Page 311 of Lilah

"I don't think Abby would appreciate that," I tell him honestly.

"You know if we got married you would be able to live somewhere other than the dorms."

"I do know that. I also know that I'm nineteen," I scratch the top of his back like I know he likes me to.

"I know that. But I know I love you a lot and I don't want anyone but you."

He's probably the most unromantic person but he has a way with words. Sometimes.

"Well listen here Buck, I don't want anyone but you either."

"Don't call me Buck," he grumbles.

"I do what I want."

He takes the skinny hair tie off my wrist and he twists it onto my ring finger.

"Imagine that as a diamond," he adjusts it on my finger the way he thinks is right. His phone rings and he takes a peek at the caller. He shoves his face into my shoulder.

"I'm not answering it," he deadpans. I answer it.

"Hello, this is Jessica," I greet, making my voice higher than it usually is.

"Jessica? Excuse me?" Oaklee's confused voice questions.

"What are you calling my man for?" I purposefully say things that I wouldneversay. Grey only shakes his head at me, a small smile on his lips.

"Your man?" his voice grows even more confused.

"Yes, my baby, Grey," I bite my lip to keep myself from giggling. My phone dings with a text. I pick it up and see it is from Theo.

'Some girl answered Grey's phone calling him her baby, you better get him straight right now before we do.'

My heart grows at his concern.

"Listen,Jessica, Grey has a girl and you aren't her."

"Baby, come back to bed," Grey speaks closely to the phone, playing along. I hear a gasp on the other end.

"I swear to God. I swear to him. Theo! I swear to everything-" he hangs up mid-sentence and I laugh into Grey's chest.

"They're definitely on their way," he nods, kissing the top of my head. Bear jumps up onto the bed, situating his big body on my feet. I wrap my arms around Grey's neck.

"Chokehold, what're you gonna do?"

He only lays back down acting like I'm only cuddling him. So I do just cuddle him.

"I tried calling mom yesterday," I begin. I was genuinely excited to hear from her. I had texted her before but our conversations through text never really went very deep.

I missed her voice.

"She didn't answer me," I clear my throat.

I had told her before about Mr. Terrip and his funeral date but she didn't show up to the funeral.

That made me sad because I know he cared about her and would have probably wanted her there.

I knowIwanted her there.