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Before I can object, Connor grabs the nearest tree branch and hoists himself into the tree. I inhale sharply, vertigo and nerves twitching as I watch him hop down with ease.
I change out of my shorts and into a pair of jeans before heading downstairs.
As I approach the ground floor, I hear the television softly humming from the living room. Some old movie, I gather. Mom and Dad usually curl up on the couch together on Saturday nights. Their little tradition for as long as I can remember.
“Going out?” Mom asks from the couch as I pass, knowing I’m there before I even come into view.
Dad glances at me, his arm lazily draped over her shoulder. “Out?” he asks, his tone one nudge away from protective father mode. “Again?”
She gently taps his leg, a playful scold. “Is there another party on campus?” she asks me, her tone telling him to be cool.
He looks at me again, this time eying my outfit. Not much he can say to complain about a T-shirt and jeans.
“No,” I answer. “Well, I’m sure there is one, but I’m heading to the student union. They’re projecting a movie in the quad tonight. I’m meeting some of the other Beta Kappa pledges there.”
Damn, that was smooth.
A little too smooth.
“Oh, that sounds like fun,” she says.
“What movie?” Dad asks.
“I’m not sure,” I say, my lie already crumbling at the edges. Why did I even lie in the first place? Why didn’t I just say I was heading out to hang with Connor? That’s not that unusual. “I’m going more for the socializing part.”
“And that’s great,” Mom says, more so to my father than to me. To me, she smiles. “Have fun, honey. You want to go to breakfast with me and Daisy tomorrow?”
“Sure.” I smile. “I won’t be out too late.”
“We’ll wait up,” Dad says.
“No, we won’t,” Mom says.
“Yes, we will.”
“No—”
I step back, ducking out of the room as their banter becomes a little too playful. I’ll be the first to admit that my parents make an adorable couple, but that doesn’t mean I relish in witnessing their physical affection.
Crossing through the kitchen, I leave the house through the garage. My little blue car sits at the end of the driveway. Connor is casually leaning against the passenger side, beneath the shadows of a tree. Eyes downcast. Hands in his pockets.
What happened to you, Connor?
The car doors unlock as I approach. He silently climbs inside.
Something clearly happened, right?
Or… is this about earlier?
I try to act cool as I enter the driver’s seat. Does he regret what we’ve done? Was he disgusted by it? By me? Or maybe… does he just want a normal girl with normal lungs? A girl who can… hold her breath for a long time for him. A girl like Jacinda, perhaps.
Does he hate me for storming out before he could storm out on me?
No. Stop that.
I take a breath. This is Connor I’m dealing with here. He’d never do that to me. Never.
Whatever is bothering him will come out. Even if it doesn’t, I’ll be there for him.
