Page 42 of Matched Up

‘Come with me,’ I said.And I don’t know where it came from.It just came out.But I didn’t regret it.And it was weird because I didn’t feel awkward or like I needed to cover myself, even though I’d never had so few clothes on in front of a boy before.Shane made everything feel so easy.

I stepped into the shower and he followed me.I slid my arms round his waist and stood on my toes so I could kiss him again.The taste of salt was still there, diluted by the streams of piping-hot water that washed away the grains of sand that were stuck to our bodies and to the underwear that clung to our skin.

When I turned off the water we stood there in silence, unsure what to do next.

‘I’ll get you some of Niall’s clothes.Yours got wet sitting on the rocks.’

‘Thanks,’ he said, grabbing a towel and drying his hair with it.

Wrapped in my own towel, I brought back some sweatpants and a T-shirt and left him to get dressed, while I pulled on my checked pyjama trousers and a strappy top.

He came out with his hair towel-dried and Niall’s clothes hanging off him.

Then there was a noise.A door opening and chatting downstairs.Niall’s voice.It was unmistakable.

I looked at Shane in panic.‘Shit.’

15

‘Lexie?’Megan’s voice.

Shane and I were just staring at each other.Then I heard footsteps on the stairs.

‘Bathroom, go!’I hissed.

Shane did as he was told and closed himself in.I walked into the games room, planning to keep Megan out of my bedroom, where Shane’s clothes were still lying on the floor.

Megan had just reached the top of the stairs.

I feigned shock.‘Oh my God, you scared me.What are you doing here?’I asked, forgetting again that we weren’t speaking.

‘Niall left his charger here,’ Megan said.

I shrugged.‘Oh, right.’

Megan walked into Niall’s room.I stayed where I was.

‘Meg, help me find it,’ Niall called from downstairs.

Megan rolled her eyes as she came out of his room and didn’t even look at me as she went downstairs.

I followed her, in the hope I could keep her there and then they’d both leave.

‘Where are you?’Megan called, irritated.

‘Kitchen,’ he said.

Shit.I hadn’t cleared up after dinner.There were still dishes sitting everywhere.Two plates, two glasses.Maybe they wouldn’t notice.

‘Did you tell her?’Niall asked Megan.

‘Niall,’ she hissed, annoyed.

‘Tell me what?’

Megan stared at the table.She didn’t say anything, but after a few seconds, she turned to me.‘Sadie phoned me earlier.There are Northern Ireland trials next week and she wants me to go.’She said it like she was talking about a holiday or a night out.

I couldn’t speak.My mouth felt dry and my chest tightened.And it felt worse because it had been prompted by Niall.

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