Chapter 10: Home Is Where You Find Me

11

Lucas clung to me, insisting on coming back to my apartment. I couldn’t refuse, so I took him home.

We walked in silence, the night air sticky. I kept glancing at him, worried he’d change his mind.

On the way, I warned him. “The place is really shabby, no air conditioning. No private bathroom. You’ve never lived like this—you won’t be used to it...”

He rolled his eyes, bumping my shoulder. “I can handle it. Stop worrying.”

“So much whining. If you can live here, I can too.”

His bravado was cute, if naïve. I smiled, relaxing for the first time all night.

But when we got upstairs and opened the old door, Lucas’s eyes showed some distaste. Still, he was fascinated by everything in my room. He looked around, then pulled me to the bed.

He poked at my thrift store bookshelf, examined the faded band poster, tried to open my mini fridge. Then he flopped on the creaky bed, pulling me beside him.

“What are you wearing underneath?” He eyed my faded floral pajamas. “Even our housekeeper doesn’t dress like this.”

He ran his fingers over the frayed seams, laughing quietly. I blushed, wishing I’d worn something nicer.

Lucas teased, but his hands didn’t stop. “It’s kind of cute, like a little country girl.”

He pulled me onto his lap and kissed me.

His lips were gentle, teasing. I melted into him, forgetting the walls were paper-thin.

“My mom’s next door...” I whispered, glancing at the door. “Maybe you should go back, Lucas.”

“What are you thinking? I haven’t seen you for over a week, and you want me to leave?”

He looked wounded, but his grin was wicked. I gave in, knowing I’d never win.

He lowered his head. I raised my arms and hugged him. “Then be gentle. You be quieter. If you wake my mom, she’ll lose it.”

I pinched him. “Shut up.”

He laughed, muffling the sound against my neck. We tumbled onto the bed, the springs squeaking so loud I winced.

The bed was tiny and always creaked. Soon, Lucas felt cramped and annoyed, so he carried me off and pressed me against the wall.

The plaster was cool on my skin, a shock compared to his hot hands. He lifted me easily, as if I weighed nothing.

Lucas gripped my waist, sweat beading on his forehead. It felt like fireworks exploded behind my eyes. Tonight was different.

We moved together in the darkness, careful to keep quiet, every sigh impossibly loud. Clumsy, awkward, and perfect.

“No more, Lucas, I’ll die...”

I whispered, breathless, but he just laughed and kissed my temple.

Lucas’s eyes burned. “Natalie, did you put a spell on me? Otherwise, why do I think of you every day?”

His words sent shivers down my spine. I wanted to believe him, to think this was more than a game.

I weakly pushed him. “Go home, it’s late. The basketball game is the day after tomorrow—remember to bring me water. Do I have to teach you how to be a boyfriend?”

I mumbled and soon fell asleep. Lucas kissed me again, even got up to help clean me up. But I was too sleepy to open my eyes. I heard him say, “Heartless little thing.”

I smiled, drifting into dreams, feeling safer than I had in years.