.”
“I know.”
“I was okay on my own.”
“I know.”
Hesitating, I leaned backward ever so slightly so my back rested on his front. He froze for a moment, then eased. “But I’m glad that I’m not alone because…I needed somebody.” It was hard to admit that aloud, but I’d been thinking it all day. I’d considered calling Theo mid-afternoon to ask him to come over and watch TV with me but refrained. He had his own life that didn’t involve me.
The soup was set on the counter beside my hand before I felt his hot breath against my cheek just before his lips pressed against the flush of my cheekbone. “I know you did, Della. That’s why I’m here.”
I couldn’t fight the grin. “You mean you didn’t just feel like shopping for Tampons? I’m shocked, Theo.”
His deep chuckle vibrated against my back. “You always were sassy when you wanted to be, little Della.”
My tongue swiped across my bottom lip over the name, one I’d found endearing. But now it felt different, like I wanted to be called something else. “I’m not so little anymore.”
I felt his nose brush against my ear as he whispered, “No, you’re not. And unfortunately, I’m not the only one who’s noticed.”
A shiver raked down my spine, but he still didn’t move. I was glad because I meant what I said. I needed somebody here.
I needed Theo West.
Chapter Six
Della
I’m reaching for the last fruit cup when a manicured hand snatched it just before I could. I looked over to see Katrina Murphy smiling with her typical bright green eye shadow and heavy black liner that looked model perfect. She rocked anything she wore, no matter how crazy.
“I thought you were Lauren,” I said as she pulled me into a hug. She moved back with an offended look pinching her face, but the amusement told me she didn’t really feel it.
“Watch it, Saint James.”
I grinned, stepping back as she passed me the fruit cup. “In my defense, she has it out for me. Two weeks ago, she took the last chef salad and the week before that—”
“Yeah, yeah. She’s a bitch.” Her neutral painted lips twitched at the corners. “So, did you miss me, you beautiful bitch?”
Snickering, I reached for her free hand and squeezed it. I told her when we video chatted a few months ago, but she looked great. Skinnier, not that she needed it, but she didn’t look unhealthy like my version of skinny had been. “I did. But why are you back early? I thought you were traveling.”
Katrina was on a European vacation over winter break when she decided to extend her stay into the new semester. She’d let me know over a two-minute phone call that she’d be back during the summer, and I knew the call was cut short over a guy because of the baritone voice in the background that day demanding she come back to bed.
“Mikel is married.” Her pause was thoughtful. “Or was. I’m pretty sure his wife was throwing his belongings out the window of their house when we talked last.”
She didn’t even sound sorry about it. “I thought you said he was divorced.”
She gave me a timid smile. “I thought he was. For a while. Then things started clicking together and I realized he lied.”
I gaped, walking us over to the register and paying for the fruit. “And you stayed with him? You deserve better than that, Kat.”
Her eyes rolled. “We both know I’m no saint, Della. When I first found out I was angry he lied, but I liked Mikel. Plus, the sex was phenomenal. Why would I give that up?”
The woman working the cash register froze for a moment, her lips twitching upward at the conversation between me and my eccentric, wild at heart friend. I met Katrina when we were little, and we couldn’t be more opposite to this day, but it worked for us. She loved parties, which she dragged me to if Ren didn’t, sleeping around with as many guys as possible, which I’d always envied, and doing whatever she wanted without consequences. I loved Kat because she was herself no matter what people thought of her, but sometimes I wondered if it got old. The wild child thing. Then again, her family didn’t seem to care what she did because they never stopped her, so why should I question it?
Once outside the campus store, we found a free picnic table to occupy while the sun was still out. “Did they let you re-enroll? The semester is half over.”
“Nah. I was visiting a couple friends in Humphrey when I saw you walk in. I know I should have reached out sooner about your father, but…”
I waved her off, not wanting to talk about it. There was no point bringing up the past. Neither of us could change what our fathers did, and it took a lot not to think about the implications that hers might have been more involved than was let on. Considering he was free and roaming, I guessed that wasn’t the case. But still…
“My dad still asks me about you,” she said softly, watching me peel open my fruit cup and stab at a piece with the plastic fork I snatched. “He wanted me to tell you he was sorry he couldn’t be at the funeral.”
It hurt to swallow. “Well, tell him thanks.”
“Della—”
“No, it’s fine.” Clearing my throat, I focused solely on the food in front of me. Unable to do more than stare, I poked around to find the different types in the fruit juice.
“Are you okay? Like, really okay?”
I knew what she was asking. “Yes, Kat. I told you when we talked last that I was better. Nothing has changed.”