Page 10 of From Me to You

“I can take it,” I said, nodding toward the bag.

“And hit your head again. No, thank you. I think I am highly capable of carrying your bag.”

“Then you can carry mine too,” Lily exclaimed, adding her bag on top of mine.

“You little shit,” Jay joked but hiked up our bags on his shoulder.

They started walking forward, and I followed them. At least I tried before I stumbled, not noticing the tiny step on the end of the walkway leading to the road.

Jay gripped my forearm to steady me while sliding his hands lower and linking his fingers with mine.

“You are a walking hazard, aren’t you? You should come with a warning.” He laughed, still holding my hand as he walked me toward the street.

“I didn’t see the step,” I mumbled, trying to slip out of his grasp, but he only tightened his grip as he pulled me along.

I noticed Lily watching us with a knowing smile on her face while she walked on the other side of Jay. I gave up trying to free my hand because it seemed like he was not letting go anytime soon.

I did like holding his hand, and he was the first boy to hold my hand, so I didn’t question it. I liked it. I liked it a lot more than I actually should.

Five minutes later, we arrived at our street, I pointed to the run-down blue house in the center. “This is me.” Not soon after I finished that sentence, I saw Aunty M open the door and wave at us.

I instantly dropped Jay’s hand, not wanting her to get the wrong idea.

“You must be Evy’s friends. Come on in.” Aunty M smiled from the doorstep.

I internally sighed as gestured for them to walk up to our porch.

“Hey, Aunty M, this is Ja-Emerson, and this is his sister, Lily.” I nodded toward them. “We go to school together, and their house is close by, so they walked along with me,” I added. “Guys, meet my aunt Marie.”

“It’s so nice to meet some of Evy’s friends. You guys should come on in. I will make you all a drink,” Aunty M beamed, opening the door further to let them in.

“I am sure they must be busy, Aunty M. They can come around another day,” I replied because I so did not want Jay in our house, especially with Aunty M. She would grill him to the T.

“Not at all. We have nothing to do after this. It’s so nice to meet you, ma’am.” Jay held out his hand. Aunty M just about swooned when they shook hands.

Lily mumbled a hello as she stepped inside. I invited them in and sighed as I closed the door behind them. Looked like I was being completely ignored.

The stairs opposite the front door led to my room upstairs. Aunty M’s room was on the ground floor, to the left. The living room and the kitchen were to the right of the foyer.

I waved at the worn-down brown leather couch in the middle of the room that we purchased a few years ago—the only piece of furniture in our living room at the moment. “Take a seat, guys,” I mumbled.

Jay handed me my bag as he and Lily settled on the couch. He looked like he belonged there, sitting in a casual pose like there was no better place for him to be at this moment. He had a smile dancing on his face as he peered at me like he loved watching me squirm.

Poor Lily sat awkwardly like she couldn’t wait to get out.

Our living room was pretty small, with the same yellow-tinged paint covering the walls and a massive window overlooking the lawn outside with overgrown weeds that definitely needed some help. The wooden flooring was probably the only new thing in this house. The rich walnut floor gleamed under the yellow ceiling light. The living room was connected to a small kitchen, with a four-seat dining table at the center. Boxes lined up everywhere. It was going to be a pain to unpack them with school and Aunty M’s schedule. I made a mental reminder to talk to her about it.

“You know Evy has never invited any of her friends before.” Aunty M smiled at Jay while she busied herself in the kitchen.

“Oh really?” Jay grinned.

I think today marked the most embarrassing day of my life. Actually, no strike that, my most embarrassing day in front of the most gorgeous guy I had ever seen.

My heart still did funny things in his presence.

“Here you go.” Aunty M handed them a tall glass of her special cream lemon soda. The only thing she could make that tasted edible.

They both mumbled a thank you.