Chapter 6

SIX

Huxley

I wake up and instantly know that I’m alone. I can feel it. The house is cold, and that can only mean that Cora is gone. Normally, when she’s home, I can sense it. The house feels cozier. It’s more welcoming and warmer.

“Dammit,” I groan as I roll over and sit up in bed.

My feet touch the cold floor, and I welcome the chill. It helps to wake me up. My phone rings, and I lunge for it, hoping that it’s Cora, but Kip’s name is on the screen.

“Hello?” I answer, my voice groggy and rough with sleep. I clear my throat, trying to sound more human. “What’s going on?”

“Are you going to the Baker’s New Year’s Eve party?” He asks me.

“Yeah. You?”

“Yeah, Ginger just headed over to Olive’s house to help her set up for tonight. I’m going to go over there around nine. I need to head up to Semper Fly so that I can wrap up a few things before we start fresh on Monday.”

“I’ll join you.”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you soon, then.”

“See you.”

We end the call, and I climb out of bed and head out of Cora’s room and into my own room next door. I hate to wash the scent of Cora off of me, but if I have my way, I’ll smell like her again soon enough.

Images from last night play in my head as I rinse off, and by the time I step out to dry off, my cock is rock hard, and I’m ready to do all of those things with Cora all over again.

Maybe I should skip work and head over to Olive’s house. I can help them set up and hang out with Cora more.

My phone buzzes, and I see a text from Kip.

Kip: Want me to pick you up?

Huxley: Sure. Be ready in five.

He sends back a thumbs up, and I rush to get dressed and grab a protein bar for breakfast. I’m shoving the last bite into my mouth when he pulls up, and I head out to his truck.

“So?” He asks as soon as I shut the door.

“What?”

“How’s Cora? Have you talked to her yet?”

“Kind of.”

“Sounds promising,” he teases me as we pull out of my driveway and head towards Semper Fly.

“We slept together,” I blurt out.

He whips his head to look at me so fast that I slam my hand on the dashboard.

“ROAD!” I shout, and he jerks his eyes back to the snow-covered road.

“That’s huge man! Congrats! So, you two are like officially together?”

“Not quite.”

“What? What exactly happened?”

I give him a look and he laughs.

“Okay, not exactly. I mean, what did you tell her? Does she know that you’re obsessed with her?”

“Don’t think so.”

He sighs, and I take a deep breath and sigh, too.

“I told her that I like her.”

“You mean love.”

“I do, but I didn’t say that. I was afraid that I’d freak her out, and I mean, she lives with me, so I need her to feel comfortable.”

“So, you’re just going to take your time,” he says, and I nod.

“Exactly.”

“Okay, so maybe next New Year’s Eve you’ll tell her that you love her?”

I groan, scrubbing my hands down my face.

“Are you just going to keep sleeping with her for months before you tell her that you love her? What’s the plan here, man?”

“I don’t know. Don’t really have one,” I admit.

“Well, you need to come up with one pretty fast.”

We park outside of the Semper Fly offices and climb out of his truck. It’s starting to snow and I hope that Cora has made it to Olive’s house safely.

“What’s with the frown?” Kip asks me as he unlocks the doors.

“Cora’s car,” I bite out, and understanding dawns in his dark green eyes.

“Does it have snow tires?”

“I doubt it. It barely even works. The thing is falling apart.”

“Why don’t you text her and make sure that she made it to Olive’s place safe and sound,” he suggests.

“Good idea.”

Kip heads into his office, and I head across the hall to mine, pulling out my phone as I go. I find Cora’s name and start to type, hesitating before I hit send.

Huxley: Morning. Did you make it to Olive’s okay?

Crap. Should I have said something about last night? Should I have asked how she was?

Panic and doubt swirl inside of me, but it’s too late to change the message now.

Cora: Morning! Yep, we made it here and were busy decorating now! See you tonight! You’re still coming right?

Huxley: Yep

She hearts my message, and I relax. She seems normal. Not like she’s upset or anxious about last night. That has to be a good sign, right?

Unless she thinks that it was just a one-time thing and is trying to be normal now.

I groan and bury my face in my hands.

“Is this what I was like when I was chasing after Ginger?” Kip asks me, and I glare at him.

“You were so much worse,” I tell him, and he grins.

“It will be alright. She likes you too, or she wouldn’t have slept with you last night. It’s basically a done deal, man. You just need to tell her exactly how you feel and make the whole thing official.”

I nod, wanting to believe his words.

“You’re right. I’ll tell her tonight at the party.”

“Good. Then we can both go into the New Year with our women.”

I nod, and he switches topics and starts to talk about the schedule for January. We go over budgets, schedules, and maintenance lists. Soon enough, it’s time to head home and get ready for the party.

“Want me to drive you over there?” Kip asks as he pulls up outside of my place.

“Yeah. That way I can drive Cora home and make sure that she gets here in one piece.”

“Alright, I’ll swing back here in half an hour.”

“Thanks. See you soon.”

I hurry inside and take another shower, trying to calm down and go over what I want to say to Cora. I pull on a dark green wool sweater and a fresh pair of jeans and then head back downstairs. I know that Kip will be here any minute, and I glance at my phone. No new messages from Cora.

As if my thoughts have conjured her, her name flashes on my screen.

Cora: On your way?

Huxley: About to be. Do you need anything from the house or in town?

Cora: Maybe a light sweater? My pink one. It should be hanging up in my closet.

Huxley: Got it. I’ll see you soon.

I jog upstairs and grab her sweater. My eyes stray to the messy bed, and I wonder if I should have made it or changed the sheets for her.

Huxley: Do you want me to make your bed?

Cora: ?

Huxley: Never mind.

A car horn honks outside, and I rush downstairs and out to Kip’s truck.

“Ready to party?” He asks me, and I nod.

We make the short drive to Olive’s house, and Kip parks on the dirt road behind all of the other cars and trucks.

“Did they invite the whole town?” I ask, and Kip laughs.

“Practically. I mean, between the whole Baker family and all of their friends,” he says, and I nod.

We head inside, and I scan the crowded house for my girl. My eyes spot her by the kitchen and I take a deep breath as I make my way over to her.

It’s time to make this official.

I hope.