My body heated, just at the mention of Creighton.
I coughed, embarrassed.
“Oh my gosh. You’re adorable when I bring him up. I mean, you’re not blushing, but you get this whole sheepishness that comes over you,” Palma gushed. “So Leviiscoming, right?”
“I don’t think anyone could keep Levi away, not if you told him there’s food and booze.” I gave her another assessing look before motioning for her to follow me upstairs after grabbing my bag. “What is going on with you and my foster brother?”
She tried to shrug it off, acting all casual. “I don’t know. I mean, I don’t mind having him around. You know that. He’s here to keep you safe. I think that’s sweet.”
I guffawed, mostly because she’d already told me that part earlier in the week. “I call bullshit.”
“What?”
“You know what. That’s not the only reason you enjoy having him around.” I bulged my eyes out at her.
She began laughing.
I led the way into our shared area. “Anything happen between you two?”
She groaned, pressing her palms against her forehead. “No. I wish!” She immediately blushed again. “This is so ridiculous of me. I’m acting like a schoolgirl with a crush, but I like him. It’s just been flirting. He makes me feel nice.” She straightened abruptly, her face falling. “Unless he’s a flirt with everyone? Is he? Am I being stupid and getting my feelings involved when it means nothing to him? He is, isn’t he? He’s just a flirt, and I’m reading into things. Maybe I should back off. Put some distance between us. Never mind. Don’t say anything. I’ll do that. It’d just be smart of me.” She groaned, pressing her palms to her forehead again. “Though, he’s no Brad Grundle the fifth. He’shot. And funny. And”—she was growing flustered—“he’s dangerous too. I shouldn’t find that hot. I know that, but I can’t help it. I’m being a stupid girl. I have to stop.” She fanned herself before waving at me. “Okay, okay. You do what you need to do. Come down when you’re ready. The guys ordered a ton of food so everyone can pick what they want. Oh, and the movies start soon. Do you want us to wait for you?”
I waved her to go on without me.
I needed a minute to myself, and after changing into some leggings and Creighton’s hoodie from the first night we got together, I sent him a text.
Me: Call now?
He didn’t respond right away, so I tucked my phone into his sweatshirt and headed downstairs. The food had arrived. The kitchen table had been moved so it was in the hallway that connected the living room, the extra sitting room, and the hallway that led to Niko’s room. All the food was getting spread out on the table, along with a pile ofsilverware, dishes, and bowls. Palma and Marshall were in the kitchen making drinks for everyone.
My phone buzzed, so I pulled it out to read the screen.
Eight: No need. Omw. Levi’s with me.
I didn’t respond, but surveyed the living room. Niko, Palma, Marshall, Heath, Levi, Creighton, and I were all going to be attending this movie night. Seven people. We needed places to sit. The sectional could comfortably fit four people. That left three for the floor?
“Coming in from behind you.”
I moved aside as Heath and Marshall were carrying a loveseat into the room. That’s when I realized the sectional had been moved closer toward the front and closer to the stairs. The loveseat was put on the other end, closest to the kitchen.
They left and returned with two gaming chairs, putting them on the floor. Heath motioned to them. “So people have options.”
Marshall returned, his arms filled with blankets. He dropped them on the floor in front of the sectional and loveseat.
“Should be plenty of room, but if this doesn’t work, we’ll have to get creative.” Marshall winked at me before disappearing into the kitchen.
Some of my tension eased. He knew Creighton and Levi were joining, and he seemed to be back to his old self. That was good. Right? I hoped so. I felt Heath watching me. He was quiet, standing in the back, there to help. He wasn’t wearing his normal leather jacket, but was wearing another pair of black ripped jeans that clung to his legs along with a longer black hooded sweatshirt. He gave me an awkward smile before averting his eyes.
“Here.” Palma came into the living room, holding two peach slushy drinks. She handed one to me before asking, “What do you think Levi and Creighton will want to drink?”
“Um.” The margarita looked good. “Levi will probably want one of those.”
“And your man?”
My man. Warmth bloomed in me. “Um. Nothing, probably. Water?”
“Awesome. Coming right up.”
Marshall came back into the living room and went to the food. He and Heath began filling their plates, and halfway through, Marshall glanced at me. “Might as well get some food and settle in.”
