Page 19 of Truth or More Truth
I move my hand over until it brushes up against her leg. “Be careful.”
She grasps my hand for a second. “I will.”
The bedcovers rustle as she gets up and feels her way across the room to the bathroom.
“This is so weird,” she says as items rattle around in the bathroom. “Okay, got them. But now what? What do we need to do that requires light? There’s only about eight matches here, and I don’t want to waste them if we don’t need to.”
“Do you need to do anything to get ready for bed?” I ask.
“Brush my teeth and, you know, use the facilities.”
“Same here. Get your toothbrush and toothpaste out and ready. I’ll find mine, too, and I’ll join you, and we’ll light up when we think we need to.”
I carefully get off my bed and move toward my suitcase.
“Maybe we won’t need to.”
“I’d prefer you to not spit toothpaste onto my feet.”
She laughs. “Same.”
I find my toothbrush and toothpaste and make my way to the bathroom.
“I need you to say something,” I say, “so I know where you are. I’d rather not knock you over or grab your chest or anything.”
She giggles. “I’m here, and I’m putting my hand out in front of me to try to find you. Above waist level.”
I laugh and slowly move toward her voice, and soon her fingertips brush my chest, sending goosebumps over my body, which I’m glad she can’t see.
seven
. . .
Bobby’s hand grasps mine in the dark, and he moves closer to me—close enough I can feel his body heat. And now his shoulder is bumped up against mine, sending a shiver through me. I’m glad he couldn’t see it, but did he feel it? His scent—a heady wood and floral combination—fills the tiny room.
“Think we can get toothpaste onto our brushes in the dark?” he asks.
“I’m certain I can, but I have my doubts about you,” I tease.
“Game on, Teague.”
I giggle as he lets go of my hand, and I feel his arm muscles move against mine as he loads up his toothbrush. I do the same.
“I’m turning on the water now,” he says, and in a few seconds the sound of running water fills the small room. “I’ve got my brush wet. Your turn.”
I feel around until I find the stream of water and swipe my brush under it. I feel bad about leaving the water running while we brush, but not enough to turn it off. Now the sounds of tooth brushing fill the room.
“Okay,” he mumbles. “I’m ready to spit and rinse. You?”
“Yup,” I say around my toothbrush. I leave it dangling from my mouth as I fumble around trying to find the matches again. I pull one from the box and manage to light it on the first try. It takes a second for my eyes to adjust to the light, and when theydo, I catch Bobby’s eyes in the mirror. I smile at the sight of him with toothpaste foaming out of his mouth. He gives me a goofy grin before spitting it out into the sink and quickly rinsing his mouth. Then he takes the match from me while I do the same. I finish just as he’s forced to shake the flame out, and I catch his smile in the mirror before darkness descends again.
“Perfect timing,” he says.
“Now for the awkward part,” I say.
“Yes,” he says, “the using the facilities part. I can handle it on my own, but do you need me to hold a match for you? While facing the other way, obviously.”
I take a deep breath. “I think I can do it in the dark. But stay there in case I decide I need light, okay? Here are the matches.” I transfer the box to his hand. “Sorry you’re going to hear this, but there’s not much we can do about that.”
