Page 39 of The Dare

I don’t turn to look, even walk out of the lounge car doors and into our sleeper carriage.

Being away from him, even just for tonight feels wrong now somehow.

Just like we’ve both decided no more trains after tonight, I know I’ve made another vow too.

Only sleeping in our bed from now on, the two of us. Wherever we are.

The sleeper compartment is dark when I open the door, which is fortunately unlocked.

I can make out the shape of Suzanna on the top bunk, her back to me, pretending to be asleep.

I quietly slip into my own bunk, pull the covers back and notice how cold everything feels without Michael. I try and get comfortable.

“I thought you’d be with him tonight,” Suzanna finally says, making me jump a little at the sound of her voice.

The sheets aren’t the only thing that’s cold in here, it seems.

“I didn’t want you to be on your own,” I whisper, making her humph to herself. The sound of her sheets shifts as I picture her pulling them over her head.

“How was mom, everything alright?” I ask, genuinely wondering if she met up with dad.

“Your dad’s car broke down so your mom caught a cab out to pick him up,” Suze muffled groan replies, feigning sleepiness.

Sounds like my dad alright. I’m surprised he even called to let her know he wasn’t coming.

Maybe he has changed?

There are a ton of things I could say, but I don’t get the feeling Suze is in any humor to be sensible at the moment.

She’s had as big a day as I have but in reverse. Watching her best friend come back after years, only to be taken away by someone she dared me to kiss.

I shift in my tiny bunk, trying to get comfortable knowing that I won’t sleep a wink.

Eventually, I’m flat on my back, having tossed off the stupidly itchy sheets and blanket, listening to Suzanna snoring after what must be an hour or more but feels like a lifetime.

The steady rocking of the train is kind of soothing, but even if I wasn’t craving Michael right now there’s no way I could sleep.

I’d forgotten how much of a buzz saw Suzanna is when she sleeps.

Pulling the tiny pillow over my head I try again to block it out, shouting at myself in my head to go to sleep, but it’s no use.

I need Michael.

I don’t just want him. Don’t just crave him wanting me and doing way more than just eating me out.

I want all of him, and I want to give him all of me.

Like he said, I’m his now.

Neither of us has a choice. There is no choice where we aren’t together from now on.

I’m not sure how much longer I can endure this. It’s like an itch, something suffocating me at the same time.

It might be another hour, it might only be another minute. But after struggling to free myself from the sheets, the bunk, and finally the sleeper car, I’m stumbling in the semi-lit train towards the only place I belong from now on.

He’s left his door unlocked and letting myself in I’m not really surprised to see his dark eyes, shining in the blue-silvery moonlight streaming in through the window.

With one elbow propping his head up, he silently lifts his sheets back and I dive into them.