Page 5 of Bring Me To My Knees
“What are you doing out here?” I ask.
“I needed some air.”
“Me too,” I say.
I look over at my older brother’s best friend. If Mallory were here, she would be squealing in excitement at the fact that I’m sitting so close to him. It’s the kind of shit we used to giggle about in our bedroom.
“I just don’t understand.” I sigh.
“Given the circumstances, I don’t think you’ll ever understand,” he says, grabbing my hand and squeezing.
We sit in silence for at least a half hour before he stands up, puts his hand out, and pulls me up. I don’t say anything, but I follow him back to the house.
I shake myself out of the memory. I knew coming back here would take me back to a place that I’ve tried really hard to claw myself out of, but I didn’t really have any other options.
I spend the next two hours unpacking all the shit I brought. I brought everything that I want to take with me when I leave at the end of summer, because I don’t trust my mother not to sell it all.
I tried texting Delaney a few times, with no response. That’s on par with her personality. She’s a good friend, but she’s flaky.
After I’m finished unpacking, I grab some pajamas and head into the bathroom. I’ve got my music, sad girl music, playing as loud as possible, completely lost in my own world.
“Mitch, why the fuck are you in my bathroom?” a deep voice calls out, after pausing my music. “And why the fuck are you listening to this garbage? It smells like a woman in here.”
I close my eyes, cursing the fact that my shower is ruined. It’s the only moment of peace I’ve had since I got back into town.
“Obviously, I’m not Mitchell, you fucking idiot.”
“Damn, Mitch brought a woman home?”
“It’s me, Marley, you fucking tool. Can you leave so I can get out?”
“Marley?”
“Get the fuck out, Clark.”
“You sound a lot sexier than the Marley I know.”
I can just tell he’s fucking smirking. His voice is oozing with cockiness.
“It’s been four years since you’ve talked to me. You don’t even know me or anything about me, you asshole.”
“You’ve got a dirty mouth on you.”
“Are you going to leave?”
“Doubtful.”
I’m at my wits end. I’m on the verge of a fucking mental breakdown.
I pull the shower curtain back, and his eyes go wide.
“Can you move so I can grab my towel?” I ask.
He doesn’t even hide the fact that he’s staring at my naked body. His eyes travel at an agonizingly slow pace. It’s as if he isn’t going to let a single inch of my body go unnoticed.
“Jesus, fuck, Marley. You sure have grown up.” He smirks, before reaching behind him and grabbing a towel, handing it just out of reach to me.
“As much fun as this has been, I’m already bored of this entire encounter,” I snark, snatching the towel, wrapping it around me.