“Ryan drove me back early this morning. I had to talk to my professors to make sure I was on track first, but I wanted to tell you in person that I was ready to find my normal again.”
He hums, hugging me tighter. “That’s an important step. Proud of you.”
“It’s thanks to you for keeping me afloat through this. Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me for being there for you. You needed me.”
God, I love him. I love him so much it overwhelms me. How is it possible to feel everything this deeply for one person?
“I did. But now it’s my turn. I promise I’ll be watching and cheering you on.”
He brings his face close to mine, staring into my eyes before he kisses me. I smile into it, thinking about my surprise trip.
“Are you staying a while?”
He hoists my bag, resting a hand at the small of my back to guide me inside.
“Until you leave.” I shoot him a sassy smirk. “So you’d better run upstairs and kick out whoever’s been warming your bed because your girlfriend’s here.”
He chuckles, smacking my ass with a shake of his head. “The only other girl in my bed is Kit-cat. You two are the only ladies for me.”
“Smooth, captain.”
He tilts his head back slightly, eyes hooding in pleasure, the tip of his tongue tracing his lip. My heart beats faster. I step towards him, drawn to him like a magnet.
“The others are in the living room. I’m going to put your stuff upstairs.”
I linger for a moment, taking in the way his gray sweatpants accentuate his ass and sculpted legs. Part of me wants to chase him up those stairs, but I want to see the guys, too.
Cameron and his tutor from class, Elodie, are on the couch with game controllers. Hers is customized with a pretty pastel green skin and cat paw covers on the joysticks. Elijah and Madden are sprawled in the armchairs watching the game they’re playing together.
Noah spots me first when he’s coming in from the back den in gym shorts and a Heston Hockey hoodie.
“Hey, there she is.” He holds up a hand for a high five. “Good to see you.”
I slap my hand against his and hug him. “You guys, too. Thanks again for all the messages and food you sent.”
“No problem,” Cameron says without taking his eyes off his character.
He’s dressed like a medieval knight and Elodie’s character uses magic. I fold my arms over the back of the couch. They’ve been playing this a lot lately during their study breaks.
“What are you guys playing again?”
“It’s an open world RPG with a fantasy setting. You play single player or multiplayer if you form a party, like we have,” Elodie answers quietly. “The main storyline is loose enough that we can create our own around the major quests. We’re working on a new base to store our supplies before we take on the next boss.”
It’s taken her a while to get comfortable with the boisterous atmosphere of the hockey house and open up to us. She’s introverted until it comes to gaming, then she’s more talkative with a rush of information to dump. It’s really cute to see her get animated about things she’s interested in. I like her, she’s a calming presence to hang out with.
After a few minutes of watching them explore the scenic area, I’m bouncing behind the couch. “Ohh, on your left, Cam! No, left! Dude, how are you so good in the net but you can’t stop your enemy from hitting you?”
“I—don’t—know,” he mutters. “Shit. El? A little help here?”
Elodie laughs quietly at my enthusiastic commentary. He games with his whole body, jerking side to side. In contrast, she keeps her eyes glued to the screen while her hands move in quick patterns on the controller.
Muscled arms lock around my waist and Easton’s scent surrounds me as he presses his body against mine. I tangle my fingers with his, leaning into him with an appreciative hum.
“There’s my girl,” he murmurs.
THIRTY-FIVE
