When We Kiss

BP is overbearing. Trust me, I get it.

Stepping over to the bed, I gently ease in beside my little guest before typing back. She can be okay, but she uses God as a weapon.

I understand.

My brow furrows and my defiant streak emerges. You can’t understand. When has anyone used the Bible to control you?

I wait, watching the gray dots float as he types his reply. Are you kidding? All the time.

Example, please.

Masturbation?

Pressing my lips together, I swallow a laugh. Everybody gets that one. Something just for men.

Seconds tick past, and there are no gray dots. It’s silent, and I’m feeling pretty smug about winning.

Finally he sends a reply. What are you wearing right now?

Air bursts through my nose as I laugh. Are you changing the subject?

Just trying to lighten the mood. Is it working?

Are you masturbating? What would the church ladies say?

I’m not like them, Tabby.

I’m not sure if I believe that statement, but I curl around Coco, my eyes heavy. I’m going to sleep.

Dream about me.

Clean your sheets.

I put my phone on the nightstand, and when I close my eyes, I see his smile, his whiskey eyes wrinkling at the corners, that deep dimple. A naughty memory of him in those sweatpants flickers across my mind. Anaconda. My stomach is tight and warm, fizzy with something…

My anger is gone.

What are you doing to me, Chad Tucker?

“I got back earlier than I expected.” Emberly wakes me up, whispering from the opposite side of the bed.

Blinking my eyes open, I try to turn to face her, but my face is blocked by a foot against my cheek. Dawn is just breaking, and my room is filled with soft blue light.

“What time is it?” Sitting up, I rub my eyes, reaching for my phone.

A lone text is on the face. Just for you. It’s from Chad, and I dismiss it, checking the time.

“You are early.” It’s only six o’clock, and Coco is sleeping soundly, upside down in the bed. “You sure you want to take her now?”

“I might as well let you get a few hours of sleep without a foot in your face.” She giggles softly. “What did y’all do last night?”

“Church fair.”

“Really…” Pure surprise is in her tone.

Two words. “Betty Pepper.”

“Ahh.” She lifts her chin and nods. “I don’t know how I’m going to get those animals on my bik