Page 51 of Voices

I look up at Shane as he smiles down at me. I sit up and stretch my arms over my head, making my shirt rise. He skims his fingers along my stomach releasing goosebumps in their wake.

I can’t believe I fell asleep again. I guess the mix of drugs and stress will do that to you.

He sits up and kisses the side of my neck, hugging me from behind. “What would you like for your twenty-first birthday dinner?”

I’m not hungry but I don’t think he’s going to accept that for an answer. I try to think of something he might like or that he can easily add meat to. “Umm…spaghetti or fettuccine alfredo?” I say it like a question hoping he’ll pick the one he likes.

“Oh, I love Italian food too. It’s a little late to make spaghetti sauce though, unless you want to wait until midnight to eat,” he laughs. “I like to let my sauce simmer all day before serving it. I can whip up some fettuccine in a few minutes and the alfredo doesn’t take too long. Are you a plain bread or garlic bread fan?”

Did he just say he’s going tomakethe noodles? I would end up with the one guy on campus who can make food from scratch and enjoy doing it.

“I don’t really have a preference on bread. Whichever is fine.”

“Okay then. Let’s get to cooking.” He kisses my neck again before I stand up. I follow him into the darkened condo and reach for his hand. He looks over his shoulder and smiles down at me.

Walking into the dark kitchen, the lights are flipped on, and “SURPRISE” is yelled making me jump about a foot in the air. Shane tightens his hold on my hand as he looks at me with a bright smile this time. My heart is beating like a damn racehorse as I look at the faces in front of me. Lily and Noah are standing to the right with Ryder in the middle and I think Matt’s next to him. There’s a tall broody-looking guy next to him leaning against the wall.

“You can thank Lily and Ryder for this,” Shane whispers in my ear. “I wanted them to come over for dinner with us but somehow this happened.” He tilts his head to where everyone is now chatting and eating the snacks set up on the island.

Lily walks up to me, beaming, and gives me a tight hug. “Happy birthday,” She squeals.

“How long have you been here that you’re already tipsy?”

She holds up a red solo cup and finishes whatever she’s drinking. “I think about an hour. I’m not sure. When we got here you were passed out on Sticks, and he was adamant that you sleep so he made all of us stay in here until you woke up.” She lets out a hiccup and then laughs at herself. “Why didn’t you tell me Sticks has such hot friends? He’s got a friend for every need.” She points to Matt. “That one is hilarious! He had me about to pee myself like five times. And that one,” she points to Ryder. “He screams man whore and if the rumors are true, I wouldn’t mind climbing that pole if you know what I mean.” She pumps her eyebrows, laughing. “And that tall glass of fuck off in the corner, I’d bet he’d break the bed in a rage fuck.” She bites her lip as she looks at him. “And don’t get me started on mister blue eyes-”

“Nope. I’m going to stop you right there.”

She laughs like it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever said.

“I’ve changed my mind. You are way tipsy and well on your way to drunk.” I take her empty cup and set it on the counter.“Shane is going to make pasta so that’ll help absorb whatever the fuck you’ve been drinking.”

“He cooks too?” She gasps.

“Yes. Go sit down and chat with Noah. He looks lost with so many jocks in one place.”

“Okey dokie!” She skips over to him as his face instantly lights up when she plops down on his lap. He’s got it bad for her, but she told me that she’s not into him like that. He’ll figure it out one way or another.

I walk over to where Shane is setting out stuff to make dinner. Or at least I think that’s what it’s all for. He sees me coming and holds out his hand for me to take. I stop and look around, but nobody is paying us any attention. I slide my hand into his and stand next to him as he arranges everything. I look at it all and don’t have the slightest clue how he’s going to make noodlesanda sauce.

“Hey Ry, Matt can you guys move this to the living room so I can get started on dinner.” He points to the snacks.

“Sure thing,” Matt says as he shoves a chip with salsa in his mouth. He and Ryder grab the rest and walk out of the kitchen.

He pulls over the jar labeled flour. “Would you like to help me?” he asks, dumping flour in a pile right in front of us.

“I-I’m not very good at cooking. I’ll only get in your way.”

He taps my nose with his flour-covered finger and leans down. “I think you’ll do great, beautiful. It’s just pasta, I can adjust it as we go. And,” he moves to stand behind me and puts his hands on my hips, “I’ll be right here. Helping you.” He whispers next to my ear.

Chapter Sixteen

Shane

By the time the noodles are made there’s flour everywhere. Charlie managed to get it in his hair and all over the front of his black pants while I have flour all over my arms. But we have a sheet pan full of noodles and the sauce is almost finished.

“Why don’t you go clean up in my bathroom while I finish up here.” I turn to find him shaking his head like a wet dog. I can’t help myself from laughing. When he stops, his hair is a puffy mess making me laugh even harder.

He smiles back, flashing those adorable dimples. I poke them then ruffle his hair trying to get the rest of the flour out.

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