Nineteen

Chapter Thirty-One

He isn't touching me, but I can feel the heat from him. I'm laying on my back to avoid hurting my ribs and he's on his side in order to make room in the tiny bed.

My cheeks are still wet from the tears and my eyes are swollen from lack of sleep and crying.

He takes his hand and rubs it through some of my hair. My eyes close as he twirls strands of hair around his fingers.

My eyes open and I'm staring directly out the window, still on my back.

I am sore. Very, very sore.

I groan and try to sit up, but I'm stopped.

His arm is over my waist and he's sound asleep. Oh my god, I slept with Collin. Someone I barely know.

I try to sneak off the end of the bed, but it wakes him.

I keep moving like I didn't notice his eyes flutter open. I walk to the closet to change clothes.

"Why are you changing, are you going somewhere?" He asks.

His barely awake voice enriches the southern note to it, and he raises up to repeat the question.

I shut the door behind me, "Yes, I haven't ate since early yesterday," I say loud enough for him to hear me.

"Well, I'll go get something." He says, and I hear his feet hit the floor.

"No, that's okay," I say. I find an old pair of shorts to put on with another old t-shirt.

I open the door to find him gone. I close the window shades to avoid feeling like people can see me. 

I begin to make up my bed when there's a knock at the door. I pace over to open it and it reveals Clark.

His eyes go wide as he takes in my appearance. "Oh my god! What happened?" He reaches his hands out to hold me, but I turn to walk farther into the room.

I tell him everything. "So, when you called it was because you were lost and needed a ride? I'm sorry, I was at practice and didn't see the call until I got home. I tried to call you back, but you didn't answer."

"My phone died, and then I lost it."

"Collin beat that guy up and then spent the night with you?" His face shows his confusion. "The same Collin that barely smiles and makes conversation with me?"

"Crazy, I know." 

I cover myself back up in the bed and he does the same. 

"I'm sorry that happened. I feel like an asshole." He says.

"It's okay," I say. But I don't know if it is.

The door opens and Collin walks into the room with a bag. His eyes take in me and Clark laying and he doesn't say anything. Clark stands and slips his shoes back on, "I'm gonna go."

As he walks by, Collin grabs the collar of his shirt. "Where the hell was you when she called? She could have been killed." He grits through his teeth.

"Why the hell does it matter to you?" He pushes him off and walks out the door.

He lets out a huff and throws the bag to me. There's about ten different options and I look at him. His face flushes with pink. "I didn't know what you liked." 

He rubs his hands on his jeans and then sits on the bed beside me.