Only then did I realize I was drenched in sweat, my shirt was damp, and my body was warm. My eyes were bloodshot, a fact I was well aware of, considering how often Carson had woken me from the terror. I was freaking Alex out.
I sighed as I ran my fingers through his hair and tried to redirect him. “Are you?”
His head cocked to the side as his heavy eyelids fluttered, confused. “Were you having a nightmare?”
My eyes flickered to the ceiling, and I swallow hard. Alex’s hand continues circling over my chest hair, the motion grounding me better than anything ever had after enduring a nightmare.
“Yeah,” I admitted, surprising myself. “But it’s okay.”
“Is it?”
A sleeping Millie stirred beside us—I’d forgotten she was here, too. “Of course, bunny.”
“You lying asshole.” Alex shifted on my chest, a weak but bitter chuckle escaping him. “You remember who I am. Otherwise, you wouldn’t call me that or hold me like this.”
I shut my eyes again, my body willing me to drift off again. Which was why these next words came out of my mouth. “No amount of time in the world could make me forget you, Alex.”
“Thanks, dude.” I took the box from the delivery guy, slipping a five-dollar bill in his hand before he walked off.
I bought half a dozen red velvet and wedding cake flavored cupcakes from a bakery that recently opened down the street. Not only had I been dying to try them, but Alex needed a serious pick-me-up. If his favorite flavor hadn’t changed, then he still loved red velvet, making this a pleasant surprise for him.
Shutting the door with my foot, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I already knew who it was.
Car Car
Still at Alex’s?
You have my location don’t you?
I chuckled at my reply, knowing that Carson’s eyes just rolled to the very back of his head in irritation.
Car Car
Coach will lose his shit if you miss practice again
He’ll survive
Car Car
Yes. He will. You won’t.
I’m not leaving until he’s completely recovered
The typing bubbles appeared and disappeared multiple times before the message was sent.
Car Car
’ll cover for you as long as I can
I loved my brother.
Yesterday, Car made up the excuse that I wasn’t feeling well, and while the whole team caught my bullshit, they chose not to make a fuss about it. Tonight I wasn’t sure if I was going. It all depended on how Alex felt and whether anyone would be there for him.
College ball wasn’t like high school. Back then, you could miss a few practices in a row and show up to the game with no problem, especially if you were a decent player. Now? Missing practice without a valid reason was basically a war crime. If I kept it up, I wouldn’t get to play much, if at all, in the upcoming game.
Not only that, but Coach would have my head on a pole next practice. Whatever, to hell with basketball if it meant leaving Alex alone again.
I entered the bedroom with a wide grin, expecting to find him still snuggled in bed like he needed to be. Instead, I found him sitting up with a laptop in front of his face, as if a screen wasn’t the last thing he needed.
