Slowly We Trust (Fall and Rise #3)(35)
Author: Chelsea M. Cameron

Stepping over a pair of sneakers, I went to Will’s dresser and opened the top drawer, which was filled with underwear and socks. I shut my eyes, grabbed a pair of undies and a pair of socks and tucked them under my arm. I looked around and found his backpack and shoved the undies and socks in it before I grabbed a t-shirt, pants, a hoodie and a jacket. That would be enough, right? Or maybe he wouldn’t like what I picked. I went back and got a second outfit, just in case, before I snuck out of the room like a burglar, closing the door behind me.

Lottie was in my room with Will when I got back to the dorm. I’d had a feeling she would show up sooner or later and want to know what was going on between her brother and me.

Will was still in his towel, and it made me swallow hard a few times and blush a little. He grabbed the backpack and went to go change and I sat down with Lottie, feeling very much like I was about to get the third degree.

“So you’re not a virgin?” That was her first question.

“Uh, no. I’m not. I was with a few other people before Will.” Just three.

“But you said you were with this guy and he wouldn’t kiss you,” Lottie said, blinking at me.

“That was true. But he was only one guy. I was with someone else before him, and then after.” Lottie’s mouth dropped open.

“Oh. Wow. I guess I just assumed.”

“I wanted you to assume,” I said, looking down.

“Um, why? Most people want people to assume the opposite.” Most people hadn’t been through what I had. We were getting very close to dangerous territory. In my head I was pleading with Will to come back and end this conversation.

I fumbled with a response to Lottie and the door finally opened and Will entered, fully-clothed. I was momentarily distracted by how good he looked. I’d always thought he was sexy, but now that I’d been with him, he’d moved to a whole other level.

“If you don’t mind, Lot, I’m going to take my girlfriend out to breakfast.” Lottie made a little squeaking noise at the word “girlfriend.”

“Are you sure you’re ready for that,” she directed her question at me.

“I think so,” I said. Honestly, I didn’t know. But I was going to try it out. See how it fit for a little while.

“Well, I’m really happy for you, Aud. I just hope-hope it works out.” Will gave her a dark look. “What? I’m sorry. It’s just going to suck if you break up. Not that I’m saying you will. I’m just worried. Can’t I be worried?” She twisted her hands.

“I understand,” I said, patting her on the shoulder. Will was still glaring.

“I’m not trying to rain on your relationship parade. I’m just scared.”

So was I.

Lottie left because she had to go to class, and I was alone with Will again.

“Sooo, breakfast?” He ran his hand through his still-damp hair.

“Yeah, I’m definitely hungry.”

“Because I wore you out last night,” he said with a smirk, putting his arms around my waist and giving me a minty kiss. I’d remembered to put a toothbrush and toothpaste in his bag.

“You did wear me out. I’m still having a hard time believing it was real.”

“Oh, it was definitely real. I’m also planning a reenactment tonight, and every night for the foreseeable future. We should stop going to class right now and just major in sex.” I rolled my eyes at him. He could be so sweet and then he flipped a switch and turned into a dude.

“That’s not a thing, and I don’t think I can get a job in sex,” I said.

“Hooker. Porn star. Nah, neither of those. I’m terrible at sharing. I want you all to myself.”

He pushed closer to me, and I wondered if we were actually going to make it to breakfast. I was starving.

“Well, you’re lucky I don’t want to be a hooker or a  p**n  star. And can we please go eat? I’m famished.” My stomach chose that moment to growl.

Will rolled his eyes as if I was being difficult.

“I guess I should feed my girlfriend. But we’re going out. No dining hall food today.”

He backed up, but grabbed my hand and started dragging me out of the room.

“Hold on! I need a coat and my purse.” I reached for both and he waited impatiently for me. “Okay, I’m good.”

“Let’s go.” Will took my hand again and took off, like we were running from something.

“What’s the hurry?” I panted.

“Sometimes I pretend that someone is trying to kill me, and I have to get to my car as fast as possible, or I’m going to die,” he said with a smile.

“You’re insane.”

“You signed up for the Will Anders Experience, so I’m going to give it to you. Run faster!” I laughed and tried to keep up with him. He was an athletic guy, and I wasn’t much of a runner, so it was a task, but we burst out of the front door and headed to the parking lot, me laughing and trying not to die and Will urging me on because he loved me and he didn’t want me to die by the hand of the imaginary murderer that chased us.

It was ridiculous.

Will unlocked the door of his truck, shoved me in and then went to get in on his side. As soon as he had the doors shut, he screamed at me to lock my side.

“We’re safe,” he said, holding his hand up for a high five. “Congratulations, you get to live. This time.” He used an ominous voice to say the last part as he turned the truck on.

“Dun dun dunnnnn,” I said, making him laugh.

“And now, it’s time to reward ourselves for surviving our trip to the car.”

15

I took her to this little diner about thirty miles from campus that I’d randomly found one day when my truck died. I’d pulled over and fiddled with the engine and the owner, Bea, had come out and brought me a slice of the best coconut cream pie I’d ever had in my life and offered to walk to her house across the street and get me any of her husband’s tools I might need.

People always talked about Southern Hospitality, but no one ever talked about Northern Hospitality. From my limited experience, people in Maine would give you the shirt off their back, and wouldn’t even accept a thank you in return. It was just how we lived. Taking care of one another.

“This is so sweet,” Aud said when we pulled in. There were only about ten parking spots, and luckily there was one open for me. I made her wait so I could open the door for her like a proper boyfriend.