Cherry

Chapter 18

Cherry

The sound of birds chirping outside makes me aware that I was asleep. I slowly open my eyes and find Ethan beside me in bed. He's propped up against my bed's headframe, shirtless, reading the same poetry book I found him reading the first night I met him in the diner.

I tiredly rub my eyes and ask, "Do you bring that everywhere?"

He jumps a little at my words, then smiles. "Jesus, you scared me. I didn't hear you wake up."

"Sorry," I laugh a little.

"But, this is my favorite poetry book. I keep it in my car. I woke up about two hours ago, but you were sleeping so peacefully and I didn't want to wake you. So, I went out to my car, grabbed my book, then came back up here."

I adjust myself in bed and sit up beside Ethan. Why can't I remember anything from last night? "Uh, when exactly did you get here?"

He puts the book down on the bed and chuckles. "Do you really not remember last night?"

"Uh, no. All I know is that I have a killer headache right now," I rub my forehead with my index and middle finger.

"Probably because you downed an entire bottle of vodka within twenty minutes," he snickers.

Shit. Whenever Ethan tells me this, it's like all of the puzzle pieces begin to connect themselves together. Seeing Cora with the older guys at the bonfire, running into Olive, and getting chased by a cop with Ethan. I sigh. "This is embarrassing."

"No," Ethan grins. "I just remember you saying something like, 'Please fuck me, Ethan,' and-"

Heat rushes to my cheeks from embarrassment. I put my hands in front of my face and exclaim, "Okay! Stop!" which just makes Ethan laugh hard. I roll my eyes and say, "I'm glad you're enjoying this."

"I'm just teasing you," he leans over and kisses me on the forehead. He removes the blanket that we're tucked under and stands up out of bed. "I'm about to leave, though. I have work today."

"I don't, thank God. This hangover is horrible. I haven't had alcohol in a while," I sigh.

"Just try to relax today and drink some water," he grabs his book from off the bed and holds it.

"Thank you, doctor," I tease.

A smile appears on Ethan's face. "I guess I'm going to head out. I need to go back to my place and grab some fresh clothes." I look down and notice that I'm wearing the shirt Ethan was wearing yesterday. I totally forgot he gave me his shirt to wear after we went skinny dipping. That makes me remember that my clothes, keys, and phone are still at the beach. I'm never drinking again.

"I can give you back your shirt-" I begin to say, but Ethan interrupts by saying, "Keep it. You look better in it than I do."

I grin at his kind words as he starts towards my door to leave. Before he reaches the doorknob, he looks over at my crystal collection that sits on top of my dresser. "I meant to ask you this last night. Are these your crystals?"

"Yes," I pull the blanket off me and stand up out of bed. I walk over to the dresser, with Ethan, and I watch as he analyzes my colorful crystal collection. His attention moves to a rose quartz, which is baby pink and shiny. He points to it and asks, "So, what does this one do? Don't they all have powers, or something?"

I laugh at his wording and say, "I guess you could say that. That's a rose quartz, and it can be used for self-love or just love in general. You should take it."

Ethan looks at me and grins. "Yeah?"

I blush, "Yeah. You should always keep a crystal with you that you're drawn to."