Page 93 of Perfect Enough
When we pulled up and parked, I knew Josh was hanging on by a thin thread. I took his hand in mine, and when he looked at me, tears building in his eyes, my heart almost shattered.
“I’ll be by your side the entire time.”
He brought my hand to his mouth and kissed it. “Thank you, Soph.”
After the memorial, family and close friends returned to Stella and Ty’s house for a small dinner. Laughter and tears filled the rooms as people shared memories of Ty Sr. I smiled a lot, and fought back tears even more. Josh sat in the living room, a beer in his hand that he nursed the entire time his cousins talked about their favorite memories of their grandfather.
Sitting in the dining room, I had a clear view of him. He would smile when the occasion called for it, and even laugh attimes, but I could tell he was slipping increasingly into a dark place. I stood and made my way over to Kaylee and Ty Jr.
“Sophia, sweetheart,” Kaylee said as she took my hands and kissed me on the cheek. “Thank you so much for being here for Josh.”
“Of course,” I replied. “Um, speaking of Josh, I think maybe I should drive him home.”
Josh’s father turned to look at his son. “Has he drank too much?”
“No, not at all. I think he’s been nursing that same beer all night. He just seems to be…somewhere else, if that makes sense. I know after my father passed, during his memorial, it got to a point where I wanted to scream for everyone to leave and I just wanted to be alone.”
They both looked at him again and nodded.
“I agree,” Kaylee said. “We’ll stay with Stella for the next few nights, maybe longer. If you need anything, let us know?”
“Yes, of course I will.”
After hugging them both, and saying my goodbyes to Stella and a few others, I made my way to Josh, who was now standing at a window looking out into the darkness.
I gently placed my hand on his arm. “Would you like to head home now?”
He closed his eyes and nodded. “More than anything.” Turning to face me, he asked, “Can you drive? I’ve only had a couple beers, but I’d like to close my eyes. My head is pounding.”
“Of course I can.”
When we got to Josh’s house, he changed and showered in his en suite bathroom. I leaned against the doorjamb and stared into the night while waiting for him. Fall was right around the corner, and the temperatures were dropping more and more each night, but tonight, the slight chill in the air felt good, so I kept the French doors open.
I could feel Josh before he even touched me. “Are you hot?” he asked, before he kissed the side of my neck.
“Not at all; as a matter of fact, I’m kind of chilly.”
“Why are you standing here with the door open then?”
Turning in his arms, I replied, “The air feels crisp and clean.”
He drew me into the room and shut the door. Cupping my face with his hands, he lowered his mouth and kissed me. It was slow and sweet, and I could feel myself melting into his body.
“I want you, Sophia.”
My eyes snapped open, and I drew back. “What?”
He ran his nose along my jawline before capturing my mouth once again. The kiss was becoming more passionate, and if I didn’t stop kissing him back, I would lose all control and do whatever Josh wanted.
With my hand on his chest, I pushed him back slightly. “Josh,” I said between gasps of air.
“Tell me you’ll let me make you mine tonight.”
“Tonight?” I asked, shocked that he would even suggest it. “I…I…I’m not sure tonight is a good idea. You need to make sure this is something you want.”
He frowned. “You don’t think I know what I want?”
“Of course not, it’s just…”
