Page 10 of You Found Me in the Dark
I shouldn’t want her the way I do. Shouldn’t think about how she looked in the kitchen, barefoot and quiet, like a storm wrapped in softness. Shouldn’t be imagining what would’ve happened if Cam hadn’t spoken up or if I’d kissed her like I wanted to. How far it might have gotten before we remembered where we were. Or how fucking breathtaking she would’ve looked if I had lifted her onto the counter, ripped her shorts off, and made her come on my tongue. But Iwasimagining it.
I ran a hand through my hair, willing the heat low in my gut to cool.
Maybe I was reading into things. Maybe that look in her eyes wasn’t necessarily how she felt towards me, but was just leftover sadness I mistook for something else. Maybe I wanted it so badly, I’d imagined the way her lips parted when I got too close. Imagined the way her breath caught.
God, what if I was wrong? What if she didn’t feel it at all? What if she were feeling like she owed me for last night? The thought settled like lead in my chest. I wasn’t sure I could turn this off now, even if I had to.
9
WREN
Icouldn’t take it anymore. The quiet felt heavy, as if the walls were closing in. I grabbed my phone and opened a new text to Harper. She was my best friend, the one person who always knew how to pull me out of my funk.
Me
Harps!! I am going crazy. What are you up to?
My phone buzzed almost immediately.
Harp
girl same. theres a party im going to tonight and lena will be there too. wanna come? could always use my partner in crime.
I hesitated. Parties weren’t usually my thing, but right now? Anywhere but here sounded perfect.
Me
Honestly, I’m so down. I need achange of scenery.
Harp
thats my girl. ill be on my way in like an hour or something but text me if you’re ready sooner than that! party starts at 10 but you know how much i love being fashionably late!
I set my phone down and stared at my reflection. What the fuck was I going to wear? I rifled through my closet until I found a dark green T-shirt. It had a deep V-neck and hung a little loose around my waist but tight on my breasts. Sometimes I forgot how large they were because of all the hoodies I wore. I grabbed my shortest, skimpiest black ripped jean booty shorts. They were so short that the pockets hung out of the bottom of them. More daring than usual, but maybe that’s exactly what I needed tonight. I wanted my mind to be off of Reed and to be off of the past. I was ready to be here in the present, at least for a few hours.
Once I was dressed, I grabbed my makeup bag. It was rare for me to wear makeup. I hated making an effort, but tonight I was excited to put some on. I used concealer to hide my dark circles under my eyes. I didn’t like wearing foundation anymore because I hated hiding my freckles. As I got older, I stopped hiding them and learned to love them. I added more than enough mascara and a few swipes of dark pink lipstick that always made me feel so fucking pretty. Looking in the mirror, I hardly recognized the girl staring back. I looked bold, beautiful, and maybe a little bit wild. Harper wasdefinitelyrubbing off on me.
My phone buzzed again.
Harp
omw wrennie baby! i hope you’re ready
The thrill was already buzzing under my skin. Tonight wasn’tjust about leaving the house; it was about forgetting the present for a bit. Hopefully.
I gave myself one last look in the mirror. The dark green V-neck shirt dipped just enough to show off a distasteful amount of cleavage. It was probably a little much, but as Harper would say, “If you got it, flaunt it!”. It hugged my chest perfectly, the soft fabric teasing the curve of my body. My black ripped booty shorts sat snug on my hips, hugging my thighs like they were made for me.
I turned slightly, checking the side view, and my boobs looked really good. Not something I usually paid attention to, but tonight? I didn’t mind showing a little skin. I kind of liked the way it made me feel. Like a force to be reckoned with. Or maybe I just wanted to see how Reed would react since he has been shooting me glances all night.
With a final touch-up to my lipstick, I grabbed my phone, jean jacket and slid into my old worn combat boots. Then, I headed down the hallway toward the living room.
Cam and Reed were exactly where I figured they’d be. They sat together on the couch playing Mario Kart. Cam looked up first when he heard my boots on the hardwood heading towards the foyer.
“You heading out?” he asked, pausing the game.
“Yeah. Party with Harper. I’ll be back late.”
He gave me a quick once-over, his expression shifting into older brother mode. He noticed that my current attire is not even close to what I usually wear. He knew I was too old to dictate how I dressed, so he asked, “You good?”
