3 Chapter 3

“Just…” All the tension went out of him and he lay on me heavier than before, limp now, his entire body molded to mine. He kissed my neck, just under my chin, his mouth ticklish on my Adam’s apple. “I don’t know,” he breathed into my skin. “Maybe my heart.”

My own heart squeezed in sympathy at his words.

* * * *

The ride back to campus was silent. I sat by the window of the bus, staring at the cars passing us, my mind empty because I didn’t know what to think about. Him, mostly. At one point, he laced his fingers through mine and held my hand in both of his. When the bus stopped at campus, he told me, “I swear it won’t happen again.”

“Bullshit.” I pulled my hand from his and followed him off the bus. Before he could reach for me, I shoved my hands into the pockets of my jeans.

Undeterred, he looped his arm through mine. “I’m really sorry,” he started.

“You want to promise me something?” I asked.

He nodded, eager to please.