I arch an eyebrow at her. “Yeah, thanks for that, Mom.”
She laughs and pulls me into a hug. “God, I’m glad you’re okay. I would have never forgiven myself if something happened to you.”
“We’re fine. I promise. Don’t worry yourself.”
She sighs and then asks, “I’ll try not to but it might take a few days to really let it sink in. Do you…do you guys want to watch a movie with us? Or would you rather just go to bed? I know today has been exhausting.”
Fuck, I want to spend time with my mom, but I also want to just be with Emery––the guy who has been keeping me at arm’s length all day.
I shake my head and rub my temples. “I think I’m going to go to bed. I’m exhausted.”
My mom nods and then pulls me into another hug.
“Of course, you are. Love you, bud,” she says. “See you tomorrow.”
“Love you too.”
Then she’s disappearing up the stairs, and I grab a change of clothes and take a much-needed hot shower. When I’m back in my room, I pace around for a bit, inspecting my room, and waiting for Emery to appear.
But, of course, he doesn’t show. So, I force myself to lie down on my bed and read through the approximately five hundred text messages my best friend, Magnus, sent me during the time we were missing.
Magnus:Thank the lord. Your mom called me when you went missing. I’ve been frantic.
Me:I’m safe. Don’t worry.
Magnus:You promise you’re okay?
Me:I’m fine.
Magnus:But you were stuck out in the wild for days with Emery. Is he still alive? Do I need to bail you out of jail?
Me:No, he’s safe. We’re both fine.
Magnus:You’re not telling me something. I can feel it.
Me:I’m an open book.
Magnus:I have a hunch, but I have to see you to really know. We’re getting together as soon as you get back home.
Me:Yep, can’t wait.
Jesus, I should avoid Magnus. He’s right. He’ll take one look at me and he’ll just know. Or I’ll get flustered, and it will all just come tumbling out. He has a way of pulling confessions out of me.
I look at the time on my phone and see that it’s almost midnight, and there is still no sign of Emery.
I push myself off the bed, pacing a little as I run a hand through my hair. I should just go to him. What if he’s not okay? What if today was all too much for him? What if he fell asleep and is having a nightmare?
I’m about to leave my room in search of him when the door opens, and Emery slides inside.
A lollipop stick protrudes from of his mouth, and he leans against the closed door, locking it with an audible click.
Our eyes meet, and we just stare at each other, both clad in shadows. Quickly, I flip a lamp on, and a warm glow permeates the room.
He exhales deeply and then he’s moving toward me. He’s almost completely naked except for a pair of dark purple boxer briefs, and my heart skips a beat at the sight of him approaching. He’s like a walking wall of toned muscle and art, tattoos on almost every inch of his skin. He says I look like a model. He's the one that should be on the cover of magazines…and my hardening dick chimes in withyeah,porn magazines. Shush, dick, not now.
Emery stops a few inches from me, and slowly pulls his lollipop out of his mouth, dragging it along his tongue and lips as he goes. I can smell the cherry on his breath, and I want so badly to taste him.
“Fuck, I missed you,” he mutters, and then he leans into me for a slow, candy-filled kiss. When our lips finally part, I run my tongue across my mouth, still tasting him, and then slide a hand over the back of my neck.