“I like being in this house,” I tell him. “My time here has been really enjoyable.”
This time, when he looks at me, there is a glow that was missing before. “We enjoy having you here, too. Kit hasn’t been this enthusiastic in months. You two really mesh well together.”
I glimpse back to yesterday, to just howwellwe meshed together. My face burns with a heat as I think about it, about all the sounds and movements, how I can still feel him grazing over my skin.
And how he kissed me goodbye at midnight to crawl into Sam’s bed, his lips bruised and juicy and every bit as magical as I thought they would be.
“Yeah, we do,” I finally say through a cough as I try to hide behind the bagel in my hand. “He’s great. He feels like my best friend.”
Sam gets a dopey look on his face. “Yeah. He’s easy to be around, isn’t he?”
I nod. “He’s a lunatic.”
Sam barks out a laugh that heals a part of my soul. “The absolute best kind. It really balances us out. I don’t know if you noticed, but Thatcher and I aren’t the most?—”
“Lively?” I tease.
“Exactly. Too monotone. Sometimes, I fear that we pull Kit down to a more reserved level. Which is a travesty—he deserves to let his freak flag fly.”
I gasp, which actually makes Sam flinch. “What?” he asks.
“Nothing, it’s just…” I let out a chuckle. “I never thought I’d hear the Sam Langley say‘freak flag fly.’”
He returns my amusement. “How was I supposed to say it?”
“I don’t know. Like…” I put on my best Sam impression, all serious and professional.“‘He really deserves to let his normal nerd nest lay.’”
He cracks up. “Normal nerd nest? There’s nothing normal about that.”
“Well.” I shrug. “I’m guessing Kit’s nest will be full of explicit manga and blankets with weird textures.”
“He has already picked out a few weird textures,” Sam agrees, his smile finally back to normal. “I’ll have to suggest the manga idea, though.”
“I’m sure he’s already thought about it.”
His smile is soft and content. “I sure hope so.”
The rest of breakfast is easy, and I avoid any topics that might put that sad look on his face. I make it a mission, then, to become a safe place for him. I’d like to be someone he can confide in, and maybe he can be one for me, too.
TWENTY-NINE
Playing: “Dance to This” by Troye Sivan (ft. Ariana Grande)
It’s halfpast ten when we finally get to Alpha Xi. A part of me was dreading coming tonight because the hockey team won their fifth game in a row, so the fraternity is more hyped than usual. And when a bunch of college-aged alphas get excited, there’s bound to be trouble.
And who gets to put out those fires?Me. Sometimes, Atlas or Thatcher, if they’re around. But it’s my job to be around, so I had no other choice.
“You should just hang out with us the whole night,” Kit says, his hand steady in mine. “Don’t worry about these guys. They’re big boys, they can take care of themselves foronenight.”
I groan, wishing more than anything that he was right, but they can’t take care of themselves. I’ve seen on way too many occasions that a little bit of alcohol amongst a group of young alphas is a recipe for disaster. They’re always trying to one upeach other or show their dominance, and it normally ends with an injury or something valuable getting broken.
But my omega looks so hopeful, and I don’t want to disappoint him. “Maybe we can get a drink in a bit,” I assure him. “I’d like to make the rounds first.”
The nod is reluctant, but he agrees. Thatcher helps Opal take off her coat, then places it beside ours on the rack. The simple but meaningful gesture makes something pinch inside my chest. Kit’s hand leaves mine as Opal pulls him away, singing about how excited she is to see her friends.
“They’re such a handful,” Thatcher comments, his tone grouchy. I see right through it, though. His statement is actually one of admiration, but it’s normal for him not to know how he comes off. It’s one of the things I have in common with him.
“But they’re ours, huh?” I return the sentiment, thinking about how true it is. They are both little fireballs of energy, always frantically buzzing around with excitement or joy. It’s very balancing to our more reserved spirits.
