“You shouldn't have to deal with this all alone.”
I pulled away, and Trent slipped his hand into mine. “There's no one else...my mom was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver when I was sixteen.”
“I get it...it's just my sister and I. My mom has drug issues, and my dad left right after Allie was born. When I turned twenty one I fought my mom to get custody of Allie...Then we moved as far away as we possibly could. She was just two. I know it's not the same, El—but I do get where you're coming from in a way.”
“You're a lot braver than I am,” I replied, looking down at our hands. “I can barely take care of myself, let alone anyone else.”
Trent's hand tilted my chin. “You're just as brave, El.”
“No, you're strong...truly strong.”
“I try to look like it,” he responded. “I just did what I had to do.”
“My dad told the doctor to give me a speech about my eating habits,” I admitted, leaning forward and taking another piece of pizza.
Trent grabbed another piece himself. “Tell your dad I'm going to fatten you up.”
I laughed through a full mouth. “If you bring me pizza on a regular basis I will be.”
“So tomorrow, why don't we have a real date?” Trent asked.
I looked over my shoulder at him, smiling. “I'd like that.”
“My place, some real cooking and a movie?”
“I'd like that,” I replied.
Trent finished his soda, looking down at his watch.
“You should go,” I commented, seeing it showed it was ten thirty. “I'm sure your sister will be upset if she wakes up and finds your neighbor is there and not you.”
“Are you sure you'll be okay?” he asked, cocking his head.
“Yeah,” I replied. “This really helped. Thanks.”
He wrapped his arms around me when we reached his truck, and I closed my eyes as I breathed him in, memorizing the comfort he wrapped me in. He pulled away, kissing my forehead. “I'll text you my address. How does tomorrow at eight sound? My sister will have gone to bed, so it can just be us.”
“Sounds good,” I replied, my heart beating hard in my chest as he stared down at me. I gave him a smile and finally pulled away as my brain clicked back on, telling me that logically, he wasn't going to kiss me, and I wasn't brave enough to do it myself. I waved as he got into his truck, and he winked at me, waiting to pull into the street until I had the door to the house open. I closed it behind me, pressing the back of my head against it as I shut my eyes. I pulled my lips into my mouth as I breathed in through my nose. The calm left me and I found myself squealing before dropping onto the couch and pulling the blanket over me. I stared at my phone; suddenly wishing one of my girlfriends was someone I could share this moment with.
I shook the thought from my head as I sunk deeper into the couch and turned the television on.
I couldn't wait to tell Dad.
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