Page 24 of Semi Sweet
He outstretched his hand. "Come on."
"Are you inviting yourself back to my place?" I asked.
Was it bad that I was picturing myself continuing what I started with this guy on the bed I shared with Evan, something we hadn't done in ages? Well, maybe if he took his mask off. God, maybe he was right. I was too drunk.
He shook his head as if telling me no and shaking the equally dirty thoughts out of his head at the same time. "No," he admitted. "I would be a horrible person if I left you like this."
I laced my fingers with his as I staggered towards the bus station. I wanted to pinch myself. Here I had hoped that maybe I'd meet my secret admirer and I'd gotten a night I'd never forget. I peered over at him. Even though his face was still partially covered, he seemed a mixture of pleased and in disbelief over how the night had gone as well.
When he noticed me staring at him, he cleared his throat. "Are you with it enough to remember your stop?"
I nodded. "It's Oakland."
When we got to the station, I was relieved that no one from Cash Value Market was waiting for the train. I wasn't sure how long we'd been hooking up. Maybe the party was still raging on. I suddenly realized it was even later than I would ride the train home from grad school. Knowing how it was on a good day, I was worried it might be unbearable tonight. People were forward when I was sober, so I could only imagine what they'd be like when I was just short of falling over.
When the train finally pulled into the station, the man carefully guided me over the gap and into a few free seats. I noticed he sat beside me but left room to spare. Not enough for someone else to sit, but enough that a creep wouldn't think we were together. Based on the people in the car with us, this was not a good idea.
"Can I ask you something?"
The man beside me replied with a nod. "Of course."
"Can I lean on you? Creepy people ride this train at night."
Once more, he nodded. Relieved, I placed my head on his shoulder. I thought of how Evan would never do this for me. The scowl that wanted to form on my face never appeared because my train companion put an arm around my waist, making it clear we were together.
I heaved a content sigh. "Can I ask you another question?"
"I guess."
God, I swore I heard a voice like his say those exact words once, but I was starting to feel exhausted. "Are you ever going to tell me about the cupcakes?” I shut my eyes, picturing all the ones on mySemi Sweetpage.
"Yes," he answered. "Just not tonight."
I didn't like that answer. "You suck," I grumbled back.
We rode the next few stops in silence. I kept my eyes shut, not falling asleep, but feeling calm and serene for once. Eventually, my masked coworker was gently rousing me, getting me to sit upright.
"Come on, it's your stop."
Sure enough, the chimes rang and the conductor announced that we had arrived at Oakland. Soon, I was holding hands with him again and walking towards my house off of Bremer and Elm when something dawned on me.
"What line do you take to get home?"
"Blue."
I blanched. "Blue? That's completely across the city."
The man nodded. "That's correct."
We'd finally made it to my house. We were on the sidewalk outside of my front stoop. This was it. The night was finally coming to an end.
"Why are you like this?" I blurted. "How are you able to make me feel things I thought I didn't need?"
My secret admirer merely smiled at me. "Good night, Olivia."
"No!" I nearly yelled. "Please, if you can't tell me your name, at least give me your department. Something."
He handed me the shoes he had been caring for me and helped me get onto the stoop. "Good night, Olivia," he said again.
