The Green Ticket (22 page)

“Fine by me. I’ll probably just finish up here and hit the sack,” Peter said, slipping his glasses back on. “My eyes are beginning to lose focus.”

I wanted to bring up Hannah somehow, but couldn’t figure out a way to be casual about it so I just stayed silent. Henry grabbed us two beers, then opened up a cabinet drawer and pulled out some microwave popcorn, sticking it in the microwave after my enthusiastic nod. It was like a movie theater date, but at his house and with beer. Okay, so not really close to a movie theater date, but whatever.

After saying good night to Peter, we traipsed down the stairs and headed to where the TV was. The basement looked a lot better than the last time I saw it–– the Halloween party–– and I said so to Henry.

“That next day was hell to clean.” He laughed. “Peter actually offered to hire a cleaning service to come in, but I would have hated doing that to a stranger. Max actually clipped his nose shut with a chip clip to avoid the smell.”

“Yikes. Remind me never to have parties then!”

“Do you plan on moving off campus anytime soon?”

I thought about it. “Not really, I guess. We never discuss it anyway. I think the five of us like being around each other, but I’m not sure a house could handle all of us under the same roof. Maybe after this year we’ll talk about it more. We’ll all be twenty-one–– finally might I add–– so probably better to get off campus.”

“When’s your birthday?” Henry asked, flipping the television on and firing up the DVD player.

“January twenty-third. Less than two months away now. I can’t wait to be able to go out with everyone. Hannah is the only other one that isn’t twenty-one, and I know the other girls like a few bars around here. I have a fake, but I hate using it. But then I feel bad when they stay in just for me.” I took a seat on the couch, after deliberating where to choose. The middle? Was that too forward? I finally sat on the right side, but closer to the middle than the edge.

“I remember how that felt. My birthday is in April, so I was one of the last ones to become legal. It sucked. I had a fake too, my brother’s, and it was pretty decent. I still had to be careful though. Didn’t want to screw over myself and my brother just to go to a bar.”

The DVD started, and Henry walked away from the area without a word. The lights dimmed, and he appeared again with a thick blue quilt in his arms. “It can get chilly down here. I thought this might be good to have.”

He sat down on the couch, right next to me. With his hip touching my hip and his arm on my arm, I felt like I could faint. He smelled delectable, manly with a hint of Italian restaurant lingering on his clothes. The white button-down he was wearing made his blue eyes stand out even more, and the way he unbuttoned a few of the top buttons made him look casual yet sexy. I wondered briefly if I was going to be spending the night. My black leggings would be fine to sleep in, but Lila’s silky green top with pearl buttons might not be as comfortable. I would make that decision later.

Henry flipped the tops on the beers and handed me one. He placed the popcorn bowl to his left, where there was room. We settled in as the movie began, sitting side by side and just barely touching. I relaxed into the sofa, pulling the quilt over my legs and feeling blissfully happy. As soon as that thought reached my thoughts, I banished it. No Blissful anything tonight. Tonight, I was simply there to enjoy myself.

About twenty minutes and forty-seven laughs in, Henry shifted on the couch, leaning closer to me. His arm brushed mine, and then reached down and held my hand. Flutter butterflies, flutter. His fingers interlaced mine and gave them a squeeze. I dared to look over at him and when I did, he was staring back at me. “Is this okay?” he whispered, even though we were the only two down there.

I nodded my head and gave him a smile, squeezing his hand back. I tried not to look too giddy at the mere fact of hand holding. What was I–– in sixth grade again? Our attention went back to the movie, with Henry’s thumb stroking my hand ever so slightly. My toes were tingling.

About halfway through Henry let go of my hand, and the cold crept around my fingers that were used to his warm palm protecting them. It was crazy how that one gesture deflated me so much. “I have to go to the bathroom. Do you mind if I pause it?” he asked, remote in the hand that was just holding mine.

“Yeah, that’s fine,” I answered, and he got up and I could hear his footsteps on the stairs. I pulled my phone out of my purse which was beside the couch, and hastily thumbed a text to Lila.
Dinner=amazing. At Henry’s watching movie. Might stay???

Her immediate reply:
Holy shit girl. Stay stay!!! Naughty ;)

We’re not being naughty. Holding hands. Will text later. Don’t wait up!

NAUGHTY! From all of us. Good luck!

Great, so she was with the girls. Who now probably all thought we were rounding third base. Hand holding did not equal naughty! And who would do that on a second date? Well, probably Carmen and Emma, but certainly not Hannah and probably not Lila. And not me. Definitely not me...but Henry was looking good. And was obviously sweet and charming and I thought he was into me. What would be the harm? Damn! Could he really be weakening my resolve? No funny business on the second date. Really, not even the third. Maybe the fourth. I had to stay strong.

That resolve lasted until our first kiss. When Henry came back from the bathroom, we shifted positions on the couch. Instead of sitting up we laid down, Henry in back with one arm draped over me, hand once again holding mine. At some point during the movie, I felt the urge to turn my head and look at Henry. He was staring at me again, and then we were kissing. Who started it? I thought it was him, but I came to find out later that he swore it was me. It didn’t matter. What mattered was his lips were on mine and I was melting into his body. I’ve had first kisses with guys before, but none like the experience with Henry. I didn’t want to ever let up.

The first was slow and sensual, where my brain was still trying to catch up with my body. The second was less timid, more tongue, and I felt a small moan escape my mouth. Embarrassing or hot, it was a toss-up. The third was powerful, where I grabbed the back of Henry’s head and brought him closer with urgency, and he grabbed my hips and pulled me into him. He was excited. And holy shit was I excited. And feeling naughty. All resolve of third and fourth dates went out the window. I wanted Henry Landon.

The movie was long forgotten as we finally pulled away and looked into each other’s eyes, slightly out of breath. My bottom lip was sore from where he had bit down softly, which had only turned me on more. I struggled to sit up and Henry followed suit. I swung my legs around so I was straddling him and we were face to face. I grabbed his head again and pulled him towards me, lips on lips once again. He touched a palm to the top of my head, a gesture that cried out with intimacy and emotion. Goosebumps flew up around my arms, and the hair on the back of my neck prickled.

Adrenaline and lust went surging through my body, and I boldly started to undo the buttons on my shirt. To my surprise Henry stopped me, placing his hands over mine and halting my motion.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, feeling stupid suddenly. He didn’t want me. Why didn’t he want me?

“Maybe we should get back to the movie,” he said, pushing a lock of hair behind my ear.

I tore my body off his, once again sitting up on the couch next to him. My thoughts were buzzing. I was just rejected. One hundred percent rejected. Who does that? What male species in his right mind rejects a clearly willing girl? I remembered Hannah talking about the Halloween party, where a girl had tried the “passing out” trick in Henry’s bed. He had turned her down. We all thought it was because of me, but now....

“Do you want another beer?” Henry asked, breaking the awkward silence.

“Um, no. I probably shouldn’t if I want to drive home,” I said, then realized I didn’t have my car with me. The only way home was through Henry. “Oh, shit. I guess that won’t work either, huh? I can just have Lila come pick me up.”

“I can drive you home if you would like. Or you’re more than welcome to spend the night here,” Henry offered, looking once again like his sweet self, not someone who just flat out denied me. Now he wanted me to spend the night? My brain hurt trying to figure this guy out.

“Ah, well, I’ll leave that up to you, I guess. I can just sleep on the couch or something and have Lila get me tomorrow. Those girls are probably all drinking anyway.” Except for Hannah, who I could have called, but I was curious about Henry even more now. How would the rest of our night go? Would we kiss again? Just be more awkward?

“That’s fine. Unless you want me to drive you home, of course. I don’t have a problem with that.”

“Okay, well, let’s just finish the movie for now. And I’ll take that second beer.” I smiled at him, trying to avoid the word “reject” that was flashing through my mind. I fished my phone out again and shot off a text to Lila the second Henry started up the stairs.

Just got denied. By a boy. What is wrong w me? Be on standby to pick me up tmrw.
 

WTF? I expect full details tmrw. Text me when ready. Ur beautiful. Love you.

Love you lil :(

Don’t be sad! He’s blind. Or maybe just a nice guy. I’ll buy u breakfst in the am.

Okay. G2g talk tmrw.

Henry and I didn’t talk much the rest of the movie. The awkward feeling was definitely there, and I didn’t know how to break it. Once the movie was finished, Henry stood up and stretched his arms over his head. At some point, he changed out of his khakis and collared shirt into basketball shorts and T-shirt. He looked even sexier dressed down.

“Are you sure you want to sleep on the couch, Alex? I hate to make you stay down here,” he said, collecting our beer cans and placing them on the pool table.

“I’ll be fine,” I said, not wanting to ask to sleep with him or have him stay with me. I might have given in earlier when we were kissing, but now I was just mad. And embarrassed. Denied. Rejected. How I so wanted my car so I could get the fuck out of his house.

“Well, if you’re sure.” He paused, giving me another chance to blurt out my thoughts. I refused and just smiled up at him, fake and phony. “Okay, well, you can come up and get me if you need. My bedroom is the first door on the right in the hallway off the kitchen. Wake me up when you want a ride home tomorrow, okay?”

“Got it. Thanks,” I said, the icy tone impossible for him to ignore. Right?

“Well, goodnight, Alex,” he said, turning away.

“Night,” I replied, on the verge of tears. What had I done wrong?

Before I could think another thought, Henry was back in front of me, his lips on mine. My eyes widened in surprise before fluttering shut, happiness once again coursing through my veins.

When Henry finally pulled away, we were both breathless again. He leaned his forehead against mine, then found my mouth again. I could only keep kissing him back, no questions asked. “You have no idea how badly I want to invite you into my bed,” he growled against my mouth, his words causing my body to react with excitement.

I just stared at him, my eyes asking why. He kissed me again, this time soft and sweet.  “I like you, Alex. I like you a lot. Sleep well.” And then he was gone. Grabbing the beer bottles off the pool table and disappearing up the stairs. I leaned back into the couch, mulling over his words. Maybe Lila was right. Maybe he was just a nice guy. Could he be gay? No. No gay guy would take me on two fantastic dates and kiss me like that. A player? Possibly. Involved with someone else? I hoped not. But maybe he had a girlfriend stashed away somewhere, like back in Truvista, and kissing didn’t count as cheating but sex did.

I hunkered down on the couch, pulling the quilt to my chin. I needed Lila.

$$$

“So, wait, back up. He went to go upstairs, then came back down and kissed you again, and said he liked you?”

“All correct.”

“But he made you sleep on the couch?”

“He didn’t really force me, but he didn’t invite me into his bedroom either.”

“Very weird. What do you want to eat?”

“Just that sausage biscuit. And an orange juice.” I leaned back in my seat and pulled my hat farther over my head. Lila’s rearview mirror screamed that the outside temperature was a brisk twenty-two degrees. I wished she had seat warmers like Henry’s car. My leggings were not protecting me against the cold leather.

Lila ordered our food and pulled her car towards the window. Fast food for breakfast was always the cure for a hangover, even though I wasn’t really hungover. But I could tell Lila was, and she still came and picked me up from Henry’s at six in the morning. A true trooper and friend.

I had felt like I was doing the walk of shame out of Henry’s house that morning, especially since I believed Max had seen me sneaking out of the house. Right as I opened the front door to make my escape I heard someone say my name behind me, but I hurried out without looking back and ran to Lila’s awaiting vehicle. I think the voice was Max’s. I hoped it wasn’t Henry’s. Or Peter’s. For some reason, Peter catching me walking out with smudged makeup and morning hair embarrassed me the most.

After we received our food and headed back towards campus, Lila started talking again. “So. What the hell. We need to figure this guy out. Maybe we could have Hannah ask Peter––”

“No! I do not want Peter to get involved. It would be too embarrassing if he starts asking Henry questions. Let’s not go that route.”

“Okay. No involving other guys. But, Alex, I’m confused. Why he turned you down,” I winced when she said that, “why he didn’t at least let you sleep in his bed, or why he said he liked you but then walked away. It’s too weird for me.”

“I know. Me too. Maybe Carmen and Emma will have some more ideas for us.”

$$$

“He’s gay.”

“He’s not gay, Carmen. I already thought it and ruled it out. He doesn’t walk, talk, dress or act remotely gay. He took me on two amazing dates and kissed me like he actually liked it. And I felt
him
when I was sitting on top of him. Not gay.” I shoved the sausage biscuit in my mouth, relishing in the grease. We rarely had fast food, especially with Lila’s new diet, but sometimes you just had to cave.