Page 230 of Something Rad
“That I meant what I said.” My gaze snaps up, and Robbie tilts his head at me, wetting his bottom lip with his tongue as he takes a step closer. “That you still scare me more than anything too, Cooper. And that I’d like to see you tomorrow.”
My mouth falls open. A thousand thoughts run through my mind. Some that send heat rushing to my face, some that make my stomach sink, some that make my heart squeeze, and some that threaten to make my eyes water. I try to latch onto just one of those things to say, but I come up empty, the only thing I halfway manage to mutter being, “Tomorrow?”
“Yeah,” Robbie says, a grin tilting his mouth. “Tomorrow.”
I begin to chew on my bottom lip. “That’s not taking things very slow.”
Robbie breathes out a laugh, wrapping a hand around my elbow and pulling me closer to him, resting his other hand on my hip. He ducks his head, his face only a few inches from mine. “But it’s a whole sleep away,” he says, his voice low.
“Tomorrow’s Sunday,” I blurt.
“And?”
“Well…you know,” I shrug.
He raises a brow at me, waiting for me to continue.
“It’s the Lord’s day.”
Robbie snorts. “TheLord’sday?” he repeats.
I cross my arms. “Yes?”
“When’s the last time you went to church, Cooper?”
“Christmas,” I say. Robbie’s eyes narrow on me, making me avert my gaze. “...when I was seven,” I add under my breath.
“Well then I’m in better graces than you.”
I’m trying not to focus on the way Robbie’s fingertips are circling against my hip and how they’re sending a shiver straight down my spine with every movement. “Really?” I ask, attempting nonchalance. “When’s the last time you went?”
“Sometime in junior high.” Robbie reaches up, twirling a loose strand of my hair in his fingers. “But I practiced worship just about an hour ago. On my knees and everything.”
My own knees nearly give out from under me. I lean back until my side comes into contact with the door frame, supporting myself against it. Robbie comes right along with me, sweeping that loose hair behind my ear. He looks down at me, his mouth quirking, just before he leans down and whispers in my ear.
“I suppose you deserve your day of rest. To confess for your sins and all.”
Robbie pulls away, meeting my eyes again with a devilish grin. I swallow hard, squeezing my thighs together. “How considerate of you,” I breathe.
Robbie reaches up, holding the side of my face as he brushes his thumb over the arch of my brow. Then he shifts down, sweeping it gently across the sensitive skin of my under eye, staring into my eyes like he’s looking for something. “When can I see you, Cooper?”
“On Monday at school”
He leans back, giving me a sharp look.
“What?” I question him. “That’s only the following day.”
Robbie shakes his head. “That won’t do.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, when can Iactuallysee you?” Robbie trails his pointer finger down the bridge of my nose. “Just us.”
My teeth sink into my lower lip. “Saturday?”
“Friday.”
I blow out a breath. “Fine. Friday.”
