After a quick clean-up, we drove to the diner. We sit down in the booth to one side, and Hayden is alone. I want to sit with him, but Laine is already upset and I don't know if he wants me near him in public. I can feel Laine's annoyance with me and start to feel guilty. He is her brother and our roommate. Laine's right; this could get really messy. I watch as Hayden lazes against the wall and leans his arm over the table, eyeing me with an unreadable expression. Is he mad? I wish we could have talked before anyone found out. Maybe he didn't want anyone to know. It's not like I'm a catch. Does he blame me? I should have messaged Laine last night, but I was too distracted with losing my V-card to her brother.
He starts toying with a silverware roll, and I have an insane urge to reach over and grab his hand. Would he like that? That's too clingy, especially after one night. We never talked about the after. Fucking doesn't make you his girlfriend. Do you even want to be his girlfriend? Does he even do the girlfriend thing? I've seen him with other girls but usually the morning after when he's walking them out of the apartment like a gentleman. I feel Laine elbow me and look up to see the server waiting for an answer. "Uh," I didn't even look at the menu. "I'll have black tea and ice water, please." I waited until she was behind the counter before asking Laine to let me out of the booth. "If she comes back, I want an everything omelet without sausage and my hashbrowns extra crispy." I rush to the bathroom and dab cold water on my face, suddenly flustered. Such a stupid girl. I sigh, chuckling at myself in the mirror, before smoothing my hair and leaving the restroom.
I see Laine and Hayden glaring at each other across the table, clearly in the middle of an argument. Rushing outside, I head for the car. Unsure what my plan is; I don't have the keys. Hayden drove us all here. watching me squirm in the review mirror the entire drive. I don't want to come between them or mess up our living situation, and it looks like I'm already doing that. "Is there a reason why you're running?" I falter when I hear him behind me, refusing to turn around with a shrug. "It's gonna be a little awkward for a while. Do you wanna talk about it?"
I sigh and lean against his SUV. "I don't know." I huff again. "I don't know what I'm doing. What this is or how to do any of this."
"Any of what?" He leans next to me.
"I didn't want to hurt Laine." I groan. "And I don't want to be that stupid clingy virgin you have to tell to get lost. I don't want to overstay my welcome." I chuckle and chance a glance at him. I can't read his expression. It's perfectly blank, waiting for me to go on.
"But?"
I blush and shrug again. "I-" Sighing, I make myself say it out loud, knowing I'm going to sound so stupid. "I wanted to hold your hand in the diner, but I don't know if that's allowed. I wanted to sit next to you, but is that too clingy?" I don't have to look at him to know he's trying to resist laughing at me. "Like, I don't know if you're okay with some PDA or just want this on the down low. Is this," I gesture between us. "Even a thing? What about Laine?" I groan, throwing myself against the side of the SUV. "I know I'm overthinking this a lot and being ridiculous, but I don't know what I'm doing."
"We're adults. Laine will have to find a way to get over herself." I shrug back, unsure, while he wraps an arm around me and pulls me close. "You're not being ridiculous. These are normal questions." He kisses the back of my neck. "So you want some PDA, huh?" He presses himself behind me.