Page 64 of Detour

Coty opens his eyes, holding me captive.

“When’s graduation then? This weekend?”

“Saturday.”

“Will your family be there?”

My mouth flattens and I look away. “I don’t know. Maybe?”

“What? Your own family would miss your graduation?”

I type out a website, careful to angle the screen away from those same perceptive eyes I was just drooling over. “It’s not that big of a deal. They’re not really the supportive type.”

Coty looks like he wants to argue but how can he? He doesn’t even know my family. And hopefully it stays that way.

Sighing, I elaborate, telling him about my mom and sister skipping out on the big event. “Drew will be there though. Maybe with his dad since he was my stepdad once upon a time.”

“That’s not your sister’s dad?”

Busy scanning the newest listings, I answer, “no,” absentmindedly.

“You and your sister have the same dad then?”

“Uh, no. You are looking at the product of a one-night stand.” I wink at him before returning to the screen. “A slip-up. I was never meant to be.”

“A happy accident,” Coty corrects.

“I doubt anyone sees it that way.” In fact, I know they don’t.

A hand to my cheek, Coty steals my attention momentarily. “I do.”

My mouth twitches at the cheese factor but his serious expression has my heart picking up speed. He means it. Or at least he thinks he does. Give it time.

I turn my head, placing a kiss to his palm.

He continues asking questions about my past and I fill him in with the bits and pieces I’m willing to share. There’s a fine line between interest and pity when revealing my childhood to others and I’m careful with the details I divulge. Always. Coty listens intently, never rushing me or pressing for answers I’m not ready to give.

At some point, I look over to find Coty fast asleep. One arm above his head, one draped over my thigh, he is the picture of euphoria. My heart squeezes watching his chest rise and fall, so steady, so sure—so fucking beautiful. It would be too easy to fall for this man. To fall for everything I’ve gone without.

I gently move his arm over to his stomach and return his laptop to its original spot. Bending down, I kiss his forehead before quietly letting myself out.

Beckett’s closing the front door just as I enter the main room.

“You sneaking out?”

Am I? “Coty passed out, so I’m heading home.”

Through the dim light from the TV, I watch his eyebrows shoot up. “Damn, Coty’s gonna be pissed when he finds out you ditched him.” He chuckles to himself. “Want to finish the rest of this movie?”

“Can’t.”

“Lame,” he chides. “It’s your last day or some shit, isn’t it?”

“Almost.”

“Come on, don’t make me finish this movie alone. It’s scary.”

I glance at the paused screen and scoff. “Tremors? That movie’s old as hell.”