Nineteen

Chapter Seventy-Three

"Yeah, that sounds good," I say as we are walking down the sidewalk.
He looks down and then he takes my hand in his. I look at him and smile, but he's focused on the sidewalk in front of us. Baby steps, I guess.

When we get to my door, I silently pray that Jade isn't here for some reason. When I swing the door open, I'm relieved to know she won't be surprising me tonight.
It's weird to think that I've spent the night with this man, been on dates, and even have had sex with him, and I still feel as if I've barely met him. I assume it's my denial that I have true feelings for him.
He flops on my bed and throws his hat on the desk at the end of it. "So, what do you want to do tonight?"
I throw my shoes in the closet and begin to look for my pajamas. "Whatever you want."
I pick out my fluffy pants and a t-shirt from my high school volleyball team before stepping in the closet to change.
"We can watch a movie if you want to," I yell from behind the door.
"As long as it isn't a shitty romance movie," he says. I scoff as I step out.
"Those are the best ones. Besides comedy, of course."
"Let's watch a western," he says.
I almost choke as I laugh . "What? A western movie? I knew you were a little southern, but not that bad."
He laughs with me. "Those are the best movies ever!"
I cover my face with my hands. "Collin, I'm sorry, but you're wrong and we are not watching a western movie."
"You have no taste."
I throw a pair of sweatpants at him, "do you want to change out of those pants to be more comfortable?"
He narrows his eyes. "I don't think I can't fit into your pants."
"They're Clark's, not mine." Truthfully, I can't remember if they belong to Clark or if they belong to Bailey, but I leave that part out.
He doesn't question it, and he takes his pants off before I have time to turn around. My face begins to heat up and I pretend to get my laptop ready for the movie.
"You should get a tv," he says to me. He must not of noticed my embarrassment.
"I might, I have a job interview at a bookstore on Tuesday and I want to save money to eventually move into a small apartment."
He gives me a look. "I don't think that would pay enough to move out."
"No, but I'm hoping to have a roommate to help. Maybe Clark."
He doesn't say anything. He lays back on the bed and folds his arms beneath his head.
I turn on Netflix on my laptop and scroll through the choices. I settle on a action movie with a little bit of comedy. He doesn't say anything when it starts to play, so I assume that he's fine with my choice. I cut the light out and then make my way to the bed.
As I lay down, he slides his arm under my head until I'm laying on it.
"Have you watched this before?"
"No," he says. He slides farther into the bed to lay down more. I do the same.

Halfway through the movie, he actually laughs. Not a giggle, or a smile, but a whole heartedly laugh. I can't help but laugh along with him. He's beautiful when he doesn't try to be so closed up.
I can feel myself start to doze off, and he noticed too.
"Did you enjoy our date?" He asks.
I nod my head and close my eyes. I have no idea what time it is, but I'm worn out.
"I'm glad," he says, and I think I feel him place a kiss on the top of my head.
That's the last thought I have before I'm totally out for the night.

When I wake up, I'm laying on his chest. At some point during the night, he took his shift off and threw it on the floor. His hair is a mess on his head, but he's still asleep. He looks peaceful.
I look at him for a few minutes before sneaking out of the bed. I quietly change clothes and grab my shoes before tiptoeing out of the door.