Walking back to the couch I looked at the arrangement. My dad and mom were both sitting opposite of each other in the arm chairs. Ashley sat on the very small love seat right in the center of the room. I always hated how small that couch was. It always put me too close to other people, but I had a feeling that this time, I wouldn’t mind.

I sat next to Ashley and switched off the lamp so that the only glow in the house was coming from the television. During the opening credits Ashley looked up at me with very sad, brown eyes. “What’s wrong?” I asked sympathetically.

“I don’t feel real well. Can I lie in your lap?” I was apprehensive, since my parents were in the room, but realized that it was no big since she didn’t feel well. I told her it was alright and she shifted her position so that her legs were on the arm of the couch. Her head rested in my lap gently and was turned to see the movie. My left arm rested over her waist as my right hand brush through her hair.

I could hardly focus on the movie. I was so focused on Ashley that I couldn’t bring myself to watch the screen. I looked at both of my parents and noted that they were fast asleep. I guess they were used to falling asleep around midnight. I looked down and saw that Ashley was still awake. I leaned down to her ear and whispered, “How are you feeling.”

She glanced at my parents too and sat up, looking me in the eyes before whispering, “I have a confession.” I raised one eyebrow. “I just wanted to lie in your lap.”

I smiled at her, “I have a confession too. There’s been something I wanted to do since the movie started.” I leaned into her, my lips pressing against hers gently. My hand went up to cup her face as I deepened the kiss even more so. My tongue slid against hers in pure bliss. But sure enough, I had to pull away. We sat with our foreheads against each other’s, being on top of the world.

“That is quite a secret Miss Carlin.” Ashley said causing us to giggle.

I stayed there in my mind forever. “Do you want to go to bed?” I asked. She nodded her head and we rushed upstairs. Soon enough, we were both in short boxers and a wife beater. I crawled in bed after her and straddled her waist with a smile. A cell phone began to ring.

Ashley sighed deeply. “That’s me, I’m sorry. Just a second.” She reached to the nightstand and grabbed her phone and answered it. “Hello?” Her mouth dropped and she stood up and walked a few feet away. “Aiden, hey”

I felt myself anger, but I knew I had no right to be. I couldn’t help but want to just ignore that anything happened. I listened into her conversation even though I knew I shouldn’t have. “Yeah I’m sorry. Spencer had a family emergency so I came out to California with her….Yeah everything is fine. It wasn’t really a huge deal….Yeah I…” She paused and looked at me before telling him, “I miss you too.” She looked so trapped. I felt bad for her. Almost like I wanted to reach out and save her from some unknown force…

However, I couldn’t fight the anger running through my veins. I slipped inside the sheets and lay on my side, facing the wall. I didn’t want her to see the hurt in my eyes. Her conversation went on only for a few moments longer. She crawled into bed next to me and spooned her body next to me. I wanted to pull away, but I couldn’t hurt her like that. “I’m sorry Spence.” I heard Ashley whisper. I pretended to be asleep.

TBC