Mars: Sorry I got you in trouble. I would have taken you home sooner but…I wanted to keep you close to me as long as possible.
Me: It’s fine. Being with you made the shitstorm I walked into worth it.
Mars: Did your mom and dad see the hickeys?
I smile at his question and relive the hot as hell make-out session we had beneath the stars. My core burns lava hot at the memory.
Me: Yeah…my mom saw them first. She freaked out.
Mars: Shit. I’m sorry. I got carried away.
Me: I like when you get carried away.
My cheeks turn warm and I press my cool palms to them.
Mars: Do you?
I picture his raised eyebrow in my mind. I bounce my knuckle on my lip and then grab my phone again.
Me: Promise me you’ll get carried away on our next date.
Mars: I definitely promise.
Me: By the way, I can still feel your mouth on me.
I make my way to the full-length mirror in my closet and snap a picture of myself. The tender marks of passion on my neck are bared as I tip my head to the side. I send the picture to Mars and await his response. My belly flops while I watch the three dots jump then vanish. Jump then vanish again.
Finally, my phone chimes.
Mars: Fuck. I’m lucky.
Me: Lucky?
Mars: I only put my mouth on what belongs to me. So yeah…I’m lucky.
I don’t press any further into what he said. Instead, I grin my ass off quietly and we continue texting until I fall asleep.
The smell of coffee hits my nose and my stomach grumbles. I wish Mom and Dad would leave. I want to grab something for breakfast before I go to the library and study. I also want to avoid the clunky moment I know will happen once we’re all in the same room.
I hear the front door close and I sigh. I’m not sure if it’s Mom or Dad but at least one parent is out of the house. I grab my bag and stand in the hallway, waiting to hear the front door close a second time.
Instead, I hear Dad call upstairs, “Mom is gone.” I wanted to avoid him too, but I can’t deny the relief that floods me knowing Mom is out of the house. I press a foot on the top step and hesitate.
I know Dad will ask me a ton of questions and I cringe at the thought of answering them. Why can’t they just let me date in peace until I bring Mars around on my own?
“I won’t bite,” Dad says from the kitchen as if he’s in my head. My shoulders slump and I take one step after another until I’m standing in the doorway of the kitchen, studying the tiles on the floor. “Hey, kiddo. Can you at least bring him to dinner? I think I deserve to meet the guy who’s making my daughter lose track of time.”
I smile at his words. Mars does make me lose track of time. He makes me lose the sense of anxiety and pressure too.
“Soon,” I promise him.
“I’ll hold you to it.” Dad finishes his coffee and studies me. “You’re up early for a Sunday, kiddo. I was going to head to the greens, but if you need a ride, I can drop you off somewhere.”
I nod my head then grab a bagel and a bottle of water. “Yeah, thanks. I’m going to the library to study for a while.” At least Dad didn’t chew me out like Mom will the moment she gets a chance.
We walk out to his car and once the seat belt is clicked in place, I ask, “How much did she interrogate you last night?” Dad’s eyes crinkle at the corners when he laughs. The sound is warm and amused.
“She asked me questions until she fell asleep, no matter how many times I told her I only knew he was a barista at The Grind House.” We drive for a while and I fidget with the sleeves of my hoodie.
“You think she’ll judge him if he isn’t like they guys in Ashton Hills?” I stare out of the window, my muscles already tensing from the thought.
“Your mother can be…”
A bitch.
Dad opens and closes his mouth but no words come out. Even he can’t find the words to describe her. “She’s particular but she’s not a bad person, Sage.”
“I didn’t say she was, Dad, but she’s sure not a friendly one.” Sure as hell not a friendly one. My true words burn as I swallow them down.
We stop in front of the Newman Building where the library is and I get ready to hop out. “I’ll get her to come around, Sage.” Dad offers a sympathetic smile and I want to believe him. I don’t know if anyone will get her to come around though.