Chapter 16

The next morning arrived slowly. My phone buzzed against the nightstand, vibrating in little bursts every few minutes, but I ignored it, buring my face deeper into the pillow.

My body still hummed with leftover warmth, memories of Billie pressed against my skin. Her mouth on mine, her hands in my hair, the way she held me like she couldn't decide whether to push me away or pull me closer. We'd made out until until our lips were swollen, until we collapsed in her bed, tangled together, hearts racing.But that was all it had been. The line we didn't cross.I rolled onto my back, starting at the ceiling, my chest heavy in a way that felt almost indulgentI finally grabbed my phone, blinking against the brightness of screen.

Billie:Morning :)

Billie:What's on the agenda?

Billie:You awake yet?

I bit my lip, fingers hovering over the keyboard before typing back.

Ember:Just woke up :) missing your bed a bit

Her response was instant.

Billie:You mean you miss me?

I laughed, heart flipping like it hadn't done that a hundred times already in the last twenty four hours.

Ember:You got me there ;)

I tossed my phone onto my chest, staring up at ceiling as my door swung open without a knock.Ivy stood there, holding two iced lattes and looking far too awake for someone who'd driven me home at dusk yesterday.

"You look like you've been emotionally compromised" she said, handing me a coffee

I sat up, rubbing my eyes. "I feel like I've been emotionally compromised"

She flopped onto the edge of my bed, sipping her drink."So... you and Billie"

I groaned, flopping back onto the pillows."Yeah..."

Footsteps echoed down the hall, and Aidan appeared in the doorway, still in his pyjamas, a bow of cereal in hand. He squinted at me, then at Ivy."Are we doing the post 'sleepover' analysis" he said using air quotes as he said sleepover.

"Yes" Ivy said, shoving my leg to make room."Sit."

Aidan plopped down, crunching his cereal "spill"

I pressed the cold coffee against my forhead, groaning "I hate you both"They waited.

I exhaled, letting my fingers drop my face."We only made out"

Ivy raised a brow "Only"

I nodded, feeling my pulse throb in my throat "Only. But.. it felt like more"

Ivy's expression softens, and Aidan stopping chewing for a second.I pulled my knees to my chest, phone buzzing against my leg again. "It feels different this time"

Ivy tilted her head."Different,...like something real?"

I nodded, throat tight"And she leaves for tour soon. My luck is so fucked up I swear"

they didn't say anything right away, just exchanged a look I couldn't read. But then Aidan reached over and squeezed my ankle, and Ivy nudged me with her shoulder.

"Well..." Ivy said "Guess you better figure out what you want before she's gone."

I stared down at my phone, Billie's name glowing on the screen.

I already know what I want.

I just don't know if I'm brave enough to ask for it.