Page 150 of The Home Grown
ELLIE
“How long can you stay for?”Mike says.
We’re in bed, the morning after the night before, his forehead resting on mine. He’s still inside me, the heaviness of his body, relaxing into mine in a post-orgasm fog that keeps me clinging onto him.
“I’ll probably need to go back tonight. I can start at Megan’s tomorrow,” I mumble.
“Can’t you stay another night?” His mouth finds my neck, dotting kisses along the sensitive ridge that has me squirming under him.
“I wish I could, but I’m losing income. I can’t afford to miss any more appointments, and I’ve got regulars waiting for me to fit them in. I hate letting people down.”
“I know.”
“Mike…”
“Sorry, I—” He rocks his hips, and oh … my, God. I was half-expecting him to soften, but he’s hard still, making me buck against him, needy and desperate for more.
“Mike…” I say again, a breathy exhale this time.
But he rolls off me, leaving me with an emptiness—and not just from his physical absence.
“I’m worried,” he says, adjusting himself under the covers; probably removing the condom.
“About?”
“Us, I guess. I mean, your life’s there … mine’s here … and I know it’s not far-far, but it still feels—” He shakes his head. “Actually, we can try our best, yeah? See each other when we can.” He rolls onto his side to face me. “Sorry, I know I’m being all needy and shit.”
“You’re not. I get it. You need to be here and I … well, I guess, I can be wherever the work is. In theory.”
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Mike pulls the covers away and climbs out of bed. Except, instead of getting dressed, he reaches for a pillow and covers his crotch before he opens the door, blocking the view so whoever’s on the other side can’t see me.
“Jen’s here for Ellie,” Hutch says, not even bothering to question his roommate’s state of dress.
“She’ll be right out,” Mike says, pushing the door shut and turning back to me. “Were you expecting Jen?”
I shake my head. “No, I mean, I told the girls I was here since they were asking how you were, but that’s it.”
“Huh. I guess news travels fast.”
I climb out of bed and freshen up in the bathroom, quick to pull on some clothes before I leave Mike to get himself ready. Slipping out of his bedroom and into the kitchen area, I spot Jen sitting at the counter chatting with Hutch. She’s got a laptop open in front of her, a mug of something steaming beside her.
“Ellie, how are you?” She slips off the stool and pulls me into a hug like we’ve been friends for years.
“Good, thanks, you?”
“Yeah, I’m great. Look … I hope you don’t mind about the group-chat thing, but I thought you may be keen to join in. Please tell me if I’ve over-stepped the mark.”
“No, no, not at all. I appreciate you including me.”
“What group chat?” Hutch asks. “Is this a girls only thing or?—”
“You’re not being added,” Jen says, cutting him off.
Hutch rolls his eyes.
“Anyway,” Jen turns towards me. “I know this may be a little forward and … well, you can say no or tell me if you hate it, but—I wanted to show you something.”
