I woke to the sun streaming through the curtains and into my eyes. After blinking a few times to get my bearings, I looked around. I was back in my own room. I glanced at the time while stumbling my way to the bathroom. Ugh, it was past noon, when and how did I get to my room? I did my thing and checked myself out in the mirror. Mmm no wonder I smelled Kyle, I thought, I was still wearing his shirt. I smiled to myself thinking of the night before. I brushed my teeth and hair before returning to my room to change. I sniffed Kyle's shirt one more time before shoving it to the bottom of my top drawer, so Ashley couldn't find it.
I walked to the kitchen with hopes of finding food, but instead found Ashley sitting at the counter with coffee. I poured myself a cup and made us toast, we needed food in our systems. We drank and ate in silence until Kyle came whistling into the room. Ashley glared at him as she held her head.
"Good afternoon, ladies!" Kyle greeted sounding chipper. I gave a small smile as Ashley groaned before taking another sip. I was grateful I didn't get drunk last night and end up like her when Kyle started to make himself lunch and was banging all the cabinets and making as much racket as he could. I swear, he opened some cabinets for no other reason than to be able to close them again. Ashley got up and poured another cup of coffee, she turned to go up to her room but pathetically punched Kyle on the arm. I silently laughed and watched her leave the room.
"I was wondering how much noise I'd have to make before she left," Kyle moved before me, leaning down for a long lingering kiss.
"You know, you could have simply told her to take a shower and she probably would have gone. She smells more than I did last night," I wrinkled my nose.
"Nah, there is no fun in that. I have to make her regret getting wasted. I'm a parent, it's my job," he grinned before making a sandwich with the items he got out.
"Parents are evil," I stated, finishing off my coffee and wondering what I should do today. I had homework to do but had no desire to do it. I wanted to try and get ahead of the work before I ended up behind it. I sighed mentally knowing I should go upstairs and get started.
Kyle busied himself around the kitchen, cleaning and putting things away. I watched him as he bent over to put something in the cabinet. His butt looked so cute, I almost wanted to take a picture. I tapped my phone to turn on the screen but stopped myself. It was not a picture I wanted Ashley to find if she were to sift through my photos for any reason. I turned it back off and simply enjoyed the view until he stood up. He turned to me and
smiled.
"What are your plans today?" he questioned, leaning over the counter towards me.
"Homework, homework, and homework," I pouted. Seriously was there anything else to do today? Anything?
"I do not miss those days. Although I don't remember college being so bad," he tilted his head in thought.
"Well these days, it's a ton of reading followed by papers,"
"I remember parties,"
"Parties? I'm sorry, you don't look like a partier," I laughed and tried to imagine him younger and partying.
"Not now I don't. I was young and had fun. You should too. Make sure you have fun. Your own fun, I mean, not Ashley dragging you to frat parties all the time fun. Just try to fit me in between the homework and the fun," he joked.
"I won't have a problem fitting you anywhere," I said, thinking of the free time I have.
"Oh really?" Kyle's smile turned wicked, taking my comment out of context.
"That's not what I meant!" I squealed and laughed along with Kyle.
"I know, but it was funny. I have some work to get done. May I escort you to your room?" he came around the counter and offered his hand in a gentleman fashion.
"You may," I placed my hand in his. He helped me down from the stood and we walked hand in hand up the stairs. We stopped in front of my room, I was about to give him a kiss, but he held a finger to his lips. I looked at him confused. I heard Ashley's snores reach the hallway. I held back giggles as he tugged me towards his room.
"I wanted a little private time with you. I wasn't sure if she was asleep while we were downstairs, but I can almost hear her, even from here," he pulled me into an embrace.
"A little private time?" I rested my chin on his chest, staring up at him.
He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and seemed almost sad, "I wanted to spend some time with you. I must leave tomorrow morning for a business trip. I'll be gone for a little over a week, ten days to be specific."
"Oh," I frowned. Ten days felt like a lot. I knew it would fly by, but now it seemed like a lifetime away before we would see each other again. It was weird to feel this upset when we haven't been together long, but there was something about Kyle...something that made me feel alone when he wasn't around.
"I know," he echoed my sentiments, "I'm sorry. This trip was planned before summer. I usually keep business in town during the summer season because of Ashley. The rest of the year I go on many short and long trips."
"I know," I nodded, understanding, "I just wish you told me sooner."
"I would have had I remembered. My secretary called me this morning to remind me what time my flight was. I completely forgot about it. She takes care of all that. I just follow what she says," he chuckled.
I smiled, "Soooo what do you want to do now?"
"I was thinking, I could shower, we could have a late lunch and just be together," he checked to see if that sounded good.
"Didn't you just have a sandwich?"
"I could eat more,"
"What about Ashley?"
"She is sleeping, we could just say you were hungry and I offered to take you out to eat. It's mostly the truth,"
"Okay,"
"Okay?"
"Yeah, okay. I want this time with you too," I kissed his chest and pushed him towards the bathroom.
He started to go but turned around, "This won't put you behind in homework, will it?"
"No, there is nothing that can't wait a day," I confirmed. He nodded and went to shower.
-----
I sat on Josh's bed as he and Zachary discussed something over their text books. I wasn't listening as much as staring at my phone willing a text or call to come through. It had been five days or so since Kyle left for his business trip. We texted and called many times in the beginning but now I was lucky to get a few texts throughout the day. I know he is busy, but I missed him so much.
Zachary must have sensed my need to get out of the house and invited me to Josh's dorm to study even though I wasn't in their class. I immediately parked myself on Josh's bed since the floor was messy and there was no way I was sitting on it. Josh and Zach took the desk chairs and placed a small folded out tabled between them to study. Why? I have no idea since they were sitting arm to arm and sharing a text book. Much of the table sat bare and wasted.
I went back to my phone, scrolling through Facebook and Twitter. Nothing new popped up and my mind went back to Kyle. Our last day together was fun, we ate lunch at a bar and grille, walked through the park hand in hand, drove around the city, and had dinner as well. Just being together without fear was sweet and I enjoyed the time while we had it. We came home to Ashley still snoozing in her room, completely unaware that we were ever gone.
"Erin," Zach snapped his fingers in my face, bringing me back to reality, "What do you think?"
"Uh..." I stammered looking to Josh for help. He shook his head at me, amused.
"Can't you see the poor girl is clearly lovestruck! She isn't listening to us bicker," Josh abandoned the school work and made his way over to me, "So, tell me who the lucky guy is. I'm dying to know who has your heart."
I felt my face blush and turned to look at Zachary. He shrugged, unable to help me.
"Just some guy," I answered lamely.
"Oh no, honey. No guy would have you just sitting there staring at your phone waiting all night," he pried, "I don't need a name..."
"Yes, you do," Zach interrupted.
"Okay, so I want a name. But details, I'll take those if you're willing to share," Josh nodded enthusiastically.
"He's handsome, older, sweet, and tall," I stared, dreaming of Kyle's features and wanting to share them but discretely.
"That's over half the student population, especially if you say taller than you because you're short, sweetheart," Josh argued, pointing out the obvious.
"He is about 6 feet, dark hair, nice body, happy trail that leads to amazing things," I said without thinking, eyes widening as Zach waved his hands for me to stop.
"Ohhhhh!!" Josh jumped, excited, "You've seen him naked! Girl, don't stop there. You've clearly been to a few bases."
"We haven't," I backtracked, "I just happened to see his chest when he lifted his shirt one day." Okay, that was super lame, but I needed to cover my butt before this took a wrong turn.
