Wicked Restless (Harper Boys #2)(101)

Chapter 19





Emma



I skipped Miranda’s lecture today. I’m sure she’ll text me. I’ve only missed once before, and it was because of a financial-aid meeting. She questioned my absence then, and it was easy to explain. Today’s is a little more challenging. “Oh, well, you see…your son got all grabby with me, then hit me when I fought back, and I want to hide this from you because I’m afraid you’ll pick his side.”

Yeah—skipping was a good call.

I left my things at Andrew’s this morning, and somehow, despite months of walking home in one direction, my legs managed to remember that today they lived somewhere else. The tickle in my tummy is constant the closer I get to his apartment, and I can’t decide if it’s because I’m excited, or because I’m anxious over Lindsey. I think maybe it’s both.

I still feel selfish.

I’m about to push his key in the lock when the door suddenly opens in front of me, Andrew stepping through it and closing it behind his back. He’s wearing a thin white T-shirt with skulls on the front over a black long-sleeved shirt, tight black jeans, and gray lace-up boots. His hair is combed back, and he smells almost edible. I swear his cologne is circling me for the kill. He pushes his hands into his pockets nervously, and shuffles his feet as he looks down at them while he talks.

“So I have plans. I mean, for me and you. I mean…shit. I’m already messing this up,” he stammers. I suck in my bottom lip, trying not to smile or embarrass him. He looks me in the eyes and takes a deep breath, holding up a finger, stepping into his apartment and exiting it again just as he did before. “Let’s try this again. Emma, I’d like to take you out tonight. On a date—a real date. And if this turns out to be corny or lame or if I gross you out or…whatever…then it’s all Trent’s fault. He told me I should show you how I feel. So, tonight, if you’re willing to give me a shot, I’d like to start over. I’d like us to start over. And I’d like to treat you like you deserve to be treated…like I should have treated you all along. Whadaya say?”

My lip slides loose from my hold, and I can’t stop the quick spread of my smile. Andrew smiles in return, nodding once and letting out a heavy breath. “Phew. Good. Okay then, before you go inside, I want you to know that I realize I might have gone a little overboard. But like I said—I didn’t want there to be any question in your mind about my intentions here. I’m asking you on a date, and that date ends when you say goodnight. And then I will take my place on our very comfortable couch, giving you your privacy in my room for as long as you need it.”

I open my mouth, my brow pinching with guilt; I hate the thought of pushing him out of his room, but Andrew holds a hand up quickly. “No questioning me. Not tonight. I’m too nervous about everything being perfect for you to question tonight, okay?”

“Okay,” I say. Andrew closes his eyes, his smile once again relieved.

He pushes his door open, holding his arm out to direct me inside, where there are three gigantic boxes placed on the floor—wrapped in purple paper with white bows.

“Purple’s my favorite color,” I say.

“I know,” he says in return. “Go on. Open them.”

I look to him nervously, but move to the first box, excited to see what’s inside. I tear away the tissue paper and pull off the lid to find two enormous Care Bears sitting inside. I lift them up and cradle each one on a hip, like they’re children, and the silliness of them makes me giggle.

“Okay, so hear me out,” Andrew starts, closing the door behind him and leaning against it. “That one there, the blue one? His name is Grumpy or Grouchy or…”

“Grumpy,” I confirm for him, my mouth aching from my smile.

“Good, right. Well, Grumpy…that one’s me. He’s got this cloud that follows him around, and he’s just generally blue and mopey and shit, and he doesn’t really have any friends, other than this yellow bear here with the sunshine on it’s stomach.”

“Funshine Bear,” I answer, looking over at the yellow bear on my other hip.

“Right…wait…Funshine? That’s really his name?” Andrew asks. I nod yes.

“Wow, this is getting even lamer, and I’m really embarrassed,” he says.

“Don’t be,” I say, catching his gaze before it falls. He squints one eye, questioning me. “So far, this is really sweet. Keep going.”

He nods, his cheeks dented with the dimples of the smile he’s trying to hide. The bashful boy from our youth is coming out to play, and it makes my heart soar to see.

“Okay, well Funshine, or as I called him, Happiness…this one’s you. She’s Grumpy’s only friend in the world. And she’s the only one that can make Grumpy forget about the damn cloud stuck on his body. He needs her. Without her, he’s just not…well, without her there’s just too much of the cloud,” Andrew says, his mouth settling into a more serious smile. I notice how fast his chest is rising and falling, how hard he’s breathing. He’s scared.

I look at both of the bears and squeeze them to my body, then look back at him. “I love them. I’m keeping them with me all night,” I say, and his lips slowly curl up again.