Chapter 17

Winston was snoring, fast asleep, when my alarm on my phone went off at 8 A.M.. His shirt was off and his pants were open, his arms wrapped around me. I snuck out from under him, leaving him asleep, while I went to the bathroom.

I wasn't thinking, the night before, when I told him to stay. I just knew I wanted him with me. We made out on my bed for a while. His hands were all over me, his mouth fitting perfectly with mine. But he was drunk and tired and finally I pulled away, telling him we should sleep. He didn't argue - he was passed out in a few minutes.

But now, I didn't know what to do. I had to shower and get ready, as we were leaving by 9:30 A.M. to drive to get Asa. I was excited and nervous and terrified. And now I had to wake up Winston and get him out of the house, too.

When I got back to my bedroom after showering, I was surprised to see that he was awake. I only had a towel around my body and his eyes looked sleepy.

"Morning," he cooed, a smile forming on his face when he saw me.

He was sitting up, and his shirt was back on. I sort of wanted to kiss him again, right then. Somehow, I resisted.

"Hey," I said, cautious. "I am just... I have to get dressed."

"Right. I'll close my eyes," he promised.

And he did, I watched him as I quickly dropped the towel and pulled on underwear and jeans, then a bra and t-shirt. But I was feeling confident, so I crossed the room and touched his shoulder, his eyes still closed.

When they fluttered open, he looked surprised that I was standing so close, as if he'd forgotten where he was.

"You let me stay over," he said, though it sort of sounded like a question.

I nodded. "Yes."

"I know I was drunk... but I remember telling my brother to wait for me. I told him that I just wanted to see you, maybe kiss you -"

"But he left."

"He's a dick. But he thought he was punishing me, leaving me here." He grinned.

I smiled back, grazing my hand on the side of his face. "He didn't know I'd let you in and tuck you into my bed."

Now, Winston looked confused. "I woke up with no shirt on. My pants were... undone."

I let out a laugh. "You don't remember making out with me?"

His eyes narrowed, like he didn't believe me. "Fuck. I'm sorry-"

"Penny!" My mom's voice bellowed from the hallway.

I stepped back, away from Winston, waiting.

"Are you almost ready? I have to get gas before we get on the road!" she called out again.

Winston looked at me, fear in his eyes. Without a word, he stood up, reaching for his other shirt, and his jacket. I watched as he redressed. He avoided my eyes. His was tying his shoes when he spoke again.

"Will you go distract your mom, so I can climb out the window-"

I leaned against the wall by the door, amused. "You don't need to leave out the window," I told him again. "My mom really won't care."

Winston turned to me, and I saw how incredibly attractive he really was. I had always thought that, but now, disheveled, untucked shirt, a sleepy look on his face - he was gorgeous. And, somehow, he was something, to me.

"Penelope!" Now my mom was pounding on the door, since I hadn't replied.

"Be out in a minute!" I called out.

"I've never... met any parents, really," Winston whispered. "I always sneak out, or, I just don't spend the night, you know?"

I smiled at him. He was not who I thought he was. He was self conscious and nervous and... normal. He was proving this over and over.

I took a few steps to him, than reached out to touch his arm. He didn't move, so I stepped closer again, so we were inches apart. "Hey," I whispered.

"Hi." He was so straight faced, like he didn't know what I was doing.

"My mom will just say hi and we will all go on our way. I promise," I told him.

I didn't know this for sure, but I was hoping it was true.

"Okay," Winston finally said.

I couldn't help but smile again, and then I raised onto my tip toes to kiss him. He was surprised, then I felt him relax. His hands went to my waist, pulling me close. He kissed me hard, like it was all he was sure of.

Winston followed me into the hallway and down to the kitchen a few minutes later. My mom was waiting, holding two travel mugs of coffee. When she saw us, she held one out to me, trying hard not to look flabbergasted, I assumed.

"Good morning, both of you. I didn't know... that we had company. I would have made you a coffee," she said to Winston.

"Oh, no problem. Uh, I'm Winston Duke. Nice to meet you, ma'am." He nodded at her.

"That's a fancy name," she replied, smiling at him. "I'm not really a ma'am. Lena is fine. It's nice to meet you as well. Any friend of Penny's is welcome in our home-"

"Mom," I stopped her. "We should go."

"I just booked an Uber. I can wait outside," Winston spoke up again, looking at me.

"Oh, we can drive you, sweety. Where you headed?" my mom asked him.

Winston glanced at me, then looked at his feet. I swallowed hard.

"Um, no, Mom. Winston lives across the bridge," I told her, very unsure of how she would react.

"Oh, I guess most of your friends do these days." She didn't seem to care, thankfully. "Well, we'll wait for your ride. No sense in you sitting outside alone."

Winston and I sat on the broken porch step a few minutes later, our legs touching. His suit jacket was on the step below. The air was chilly, so I tucked my hands between my knees. I wished for more time, just to be with him. It was crazy how much I enjoyed just having him near me.

"Wow, she actually didn't care that I spent the night." He was truly shocked by this.

"I think she's just happy that I have friends," I told him seriously.

"So, we're friends?" he grinned.

"We... I don't know. Do friends make out and take their shirts off?" I asked, then felt my face getting warm.

"Wait, your shirt was off? Shit, I was..."

"Just my shirt," I told him. "You were drunk, but so sweet."

"God. I can't believe I don't remember that. So, you stopped us...?"

"You were tired, so I said we should sleep. You were out cold pretty quickly," I explained, as his hand found mine.

"Penelope... I'm sorry. I want to remember everything with you."

"I know."

The Uber - a black sedan - pulled up a moment later.

"I'll call you later?" I asked, hoping he would want that.

He squeezed my hands, holding it tight, then nodded. "Yeah."

But then he was kissing me, his hands at my face, his tongue pushing open my lips. I closed my eyes and didn't care that a random Uber driving could see us. I didn't even care that my mom was likely watching. I just knew I wanted him to kiss me.

And then a moment passed and he was up and walking towards the car.

My mom stopped for gas and got us a package of cookies from inside, to eat on the way. We were more than half way to Long Island before she brought up the fact that I had a boy in my bedroom this morning.

It was a sunny day, but the air was crisp, reminding me it was practically winter now. It would be soon. Summer was long gone.

"So, shall we talk about Winston?" she asked, her eyes still on the road.

She seemed so different now, like the woman who worked too much and drank even more was long gone, too.

"Do we have to?" I asked back, twisting my hair in my fingers.

"I'm only surprised because... you didn't mention you had a boyfriend," she went on.

"He's not... we're not..." I answered, but felt so unsure.

"I saw him kiss you, Penny. Is that how you say goodbye to friends?" Her smile let me know she was teasing me.

"No, but... it's new, I guess. I'm not really sure..."

"How new? I mean, he spent the night in your room-"

I put my hand up. "That was... it just sort of happened."

She glanced at me, her eyes soft. "In four years, you've only ever brought Alex to our house."

I swallowed hard, then took in a quick breath. "Yeah."

"Penny, I know you've had a hard time... I've been... difficult... and Asa... but it's going to be different now." Her smile wasn't even forced.

"Okay," I nodded.

"Just make sure you use protection, okay? I'm sure you know that, but -"

"Mom, stop."

She held her smile. "He's so cute. And I could see how he looked at you."

"Mom."

"I just mean... he must be special if you brought him to the house?" she went on.

"Okay, yes, can you stop talking about it now?" I asked, shutting my eyes.

She let out a laugh. "Sorry, yes."

Asa was brought out to the visiting room shortly after we arrived. He was already changed into real clothes, and he looked so happy. Mom handed over all of the paperwork from the school, and signed all the papers they needed her to sign. Asa's parole officer, Jim Thoms, sat with us before we left. He explained his place in all of this. He would drop in randomly, to check on Asa. He would check in at the school. And once a month, Asa would have a sit down meeting with him. In six months, he could be released from the parole officer order, with good behaviour. He promised us all that would happen. I could see it in his eyes that he meant it.

The drive back to Williamsburg was both strangely familiar and very surreal. I made Asa sit up front and he seemed uncomfortable, but agreed. While mom was acting happy, giddy even, to have him in the car with us. I felt like he was a stranger, though, someone who didn't really belong.