Page 63 of As the Years Pass

Why does this suddenly feel like a twin-sized bed?

“Here.”

He takes the menu from me and looks it over. I didn’t catch the prices, but I imagine him ordering the most expensive thing, thinking it’s a way to get back at me. I don’t care about money, so I wouldn’t care if he ordered the entire menu.

“Burger and fries is good.” He hands the menu to me.

“That’s it?”

“Uh… how much do you think I can eat?”

“That’s probably the cheapest thing on there.”

“It isn’t, but even if it was, why does it matter?”

“No reason.” I look over the menu and decide that a burger and fries sounds great. “How do you want it?” I ask as I pick up the phone.

“Medium. Everything on it. Side of ketchup. Oh—and water.”

I dial the line for room service and put in the order. They tell me it will be up in about thirty minutes. When the food arrives, we eat, watch a movie, and the time dwindles down.

Before I know it, it’s time for bed, and my nerves are going haywire.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Emmet

Adam is too easy to fuck with. I couldn’t care less which side of the bed I sleep on—it’s just a bed. But giving him a little smirk and talking to him in a pitch higher than normal, and he’s worried I’m going to shit in his shoes or something. I’m not. Just him wondering if I’m going to do something is enough for me.

When the food comes, we eat and watch John Wick. Adam doesn’t eat all his fries and gives them to me. Potatoes, in any form, are my favorite, so I devour them like I did mine.

We finish eating and lie in the bed to keep watching TV. Our flight was late, and we spent hours at the airport. Though we got in at a reasonable time, I understand he’s tired. I’m tired too. I’m fine not doing anything tonight—or any other night. Taking abreak from the bar and Seattle is enough for me. Not having any responsibilities is wonderful.

“I have to be up early,” Adam says, which causes me to glance at the clock. It’s almost eleven.

“Oh, right. Sorry. Do you want me to lower the volume?”

“No,” he says as he gets up. “Just going to get ready for bed.”

I watch as he digs through the drawer and pulls out a pair of pajama pants and a T-shirt, then heads into the bathroom. I try not to think about the fact that I didn’t see him grab any underwear. He better hope those pants are loose, because if he walks out here showing off the outline of his dick, I may have a heart attack.

Not wanting to wait around and find out, I get up and go to my suitcase to dig for clothes.

The water is running from the sink, and I hear him brushing his teeth. I pull out a pair of pajama pants, and decide on no underwear for myself.

Two can play at that game.

Though, I’m pretty sure he’s not doing it on purpose. He should just be grateful I’m wearing clothes at all. When I’m home, I sleep naked.

“Shit,” I mutter as he pulls open the bathroom door.

“What’s wrong? Can’t find anything in that unorganized black hole?” he asks smartly.

I hold up my pants. “Found these just fine. Seems I didn’t pack any shirts to sleep in.”

“I have something.”

“We already decided your clothes won’t fit me. It’s fine. I don’t usually sleep with a shirt, anyway.”