He lowered his voice. “Does he sleep with a hockey stick in his bed?”
“Don’t be an asshole.” I scowled at my intoxicated brother, somehow wildly protective of Jonah. “He’s focused. More than any of you.”
“I’ll say.” He blew out a breath, the mixture of whiskey and beer making me gag. “I gave him the talk. You’re untouchable.”
My stomach sank, and I got pissed. “Michael, don’t do this shit. We talked about it. Nothing will happen. It’s not worth it, okay?”
“I know, Ry.” His face softened, and a sad, tortured look crossed his face. I recognized the grief. It hit me out of the blue, and my eyes welled up. “Ah shit, don’t cry,” he continued. “Sorry, you just…you had this face, your brows coming over your eyes, and it was soMom.”
“Damn it, Michael. I’m at a party and a little tipsy. I’m emotional.” I sniffed before he pulled me into a tight hug. “Ugh, enough.”
“Love you, Ry.”
“You too.”
“Let me know if you want me to walk you home. I think J.D. is still here though. Can’t say I’m bothered by the fact you’re living with a guy who could beat the shit out of anyone who might threaten you. Makes me feel better than you at the dorms with all that nonsense.”
Nonsense. Drugs, alcohol, pills. “I’ll find you if he already left.”
“Cool. Might stop by the coffee shop tomorrow since it’s an off day.” He ruffled my hair before a leggy redhead said his name from the bottom of the stairs. “That’s my cue. I’ll wait ten minutes, and if I don’t hear from you, I’ll assume J.D. is walking you home.”
“Bye.” I snorted at the way he jumped down the last five steps. We didn’t talk about our sex lives, but it was clear he was active. He was single, decent looking, and a senior on the hockey team. My brother’s bed wasnotlonely. If that worked for him, then good for him.
I made my way back up toward the main floor as people got sloppy. Drinks spilled everywhere, two girls were crying, and a couple yelled at each other near the front door. My head pounded—it was definitely time to go. I found Jonah in the kitchen, pulling an overflowing trash bag out of a bin and looking so out of place it made me smile.
“Uh, whatcha doing?”
He flicked his gaze to me then back to the task. “It’s disgusting in here. I’m taking it outside.”
“You don’t need to clean up for them.” I frowned and moved under the sink to find an empty bag. “Are you heading back soon or staying awhile? It’s okay if you want to stay, so no pressure. I’m wiped and need to sleep.”
He stilled his movements, so quiet for a large guy, and I snuck a glance over my shoulder. Worry lines formed on his forehead. “This is my fault.”
“What?” I spun back around. “The mess? No it’s not.”
“You came here because of me. Come on, let’s drop this in the dumpster and we can go home together.”Homemade me feel warm and tingly for reasons I wasn’t sure I wanted to figure out. He tied the top of it and picked it up with such ease, his arm muscles didn’t even bulge. I wordlessly followed him out the front door and waited as he hustled to the side of the house.
I hummed once he rejoined me, and we headed toward our place. We didn’t touch, but our hands were inches from each other, so when I stepped around a bump in the sidewalk, the backs of our hands brushed together, sending a tingle up my arm. He was just so tall and big.
“Sorry,” I mumbled.
“You’re alright.”
He kept his attention straight ahead, and while he gave no indication he’d had a bad time, his shoulders were tense.
“Was it awful?” I asked, chewing on the side of my lip and trying to read him.
“Was what?”
“The party? My brother’schatwith you? You seem really edgy, that’s all.”
He sighed and put his other hand in his pocket. “I had an okay time, and no, your brother…didn’t say anything I didn’t already know.”
“Care to share?”
His jaw tightened for a second. “No.”
“Alrighty then.” I yawned as we made our brisk walk back. Something felt off. Whatever comradery we had throughout the party was gone, and it was silly to miss it already. “Are you upset with me? I thought you’d enjoy the game of flipcup.”
