The Beautiful Truth

// 153

Saturday. It wasn't enough time.

I stayed quiet for most of the rest of the ride home. I hadn't expected Barton to open up to me about everything like he did. But I also hadn't expected him to be leaving so soon after it felt like I was so close to being able to get him back.

We pulled up to his house in Berkeley just after midnight. Barton gave me a long look before considering sliding out of the passenger side to get his suitcase from the trunk. "Thanks again for the ride."

I sighed. "Of course."

He sat, unmoving and uncertain.

I pushed the button to close the convertible. "Come on, it's late. You better get going. I'm sure you're exhausted."

"My body has no idea what time it is right now. I'm actually doing fine," he disagreed, but took the cue that it was time for him to get out of my car.

I really didn't want to see him go, though. Against my better judgment, I opened my door and got out, too.

"Hey," I said, walking around to the back to meet him as he slammed the trunk shut. "Welcome home."

We must have stood there hugging each other for ten minutes. So much was said without a word in that embrace. Not the least of which was 'I'm sorry.'

"Come in," Barton whispered.

I shook my head against his chest. "I can't."

Barton pulled back a little and lifted my chin with his finger, searching my eyes for a reason.

"I'll break."

He shook his head. "Just come lay down with me."

I opened my mouth to speak, although I'm not sure what I would have said. He stopped me again.

"I won't try anything, Sawyer, I promise. I just...I miss you and it feels good to be close to you again, and I'm not ready to give that up just yet."

I couldn't argue with that. I nodded and followed him inside the familiar house. Few things had changed since I'd been there last. His mom had been keeping it up while the guys were out of town, I knew, so it was cool and clean, even though no one had lived in it for nearly seven months.

Barton pushed his suitcase into his room, then joined me on the couch. It didn't take long before I had my head in his lap, asleep.