His Secret

28. Adrian

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

ADRIAN

This Christmas was the best Christmas I’ve had in probably forever. I told my parents I had to stick around campus for tutoring. It didn’t go over without a fight, but I was adamant on staying in South River.

Matías and I spent Christmas Eve in his dorm room, and we even had our own mini tree that we decorated with twinkle lights and tiny baubles. We put lights around his window and hung stockings from his dresser.

We got each other a few gifts, and though the wrapping was terrible, we woke up Christmas morning and dug into them like we were children again.

After having what we deemed would be traditional morning Christmas sex, we headed over to my house where my roommates and I had planned to come together to make dinner. They weren’t going home for the holiday either, so we figured we’d do the best we could.

It wasn’t the best food I’ve had, but it was edible, and with a few extra friends around the table, we all had the best time.

Now it’s the twenty-eighth, and I have to force myself to stay home. My roommates are getting curious. They’ve made little sly remarks from time to time, but they don’t seem to be near the truth at all.

“Where do you go all the time?” Barlow asks.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re always gone, and we don’t have class or practice, so you must have a secret girlfriend or something.”

“You afraid I’m gonna steal her if you bring her over?” Johnson asks with a laugh.

I laugh. “Uhh no.”

“So you do have a girl?” Barlow questions.

“No!”

They both watch me with expressions that tell me I’m not convincing them.

“It’s nothing serious,” I say. “Just messing around.”

“Mmhmm,” Johnson murmurs, throwing a mini basketball in the hoop he has hanging on the back of the front door.

“You’ve been messing around for a while though,” Barlow adds.

“Why don’t you mind your business?” I say with a chuckle. “What’s up with you and Cherisse?”

He rolls his eyes. “Nothing.”

We end up talking about whatever they got going on, and I make up small lies about this make-believe girl I’m hooking up with, and then I disappear into my room and text Matías.

Had to tell the guys I’m hooking up with some girl. So, if they mention that, don’t panic.

Getting suspicious?

Questioning where I go all the time.

Ah. Well, okay.

I miss you though.

My door flies open and Barlow stands there. “New Year’s Eve party. Invite that girl.” He throws a ball at me before closing the door.

I sigh.

“She said she couldn't come,” I say when my roommates ask where the girl I’m hooking up with is.

“Dude. Maybe she’s got another guy. Like a boyfriend. You’re probably just the side-piece,” Johnson says.

I shrug. “Fine by me.”

They laugh and leave it alone, because worrying about my personal life is the last thing they’re gonna be thinking about in a house full of girls and beer.

A little before midnight, I sneak away with Matías, heading out back so we can have a moment on the patio while everyone crowds the living room as they countdown to the new year.

“Happy New Year,” I murmur drunkenly.

“It’s not midnight yet,” Matías says with a laugh.

“Close enough. We get to start a new year together.”

He grabs my hand. “What about finishing it?”

“I want nothing more than to spend the whole year with you,” I say honestly .

It’s the truth, but deep down I worry it won’t happen, and that’s a conversation we need to have soon. But not tonight.

He smiles, and the muffled voices of dozens of drunken college students filter outside. When they get to one, we lean in and kiss, a backdrop of fireworks going off to the side of us as people cheer inside.

“I love you, Adrian,” he says quietly.

“I love you. More than you’ll know.”

It’s six in the morning when I sneak Matías out of my room and through the living room where a few people sprawl across the couch and floor.

We step onto the front porch, the sky not yet awake.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” he questions.

“Definitely. Drive safely to your mom’s.”

“I will,” he says with a small grin. “I’ll text you when I’m there.”

“Okay.” A full body shiver takes over my body since I’m only wearing pajamas.

“Get inside,” he says, running his hands up and down my upper arms. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

I lean in and give him a kiss. He pulls away quickly, but I know nobody’s awake, so I bring him in for another, then playfully kiss him all over his face.

His laugh is magical as he pushes me away. “Stop.”

“Never.”

He rolls his eyes, but the smile on his lips is permanent. He walks away and gives me a little wave from his car on the street .

I watch until he’s gone, and then headlights flash me. My heart hammers in my chest at the knowledge that someone saw, but when I take in the vehicle, my stomach clenches so tight I’m afraid I might throw up right on the porch.

It’s my dad.