“I’ll be there as soon as I can, but I’m not twenty one, so I can’t come in. ”
Marie gave me her cell phone number to call when I got there. I grabbed my purse and headed out the door.
***
By the time Marie and Jen had helped me get a drunker-than-drunk Josh in my apartment and into my bed, we had become close friends. It turns out they had been keeping the girls away from him all night since all Josh did was talk about me.
“Let me just tell you this, Heather. That boy passed out on your bed right there is madly in love with you. He wouldn’t stop talking about you all night. I hope y’all can work things out. He seems like a nice guy,”
I stood there, stunned. Josh was talking about me? To these women? I looked down to see that they both had on wedding rings.
After Marie and Jen left, I sat down on the bed and watched Josh sleep. He looked so cute passed out on my bed.
I had the sudden urge to just crawl into bed to lie down next to him. Would he be angry if I did?
After the things I had said to him earlier, he was probably so pissed at me. Maybe I was just dreaming here. The way Marie had said he’d acted all night could’ve just been the alcohol talking. He’d probably only wanted in my pants.
Despite my doubts, I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. He opened his eyes and gave me a crooked-ass smile that just about melted off my panties. Jesus, now, I understand what Ari and Ellie were talking about.
“Hey, princess, I must be dreaming right now,” Josh mumbled.
When I smiled down at him, he closed his eyes.
Yeah, I better sleep in the spare room or on the sofa. I grabbed a pillow and headed out to the living room. Tomorrow, I would talk to Josh about how I felt. I needed to be honest with him about my feelings. If he was willing to be patient and go slow, I thought I might be able to get used to the idea of letting someone back into my heart.
***
I heard a noise and flew up off the sofa. I must have fallen asleep out here. I looked around and didn’t see anyone. My head was pounding. I picked up my phone, and I had three text messages.
The first one was from Ellie. She said that Gunner’s mom and dad got in last night. The only word she used to describe it was “awkward”.
Ari sent a text, asking if I was coming out today and staying the night. She wanted me to stay with her and Jeff. That might work. I thought that Josh had mentioned that we was there with them.
The third text was from. . . Josh?
Josh: I’m sorry you had to come out so late last night, but thanks for letting me crash at your place. I’m guessing Jen or Marie asked you to pick me up. Anyway, thanks again. See you either today or tomorrow in Mason.
Wait…what? I jumped up and ran into my bedroom. The bed was made, and Josh was gone.
I ran back out to the living room and grabbed my cell. I pulled up Josh’s number and hit call.
“Hey, Heather. ” Was all Josh said when he answered. He sounded so sad.
“Hey, Josh. Why did you leave without waking me up? I kind of wanted to talk to you about um…well, about yesterday. ”
There was a long pause.
“I think you made yourself pretty clear yesterday, Heather. I’m really not in the mood for any more rejection. ”
His voice was so cold and distant.
“Okay, I guess I deserve that, but do you think we might be able to talk? I mean, I’d kind of like to explain my reaction yesterday. ”
“I think it was clear what your reaction was. ”
Oh wow.
“Listen, I’m on my way to Mason in a little bit. Maybe we can talk there. Are you heading out today or early tomorrow?” Josh said.