Until you all decide I’m too much.
I cleared my throat, hoping the inner-voice shut the hell up. It quieted but definitely remained, causing my deepest fears to rise to the surface. “Prest?—”
“I love you, Jordan. I always will, but it’s not fair or cool when you take it out on me. It’s really frustrating. It’d be so much easier if you’d talk to me about it.”
My tears welled up again. He was right. Of course he was right. But things were different post-hotel, and I didn’t know what that meant. We could pretend and dance around this new level of our relationship, but that was the root of it. I was waiting for him to walk away at any point, so why not give him a nudge?
“Can you promise you’ll try?” Preston’s voice came out gentle. “I know you’re protecting yourself, but I wish you’d realize you don’t have to protect yourself fromme.”
I nodded against his chest, letting his words wash over me and soothe me. He meant the words, truly, but he also didn’t realize that he’d eventually get sick of me. But I dwelled on myself enough. I was over myself and my own shit. I’d rather focus on him or the event. “Are you okay with Price being here?”
When he pulled back this time, I let him. I wanted to watch his face, read his expression. My guilt had me wanting to comfort him, make sure he was okay.
“Honestly? Yeah. He’s always kinda forced his way into things where I avoid them. I’m glad he’s here, glad he’s safe. The story he shared did happen and fucked me up. Blizzards and storms freak me out, and I’d rather know the people I care about are safe.” He sighed, and his breath hit my face. That was how close we were.
“That makes sense,” I said, noting how his easy smile returned. “And your parents?”
“They’re with their own siblings, safe with a generator and food for a few days.” Preston chewed the side of his lip. “I didn’t check our food rations. We should take stock and have a plan.”
“We’ll be alright,” I said, mainly to reassure him. Blizzards usually cleared out after a few days, and I knew we had enough to survive that. “But let’s go look.”
I held out my hand, and he took it, a soft smile on his lips as he stared at our joined hands. The second he caught me watching him, the smile fell. He winked before letting go.
I had absolutely no idea why my heart tripped on itself. None at all.
14
PRESTON
“Iget it now.” Price chewed loudly on popcorn as the fire crackled. Jordan had run to the restroom, sprinting up the stairs a few seconds ago.
“Get what?” I kept checking my phone for updates. The snow came down harder, the wind stronger. We had at least a foot of snow in the backyard, but we still had power. If the wind and snow turned to ice, then it could be worse. “We should crank up the heat. Get it really hot in here so if we lose power, the heat remains.”
“We don’t want to overwork your furnace. It’s been on the entire time, and we don’t want it to give up.” Price nudged my shoulder. “We’ll be okay, dude. Now, I want to talk about your hot roommate.”
My shoulders tensed. “Why?”
“I get why you haven’t really dated. You two have this thing between you.” Price grinned. “Never understood why you seemed to be waiting, but I understand.”
“You’ve hung out with Jordan numerous times. Why say this now?”
“Something’s different.” He squinted as he stared at me, anannoying smirk continuing to grow on his dumb face. Yes, his face was like mine, only with a beard. He was the version of me that got stuck in the woods for a week and survived. “I’m a fan of it, obviously.”
“There’s nothing different,” I said, worried she’d overhear this conversation. We made up and had been at a good place the last few hours. She’d instructed us to sort the materials she brought but said fifteen times we weren’t going to glue a damn thing together. There was no banter or flirting like we used to, just an understanding. When she’d walk by, she’d squeeze my shoulder or play with the ends of my hair.
Those little touches felt like victories.
“Bullshit.”
“What’s bullshit?” Jordan ran down the stairs with a fuzzy blanket wrapped around her. She looked like a human burrito, and I laughed when I realized what the blanket was.
It was legit a burrito blanket, one she got for Christmas from Logan’s parents.
“Uh, first off, what the fuck is that blanket, and where can I get one?” Price teased her and scooted closer to her. “Can I get in?”
“It is a burrito for two.” Her eyes lit up, and she opened her arm. “You may join.”
“Yeessss.” Price snuggled next to her, his gaze on me with a teasing glint. “You are so warm, J. Such a good burrito.”
