You've Found Oliver (You've Reached Sam, #2)(34)

“Do you have your old key?” Ben asks.

“We always left it unlocked.”

We head upstairs and open the door. I see my plaid sheets on the bed in the corner. The Polaroid of me and Sam on my desk beside it. The succulent by the window that didn’t make it to Christmas. Everything is exactly as I remember it.

Then I realize the obvious. “The gift I made you isn’t here.”

“Guessing that’s because you haven’t made it yet,” Ben figures.

I can’t tell if he actually believes this. Maybe he’s just playing along for now. “You probably think I’m making this up.”

“I didn’t say that—”

“I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”

“It’s just a lot to take in…Especially the boyfriend part.”

“I’m sorry, he snuck up behind me,” I explain. “I promise. That’s the reason I moved out. He and I broke up after my roommate—”

The door opens behind me. I hear his voice before I turn around.

“Hey, hey.”

Connor comes in and throws his backpack on the bed. We haven’t spoken a word since I moved out. I know he technically hasn’t betrayed me yet. But it doesn’t mean I have to pretend to like him. I narrow my eyes at him and say, “You.”

He smiles at me. “What’s up, Ollie?”

“Don’t call me that.”

His eyes widen. “Did I do something?”

“You know exactly what you did. Or what you’re going to do.”

“What am I going to do?”

“I know it’s crossed your mind.”

He looks at Ben and back at me. “I can’t tell if this is a joke…”

He obviously has no idea what I’m talking about. But I don’t owe him an explanation. I don’t even want to breathe the same air. “Forget it. Let’s go, Ben.”

I let the door slam after we leave the room. Ben waits until we’re downstairs before asking, “So what did he do exactly?”

“He’s the reason I broke up with Nolan.”

“I see.”

Thankfully, he doesn’t push for more right now. The sun is starting to fall when we’re outside again. I don’t even know where I’m taking us. And Julie still hasn’t messaged me back. The world continues to spin around me. “I feel like I might pass out,” I say out loud.

“Maybe you should rest at home.”

“No, I don’t want to freak out my mom.”

“Then where do you want to go?”

I hadn’t really considered this. I probably should go home. But my mom has too many things to stress about already. “I’m still figuring that out,” I say breathlessly.

“You can always stay with me,” Ben suggests.

I look at him. “Really?”

“I have plenty of space.”

I’m surprised by his offer. Especially after everything that’s transpired. I should probably say no. But I also don’t want him to leave yet. “I don’t want to bother you…”

“It wouldn’t bother me,” he says. “It would actually be nice to have someone to drive back with.”

I think about this. It’s not like I have a dorm to go back to. And Julie’s date probably won’t end for a while. “Okay. If you really don’t mind.”

Ben smiles. Then he checks the time and says, “We can head back now, if you want. I just have to remember where I parked.”

It doesn’t take too long to find his car. Ben opens the passenger door for me. There’s an air freshener in the shape of the moon. We leave campus and turn onto the interstate.

I think everything is finally catching up to me. I feel myself drifting in and out on the way to Seattle, making the drive feel like a dream. Ben’s apartment is above a convenience store. Thank god it’s only two flights of stairs. It’s dim when we come inside. Ben turns on a lamp in the living room.

I take a look around his apartment. It’s a pretty good size for one person. There’s a tiny kitchen with a kettle sitting on the stove. His refrigerator is covered with what looks like recipes.

“Do you need some water?” he asks.

The box of pastries is on the table. I feel guilty about not touching them yet, but I’m feeling exhausted all of a sudden. “I think I might just sit down for a sec,” I say.

Ben shows me to the green couch in the living room. “There’s supposed to be a bed in here. But it’s a little finicky.”

“I don’t mind the sofa,” I say.

“You sure? I can pull it out for you.”

“No, this is good.”

There’s a record player on a stool by the window. If it was a different night, maybe we’d listen to some music. I would ask to see his record collection. Ben steps into his bedroom and returns with a blanket. I wasn’t expecting to end up at his place tonight. Especially not for a reason like this. Ben tucks a pillow under me as I lie down. Then he heads to the kitchen and comes back with a glass of water. He sets it down and perches on the coffee table.

“I’m sorry,” I say.

“About what?”

“Losing your gift.”