Page 36 of After the Storm

“Then what happened?” I ask.

“It felt like we were running into something we should have been walking into. It felt so fast after everything I had been through.” Audra pulls her hands into the sleeves of the hoodie I gave her, pulling them to chest. “And I had just told Ares everything. It felt insane to immediately start hiding stuff from him again,” she admits. It all makes sense. Perfect sense. It’s like all the pieces snap into place.

“We could have told him.” I shrug.What a stupid fucking thing to say.She goes to speak but I cut her off. “That was stupid, I’m sorry.” I shake my head.

“I think we should just be friends. At least until the smoke clears, you know? When things with Tyler aren’t so fresh and when things with Ares are in a place better for dropping bombs like that.” I’m equal parts devastated and relieved when she says the word friends. I’ll take anything from her other than the radio silence I’ve had for the last week. Still though, after the last few weeks and the kiss we shared, friends just doesn’t feel like enough.

“Friends sounds great,” I say with a cheesy smile and I hope she can’t tell how bitter the word friends tastes in my mouth. Whatever she needs, I’ll be. If that’s a friend, then I’ll be the best damn friend she’s ever had. Doesn’t mean I won’t spend every minute of it hoping she realizes I’m still what she wants.

“I missed you,” she says, scooting her chair up against mine and tipping her head on my shoulder. Now Iknowmy heart is glowing in my chest. I tip my head to sit gently on top of hers.

“I missed you. I don’t like not being around to keep you safe,” I mumble against her hair. Her body relaxes against my shoulder.

“Me either. I feel better when you’re around.”

“Then around I will be,” I assure her.

Chapter14

Audra

The secondI open my eyes my senses are engulfed in the smell of bacon and pancakes filling the house. Allison never misses a chance to cook breakfast for all of us. There is no one on this planet so naturally cut out to be a mother. Sometimes it’s surprising to me that she only had the two boys but then I think about how only having two kids gave her and Ken the chance to take Ares and Roman’s friends under their wing when it was needed.

When my mom was on one of her trips as a flight attendant, I always had a second home to be at. Maybe things wouldn’t have been that way if they had a house full of kids. I can’t get too caught up in the thought because I don’t want to picture my life without a spot for me in their family.

I will myself to get out of bed despite being exhausted. Since the night we talked, Roman and I have been the last ones to bed. Sometimes talking, sometimes swimming, but always having fun. Tonight is the last night here before we head home tomorrow.

I consider taking off Roman’s hoodie to not ring any alarm bells for Ares or his parents but there’s nothing to hide. Everyone knows we’ve been the last ones to bed the whole weekend and on top of that we agreed to only being friends so there’s nothing suspicious going on. At least that’s what I tell myself. So I decide to keep the hoodie I’ve been sleeping in every night and throw on a pair of shorts before heading out to breakfast.

I get to the dining room and everyone is already at the table but Roman. I hear footsteps behind me and I turn to see Roman coming out to breakfast. On second thought, maybe I should have ditched the hoodie because this looks bad. I walk over and take the empty seat next to Ravyn and he takes a seat between Ares and his mom. Maybe no one will notice. Even better, maybe no one will care. My phone buzzes in the hoodie pocket. I pull it out to check it and it’s a text from Roman.

Roman

You look cute in my hoodie with bedhead

Audra

You tell all your friends they look cute in your hoodie with bedhead?

Roman

Only the ones I’ve kissed.

Audra

No compliments for Beck? Some friend you are.

Roman

I never said Beck wasn’t one of them.

I bite back a laugh and Ares looks over at me with a confused look on his face.

“Who ya texting?” he asks, wiggling his eyebrows. I should just be honest, and tell him it’s Roman. We’re just friends, there’s no reason to lie. Except it doesn’t feel like we’re just friends and it doesn’t feel like Ares will think we are if I tell him. So I dig my grave a little deeper and I lie.

“My mom, weirdo.” I laugh, waving him off. He hums in response like he doesn’t quite believe me. It could be in my head though, considering I keep adding on more guilt for things I’m keeping from him. It isn’t even that I don’t think he could handle it, it’s just that I don’t want to make a commotion until there is something to tell.

“So what are we doing for the last day here?” Roman asks, cutting the tension. Allison perks up to speak.

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