Soulmates & Twin Flames

39 - Drowning In You

I toss back my damp hair, slip into a pair of shorts and one of Nate's smaller t-shirts, and cross the hall.

The living room is dark except for the blaring TV where a news anchor talks about the weather forecast. Where is the remote? I pat around the cushions until I spot it poking out the corner of Nate's seat.

Of course, he had it.

Jumping over the coffee table, I plop down on Nate's couch, grab the remote and start zapping.

Nate's beer catches my eye on the side table, and it's cold too. Perfect. I take a swig.

"Caccio et Pepe!" Nate announces with a fake Italian accent as he walks through the archway. Our eyes meet for a brief second, and Nate suddenly stops in his tracks. His lips part in confusion. The fumes from the tray he's carrying dance around his face.

I'm in Nate's spot. I never sit in his spot.

I slowly straingthen up, put the bottle down and raise the remote to sip some beer. Jesus. What's wrong with me? I set the remote down by the bottle. Somebody's moaning on the TV. Great—a sex scene. And I'm still in Nate's seat. Now, my entire face is on fire. I look away, hiding behind strands of hair.

Nate's soft footsteps are approaching... Then he sets the tray down on the coffee table with a gentle clink. The sofa sinks under his weight when he sits next to me. And then, very slowly, he grabs the remote and changes the channel.

"More beer?" he asks, offering me a new bottle. Our arms are thouching.

"M—g'd." Amazing. I can't even form a couple of words. I clear my throat. "I'm good."

Sipping his beer, Nate casually takes a pasta bowl, and leans back snuggishly into his seat. "There's more parmesan in the kitchen."

"Mhmm."

Perhaps I should go and get more cheese. That'd give me the perfect excuse to scurry back to my couch. But I want to act normal—not act! I want to be normal, dammit. I want to prove to myself that I can sit here, next to Nate, and have dinner.

So, I finish the remains of Nate's old beer, grab my bowl, and focus to the elderly lady on the TV. She's talking about flowers, and it's boring as hell, but I'm going to listen as if my life depends on it.

Taking another bite, I tuck a leg under my butt and settle next to Nate more comfortably. And... This isn't too bad or awkward as I thought it'd be!

Am I bold enough to change the channel? I snatch the remote from his lap and start zapping again.

"Ooh, wait, wait!" Nate touches my hand, and I backtrack to the music channel. "I used to be obsessed with this band!" he exclaims and starts singing.

Yeah, we're back to being our old selves again. I let out a relieved chuckle and steal Nate's beer from the floor while he's not looking. And when he absent-mindedly reaches over my lap to grab it from the empty floor I start laughing.

Nate grins, shooting me a warm glare. Then setting down his bowl, he sprawls across the couch, facing the TV, and nudges me to the edge of the seat. His bare feet merrily sway left and right to the rhythm of the song. He smiles at me, crossing his hands behind his head, then turns his attention back to the screen.

My mind is blissfully empty while I eat my pasta. Nate's lips move to the lyrics of the song, and he seems to share my light mood. I want to brush away the strands of hair that fall into his green eyes... Would it be too much?

My empty bowl makes a dull plop when I leave it on the tray. I start to stand, but Nate catches my hand. His smile freezes for a second when our eyes meet, and then his face softens. He gently pulls me to lie next to him.