Page 71 of Almost Ours

We turn onto the road leading towards halls and I glance back once more at The Shed, now half-hidden behind the university buildings. “Do you actually have to go back for my phone?”

“Unless you want to leave it with her? I think Brooke is staying at mine and Ewie’s tonight.”

I lift my shoulders. “I could get it tomorrow.”

“I really don’t mind getting it for you.”

“It feels cruel to make you go out of your way for me. Again.”

“You’re not making me. I’d feel better if you had it.”

“I think you’ve done enough.”

Josh’s voice goes deeper. “How about you let me decide when I’ve done enough?”

My heart flutters. “What happens if Brooke leaves before you get back?”

“I’ll call Ewan.”

“And if Ewan is drunk?”

“So what if he is?”

“How do you know he will answer?”

“He always answers me.”

We turn again and the halls come into view at the end of the road, lit windows stacked above each other in the dark. My leg has stopped throbbing enough that I could probably walk from here, but I don’t say anything and I’ve stopped worrying about whether I’m too heavy for him. He doesn’t seem to struggle carrying me at all.

He turns his head towards me. “You’re not going to let me carry you up the stairs, are you?”

“No.”

“What if you can’t make it up?”

“I’ll crawl if I have to.”

Josh lets out a quiet laugh and faces forward again. “That I’d pay to see.”

“Have I not been embarrassed enough?”

“Dunno. Day’s not over yet.”

“Fuck off, Josh.”

He laughs again and carries me the rest of the way towards halls, slowing as we reach the entrance. I expect him to stop there, but he angles straight towards the doors instead, and when I realise what he’s doing I lift my head from his shoulder.

“You can put me down now.”

“I’m taking you to your door.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Yes, I am.”

“Josh.”

“What?”