Blair snorts. “An impromptu movie night. I may fall asleep on you guys.”
Please,I think to myself.Please fall asleep on me.
Travis enters the kitchen and stands close to Blair so he can reach to pet Ash. I seethe with irrational jealousy, wanting to be just as close to her.
He’s already had so much time with Blair—months of being around her.
It’s my turn, damn it.
“Is there anything else you need?” I ask her. “Anything at all we can do for you?”
“You can hand me some popcorn,” she says. “And also, I’m sorry I ran from you the other week. I’m sure I made it more awkward than necessary.”
I shake my head. “I’d rather have you comfortable with me. With all of us.”
She visibly relaxes, and her smile isn’t so strained anymore. She puts Ash down, and he runs to Rowan, whining at him for some popcorn.
I realize now she was holding the cat as subtle protection, and it makes my chest hurt.
She’s still not completely at ease around us—which is valid—but I wish she knew that her safety and comfort are what drives us.
It’s engrained into my soul to protect her, to cherish her, even if she’s unsure.
The four of us pile onto the living room couch, which now has comfortable throw blankets strewn over it, thanks to Travis’s preparing. Rowan manages to sit on one side of her, while I take the other. We keep a comfortable distance from her, even though my brother and I are itching to be closer. Travis takes the opposite end of the L-shaped couch, and I smile smugly at him.
Finally,finallyI’m near her.
I grab for the remote before Rowan or Travis can take it and turn to Blair. “You pick. Anything.”
She laughs. “Something mindless, please. Something I don’t have to think about and can fall asleep to.”
“No horror movies, then?” I inquire.
She makes a face. “No, thanks.”
I catch Rowan’s gaze, and she notices. “What?” she asks.
My brother looks at me and shrugs, ignoring her question.
“Hey,” she snaps. “No more keeping stuff from me. If any of this,” she sighs and gestures between the four of us, “is ever going to work, no more hiding things. You know, like the fact that you three are roommates.”
Travis has the decency to look ashamed, and Rowan chews his lip.
“You don’t like horror movies?” I ask lamely.
“Nah. Not a fan of being scared.”
“Well, Rowan and I design horror video games. My entire job consists of scaring people.”
Blair raises an eyebrow. “Do you really?”
“Yeah.”
“Video games are different than movies,” she replies. “At least in video games, I can control the narrative, to a degree. That’s really impressive,” she says.
I beam, and Rowan lets out a quick breath.
“Thanks,” I mutter. “I’ll show you one when it’s not three in the morning.”
