Strained

Chapter Twenty-Three

Every morning, I woke up, still beaming from my night with Jamie. It was obvious and I was annoying everyone around me. It had been four days since Jamie and I had sex. Part of me wondered how this would change our relationship, but it really hadn't. At least, not in a bad way. If anything, Jamie and I were closer than ever. It was Sunday and we had spent most of the weekend together. It was almost dinner time and I was walking Jamie to his car.

I tucked my hair behind my ear, hand in his. 

"I feel bad that you always have to drive back to Cambridge," I confessed. 

"You shouldn't feel bad. There's no other way I'd rather spend my gas," he joked. Then, wet his lips, leaned down and kissed me on the lips. I let my eyes stay closed an extra second, enjoying every moment with him. 

"Well, I can always drive to Cambridge." I liked being at the Dorms. It felt more grown-up. It was so much better than staying in Salem, under the watchful eye of my mom. She and Zack were still on a break, so she had a lot of extra time on her hand. Which, she was choosing to spend on watching Dara and I. Lucky for Dara, she was gone a lot. 

"How about next weekend you drive up and maybe spend the night?" Even in the darkness, I could see his cheeks flush a bit. 

"I'd like that. I'll have to ask my mom," I trailed off. I was so jealous of Jamie. He didn't have to ask anyone if he wanted to come down to Salem. He didn't have to ask anyone if he could do anything. He was an adult. It was a little embarrassing to tell him I would have to ask my mom, but he didn't act as it bothered him.

"Of course," he kissed my forehead. "I'll text you when I get home," he trailed off. I could see his reluctance to go. 

"'Kay," I hugged him tightly. I didn't want him to go. I went on tiptoes and pressed my lips against his. One kiss turned into much more. I leaned forward, his back against the side of his car. It was cold, but it didn't bother me now.

Finally, he sighed and pulled apart.

"You have witchcraft in your lips," my blood froze. I couldn't move, frozen to the core. What did he mean? My face must have been twisted in confusion because he continued. "I never knew what Shakespeare meant in Henry V, but now I do. Your kisses are wicked, cursing me damned as I stand here: burned, straining for more." He kissed me again and I relaxed against his touch.

Of course, he was just quoting Shakespeare! There was no way for Jamie to know I was a Witch. At least, I was telling myself that. 

"I haven't read that one, I'll have to take a gander," I stuttered. Gander? Why did I say that? I've never once in my life said that, but here I am: totally embarrassing myself. "Well, I should go. Drive safe! Bye!" I waved eccentrically at him, then darted back to my house. I couldn't shut the door behind me fast enough. He was definitely going to wonder what happened.

I stood there, my back to the door as I sunk to the floor. His words ran on a loop in my mind, 'You have witchcraft in your lips,"  sticking to my brain in chaos. It was just a quote, I kept reminding myself. It took what felt like ages for my heart to beat normally. I was still sitting on the ground when Dara entered the room. She raised an eyebrow, then without a word went into the kitchen. I don't think anything surprised her anymore. 

Struggling to my feet, I followed after her. In the kitchen, I found her and my mom sitting at the dinner table. There was lasagna on each of their plates. It was leftovers from yesterday when I had made three lasagnas. I don't know why I made so many. I was glad to see they were eating it. If I didn't make dinner, my mom called take-out. I joined them, itching to ask my mom if I could spend next weekend with Jamie. It was going to be tricky. I knew there was a ninety-percent chance she would say no.