Chapter 25
Morgan
“I’d like to propose a toast.”
I lift my beer, wondering what eloquent notion or insight is about to come firing out of Rebecca’s potty mouth.
Jen and Elizabeth lift theirs, as well, their excitement almost palpable. Once I texted that I was a free woman, we agreed to meet back at school on Saturday to celebrate.
“To our beloved friend and sister, Morgan Pottinger. Who, despite our best efforts to make this happen sooner, is finally free.”
“Here, here!” Elizabeth exclaims.
Hmm. That was rather tame on the insults. I’m almost disappointed.
“And,” Jen puts one arm around me, while still holding her beer in the air. “I know we all want to acknowledge the bitch toll this took on you these past few months. We forgive you, knowing that this entire ordeal has been so hard for you.”
I smile and we clink bottles.
“Much like Nate’s penis,” Rebecca titters as I take a huge gulp.
I almost spit my beer across the room. Jen slaps me on the back so I don’t choke. Rebecca is laughing way too hard at her own joke, but that’s why I love her. I love them all.
I wipe the tears from my eyes. We’ve been laughing since the moment we entered the house. I’m not sure my system can handle this. It’s like I forgot what it felt like.
“Oh, man. Thank you, ladies. Seriously. Thank you. I’m sorry for, well, for not being able to handle my shit.”
Jen snorts. “You’re welcome. But don’t think for a second that any of us are handling our shit very well. We just handle things differently than you. I like to use passive-aggressive jibes in hopes that certain people disappear, Rebecca makes jokes, Elizabeth goes mute, and you turn into one angry beaver. It’s like we’re half of the stages of grieving. It’s awesome.”
“Not sure that’s awesome, Jen, but thanks,” I smirk.
“I’m smart. I know these things,” she replies.
“You sound like Nate.”
“Speaking of Thor, have you told him?” Jen asks.
“Uh, no. It felt weird texting him, ‘Hey, I broke up with my boyfriend so now you can do me.’”
Jen goes to my desk and grabs my phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Texting Nate-Dog.”
I scramble off the couch and Jen tosses the phone to Rebecca. I run over to Rebecca who tosses it to Elizabeth. Great. We’re playing monkey in the middle.
“Stop it!” I yell, simultaneously frustrated and entertained.
This is totally a game I would play with one of them. Paybacks are a bitch, I guess. But Jen’s not actually going to send a text from my phone. Most likely.
“Not until you promise to contact Nate. Immediately.”
“Shit. Fine. Give me the phone.”
Elizabeth holds it out for me and I swipe it out of her hands. I hurriedly clutch it to my chest, not entirely trusting that one of these shrews will let me keep it without trying to interfere.
I don’t know what I should say. I’m not calling him while he’s at home with family. So how do I put all of what I want to say in a text?
“What do I tell him?” I ask.
“That you’re free to be freaky. Oh! I have a better one. Your lady garden is finally ready to be plowed,” Rebecca offers in a manner that says she’s uber proud of herself.
“I am not typing that, Becks! Jesus.”
She’s worse than a frat boy. I wonder if she speaks to Evan like that. And if he likes it. I know Nate likes how I talk. Or, at least, he said he did.
“I don’t even know if he wants to hear from me.”
Jen frogs my shoulder. “Don’t be such a dumbass. He wants to hear from you. Trust me.”
“But—”
“No buts, Morgan. What are you so afraid of?” she asks.
I don’t answer. I think the question was meant rhetorically. I pull up my text messenger and type in his name, knowing this may very well blow up in my face if he’s decided he’s over my bullshit. I think I’ll keep it light and friendly, for now.
Me: Hey, Nate. Hope you’re having a great break. Just wondering when you’re coming back to campus?
There. That sounded friendly without being too friendly. His reply is immediate, which forces my heart to lodge itself in my throat.
Nate: I can be there in 5 hours, if you want me.
Talk about a loaded statement. Of course, I want him. Did he mean it like I think he meant it? Like I desperately want him to mean it?
“What did he say?” Jen asks.
“That, ah, that he can be here in five hours, if I want him.”
“Boom! Mama’s always right!” she shouts.
Elizabeth looks at her watch. “He can be here by 10:00, girl. I suggest you reply to the boy and tell him to get his ass to campus.”
All three of the faces in front of me have huge-ass grins on them. I feel giddy at the thought of Nate rushing back to Persimmon just to see me. Maybe we do have a chance, after all.
Me: I would love to see you.
My tummy flutters and I hit Send.
Nate: On my way.
“He’s on his way.”
Cheers erupt and we clink our bottles once more. Things are looking up in Morgantown.
***
The next five hours are the slowest of my entire life. The girls and I continue sipping beers and eventually order pizza since none of us have a key to the kitchen.
By 10:00, I’ve sobered up and am now staring at my phone, willing it to communicate. It doesn’t.
“I suggest you go brush your teeth, Morgan.”
Jen’s wearing a self-satisfied smirk. If I had access to something dangerous, I’d throw it at her. However, on the off chance that Nate gets close enough, I don’t want to smell bad.
“Yeah, I probably smell like a beer factory.”
I take my toiletries into the bathroom, wash my face, and brush my teeth. My hair is up, as is my preferred style, and I decide not to mess with it.
I don’t wear much make-up, and I don’t see the point in putting any on this late. But I do lotion my face and apply chap-stick.
I look down at my outfit. Yoga pants, a long-sleeve tee, and tennis shoes. Comfy wear. I debate putting on some jeans and a cute top, but Nate has never appeared to be interested in anything I was wearing. Aside from my underwear, of course.
I pull out the waistband of my pants so I can see which underwear I put on. Black lace thong. Sexy and zero panty-lines, but I do wish I still had my Saturday pair. Nate would have liked those.
I blush, thinking I just made a major assumption that Nate’s going to see my underwear tonight. If given the choice, he’s going to see a lot more than just my panties.
I grab my stuff and walk back to the room.
“Thor just arrived on campus,” Rebecca states as she tosses my phone to me.
I’m suddenly afraid to see him. I don’t know how he’ll react to the news. We’ve held each other at such a distance lately, I’m unsure how easily it will be to find our way back. Or even if that’s what’s happening.
“What are you waiting for?” Jen snaps her fingers and points to the door. “Get the hell out of here.”
I don’t bother checking my phone. I grab my coat and fly out the door. It’s cold tonight so I jog across the street.
Thankfully, the front door is unlocked. Quite a few windows have light, so there must be a decent amount of Taus back on campus already.
I climb the stairs and walk down the hall to Nate’s room. Halfway there, I see that the door is open and a light is on. I swallow hard and force myself forward.
Nate is sitting in a chair with his elbows on his knees. His head is bowed and one leg is bouncing, as though he’s anxious.
I’ve never seen Nate anxious before. Shit. I don’t know if this is good or bad.
I cross the threshold and Nate’s head jerks up. His penetrating eyes look me up and down. My skin heats, knowing he’s taking inventory.
It’s more than sexual. He’s branding me with his eyes. I feel like this is the first time I’m really seeing him, that he’s letting me see him.
I lick my lips and the corner of his mouth moves upward. Dear, lord, he’s gone predator on me.