Declan woke to Jack’s soft snores in his ear. He had shifted during the night to Declan’s side of the bed and was spooning him tightly.
When he opened his eyes, he found an amused Oliver watching from the next bed over, where he’d slept beside Niall. Paige had been cross when the boys refused to share with the new girls the night before, but they’d presented a united front and she’d eventually given in.
‘Comfy?’ Oliver whispered, a sly grin on his face.
Declan’s brain was too soft from sleep for a witty reply. ‘Piss off,’ he muttered, shoving a grumbling Jack with his shoulder.
He headed outside, Oliver trailing behind him. It felt good to get back to their morning routine, and it reassured him that the awkwardness of the past few days had dissipated.
After his swim, they met by the weights as the crew set up around them.
‘So,’ Declan said, while Oliver lay back on the bench press, ‘how’d it go with Eavie?’
Oliver’s eyes shifted from where they’d been focused on the bar to Declan. He was beautiful with his hair splayed out around him, looking up at Declan like that.
‘Um,’ he huffed out. ‘Good, I think?’ He went for another rep. ‘She thinks I’m funny.’
‘And you? Do you like her?’ he pressed.
Oliver finished his last rep and sat up. ‘I think so?’ he said, grabbing a towel. He wiped the sweat from his brow before turning back to Declan. ‘Honestly, she’s the first girl here that I could see myself with in the real world.’
He sounded wistful, and Declan prayed he was playing it up for the cameras.
‘What do you like about her?’ Declan asked, not wanting to hear the answer.
‘She’s a dancer, which is nice,’ Oliver said, standing and letting Declan take his spot on the bench. That was much better – Declan could focus on lifting the weight from his chest rather than the pit in his stomach. ‘Her parents are academics and thought the whole thing was silly. My parents thought I was mad and I’d be broke. So I guess we’ve got a shared experience to bond over.’
‘She sounds like your type,’ Declan said, masking his frustration with physical exertion.
Oliver frowned slightly. ‘Well, yeah, isn’t that the point?’
Declan shrugged as he pushed the bar back into the rack and stood to switch positions. ‘I think you should keep your options open, get to know the other girls. I mean, you’ve got the pick of the lot.’
Oliver considered him carefully and – not for the first time – Declan worried he’d overplayed his hand. ‘I’ll think about it,’ he said finally, and they continued in a not-quite-uncomfortable silence.
Starving after their workout, Oliver and Declan made their way to the kitchen, where Eavie and Faye were chatting over a cup of tea. The twins were nowhere in sight, which was a relief since Declan had already forgotten their names.
‘Morning, you two. Fancy some breakfast?’ Declan asked, grabbing a carton of eggs. ‘How was your first night?’
Eavie cast a sidelong glance at Oliver. ‘Oh, good. You boys sure know how to make us feel welcome.’
‘Yup,’ Faye agreed. ‘It’s like a full-service bed and breakfast.’ She stole a banana from the fruit bowl and sat on the counter to watch the boys cook.
When they served breakfast, Oliver asked Faye for a chat and the two took their plates off to a corner of the patio, leaving Declan with Eavie.
‘Don’t worry,’ Declan said gently, noticing her glum expression and nudging the loaded plate closer to her. ‘He’s just getting to know her a little better.’
‘Right,’ Eavie said, straightening. ‘So, what can you tell me about him?’
‘Trying to get some insider information?’ Declan teased, but Eavie nodded earnestly.
‘I like him,’ she said simply. ‘And I think he could be good for me.’
There was no doubt in Declan’s mind that she was being genuine – she didn’t speak with any of the practised coyness of someone like Zoë.
He swallowed, desperately trying to crush down his own feelings for Oliver. ‘Yeah, well, he’s a good guy,’ he said, his tone coming out clipped.
Eavie gave him a funny look. ‘So you’re the protective type, then?’
