“It’s the scent match,” I say, even though I know it’s more than that. “Being near her without beingwithher.”
“So what do we do?” Kai’s voice is rough with frustration. “Because I can’t take another night of lying in my room, staring at the ceiling, knowing she’s twenty feet away and I can’t?—”
“We stay with her, then,” I admit.
Both of them glare at me.
Kai’s eyebrows shoot up. “Just… get in bed with her?”
“She’s asleep. We’re not going to do anything.” I feel the need to clarify that, even though we all know it’s true. “We just… stay close. Let our scents calm her. Let her presence calm us.”
“That’s surprisingly soft for you,” Carter says.
“Fuck off.”
“No, I mean it.” He’s almost smiling. “Mr. ‘I Don’t Do Feelings’ wants to cuddle.”
“I will end you.”
“I’m in,” Kai says quickly. “I’m absolutely in. I call dibs to lie in front of her.”
“Well, it’s technically my room,” I point out. “My bed. So I should get first pick of position.”
“That’s not how it works,” Carter protests, stiffening.
“It sure the hell is.”
“Since when?”
“Since I said so.”
“Okay, but Carter already spent a night with her.” Kai’s eyes gleam. “Two nights, actually. So he should get the worst spot.”
“What’s that position?” Carter sputters.
“It’s only fair. You got to knot her. You can take the feet.”
“I’m not sleeping at herfeetlike some kind of dog.”
“Woof, woof. Then on the floor.”
He sneers at Kai.
“Rock, paper, scissors,” I cut in before this turns into a whole thing.
Carter pauses mid-argument, brows lifting. “Seriously?”
“You got a better idea?” I ask.
Kai’s grin flashes, quick and easy. “Three people don’t work. Do it like a bracket. One round each.”
“Good,” I say. “Fast. Quiet. No drama.”
Kai and Carter square up first. “Ready?” Kai asks, already smiling like he’s about to win.
Carter holds his fist out. “Try not to cry when you lose.”
They throw.
