Page 123 of I Wanna Text You Up

He stands under the spray for a solid twenty minutes before the water shuts off. I stifle a laugh when he lets out a string of cuss words after he realizes he went in there with no change ofclothes.

The bathroom door is pulled open and I slam my eyesshut.

Caleb pads into the room and my heart beats so loud, there’s no doubt in my mind he knows I’mawake.

Drawers slide open and closed, and though he’s making a concerted effort to be quiet, everything sounds so loud in thedarkness.

The bed dips beside me, and suddenly all the air in the room is suckedout.

I can’tmove.

Can’tthink.

Can’tbreathe.

Caleb slides his arm around me and places a kiss on my exposed shoulder. He buries his face into my neck andinhales.

I don’t evenflinch.

“Zoe.”

He utters my name likes it’s a curse and aprayer.

I missed hearing it. I missed him sayingit.

I missedhim.

I fight with myself, wanting to roll over and embrace him, but also wanting to block all this out and just rest, deal with it in themorning.

Yeah, the morning soundsgood.

For the first time in several nights, I fall into a peaceful slumber, and I have no doubt it’s because Caleb’s arms are wrapped tight aroundme.

* * *

Caleb:I wanted to let you know I won’t be home until after eleven tonight, so I can’t makedinner.

Me:I work tonight, so it’s nobiggie.

Caleb:Oh. I thought you had Tuesdayoff.

Me:I normally do, but we had someone quit and the slack needed to be pickedup.

Caleb:Makessense.

* * *

Caleb:I want you to know that I am NOT avoiding you. I’ve just been busy. I assume you know that, but I wanted it to be veryclear.

Caleb:I miss the shit out of you and am thankful you haven’t locked me out of your roomyet.

Me:I couldn’t do that. You’re too cozy atnight.

Caleb:Ha. Is that the only reason you keep mearound?

Me:No.

Me:I care aboutyou.

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