Page 88 of Love is Strange
We’ve been at the bar for over an hour, and it’s clear even to Jason that I’m not feeling it tonight. “Dude, this is more than worry about your little sister. Spit it out, what’s really bothering you?”
I groan, “It’s her friend Ember, but I don’t want to talk about her right now. She hates me anyway, so it’s not worth thinking about.”
I wave the bartender over, and Jason orders a drink and four shots.
When they are poured, he passes two shots to me and then smirks before picking up one of the small glasses for himself. “Drink, forget, and let’s go get laid,”
We down the shots and slam the empty glasses upside down on the bar. The alcohol starts to take effect, and I feel more relaxed. I’m becoming less consumed with my girl, and more interested in the pretty blonde who is making eyes at me from the dance floor. This isn’t our usual haunt, but Jason says that the band on tonight at The Metal Amp are shit, so we came here. Not that this club is really any better, but the girls are undoubtedly hot.
Hours later I’m stumbling into my dorm with Jason on my heels, and all I can smell is the sickly perfume from the dancing blonde who let me fuck her in the bathroom of the club. I don’t feel any better. I just feel sick and angry, and the craving for Ember is running rampant through my inebriated brain. I crash on my bed and roll onto my back, staring up into the darkness.
In the morning I wake up with a pounding headache and still fully clothed on top of my bedsheets. Shit, how much did I drink last night? All I can smell is perfume and stale beer. My mouth feels like I’ve been chewing on cotton balls and tastes even worse. I haul myself out of bed and drag myself to the bathroom to shower and rinse my mouth out.
When I come back into the bedroom feeling rough but slightly more human, I see my phone lying on the floor. Snatching it up I check it for missed calls and texts and see one unopened message from Ember.
EMBER: Who is this?
I let out a relieved breath when I realize she doesn’t have my number, but I got hers from Casey’s phone when she left it lying around. Frowning, I scroll up to see what I must have sent her while drunk, and my eyes widen when I read it.
ME: You’re mine Ember, don’t ever forget that.
Chapter Fifteen
EMBER
I’m aboutto call Casey and tell her about the late night text I received when my phone starts ringing in my hand. It’s my dad.
“Hey, Dad. Why are you calling so early?”
“Hi, sweetie, I just wanted to let you know that I need you to stay at Casey’s for a few weeks. Something has come up at work, and I can’t get away until it’s sorted. Sorry, baby girl. I hate it when this shit happens. I’ll try to be home as soon as I can. How about we go away for Christmas this year? Pick anywhere you want to go, and we’ll have a proper vacation.” I can hear the stress and tiredness in his voice, and I have to blink back tears. He works so hard all the time, and it’s been tough for him since Mom died. He’s thrown himself into his business and has to travel a lot for work. I miss him so much when he’s away, and I hate how exhausted it makes him.
I have to fight to keep my voice steady. “Sure, Dad. I don’t mind staying with Casey. Hurry home, okay? I miss you.”
He sounds sad when he answers, “I miss you too, baby girl. I love you. Have fun at Casey’s, and I’ll call again soon.”
“I love you too, Dad,” I say and hang up just as the tears start streaming down my face.
I try to swallow the lump in my throat as I call Casey, but she doesn’t pick up. The doorbell rings, and I drag myself out of my room to go and answer it. When I see Casey standing on the doorstep, I break down, and she hugs me tightly. Her mom must have told her about my dad being stuck at work and sent her to come and pick me up.
“I miss him so much, Case. He’s hardly ever home anymore.” I cry into her shoulder.
She rubs my back and says softly, “I know babe, but he’s got to work. I know it sucks not having him around, but he’ll be home soon. We’ll have such a blast together, and it’ll be like we’re roommates or something. Mom is making up Ash’s bedroom for you as he won’t be home any time soon.
My stomach drops at the thought of being in Ash’s space: in his room, and in his bed every night for the next few weeks. I can’t say no because I’ll be there too long to share with Casey, even though her room is big enough for both of us. I take a deep breath and force a smile I don’t feel when she leans back to look at me.
She squeezes my hand and leads me into the bedroom where I grab my suitcase, and we start packing for my extended stay. I know I can always come back for more of my things, but it’ll only remind me that Dad won’t be home. I grab my new dress and a pair of my black heels, which will look great with it and carefully lay them in my suitcase.
Ten minutes later, we’ve double checked all the windows, I’ve locked up the house, and we’re on our way.
All too soon we get to Casey’s house, and I'm standing in the doorway of Ash’s room, about to go to sleep in his bed and being blasted by the memory of the last time I was here.
Taking a deep breath, I walk over to the bed and lie down. In spite of the fresh sheets, his scent still lingers, and I can’t relax. I toss and turn, unable to get comfortable. It feels wrong to be sleeping in his room, knowing that he's away at college and doesn’t even know I’m in here.
I give up on trying to get any sleep. My body’s drained and wants to rest, but I can't seem to switch my mind off. Pulling my suitcase toward me, I take out my sketchbook and pencil case, and start to draw. I smile as the lines form on the page. This is the first time I've used this book, and it seems fitting to do so in Ash’s room, seeing as he was the one who gave it to me.
A knock on the door grabs my attention. I pause in my shading and close the book, glancing once more at the picture before the cover closes over it.
“Come in!” I call out, feeling weird inviting people into Ash’s room.
