Levi gives an almost unnoticeable shake of his head, his voice soft like he doesn’t want to be overheard saying, “Lex, I’veknown that guy for three years now. Blake is not a relationship kind of guy. I just…I don’t want you to get hurt.”
I hold his gaze. There is a certain coldness between us now, a distance wedged by my relationship with Blake. If he didn’t like him, why did Levi choose Blake to act as my boyfriend instead of someone else? Levi’s a popular guy; there are many people in his contacts he could have chosen instead. And yet, he didn’t. So why is it bad that we’re getting closer, if I’m aware that it’s a temporary thing? Or is it the fact that I’m starting to carve out a life for myself that’s the issue?
I step forward, letting my hand fall on his shoulder and the ratty old band shirt that covers it—a gift from Lottie when he first left. “I know what this is, Levi. I know he’ll be long gone when spring rolls around. But knowing something is finite doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy it in the moment, right?”
Levi looks at me for a moment, his gaze filled with worry and doubts. Even so, he nods. He knows better than to try and change my mind.
“I’ll be okay, I promise. It’s not your job to protect me, you know.” I squeeze his hand. “I love you. Goodnight.”
“Love you, too.”
I flee up the stairs before he can stop me, not wasting a second to think about what I’m doing until Blake’s bedroom door closes behind me.
I’m not sure what I expected Blake Taylor’s grown-up bedroom to look like, but it sure as hell wasn’t this...normal. The walls are painted in shades of blue to look like mountains, the color extending all the way to the ceiling. There’s a dresser to my left, and a desk to my right. A soft rug lays in the middle of the room to help retain the heat, because even here the cold has free reign. Overall, his room exudes warmth and comfort–a far cry from the dull room he had as a kid.
Blake’s lounging on the bed with Lucky, having tossed his bloodstained clothes in favor of a navy blue shirt and black sweatpants.
“There’s some clothes on the dresser for you to sleep in,” he says quietly. “Or I can drive you home if you like?”
My heart flutters at the silent promise of spending the night in his arms, warm and safe. “The clothes are good, thanks. I’ll be right back.”
I grab the bundle of clothes before ducking into the hall and disappearing into the shared bathroom, checking the lock three times before changing at lightning speed. The clothes are a breath of fresh air to my tight muscles—they’re soft and smell like Blake, and warm enough that I could fall asleep on the north pole if I needed to.
Would he notice if I took them? Probably not, right?
I blow out a breath, pushing away the lump of nerves clawing at my throat. Blake is my friend, maybe even more. He has proven time and time again that he’s a gentle soul, and that I can trust him. Sharing a bed with him isn’t the big scary thing my brain says it is. It might even be nice. And if something is amiss, my brother is just down the hall. He woulddelightin kicking Blake’s ass.
But I won’t need to call for Levi at all. When I walk back into the room, Blake is creating a sad little makeshift bed on the floor, the covers on the bed thrown back so I can climb right in.
“I don’t have anything soft for Lucky to lay on aside from the bed. Would you mind sharing with him?”
“Of course not,” I say as I make my way to the bed. Call it bravery, or stupidity, but when I pass him my longing gets the better of me and I pinch Blake’s shoulder. “Come on, you’re in the bed as well. It’s too cold for chivalry.”
He raises a brow, the conflict clear on his face as he starts, “Are you?—”
“Yes. But no funny business, clear?”
Slow as if giving me time to change my mind, Blake picks up his pillow and blanket before crossing to the other side of the bed. “Wouldn’t dream of it. Not with our kid in the room.”
He jerks his chin towards Lucky, who despite his sleep-drunken state cannot stop wagging his tail. The mattress moves to accommodate Blake’s toned body, and for a split-second panic claws at my chest. I meet his gaze as he lounges against the pillow, and for a moment I think I made a mistake by staying here.
Blake raises his brow in silent question.You okay?
With a nod, I let go of my panic. If there is anyone in this world I trust as much as I do my siblings, it’s Blake.
His arm leans over my pillow like an unspoken invitation to cuddle up against his side. A smile spreads on my lips at the sight of him like this, so cozy, vulnerable. And tonight, he’s all mine. I scoot closer until I’m wrapped in his arms, his heart beating beneath my ear like a lullaby.
“Goodnight, Alexis,” Blake whispers, and as his lips brush the top of my head I drift off into a peaceful sleep.
Chapter 18
Blake
Golden light driftsin through the window, outlining Alexis’s sleeping form like an angel.
She’s wearing my clothes, bundled up against the cold, sleeping soundly in my arms. Alone in my room with nothing to prove and no one to convince, she chose to stay.
She trusted me enough to stay.
