He kisses the top of my head. “Ditto, babe. Sounds like a good plan.”
“The only kind I have.”
“From the stories I’ve heard, that is far from true.”
“You seemed to like my plan to seduce you and get in your pants.”
“I didn’t say they’reallbad.”
I chuckle into his shoulder, and I dust a kiss there. It’s amazing how I walked into this room empty, devoid of energy, emotion,anything. And in mere minutes I’m full again. It’s like he breathes life back into me.
I pull the blanket over us and tilt my chin up until we’re eye to eye. “Night, Storm Cloud.”
He brushes his lips over mine. “Night, Sunshine.”
Me
Hey Graham Cracker. We’re heading back to the apartment. Game’s getting pushed because of the rain. How are you holding up? Do you need me to grab food or anything on the way back? Do you know how to feed yourself?
I forgetwhat’s normal for eighteen-year-olds. I could cook for myself a lot younger than that, but Graham and I had vastly different upbringings. Does he have, like, a chef or some shit? I’m sure he knows how to order takeout, though.
Graham
Did you just…nickname me? And all's good here. Your roommate Frankie is here with me, and he made us lunch. He’s hilarious.
I stop dead. And Jed slams into my back. He catches my hips before I eat pavement.
“What was that about?” he asks.
Paulie, East, and Shelby eye me too. Shelby drove over for the game—but then it got pushed to tomorrow because of weather, so we’re all heading out together.
“So…Frankie is at home with Graham. He wouldn’t like…hit on my little brother, would he?”
Paulie takes way too long to answer so I tap Frankie’s number and put my phone up to my ear.
“Shaney-babe. What can I do you for?”
I sigh. “You can’t do me, Frankie.”
He chuckles. “Hey, don’t hate on a man for trying. If certain people ever change their mind on their sharing policy, you just let me know.”
“Never gonna happen,” I sing. “So, Graham said you’re hanging out with him today? You skip out on work to hang out with my little brother?”
“Not exactly. I was pretty surprised when I came downstairs and found a child sleeping on our couch, though. Thanks for the heads-up.” He yells that last part, and Paulie winces. Yeah, probably should have let Frankie know about Graham. Whoops.
“I’m not a child!” faintly echoes through the speaker.
“Only children say that,” Frankie retorts, then his voice comes back clear through the phone. “So, first I was nervous you guys got yourself involved in some sort of kidnapping ring. I was extremely relieved when Shelby informed me he’s your brother before she left, and I didn’t have to report all your asses to the police. Second, I wasn’t going to leave him here alone. He doesn’t know how to cook, Shaney. Not evenbreakfast. His family apparently has a full-time cook. It’s a crime. I worked from home so I could at least make sure he ate something. And you better believe I made sure he’s the one who made the omelets.”
“Thank you—minus the whole kidnapping accusation. So, my brother is safe from your flirtations? Even if I’m unfortunately not.”
He gasps. “Rude. And, no hate, but age-gap is not my kink, love. I’m not interested in being anyone’s daddy.” He pauses. “Though I won’t say no to findingmea daddy.”
Wow. I can only imagine how Graham is taking this conversation from the other end.
A high-pitched cackle rings out faintly in thebackground. Well, hehadtexted he thought Frankie was hilarious.
“All right. We’re on our way home.”
