Page 97 of All of You

“They’re my favorite and I’m sick of listening to you two bicker over them.” He unwraps another and eats it. I leap up, pulling Anderson with me, and pounce on him.

I pin one of his arms down. “Get those back,” I say. Anderson tries to pry Langdon’s fingers open but isn’t strong enough. I can’t let this stand. The Snickers must be rescued.

“His neck,” his mom says laughing. I look to her and then to Langdon who shakes his head in warning.

“Sorry,” I say before I wiggle my fingers where his neck meets his collarbone.

Instantly Langdon relents, curling up in the fetal position and trying to swat away my hand while simultaneously snorting and laughing like a maniac. Anderson squeals in triumph as he reclaims all the Snickers, which distracts me. Langdon moves quickly, hurling himself upward until I’ve lost my balance and now he is on top of me.

“That wasn’t fair Mom,” he says glancing at her.

“Couldn’t help myself,” she replies.

He pokes his fingers into my sides, then my armpits, then my neck. I squirm and laugh and lose my breath. I am so ticklish it hurts and he’s going for all the spots. Anderson leaps onto his back, wraps his arms around Langdon’s neck and tries to yank him off me.

After what feels like an enormously long time I’m certain Imight actually pee myself on my boyfriend’s couch, Langdon relents. I’m still heaving, short on breath.

“Cheater,” Langdon says to Anderson.

“Hey, we were in negotiations for those Snickers so I had to protect what might have been mine.”

“You can have them, Anderson, for helping me.”

Anderson’s smile stretches ear to ear before he sticks out his tongue at his brother and drops the Snickers in his pile.

“I hate to be a party pooper, but it’s pretty late,” Langdon’s mom says.

“Can I stay here tonight?” I ask sitting up.

She gives me a regretful look and I know the answer is no. “Not tonight, Delia. I think you should sleep at your house.”

I pout but nod.

“Come on,” Langdon says reaching for my hand. “I’ll drive you home.”

I take his hand in mine and let him help me to my feet.

Forty Eight

Delia

“Call or text if you need me. I’ll be up for a while.” Langdon’s voice whispers in my ear. He sucks my earlobe into his mouth. It gives me chills. I’d much rather stay in the car with him, kissing. I sigh, dreading going inside. Will Mom be up and waiting for me? Will Gramps? Or will the house be asleep and quiet?

“I will. Sorry I kinda ruined trick or treating.”

“You didn’t. I had way more fun watching movies than going out.”

“You basically slept the whole time,” I say shooting him a knowing look.

“Yeah, but sleeping with you.”

I lean in and kiss him again before prying myself away and getting out of his truck. “Night.”

“Night,” he says.

The porch light is on, but the house is otherwise dark. Exhausted, I make my way up the steps to the front door. Langdon flashes his headlights at me before turning around and heading out.

I have no idea what I’m about to walk into. I push the front door open quietly and sneak in. The TV is on in the living room. I toe off my shoes and peek around the corner of the wall. Mom is curled up on the couch sleeping, the TV playing some rerun quietly. I give myself a minute to take her in. She’s here. Really here, in Gramps house.