Chapter 47
Emmett
I
am completely winded by the time I get back up to my apartment. Between the stairs and seeing Drew, I don’t know if my breathing will ever go back to normal.
I pull my keys from my pocket to unlock my front door. Pushing it open, I kick off my Vans and slam the door behind me, trying to release even a little bit of the tension I feel in my shoulders at the thought of Drew’s arm around another man.
I was silly to think that she was hooked on me like I was on her, but I didn’t think she was in a place to go on a date. Here I am thinking she loved me, but something was standing in her way. Little did I know; it really was as simple as her not wanting me.
I’m not sure what hurts more, the thought of her with someone else or the thought of not being good enough for her. This feeling reminds me of how Riley made me feel, inferior to being the man she wanted. I never thought Drew would make me feel anything like Riley did.
I throw off my beanie and pull my hair back into a loose bun. I don’t have much of an appetite, which doesn’t matter anyway because there’s nothing but beer in my fridge. I grab one before heading to the couch to turn something on, anything to get my mind off what Drew is doing right now.
Calvin?
I’ve never heard her talk about a Calvin.
And when did she have time to go out and meet someone?
School must be going okay, but even before the shooting she never went out on Friday nights.
Stop it.
I need to stop obsessing.
Drew is not my business anymore
Even though seeing her arms around that guy made me want to throw him across the parking garage.
I turn on New Girl. It was show Drew and I watched together, but I ended up liking it more than I thought I would. I’ve kept watching where we left off, ignoring the thought that it makes me feel closer to Drew.
I lean back to try and relax, trying to subside the buzzing on my skin and the tightening in my chest.
I few episodes go by, along with another beer, when I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. Thinking it’s probably a text from Eddie, I choose to ignore it and let one more episode play.
I glance over at my oven timer and see it’s about 9:30 PM.
I head to the bathroom to take a shower, peeling out of my jeans and hoodie, before hopping in. It’s not until I’m drying off that I remember my phone in my jeans pocket and the text I never checked. I wrap the towel around my waist, my hair dropping water on the floor as I bend down to grab it.
When I tap the screen to check the notification, I feel a flutter in my stomach that I haven’t felt in weeks but have no experienced twice in one night. I click on Drew’s name and the incoming bubble in so long I need to scroll through it to read.
It came in two hours ago.
Hi Emmett.
First of all, I think it’s stupid that I’m doing this over text, but I don’t know if you even want to talk to me. Second of all, Cal is my brother. I want to clear that up before we get any further. I know I never told you I had a brother, and it’s a long story I would be happy to tell you, if you care. Third of all, I miss you, and I really want to talk to you. It wasn’t fair of me to keep you in the dark about why I said the things I did in the parking lot. I owe you an explanation and an apology. My brother is staying with me until Sunday, but he’s going to see some friends from our hometown tonight and won’t be back until tomorrow. If you want to talk, I’ll be home in a couple hours.
I finish reading and notice she sent two more texts just a few minutes ago.
P.S. I’m sure you’ll know when I’m home. I do have lead feet after all ;)
P.S.S. That was stupid. I was nervous you weren’t responding and thought it would brighten the mood. Please disregard.
I laugh to myself, at myself, at Drew, at this mess we’re in. And I laugh at the fact she thought I wouldn’t miss her too.
As if on cue, I hear the door above me slam and the sound of shoes being tossed, knowing exactly the corner she piles her shoes in.
I don’t think I can move fast enough.
Drew misses me and wants to talk, and I’m not going to make the mistake of not hearing what she wants to say to me or missing the chance to tell her how much I miss her too.
These weeks have sucked. They have felt like Hell, or what I think Hell would feel like if it existed. Waiting to feel better but knowing deep down I never would if I wasn’t with her.
Jumping back in with her may seem crazy and impulsive, but I snuck glances and moments with her for six months and then finally had a taste of her for those amazing weeks. Now, knowing what it’s like to be without her, I’m never letting her go.
If she wants me back.
I shake the thought of way, not having time for doubts, and I quickly get dressed, grabbing a pair of sweats and a hoodie, not even putting on a pair of boxers, socks, or shoes before running up the flight of stairs separating her from me.
I take the stairs two at a time, reaching her door in record time. Not having the luxury of letting myself in anymore, I knock three times, hoping she doesn’t regret the text she sent tonight.
The door opens, and I feel my heart begin to beat again.
“Hi Drew,” I say, hoping to pull some pink into her cheeks. Knowing that if I still can, just by saying her name, I never lost her to begin with.
Like the answer to my prayers, a flush appears on her skin, and her teeth find her bottom lip as if she needs to stop herself from saying what’s on the tip of her tongue.
A moment passes before I ask, “Can I come in?”
“As long as you promise to stay?” Her pleading eyes pulling me in, the hope in her voice making the past weeks without her worth it.
“Sweetheart, I never want to leave.”
My lips crash into hers, and I’m home.