“All of us, Gracie. You’re as much a part of this as the rest of us. We need a lookout and distraction. And it’s not like you haven’t been to these before,” Alex continues.
“Well, that was then and this is now. We can get caught. Get expelled.”
“We won’t.” Alex pauses. “Not if we all work together and do our part.”
“He’s right,” I finally join in. “I don’t necessarily like it, but how else are we supposed to find out what’s going on. All of our moms were in that photo, which means this involves each of us.Something happened all those years ago and they are working really hard to keep it hidden.”
She shakes her head again.
“Please. You’re one of the few people I trust here, Gracie. Don’t make me do this without you,” I beg.
She sighs, staring at each of us before finally nodding. “Fine. But, we better not get caught.”
Alex perks up, bouncing on his toes with excitement. “All right. So this is how we have to do it.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
ALEX
Sunlight wakes me up out of my sleep. I sit up, staring around the living room. I don’t know what time we finally called it a night, but what I do know is the sun is an asshole this morning. Its rays poke between the blinds directly into my eyes like it’s demanding I get up and start my day.
“All right. You win,” I mutter and rub the sleep from my eyes. As if it’ll answer me back.
It’s quiet in that special way that only happens after a night full of unresolved shit. But then I hear the shower turn on upstairs, the pipes moaning through the walls. There’s a kink in my neck, and I move it around in an attempt to release it. It’s useless, though. That’s what happens when you give up your bed in the name of being a gentleman.
But then again, this is Sam we’re talking about. And after everything, making sure she’s good is the only thing on my mind. So, if that means crashing on a sofa that is too small and has seen more ass than a little bit, so be it.
Besides, if my mother knew I didn’t give my room up to a woman, she’d rip me a new one. And as sweet as Amber Williamsburg is, you don’t want to get on her bad side.
There is absolutely no way I’m spending another night on thissofa, though. Today’s a free day for me, so I’ll certainly be picking up an air mattress later.
Kane was smart to insist Sam crash here until it all blows over. Staying with us is the best and safest option.
It’s probably the most complicated option given this little situation between us, not quite a triangle, more of a square than anything else—the romantic and sexual tension that’s so thick we can cut through it. The fact that we all seem to want Sam and vice versa. It’s wild and convoluted, and no one on the outside looking in would understand, but it feels right.
Kane and Mountain are already off for the day. There’s no practice, and I don’t have any classes, so that means it’ll just be me and Sam. With everything we know now, Sam will be staying with us while Gracie stays with her parents until it all blows over.
After fixing two cups of coffee in the kitchen, I climb the stairs and approach my bedroom door. The shower has stopped, but I knock just to be sure.
“Come in,” Sam’s voice reaches past the threshold.
Juggling the mugs, I manage to get the door open and use my foot to push it wide. Sam is fully dressed, pulling at the hem of her shirt.
“Morning.” She smiles at me.
“Morning. How was your sleep?”
She’s gorgeous in the morning, eyes not fully open, voice low and raspy, hair in a bun on top of her head. I stare at her for beat, admiring how natural her beauty is.
“It was fine.” Sam’s eyes fall to the mugs. “Is one of those for me?”
“Yeah.” I nervously hold it out for her. “Sorry.”
“Thanks.” Sam brings it to her lips, blowing on it before sipping.
“Since I’m free today, I plan on going to the store for groceries and an air mattress. Wanna come with?”
Sam swallows her drink and nods. “That’d be cool. But I’m happy to take the couch the rest of the time.”
