He follows her up the basement steps and I go over to the couch to sit with Addie. As much as I itch to go over to the guys, to put my arms around Hollis, to stand on my tiptoes and kiss him, it’s impossible.
My siblings are tattletales.
“What’s up with you?” I ask Adalyn.
She looks up from her phone. “Nothing,” she says in a tone that conveys it’s definitely something.
“Are you texting someone you shouldn’t?” I joke.
She looks over her shoulder, searching for dad most likely. “A guy from school,” she whispers.
“Tell me about him,” I encourage.
“He’s … he’s kind of a dork,” she blushes. “Like, a total nerd, but I like him. He’s been tutoring me after school in the library since I suck at math—that’s how we met, and I really like him, but…”
“But?” I prompt.
“He’s totally oblivious.”
“You’re texting him,” I point out. “Surely he’s not totally oblivious.”
She shrugs. “I told him to have a good Thanksgiving, he responded and I’m literally giddy because of it. I’m pathetic.”
“You should tell him you like him,” I encourage. “Guys are always so unaware. Don’t be afraid to take charge.”
“I don’t know,” she worries her bottom lip between her teeth. “I’ll think about it.”
Dad yells down the steps then, calling us all up to the table.
“Let me know how it goes—whatever you decide,” I tell her.
We hop up from the couch and I see Hollis hanging behind so I do the same.
Addie looks back at me and I wave her on. “I’ll be a second.”
She hurries up the steps without a backward glance.
Rush, before starting up the steps, gives the two of us a look and pumps his hips.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He winks. “And there’s nothing I won’t do, so have fun, children.”
He runs up the steps after the others taking them three at a time.
I know we can’t linger long before my dad will barge down the stairs in search of the two of us, but Hollis doesn’t give me a chance to voice this.
He closes the distance between us swiftly, grabbing my face roughly between his hands. He kisses me quickly, desperately. It’s a bruising kind of kiss. One that leaves a path of flames in its wake.
He lets me go and steps away. “I had to kiss you before I couldn’t for the rest of the evening,” he admits.
I touch my lips where they still tingle from his.
He flashes a cocky smile, pleased with himself for rendering me speechless.
“I
know I’m a good kisser, but I didn’t know it was possible to stun you into silence. I’m impressed with myself.”
I snap out of my revelry. “I hope you go home and write about it in your diary.”