“Seven,” he said, right when I yelled “six.”
“Damn, that would’ve been funny as hell. I would’ve loved to see what the nurses would’ve done with your dick out.”
Preston laughed, running a hand through his messy curls. “You are a maniac. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, but you love me anyway.” I winked, letting the humor in my voice fill the room. His reluctant laugh warmed the space between us, easing the tension radiating from him. This was definitely the right move. I needed to distract him from the night, from his pain, from everything.
“Your turn,” I prompted, sitting back and crossing my arms. “Hit me but make it good.”
Preston’s gaze flicked to mine, a hint of mischief sparking in his eyes. “Alright. Odds you’ll sing ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ at full volume the next time we’re in public together.”
“Oh, come on, I’m practically a professional at embarrassing myself. Give me something harder.” I smirked. “Fine. One to five.”
“One to five?” He raised a brow, clearly impressed.
“What can I say? I’m feeling bold.” I gestured for him to count us down.
“Three, two, one?—”
“Four,” we both said in unison.
I laughed, shaking my head. “Looks like you’re getting a front-row seat to my Freddie Mercury impression soon, Charming.”
The corner of his mouth lifted into an actual smile this time, and my chest warmed. He lifted his arm, jutting his chin toward me. “Come here.”
I shivered at the command and the need in his voice. There was no world where I wouldn’t listen to him. After watching him get so sick and be taken to surgery, one thing was clear—I was his. He was mine. I had no idea what that meant, and I was sure my fear and baggage would catch up with me at some point and freak me the hell out, but for now, I’d enjoy the moment. “You want to cuddle me or something?”
“Or something.” He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I hate knowing you were scared and crying. I need to hold you.”
Fuck. Those feelings for him doubled and tripled in size as I sat on the side of his bed and laid on his chest. Instantly, he wrapped his arms around me, his touch one of comfort and desperation. He breathed me in deep before his muscles relaxed. “Thank you for the game. Thank you for tonight. Thank you for being you.”
He gripped me hard, his fingers digging into my hip as I spooned his side. His voice was thick with emotion, and I played with his chest, running my fingers back and forth over it. He hummed and toyed with the ends of my hair, not quite saying anything, but our breathing synced, and that was enough. His brother referred to me as his girlfriend—a term I had never used once in my life. Preston also hadn’t brought it up, and I wasn’t sure I should. Yet the word kept popping in my mind.
Was I his girlfriend? Did he want that? Did it matter?
“Preston?” I asked, suddenly nervous. The lights were dim, and it was late, our bodies pressed together in the small hospital bed. The bedsheet did nothing for warmth, but his body radiated heat against mine.
“Yeah, baby?”
“Price called me your girlfriend.”
He tensed but only for a second. “Ignore him. My idiot twin brother causes a lot of shit with his mouth. Honestly, I should hit him the next chance I get.”
I frowned. That sounded like he didn’t want it to be true, and that was stupid. I hated the shame and worry growing in my gut. I felt how he felt for me so I tried again. “Do you not want me to be?”
“We’ve gone on a single date, hell, not even a real one. We went on a quarter of one.” He laughed and kissed the top of my head. “There is no world where I’m asking you for that, not when we haven’t gone on a real date. Plus, I know you hate labels. Don’t worry about Price. He’s annoying.”
“Okay, yeah.” I chewed my lip, hating how he dismissed it so freely. He never asked me how I felt about it, if I wanted it or not. Did I?
Yes.
No.
Yes.
“Ignore him, seriously.” Preston tilted my chin up, his eyes crinkling on the sides. “We’re taking this slow. There is no pressure or rush.” He leaned forward and kissed me, his lips pressing against mine in the softest, gentlest kiss ever. My toes curled in my boots at how sweet it was, and if I was standing, I was pretty sure my knees would give out.
“I am so glad you’re here,” he whispered, closing his eyes and resting his forehead against mine. “Price would’ve annoyed me, and I’m sorry—did you see my parents? What the fuck was that hand-holding hotel thing?”
