Drake wasn't happy.I could tell by the set of his jaw and the stiffness in his back as he turned away and began moving toward my bedroom – not dawdling, but not rushing either.
I followed after him for like two steps before I realized that I was still clutching the little silver packet with the condom.
Damn it.My robe had no pockets, and the thought of Drake seeing that packetnow, when things had gotten so tense, made my steps falter as my eyes searched for someplace to stash it.
Just then, I heard the distinct sound of a bedroom door opening upstairs. My pulse jumped.Lexie.
Was she coming down?
In a burst of panic, I tossed the condom into the first hiding spot I saw, which happened to be the hood of Drake's coat that he'd draped over the couch.
That done, I picked up the pace and nearly bumped into Drake's backside as he turned the corner leading to the back hallway. Deliberately, I slowed my steps as if Ididn'tfeel like running.
We'd just entered my bedroom when I realized my mistake.I should've grabbed the whole coat and brought it with me.
I reallydidstink at this.
But the truth was, I wasn't the type to sneak around. I neverhadbeen – not even in high school.
Inside the bedroom, Cash and three of the kittens were playing King of the Hill on the mountain of wrapped boxes. At the moment, the king happened to be a queen, in the form of Ginger, who was perched on the highest peak, looking as pleased as Christmas punch.
Normally, the sight of all of them playing together would've made me smile.Not now.Instead, I gave Drake an apologetic look as I quietly shut the bedroom door behind us. "Sorry."
His mouth tightened. "For what?" And then, at my confused expression, he said, "Keeping us a secret?"
"Um, yeah. I guess."
His eyes held no trace of humor. "Alright. If you're truly sorry, you'll stop it."
"I will," I assured him. "Just not tonight."
"Because…?"
I sighed. "Because things are so tense. You saw Harper. She's already acting like a crazy person, and—" I froze at the sounds of footsteps coming down the stairs. "Oh, crap." I gave Drake a desperate look as I held a finger to my lips.
Ignoring the gesture, he asked with just a hint of sarcasm, "You want me to go out the window?"
"No," I hissed. "Of course not. But we reallyshouldbe quiet."
In a tight voice, he replied, "Right."
I moved closer to whisper, "I reallyamsorry."
"So you say."
"What, you think I’m lying?"
"To me?" he said. "Or to yourself?"
By now, I could hear Lexie moving around in the living room. I wanted to dash out there and see what she was doing, but I dreaded the thought of leaving Drake alone.
I was still waffling on what to do when I heard the front door open and shut.
I felt my forehead crease in confusion.Was Lexie leaving?
Or was Harper returning?
I heard no voices, so maybe they werebothoutside.
