“K, see ya.” I closed the door behind him and cleaned up the pizza boxes.
Deanna hadn’t come back yet, so I assumed that she was over at Karl’s. Some alone time was just what I needed anyway. I flipped the radio on low so that the music could fill up some of the darkness and empty space around me before lighting a couple candles on my bookcase, too. A few drops of rain gently tapped against the window. Next, I slid my sweat pants off and climbed back into bed, pulling the cover up over my shoulder. I stared at the wall and watched the shadows cast by the rain as they streamed down. Nearly an hour had passed since I’d lain down, and I still couldn’t fall asleep. I was angry with AJ, but more than that, I was disappointed that we’d ruined a rare opportunity to spend time with one another by arguing. Why did it always seem like we were destined to be apart when the pull between us was so strong?
I heard Deanna’s keys turning in the lock and then light from the hall flooded the room for a second before the door latched again. There was the gentle thud of shoes falling to the floor as the lock was reengaged. Footsteps crossed the room just before the cover slid off of my shoulder, prompting me to turn swiftly and find AJ standing over me. The lump in my throat began to disappear instantly, grateful for the fact that he hadn’t given up as easily as I thought. Without hesitation, I eased over until my back touched the wall to make room for him beside me in the tiny, twin-sized bed. We didn’t speak.
I placed my hands on either side of his face and traced my thumb lightly over his chin, acknowledging internally how much I hated fighting with him. As good as we were together, it should’ve been a cake-walk for us. There wasn’t anyone in the world I loved more than him and I was positive he felt the same. On cue, AJ’s arms tightened around my waist and he inhaled the scent of my neck. I could feel his chest heaving against mine as he contemplated his next move. With him so close, with me wanting him like I did, it became hot enough beneath those covers that I wanted to throw them to the floor; however, I was too focused on him to move. He pulled away a few inches and even through the darkness I could see him staring. This was one of those rare occasions when he let his guard down, exposing all of his thoughts and emotions.
I was reminded of our unfinished business in New York thanks to an ill-timed housekeeping visit. The close call had done nothing but make me more certain that I was tired of holding out on him. Deep in my heart I already knew that this was going to be the night that I went back on my word, giving in to AJ in a way that I hadn’t in months. As soon as his lips touched mine, it was a done deal. I immediately forgot about the argument we had earlier, about my promise to my mother, and the one I made to myself too. None of that meant anything right then. While there was plenty for us to talk about, it would have to wait until some other time. For now, there were more pressing issues to tend to.