Page 166 of Burn Bright
He stands, bringing me into his chest in a strong, affectionate hug. I hug him back just as tightly, and I press my cheek to his body, hearing the poundingthump, thump, thumpof his heartbeat. It begins to slow. He begins to calm, and he says, “I’m going to be here for your birthday. I promise you that.”
TEXT MESSAGES
Harriet
MVU Campus
Ben
The End of the World
Harriet
My apartment
Harriet
Finding a place to fuck should not be this hard wtf.
Ben
I’d suggest my couch, but I think we took a big risk last time.
Harriet
What would you have done if your brothers walked in on us last time?
Ben
Thrown something at them. Memory wiped their brains. Judged myself.
Harriet
Glad we avoided memory wiping and self-judgment.
Ben
Me too. But removing my couch from contention kind of limits the options here.
Harriet
Too bad you don’t have a treehouse we could use, nature boy.
Ben
My uncle has one.
Harriet
Treehouse
Ben
Ben
We’ll figure it out.
Harriet
