“Okay.” I flopped onto the bean bag, trying to look anywhere but at Jayden. From this angle, all I could see was the barely concealed outline of a backside that would no doubt be firm. He even had those dimple things at the small of his back that I always fantasized about licking on the occasions I couldn’t resist relieving the pressure.
This wassobad.
I caught a glimpse of my special bag under the bed. I knew he’d been staring at me earlier when I decided I wasn’t brave enough to unpack my blanket and stuffed Pikachu.
“There, that’s better,” he proclaimed, smoothing a hand over the sheets. He approached, crouching down in front of me. I didn’twantto know he slept without underwear, but being so close to his intimate areas, it was quite apparent. “Is there anything else you need to help you get back to sleep?”
I shook my head quickly.
“Are you sure about that?” If it was anyone else asking, I’d have accused them of picking on me, but Jayden seemed sincere. He glanced over his shoulder. “Maybe I’m wrong, but I bet there’s something in that bag of yours. If you’re not ready for me to see it, that’s fine, but am I right?”
I nodded, sucking my bottom lip between my teeth.
Jayden scruffed a hand through my hair. “Thank you for being honest. Would it be easier if I pretend I know nothing? I could get in my bed and roll toward the wall while you get whatever it is you need. When you wake up, you can make your bed and hide it, and I’ll never know.”
“You won’t snoop when I’m in class?”
“Not unless you want me to,” he promised. “If you decide you’re ready for me to know, you can tell me, but until then, it can be your secret.”
“Thank you.” I wasnotgoing to cry. I bit down harder on my lip, hoping that would be enough distraction to keep me from getting emotional over such a small kindness. “You’re much nicer than my last roommate.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I mean, not that I’m nicer, because that’s cool, but that you lived with someone who wasn’t nice.” Rambling Jayden was cute, and it made me feel slightly more secure in my own inability to be concise at times.
Was it really possible that I made him nervous just like he made me?
“Okay, well I’m going to get in bed now,” he announced as he stood. He gave me a curt nod before turning his back to me. “You just let me know when you’re ready for me to turn out the light.”
“Thank you, Jayden. I know you probably didn’t count on getting a basket case for a roommate, but I appreciate you being kind to me.”
“As far as roommates go, I can think of many worse traits than you being nervous on our first night together.”
My heart might have stopped beating. I couldn’t draw a breath. Did he even realize what he’d just said?
Stop being dramatic, Chase. He meant tonight’s your first night as roommates.
“Bedtime, Chase.” Jayden’s stern voice snapped me out of my panic. “I have my alarm set for six-thirty. It’s early, but Matt is making breakfast for the suite. If your first class isn’t until later, you can sleep in, but you really don’t want to miss his cooking. We keep threatening to post a menu online so he can start a side business, but he’s worried about getting kicked out of school if anyone finds out.”
Wow. So that was way too much information to parse at this hour. I shook my head, trying to figure out which details were the most crucial to remember.
Six-thirty. That wasn’t too bad. I normally didn’t wake up until seven, but I wasn’t sure how long it would take me to get to my first class from here because Talbert Hall was on the edge of the campus.
Breakfast. With the rest of the guys who lived in the suite.
But Jayden would be there, too.
Okay, I could do that. Jayden would be one person I knew, so I didn’t have to worry about being a total outsider. And from what I knew of Jayden, he’d make sure I was comfortable.
Yes. I could do this. I was going to sleep for a few more hours, and then I would meet the other six guys I’d be living in close proximity to for the next few months. Hopefully all of them were as friendly as Jayden.
“Get what you need, Chase,” Jayden reminded me.
I nearly fell on my face as I hurried out of the bean bag. My stomach churned as I reached under the bed for my bag. It was a huge leap of faith to expose myself like this but keeping my secret would be a good reason to wake up as soon as Jayden’s alarm went off in the morning. I hoped he didn’t have early classes every day, because Tuesday and Thursday were supposed to be my days to sleep in. But I’d get up whenever he did, at least until I knew he wouldn’t have me kicked out of this room once he found out my secret. And he would, eventually, because I could already feel him chipping away at the protective wall I’d built up.
I moved carefully after pulling my blanket and Pika out of the bag. If he saw what I had, he might ask questions I wasn’t ready to answer. Or he’d give methat look,and I’d be unable to resist showing him.
I tossed both onto my bed and climbed in. I kept my back to Jayden as I clutched Pika to my chest, the soft blanket draped over my arm so I could run my cheek across the fabric. “I’m ready now.”
“Goodnight, Chase.” He flipped out the light.
