Without a Doubt (19 page)

“Why would you want to know that?”

Eva shrugs. “Haven't we established I'm nosey? I don't know, Emerson. I asked without thinking about it first. You don't have to answer.” She stares up at the ceiling and then her eyes close like we can go to sleep now.

I should let this go. In fact, that's exactly what I'm going to do. I turn off the lamp and get comfortable. Why would Eva want to know? What would be the point? I don't want to know how many guys she's been with. I'm not the least bit curious. All I care about is that she's with me and only me.

“I've been with four, including you,” Eva blurts out. “Damn it. I'm sorry. Ignore me.”

I turn onto my side and reach for her hand. “Why do you want to know, Eva?” If she can give me a good reason, then maybe I'll reconsider.

“I don't really, but once I ask, I can't stop being curious about it. Don't answer. Let's go to sleep.” She squeezes my hand and cuddles up against me.

Before I can change my mind, I sigh, “Two, including you.”

Eva's silent for all of three seconds before she breathes, “Wow.”

“Why wow? What's wrong with two?”

“Nothing. That's not how I meant it. I just...wow.”

So, I tell her and her response is wow? What the hell?

“Sorry, Emerson. It made me realize that it means she's probably even more important than I thought.”

“She?” It clicks when she lifts her head to look at me. “You're worried‒”

“No, I'm not,” she quickly interrupts, which quite frankly doesn't help her case. “I just didn't realize your blast from the past included the only other person you've been with.” Her gaze drops, hiding those insightful blue beauties from me. “This is why I shouldn't have asked. I'm sorry. Please knock me over the head, so I can stop thinking, talking, and sleep instead.”

Grabbing her chin with my thumb and forefinger, I keep her looking at me instead of away. “Eva,” I begin, but she interrupts me again.

“Don't say whatever you're about to say. Please, Emerson.” She looks so sure of herself as she continues, “I'm honestly not worried about anything because I trust you. I wasn't expecting your answer and I wasn't thinking about what it could mean.”

This time, I interrupt her. “It means my girlfriend could be considered more experienced than me. If anyone asks, that's my adjective, okay?” Anything to get off this topic and make her feel better without talking about the person she doesn't want to discuss. The person I don't want to discuss.

Eva laughs, the tension leaving her body. She leans forward and kisses me quickly. “I expect you to teach me a thing or two then.”

“I'll work on it.”

Finally, conversation is over and sleep becomes our priority. Kelly is wedging herself into my relationship with Eva, causing her to worry, and I don't like it. If I have to regret one thing about Eva knowing about Kelly, it's that she is worrying and it's over nothing. I don't want Kelly to become an issue or for Eva to worry I'll leave her for Kelly. The only way to reassure her is to show her I'm serious about her.

THE ONE GOOD thing to come from this weekend is that I settled things with Glen. I let go of my anger before Sunday, but I hadn't let him know yet. Besides, if there was any anger left, it went away when he brought cookies, which were gone by lunch yesterday, from my mother. When we went to Emerson's bedroom, I told him I was sorry for ignoring him all week. I was mad he lied, but I did put him in the middle, too. I promised I wouldn't ask and he didn't have to offer information. I don't want to pit him against his best friend just because we're family.

Glen seemed relieved. He doesn't want to be in the middle either. However, he promised that if he knew something and felt like I needed to know, he'd tell me. Only then would he intervene. We hugged and our spat was officially over.

Then, I had to ruin the entire day by asking how many girls Emerson had slept with. My worries are twice as bad now. He lost his virginity to Kelly. I'm the first girl he's been with since her. Their history scares the hell out of me. I don't know if I should still be worried since it's been a little over a week with no call from Kelly. I do trust Emerson, so what I need to do is stop thinking about her. It's not helping and it's driving me crazy.

Maybe I was crazy to think I could handle this. And by this, I mean Kelly calling, which she isn't doing anymore apparently. I tug a little too hard on one of my curls in frustration. Then I wash my hands because a customer has walked in, hopefully, my last of the night. I'm working every day this week since I'm taking the weekend off to go home. Emerson's schedule is pretty much the same, so I doubt I'll see him much this week.

When I make it back to the dorm, Catherine is just arriving as well.

“What? No Parker tonight?”

“What? No Emerson tonight?” she smarts back. We walk in, drop our bags, and plop onto the beds. “When is our next break? I'm sick of school already.”

“Not until next month for fall break. We need a girls' night soon. Emerson's driving me crazy. Well, this thing with Kelly is.”

Catherine props herself up on her elbows. “She call again?”

“No, but ever since he told me, I've been driving myself crazy. Not to mention, I asked him how many girls he's had sex with and guess what? It's only me and her.”

“Why would you ask him that?” she asks, shaking her head in disbelief at me.

“I don't know!” I throw my hands up before turning my head to look at her, desperate for a change of topic. “How are you and Parker?”

“I think I'm going to break up with him.” She falls back onto the bed.

“What? Why?” I sit up and look at her.

Catherine is quiet for a minute before she finally speaks. “I never thought I would say a guy is too clingy. Or clingy period. But I think he is. He calls or texts too much. He wants to see me
all
the time. I need space, Eva! Parker is suffocating me.”

“Sorry. Have you told him? Maybe try that first because you like him, right?”

She sighs heavily. “Yeah, I like him a lot except for this particular trait.”

“Then talk to him.”

Catherine nods. “I guess I will. Better to try and make it work than run the first chance I get, right?”

“Right.”

“Besides, I'm woman enough to admit I'll find any reason to run,” she mumbles. “I don't even know why I date.”

Catherine does have that issue. She's a serial dumper. All she needs is one thing she doesn't like and she's leaving to move onto the next guy. I don't know why because she doesn't ever explain when I ask. Only recently has she admitted it's a problem.

“Because you want the fairytale ending even though you prevent yourself from getting it.”

Catherine shoots me a glare. “Don't you have boy trouble to worry about?”

“Don't you have a book to read?” I mock in return.

“Good point.” She grabs her book off the nightstand and begins to read.

I leave her to it, go shower, and start working on homework afterward. All I want to do is sleep. And the problem with homework is that I'm relatively still while I work on it. Having a long day doesn't help either. My phone vibrates with a text.

Emerson: Long day?

Me: The longest. Yours?

Emerson: The same. Are you busy right now?

Me: No...why?

Emerson: Come outside and find Sweet Irene. I have a surprise for you.

“What are you doing?” Catherine asks as I jump off the bed.

“Emerson is here with a surprise for me.”

“You saw him two days ago,” she points out.

“Is he clingy now too?” I tease as I slip my feet into flip-flops and grab a hoodie since I'm in my pajamas with no bra on. It should be cool enough that I won't be too hot.

Catherine rolls her eyes and I head outside. Emerson's truck isn't in the first row of vehicles facing the building. He must see me though because lights flash on my left. I head that way and see Sweet Irene parked in the second row. My excitement causes me to break out into a run and hop into the truck.

“Why am I meeting you out here?” I ask as I close the door.

“Because it's late and I didn't want to disturb whatever Catherine may be doing. Get over here and kiss me.”

I scoot to the middle seat. Emerson closes the distance between us to kiss me. His lips sliding against mine, his hot, minty breath mingling with mine, and the smooth glide of his tongue as he becomes reacquainted with my mouth is too much. My heart rate soars as my skin flushes with heat. I could kiss him forever. How could I not when he kisses like I'm divine, like he needs to inhale my every breath to survive? His groan when I accidentally rest a hand in the middle of his lap makes me smile.

“Don't tell me you're my surprise,” I joke breathlessly, breaking our kiss and moving my hand to his thigh after a teasing squeeze.

“I wish.” His brow furrows as if he's just now realizing what I'm wearing. “Why are you in a hoodie?”

“I didn't want to waste time with a bra.” The heat in his eyes burns hotter. “What's my surprise, Emerson?” I ask to get us back on track.

“Would you have still come had I not mentioned one?”

“Yes, but maybe not as fast,” I grin. “You know, you're slacking with manners now that you're my boyfriend.”

“How so?”

“You made me come all this way for a surprise which may not exist. You didn't meet me at the dorm entrance at least and it's dark! What happened to not wanting me to walk alone at night? And you didn't open the truck door for me. You're slacking.”

He laughs. “I'm sorry. I will do better.”

“You set my expectations high in the beginning. I'm just saying.” I shrug, trying not to smile.

“Well, the surprise does exist,” he says. As he reaches out, I notice the two Styrofoam cups from a fast food restaurant. “If you're like me, I interrupted you doing your homework and I thought we could both use a break. And by break, I mean, drinking milkshakes. Chocolate or vanilla?”

“Vanilla,” I answer and he hands me one of the cups. “Thanks, Emerson.”

He nods and we begin to suck hard on the straws. I love milkshakes from this place because they are so thick and delicious. By the time you finally get a good flow going, your cheeks ache, but it's well worth it.

“Tell me about this weekend. What's the plan?”

“Well,” I begin. “I thought I could stay with you Saturday night. Glen could pick us up Sunday morning and we would drive up. I want to visit my dog, Lady, before the party. Then, we'll head to the dinner and drive home afterward. I figured you'd be sick of me by then and I would drive back to campus.”

“Plan to stay with me Sunday night.”

“Why?”

He smiles. “Because I won't be sick of you by then and since I won't see you again until Saturday, I want all the time with you I can get. I mean, I bought milkshakes as a surprise so I could see you today.”

I squeeze his thigh. “You don't have to bribe me for my time, you know. I would have come running with or without the surprise because I like
you
.”

Emerson leans over to kiss me, his tongue cool and tasting like chocolate. “You're too much for me, Eva,” he whispers against my lips.

Hopefully, I'm just enough.