I jump a little, hand flying to my chest as Sofia’s voice drifts from behind me. She’s leaning against the wall, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
“I—uh—was just…”
“Watching,” she finishes gently. “It’s okay. I do that too.” Her gaze softens as she looks past me into the room. “He’s always been like this. Even as a boy. Always looking after everyone else first.”
I glance back at him, his voice still carrying quietly through the crack in the door. “Yeah,” I whisper. “I can see that.”
Sofia studies me for a moment out of the corner of my eye, then nods to herself like she’s confirming something she already knew. “There are some things a mother can see, too, you know.”
And then she’s gone, leaving me alone in the hallway with the sound of Jay’s voice and the quiet, terrifying truth blooming in my chest.
Chapter forty-two
Liv
It’sbeenafewdays since we left his parents’ house, and we’ve spent almost all our free time together. Even to the point where we blew off scrapbook club this week, and both Daphne and Hudson texted us to tell us we suck. Well, Hudson’s was much more graphic, hoping that I do suck, but my best friend just misses me. I’ll make it up to her with a chocolate milkshake this week.
Rolling over, I turn my alarm off, mindlessly reaching for Jay, only to come up empty-handed. Sitting, I frown and glance around the room; his clothes from last night aren’t here either. Did he go back to his room last night?
Stretching my body, I notice all the places that are sore from spending countless nights with him, and I can’t stop the grin that lifts my lips. I tug on a hoodie that was his, but now mine, and go in search of breakfast.
Nick Fury winds himself around my legs as soon as I step outside of my bedroom, and I scoop him up. “I’m sorry I slept in, Fury kitty, did Daddy not feed you this morning?”
He answers with a pitiful meow that has me laughing as I pad barefoot into the kitchen. The counters are empty, no coffee brewing, no Jay leaning against the stove like he usually is.
That’s when I notice the folded piece of paper propped against the fruit bowl. Balancing Fury on one hip, I tug it open.
Didn’t want to wake you, sleepyhead. Got called into work early. Don’t let Fury trick you—he’s already been fed, even if he’ll pretend otherwise.
Warmth spreads through my chest as I set the note down, biting back a grin. Even when he’s gone, he still feels close. Fury meows again, indignant, and I press a kiss to the top of his head.
“Nice try, kitty,” I murmur. “You’re not fooling me, either.”
I go about my morning, not having any classes until later, and breathe a sigh of relief when I settle on the sofa. My phone buzzes beside me, blinking two notifications. One is an email I’ve been avoiding and will continue to avoid until I talk to Jay about everything. Campus housing can wait a couple of days. But the other…
Unknown number
Hi Olivia. My name is Bethany. I’m hoping this isn’t a total surprise, but your dad passed on your number and said you might be able to give me a quick tour next week? I’ll be on campus Thursday and would love to grab a coffee if you’re free. :)
I had completely forgotten about that.
I type out a quick reply before I can talk myself out of it.
Liv
Of course! Just let me know what time you’ll be here.
Chapter forty-three
Jay
“Youknowthisismy favorite flavor?” Hudson says, mumbling around a blueberry muffin. He’s officially on Christmas carb load up since his team got knocked out last week, and he hasn’t had any sweet treats in a while.
“I thought you loved all muffins equally.”
“I do,” he says, crumbs flying as he talks, “but blueberries are, like, the MVP. Reliable. Sweet in the middle. You know what you’re getting.”
I raise an eyebrow. “You’re describing a muffin way too intimately, man.”
