I told the truth when I said I was curious. I’m curious about a lot of things when it comes to the Gravlin brothers. “Are you a senior then?”
“Graduate student. I’m mostly still here to help with the tuition his football scholarship didn’t pay for. I only have one other class besides assisting for Hilbrand, and it’s self-guided with only a few short lectures.”
It’s clear he and Oswald have a very tight bond, but his answer makes me want to know more, like why he’s the one worrying about his brother’s tuition, but neither of them have brought up their parents.
“Ask me.” Memphis strokes his finger along my jawline. “I can see the questions swirling in your eyes.”
“I don’t mean to be nosy,” I tell him, but I really do. I want to know everything about them.
“Waylynn…” He says my name slowly, as if he’s chastising me. “Ask me.”
“Why do you take care of him?”
“We take care of each other, we’re all we have.” There’s no inflection in his tone, no anger or hurt. It’s just a statement.
“What happened to your parents, your family?”
“They weren’t much of a family to begin with, but we lost both our parents.”
My heart aches, and I place my hand over his in the small space between us. “I… I don’t have any words other than I’m sorry.”
He flips his hand over and laces our fingers together. “There’s nothing for you to be sorry about.”
“I brought it up.”
“It was bound to come out some time. I’m glad you talked to me about it, he…” Memphis looks past me. “It’s just easier for me to talk about.”
“I get that,” I confess. “My parents can’t talk about my brother.” I don’t add that I often field the questions in the same way to protect them.
He doesn’t have a reply, and I don’t need one. Our soft conversation dies, but he’s still holding my hand and tracing his thumb along the inside of my wrist. I’m slightly shocked by how good it feels. My skin is super sensitive, or maybe it’s just his touch making it that way.
The movie continues to play, but I’m not really paying attention. Oswald’s deep, even breaths and Memphis’ warm palm are much more interesting.
* * *
I tryto shift my legs and can’t, which has me lifting my head up and gasping, ready to shove whatever it is off me—until I see who it is. Oswald has his arm wrapped over my thighs. I can feel the top of his head under my butt, and his face is nestled against the backs of my legs. I try to straighten out so he’s not right in my butt, but then I feel the cushion under me shift, and I look down to see I’m lying half on Memphis. His eye slits open, and he gazes up at me.
“I’m sorry, I must have fallen asleep,” I whisper, hoping not to wake Oswald. Oh god, this is embarrassing. His face is… I can’t even think it. How am I going to get up when he’s holding me down?
“Don’t apologize to me. It’s your house.” His voice is thick and gravelly, he must have been sleeping too. I look down and realize my head must have been pretty close to his crotch. “You guys can crash in the spare rooms.” I try to sound normal as I pull up my knee to get out from under Oswald, but he’s got a tight grip.
Memphis’ brows furrow, probably because he can see and feel me jerking around. “What?” He looks past me to his brother.
“He won’t let go,” I whisper in horror, knowing he can see where Oswald’s head is.
“Proof he’s not as dumb as he seems,” Memphis drones. “Smack his hand.”
“No,” I exclaim. “Let me just…” I lean down again, bringing my face closer to Memphis’ groin, and I’m able to lift my knee enough so he releases his hold a little. I take the tiny advantage and roll off the couch and onto the floor.
Memphis scowls at me. “I would have woken him up myself if I knew you were going to do that.”
Once I’m on my butt, I pull my knees up and reach around to rub my tingling toes. We must have been like that for a while since my feet are asleep. “He was cutting off my circulation.”
“He’s trained to never let go of what’s important.”
“I’m not a football.” I wiggle my feet, but the pins and needles are still there.
“Oswald.” I jump at Memphis’ commanding tone. “Wake up.”
