He leans back, crossing his arms over his chest, the thin fabric of his T-shirt stretching over his muscles. And he’s not even flexing.
“This is technically your first time in my room.”
First? Will there be a second?I utter inwardly.
“Does my personality accurately represent my room?”
I wet my lips, more out of habit than anything else. “Yeah.”
I pause and return to my seat next to his, taking another look around. “It’s very military-like. Everything has its place. There’s nothing personal left out in the open aside from the family pictures on your mirror. Your bed is made with tight corners and the surfaces are spotless.”
He raises a brow, and I can tell he’s waiting for the punchline.
“You like order and have scary good control over every aspect of your life. You don’t get upset, don’t curse, always on time, constantly watching. Even down to only communicating through texts. It allows you to control what emotions you show. You can tell me everything is fine, while falling apart on the inside.”
His face gives nothing away, but he’s listening.
“Predictability makes you feel safe. You don’t hoard, and from what I can tell you don’t collect either. You are ritualistic about the game. Your locker is bare save for the essentials, and I’d bet if I walked into your private bathroom right now, there are just the staples.”
I tilt my head, meeting his stare.
“You’re disciplined. Because if things are airtight, then nothing can fall apart. Right?”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” he finally speaks, throwing my words back at me.
“Not bad, per se. But it can’t be all good either.” I peer at him. “Having that kind of control, it’s fine—safe. But then you’re not really living. And trust me, I’ve had my fair share of wanting to give up living because God knows life fucking sucks. But I’m living and feeling.”
For a moment, he doesn’t move or breathe, and then just barely his jaw flexes.Bull’s-eye.
“Sorry if that came off as offensive.”
“No.” His features soften as he shifts. “I’m actually just impressed really. No one’s ever really noticedmebefore. So it’s just a little strange to hear. I’m not ashamed of who I am, so hearing how you view me doesn’t offend me.”
My muscles soothe at that. “I like who you are. It drives me crazy how perfectly intact you are emotionally, but I like it.”
A smile almost forms on his lips, but he bites it away. “Okay. So you think there’s some benefit in being imperfectly intact?”
“I mean yeah. It kind of adds a little razzle-dazzle to life.”
He smirks. “Razzle-dazzle. Nice. So how do you propose I spice mine up?”
My eyes go wide. “What?”
“You basically said I have a stick up my butt.”
“Ass. You have a stick up yourass.” I giggle. “Okay. Start there.”
He frowns. “Where?”
“I dare you to curse. Just once. Say ass.”
He looks away, hiding another grin. “No. I don’t need to curse. Dare something else.”
Something stirs in my chest, slow and low, as my smile fades. My gaze drops to Mountain’s mouth. Full lips that are always pressed into a tight, unreadable line.
“I dare you to let go and do something you’ve held yourself back from.”
His gaze snaps back to mine, that hidden grin dying almost instantly.
