Page 53 of Even After Sunset

“Yeah, ish weely good.” I mumble, my mouth still full. And yeah, it is good, but honestly, nothing to write home about. To be fair, I’ve never written home about anything,so probably not a great comparison. Anyway, let’s just say it’s not in the same league as my Nutella-marshmallow fluff cookie creation.

I finish the rest of the whoopie pie, still with Tammy’s eyes glued on me.

“You have some icing on your lip,” she says when I’m done. She leans in. “Here, let me help you.”

Then her lips are on mine and her tongue darts out to glide along my lower lip. We kiss for a bit, and then she straightens.

“All gone,” she says, with this coy little smile on her face.

I nod. “Look, uh, I have this… thing I have to do. I’m gonna have to split.”

I feel like an ass, but I don’t want to end up back at Trenton because of a whoopie pie and twenty-second make-out session with some chick I met less than five hours ago.

“Oh…” she says, clearly disappointed. “Well, maybe I could come with you?”

Wow. She’s persistent.

“It’s something I have to do back at… my camper,” I explain, so she doesn’t think I’m just making excuses because I have somewhere better to be or something.

“That yellow food truck?” She asks.

“Yeah.”

Her eyes narrow. “With your girlfriend?”

“Jackie isn’t my girlfriend.”

“Oh. Okay.” The smile is back. “I’ll walk you back, then.”

I would tell her not to bother, but she didn’t push me for details about what it is I’m going to do, and I’m grateful for not being cornered into explainingthe whole backstory on why I’m on some weird version of house-arrest during a festival circuit in an old friend’s RV. And also, I did just make out with her and then ditch her. So if walking me back to the camper will make her happy, then whatever. I’m cool with it.

When we get there, there are a few people at the window, so Jackie’s occupied at least. But I’m pretty sure she sees me. Orus, I guess. But I’m trying to avoid looking at her, so I can’t be sure.

“Will you be around later tonight?” Tammy asks, as I check the time again on my phone. 10:02.

“I have to work. Loading and stuff for a couple of the bands.”

“Oh,” she says, “Cool.” Like she truly thinks it is. She flips her hair over her shoulder, just like her friend did earlier at the window. “Well, anyway, it was nice meeting you.”

“Yeah. You too. Thanks for the whoopie pie.”

Possibly the most ridiculous parting sentence uttered by anyone ever.

I take a step back toward the door, and Tammy follows. She slips her hands around my neck and comes in for another kiss. Longer this time. My back is right up against the door now and she runs her fingers through the hair just above my neck. She’s a good kisser, and I wish I wasn’t so stressed about the time so I could actually enjoy it.

“You’re hot,” she says. “You sure you have to go?”

“Yeah.” My voice sounds hoarse and I clear my throat. “Yeah. Sorry.”

My gaze shifts briefly beyond her shoulder, only to collide with Jackie’s narrowed stare, and I feel a sudden flash of guilt. Hell knows why.

I shift so my back is toward the order window.

“I gotta go,” I tell Tammy. “Have fun tonight.”

“I will.” She takes a few steps back. “See ya!” She wiggles her fingers in a wave, then spins on her heel and jogs off to reunite with her gaggle of friends.

Back in the camper, I park my ass on the bench that doubles as my bed, sitting at the end farthest from the order window, still carefully avoiding looking in Jackie’s direction.

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