Chapter 8
An hour passes without power. A neighbor came by to check in on us and tells us the entire street is out. He called the power company (something I should have thought to do) and apparently, the storm knocked down a power line. In other words, we’re in for a long night.
But he brought some wood when he saw our pitiful stack, and we now have a roaring fire to keep the main room warm.
Teddy and I settle in front of it on the couch with the plate of cookies and the bottle of RumChata.
With the fire going and the lights on the tree, it feels intimate and fun.
The alcohol is definitely helping. My insides are now warm and tingly and the initial awkwardness of being snowed in with my crush is gone.
“Do you want to watch a movie now?” Teddy asks.
“Reached peak boredom and no longer care about saving battery to send our final farewells?” I ask with sass I didn’t realize I was capable of.
“I saw some paper in the kitchen, you can write on that if it comes to it.”
“Okay, but if I don’t get to say goodbye to my parents and blame this all on Felix, then I’m going to haunt you in the next life,” I say as I get up to grab my laptop from the other room.
“That doesn’t sound so bad,” he calls.
I open the computer as I walk back. The battery is at 89%, plenty of juice to watch a movie or two. But the thing is, I don’t want to watch a movie. Not now. We’re talking and I finally don’t feel like such a bumbling mess.
“I must not have plugged this in,” I say, skirting the truth. “It isn’t fully charged.”
“Bummer.”
I snap the lid closed and set it on the counter. “Want to play a game?”
Two hours and many games of Gin Rummy later, I am more than a little tipsy.
“Your turn to shuffle. I’ll be right back,” I say as I stand from the couch and my legs wobble.
Teddy eyes me carefully as I steady myself. “You should eat something.”
“I’m fine.” I use my phone as a flashlight in the bathroom. After I’m finished, I wash my hands and then text Stella to let her know the power is out, but we’re okay.
Her response is immediate, and I’d put good money on it being because she was texting Beau. You’re snowed in with Teddy AND the lights are out?! She then proceeds to add a bunch of emojis—snow, house, hearts, an eggplant.
I start to tell her it isn’t like that, but maybe it can be? I’m aware it’s likely the alcohol talking, but I let myself believe it anyway. At least we’re having fun and I’m actually talking to him.
Teddy is looking at his phone when I return. He slides it into his pocket and sits forward. I grab a cookie from the plate. The Santa one with a bulge, as chance would have it.
“You gave Santa a third leg,” I say, holding it up.
Teddy’s cheeks go pink. “I shouldn’t be allowed in the kitchen.”
I take a bite of Santa’s head and Teddy watches intently, his pupils widening. He clears his throat and picks up the cards. “Another game?”
While we play, I munch on cookies and pay more attention to Teddy than the cards in my hand. He smiles at me, playful and flirty, and more than once, his stare drops to my mouth.
“Do you want another drink?” I ask as I fill my glass again. All those cookies made me thirsty.
He hesitates. “That depends. How are you feeling?”
“What?”
“I want to be able to take care of you if you get sick.” He rubs the back of his neck like he’s embarrassed to have said it out loud. Ugh. That’s totally something a big brother would think and not a guy hoping to see you naked.
“I’m fine. I think the sugar helped.” I stand up and proceed to walk in a straight line, arms out. The movement lifts my sweater above my belly button, and Teddy’s gaze drops to my bare skin. “See? I’m fine.”
His throat works with a swallow. His voice is like gravel when he says, “Yeah, I’ll have another drink.”
The way he watches me makes me feel powerful, or maybe that’s the alcohol talking. I start for the kitchen, but he says, “I can get it.”
He grabs two beers, opens one and takes a long drink. Then his eyes are on me again. My heart beats so loudly, I’m sure he can hear it. It feels like an invisible line is tugging us together, but he doesn’t budge.
Stella’s words echo in my head. You have to make a move because he never will.
I don’t know how Teddy feels about me. These heated looks are in direct contradiction to his actions, but maybe Stella is right. Is it possible he has noticed me the way I notice him? That he sees me as more than Felix’s little sister?
I go to him before I come up with an answer.
His brows tug together in confusion at my nearness, but it doesn’t stop me.
My courage is a living, breathing thing propelling me forward.
Lifting up on my toes, I kiss him. His lips are soft and warm.
He tastes like sugar and beer, and I know I said it was a terrible combination, but I was so wrong.
My hands rest on his chest and I lean into him, so our entire upper bodies are mashed together. My body vibrates. It is everything I hoped it would be.
I’m so into it that it takes me a moment to realize that he is not into it. His immovable lips underneath mine sober me up instantly. I freeze, hoping he’ll take over or come to his senses. He doesn’t.
I step back, hand flying to cover my mouth, like I can erase that kiss by wiping away the evidence from my lips.
Oh god. What have I done? What have I freaking done?!