“It was nice. I never had siblings. I always wanted them. It’s nice to know that the hazing doesn’t stop even as you age.”
Gavin gives me a grin before leaning down and pressing a soft kiss against my lips. He shoves his brother’s head, who grumbles.
“Everything is covered here. Should we head out?”
“Yeah,” I say, though my body feels heavy, my feet hurt, and I should very well be going to my own house. I should really say thanks for having me, but I need to feed my cats, which would be a lie. Well, not if you ask them.
I’m in no shape to have a repeat of the night we all spent together, mentally or physically. My head is still a mess, only numbed by the amount of alcohol in my system, but at least if I go to Gavin and Ben’s house I know I’ll be safe, at least physically. As far as my heart or head goes, I have no clue. It’s best to just act like nothing is going on in those regards.
I’m not catching feelings. Nope. Not me.
We’re just friends, and my friends are making sure I have somewhere safe to go for the night. So, against everything I felt earlier, I get in the car with Ben and Gavin. I even remember walking into their home and marveling at how shockingly clean it is. Sure, they didn’t have many personal touches, but it’s nice. I even remember using a spare toothbrush and doing my best effort to wash off the makeup off my face and removing my contacts. I’m not sure which one of them loaned me a T-shirt, but it’s only when I wake up the next morning that I realize I spent the night and nothing sexual happened.
I can’t decide if that’s a good or a bad thing.
But as lips press against my neck as the summer sun shines through the slanted blinds, I realize there are far worse ways to spend a Sunday morning.
24
CERTIFIED SIMP
It’sa unique experience waking up with a woman in my bed. Usually if this happens I’d be at a hotel room, or I’d be at their place and slowly slinking out of their bed before a single ray of sun peeked over the horizon.
But here I am, with Kate in my bed. Her dark hair is splayed all over her pillow, and she’s wearing my shirt, and I like it.
I like her too much. I knew this shit was going to happen, and yet here I am, staring at her sleeping form like a besotted asshole.
Gavin offered her the guest room, but I all but dragged her to mine. I probably wouldn’t admit to my twin that I kept waking up to find myself tangled up in Kate’s arms and her in mine, but with no one else around, with only me awake, I don’t have to lie to myself.
I never pictured a woman out with me and my family. Any time Gavin and I considered dating, it changed everything. It fucked up the dynamic we had, and maybe we’re codependent assholes tethered together by the same DNA and a lifetime of togetherness, but we always agreed our relationship came before one with a woman. So, we’ve been endlessly single, happily so,even. I’ve never felt a lure to have more than sexual intimacy. What would it be like to know the ins and outs of a person and for them to choose to do the same?
It’s fucking scary, it’s even worse that Kate has made her intentions more than clear, she doesn’t want another relationship, not after her divorce. My brother is the same way, saying he doesn’t want anything beyond a sexual agreement. So that leaves me, lying in this bed with the imprint of my sheets on my cheek, staring after the woman I can’t completely have. That doesn’t mean I won’t take what I can get.
I press a soft kiss against the scar on her neck and she stirs. Her eyes blinking open as she squints.
“Shit, I didn’t bring my glasses and I must have taken my dailies out last night,” she says, and I realize she doesn’t do this either. She doesn’t do sleepovers to where she would actively need to think about bringing another set of contacts or packing her glasses. Coming home with us wasn’t something she planned, especially not staying the night.
“I’ll drive you home when you’re ready to go. Or if you just want to pick up your glasses and stay in bed with me all day, that would be just fine with me too,” I say, placing another kiss on her collarbone.
She swallows and runs her fingers through my hair.
“Why do you always kiss me there?” she whispers.
I run my thumb against the scarred flesh. It’s light, nearly the same shade of her skin, but raised enough to be noticeable.
I shrug as I meet her eyes, smiling as she squints even more at me.
“It seemed like a spot that needed attention. Plus, I find it attractive,” I tell her with honesty.
I never thought I’d consider a scar a turn on, but the way she doesn’t hide them? In fact, she wears dresses that show them off, proving how strong she is.
“My ex didn’t.”
“I think we’ve established he’s an idiot. Do you mind me asking how you got them?”
She shakes her head but licks her lips before speaking. “It’s from a car accident. The one I lost my parents in,” she says softly.
“Fuck. I’m so sorry. How old were you?”
