Page 59 of The Benefits of Love (As I Am 2)

Apart from Thomas, Joel, and my closest family, no one knew the issues Ihad with my father. Apart from Laura, Ididn’tshare with anyone the open wound they’dleft in me. What Icouldn’twrap my mind around was how she could still have asingle positive thought about me, with the parts Ihated the most about my life lying bare to her.

“I’msorry any of them made you feel like you’re anything less than the fucking awesome person you are, like you had to prove something. I’mso glad you showed them. Feels good, doesn’tit?” Her whole face, although tired with her eyes half closed, lit up.

Asudden urge struck me, to grab her face and kiss her. Kiss each small freckle, kiss her eyes—take her lips, give her along kiss, and fall asleep like that. It grew the more Igot to know her.

No, not possible. It must have been the exhaustion.

“Iwouldn’tsay either of our parents think we showed them.”

She waved adismissive hand in front of her face. “Pfft, who cares what they think?”

“You’re right. But Icare for you not looking like azombie tomorrow. Sleep time.”

Her lips brushed over my cheek, and Iavoided doing anything more, like mauling her, by turning to my side of the nightstand. Iswitched off the lamp and the room went dark, except for the city lights streaming in from the window.

Laura laid on her side with her back to me. After the talk we had Ithought it might have been an invitation to spoon her, which seemed like the best and the worst idea.

If there is any doubt, there is no doubt.

Iturned on my back with my fingers threaded behind my neck.

“Good night, Zach.” The light and the soft sound of her voice penetrated the silence.

“Night, Tulip.” Iwished her the same and felt the inevitable sleep pulling me under.