“Hey.” I smile, lowering my kindle.
“Hey,” Maverick returns. “We took the cake out. Jace told us it was ready.”
“Thanks,” I tell him.
“Do you mind if I lay down with you guys?” Maverick asks, looking uncomfortable. The dark circles under his eyes look worse than yesterday—exhaustion preying on his mind.
I pat the bed beside me and Mav trudges over. He slips under the sheets, facing me.
I’m at the perfect height and advantage to run my fingers through his hair. Mav exhales heavily, his eyes shut as he moves closer to me.
Within minutes, Maverick’s fallen asleep.
Alec and I have both given up on reading—our concern for Mav to great.
“I don’t get it,” I say to Alec quietly, still running my fingers through Mav’s soft hair. “I thought he slept okay but he’s been exhausted today and yesterday.”
My gaze shifts up to Alec when he responds. “I think it’s because Mason’s sleeping with you.”
My eyes widen, guilt slamming into me. Alec mirrors me as he hurries to correct himself. “No! No, no, no. I meant, Masonand Maverick have slept in the same room for years. Despite Mase’s sleeping habits, Mav’s been used to having someone else sleeping beside him,” Alec explains.
“But now Mase is sleeping with Luc and I,” I finish.
Shit. I didn’t think about that. Maverick slept okay when it was us and Mase but he gave up his spot for Luc.
“I’ll make sure he sleeps with us tonight,” I tell Alec.
“You’re going to need a bigger bed,” Alec jokes and I laugh quietly.
My fingers accidentally move from Maverick’s hair to brush down the length of his face. A deep rumbling noise coming from his chest has me smiling at his unconscious response.
I do it again, my fingers brushing his cheek. Mav shifts before throwing his arm over my legs. I watch in amusement as Mav—still asleep—snuggles closer before laying his head on me.
He looks completely peaceful when he sleeps, never waking even after Alec and I start quietly talking about the book.
“Do you…” I abruptly stop, losing courage to continue. Alec gives me an encouraging look, squeezing my hand.
I look down at Maverick who’s still sleeping. He exhales slowly into the doona, his head on the side where I was stroking his cheek.
“Do you think it’s realistic?” I finally ask Alec.
I can’t believe I’m asking him this. He’s just so easy to talk to. I feel like he would tell me the truth.
Alec’s quiet. “Luc told you, didn’t he?”
I nod, meeting his eyes to see his reaction.
Alec puts down his kindle and turns to face me. His eyes are full of understanding and patience as he waits for me to gather my thoughts.
I bite my lip before releasing it. “I don’t have anyone else to talk to about this. Jace is my best friend but…”
“It’s hard when he’s one of the people you’re thinking of being romantically involved with,” Alec says bluntly. He winces, looking guilty for speaking the truth but I nod.
“Yeah. I know the guys will try and convince me that it will magically work out without any problems but I don’t want that. I know you’ll be honest with me.” I search out his eyes.
Alec’s silent for a moment, confliction in his hazel eyes before he nods.
I look down at Maverick watching the rhythmic rising of his chest as he sleeps, praying he stays asleep through this conversation.
