I highly doubt Chase is going to get much sleep tonight. He tossed and turned the last two nights, wracked with anxiety over Russ’s arrival. Somehow, I don’t think it’s going to be better tonight.
After a quick glance around, I take a few steps toward Chase and give him a quick kiss. “I’ve been wanting to do that for the last several hours.”
“Oh yeah? Is that all you’ve been wanting to do?” His low voice does something to me. My cock immediately takes interest, despite the firm talk I had with it earlier about laying low this week.
“No, but I’m on my best behavior.”
Chase leans forward and wraps me in his arms, pulling me close to his chest. “I think I like you better when you’re being naughty.”
“Forgot to grab a book.” Russ’s voice echoes into the room before he comes into sight. We both jump back like we’ve been struck by lightning. “Do you have a recommendation, or should I pick whatever looks good?”
My best friend walks into the living room, dressed in his pajamas and rubbing his eyes. If he noticed how close together we were, he doesn’t say anything. I’ve got a pile of excuses at the ready, sitting on the tip of my tongue in case he asks. Instead, he only wants to talk about books.
“I can always make a recommendation, but you usually ignore them in favor of doing your own thing. Why don’t we skip a step tonight?” In part because we all need to get out of this living room and into our separate bedrooms.
“Great, I’ll take this green one.”
I practically huff. Russ has always been into picking his reading selections entirely based on the cover. If a book doesn’t look the way he wants it to, he won’t read it. God help the poor English teachers who had to argue with him over the years. Every single one started their argument withYou can’t judge a book by the cover, which was Russ’s cue to launch into a long lecture he’d developed on exactly why he actually can. The only reason they ever won the battle is that Russ cared about his grades.
For a moment, all three of us stand in the living room, silently. Whatever we’re waiting for—whether it’s a confession or an accusation—it never comes. Instead, we head for the hallway that leads to the bedrooms.
“Well, goodnight, Russ. Night, Chase.”
“Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite.” I give Chase a dirty look over that one. It’s bad luck to even mention those things in the house. The northeast has been a hot spot for them, and I’m forever afraid that I’m going to end up with an infestation.
Chase, unbothered, winks at me before he slips into the guest room I set up for him.
“Thanks for having me, Nix.”
“It’s no problem. I’ve missed you so much.” I give Russ a long hug. It’s been too long since we were in the same physical space together. Video calls and text messages aren’t the same thing. “I’m just down the hall if you need anything during the night.”
He releases me and waves me off. “I’ll be fine. After the early morning wake-up call to make that flight, I’m ready to sleep like the dead. Plus, you know I always sleep with my earplugs in.”
Part of me wants to ask why he mentioned it. Of course, I know he has a whole sleep system, but the reminder feels intentional. Before I could ask, I bit my lips. If I open that door, I have to be ready for whatever questions lie on the other side. Questions that aren’t mine to answer. Instead, I smile and give him a quick kiss on the cheek. “See you in the morning.”
CHASE
How long before my brother is asleep?
After spending the better part of two months living together this year, plus our entire childhoods, I should know the answer to that question.
There are too many variables in the equation to figure out how long it will be before he’s out for the night.
It’s been exactly twenty-three minutes since we went our separate ways, each of us retiring to our own rooms. Since then, I’ve been lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep. It’s amazing how quickly I got used to being next to Nix. Without his warm body next to me, it’s hard to relax.
With a heavy sigh, I throw the blankets off me, get up, and tug my pajama pants back on.
The last thing I need is for Russ to catch me in my briefs, standing in the hallway with my hand on Nix’s door. At least if I’m in pajamas, I can claim to need something like water or a snack. Not that I’m incapable of finding those things on my own, but it’s polite to ask the host before taking anything.
I open my door slowly, just enough to peek out into the hallway and look both ways.
It’s quiet—no movement, no light. I step out, keeping my feet light and moving as slowly as possible so none of the old floorboards creak beneath my steps. Outside Nix’s room, I debate whether I should knock. Ultimately, I decide to forgo politeness in favor of stealth.
Nix gasps as I step into the room, and I put my finger up to my mouth and shush him.
“This okay?” I whisper. I probably should have checked with him before I decided to slip into his bedroom in the middle of the night.
“Yeah, it’s good.” He gives me that smile, the one that always makes me fall for him a little bit harder.
