I tilt my head. “You weren’t wearing those yesterday,” I observe.
Alec gives me a faint smile. “I don’t need them all the time. What’s going on here?” He looks between me and the twins.
“No idea,” I tell him and he frowns deeply, concerned.
Mason fills us in. “You were dreaming last night. I could hear you from my room—whimpering and shit so I came in.” I look up when he abruptly stops speaking. I can sense he’s holding something back.
“How does that lead to this?" Maverick waves a hand between us.
Mason’s arm tightens almost subconsciously. “She was scared and asked me to stay,” he says defensively.
“It’s okay, Mase,” I murmur. I look up at him and despite his tone, he doesn’t look too worried except for the nervous glint in his eyes. I give him a reassuring smile that he returns.
My gaze goes back to Alec who is still leaning against the door. He comes over and sits beside Mav on the bed.
Maverick still looks concerned. I pull my arms out and rest them on my doona. “I don’t normally remember stuff when I dream,” I tell Mav, “but it makes sense that I asked Mason to stay.”
Maverick slowly nods.
"Okay," Alec announces and we all look at him. "Mase and Mav, you're on breakfast duty so go get ready. We need to leave in half an hour becausesomeof us slept in." He points his comment at Mase and I, a playful tone in his voice.
Alec turns to me, pushing his glasses up. "Do you want to wake Luc?"
I nod and slowly start getting out of bed. I hold a hand against my ribs, wincing as I get up.
The twins reluctantly get up, although Mason complains doing so. They walk out but Alec stays behind.
"How's it feeling?" He asks, his eyes flicking down to my ribs so I know what he's talking about.
"Sore," I tell him. Alec nods like he expected this. He taps a fast-paced rhythm onto his leg like he's got more to say.
"What's up?" I half-smile, fiddling with the hem of my shirt.
"I'm worried you're going to overdo it," he says almost timidly. "There's nothing wrong with taking a few days off."
I see the concerned look in his eyes and realise there might be a bit more to this than meets the eye.
"Is this about my injuries or about what happened in Art?" I give him a faint smile.
Alec opens his mouth to speak before he thinks on it.
"Both," he finally says.
My gaze flicks down to the floor. "I'm not taking time off because…I never have. Maybe when I was younger but even with my injuries, I've been going to school. I guess it's just stubborn pride but I don't want to let him control me more than he already has," I say quietly. I take a deep breath. "As for Art…they've been trying to run me out since I got there. I'm not giving them the satisfaction of thinking it worked."
Alec nods, his fingers halting their rapid movement. "I understand. Just tell us if your ribs are too much and we can come home. Okay?"
"Okay," I tell him, honestly. He gives me a proper smile this time and it stuns me momentarily.
Alec walks out and I quickly get dressed, then run a brush through my hair. I head for Luc's room once I'm ready. Ilightly knock on the door before turning the handle, giving him a chance to object.
"Go away, Alec!" Luc grumbles, throwing a pillow in my general direction but misses.
The top half of his body is bare, revealing his golden skin. My eyes roam over the tanned muscles of his body, freezing on the jagged scars revealing themselves as he moves. That brief glimpse tells me Luc understands my situation more than I think.
His bottom half is covered by a thin sheet—the doona having been kicked to the foot of the bed. He's facing the wall, away from the door with a pillow over his face, his arm keeping it there.
I silently laugh and climb into his bed.
