Milo grumbled under his breath, “Comics would be hotter.”
The rest of that knot in my chest released when the brothers started roughhousing and Libby moved closer to my side, rolling her eyes at the tangle of limbs before turning to wink at me.
“Welcome to the chaos.”
The Davies crew took their game nights seriously—we decimated the pizzas Mark and Libby had brought, then got straight to the video game tournament. Even the ribbing between brothers had a gentle edge to it, an undercurrent of a love so strong, it nearly bowled me over.
And somehow, they kept me from feeling like an outsider, gently pulling me into their teasing. Addie and her friends had always welcomed me into their group, but this felt different.
Like I was actually a part of it all, rather than being included by default. Like I was valued for who I was, rather than who my cousins happened to know.
I won enough rounds in fighting games to secure the praise of the family, then joined forces with Libby to insist on a different game. We switched over to MarioKart and an unspoken alliance grew between me, Libby, and Carter. Between the three of us, we kept the Davies brothers from winning a single race.
“I think it’s time to declare a new family champion,” Mark said finally, lifting a beer to toast my success. “To Eden.”
“To Eden!”
Amidst the chorus of cheers, I stood from the couch, dipped a little curtsy, and dropped back down next to Milo. He tickled my side, but his expression was soft as he tugged me closer to him on the cushion.
“You’re a total badass, Eden Campbell.”
Though I wasn’t sure I believed him—about being a badassorabout being bold and decisive—I decided to embrace it. I might not see it yet, but if other people did, who was I to argue?
Besides, I’d spent my life feeling like an outsider, never quite fitting in even with my closest friends, who happened to be my cousins. Here among Milo and his family, I felt like I was part of something bigger than myself.
Only time would tell if that feeling would last.
Chapter Fifteen
Milo
Itwasonthetip of my tongue to ask her to spend the night with me, but Eden started yawning before we even left Maverick’s house. I swallowed my disappointment and tried to remind myself we had plenty of time, even if every cell in my body longed to have her in my arms again.
As soon as we were buckled into my car, though, she glanced over at me from beneath those long lashes, her fingers tangled on her lap again.
“I threw a change of clothes into my bag,” she said quickly.
Slowly, my lips curved in the darkness. “Does that mean you’re sleeping over?”
“It means if you invite me to stay over, I’m prepared to say yes.”
“Okay, then. Eden, would you like to spend the night with me?” I asked, reaching over to cup her cheek.
The breath she drew was ragged enough for me to hear it, then she nodded against my palm. I could only just see her features in the lights from the dashboard, but I felt her cheek lift with a smile.
“Yes, I would.”
“Excellent,” I breathed, grinning at her. “Jiji will be very happy.”
Eden laughed. “Well, anything for Jiji. As long as it doesn’t include sleeping on the couch again.”
I fought back the giddy wave of excitement that taking Eden home with me inspired. Last time, we’d only slept—and I’d be fine with a repeat, if that was all she wanted this time. Cuddling up in bed together and whispering in the darkness sounded like a perfect end to the evening.
But if she wanted more…my hands tightened on the steering wheel and my body tightened in anticipation.
When we pulled into my driveway, Eden grabbed her bag from the floorboards while I jogged over to open her door. Mark did stuff like that for Libby all the time, and even when she rolled her eyes over it, she still gave him the same pleased little smile that lit Eden’s expression as she stepped out.
Jiji ignored my presence, weaving between Eden’s feet the second we crossed the threshold.
