I try to hide my smirk. There are two bedrooms at the back of the loft, across from one another. The one on the right is a guest room. It’s very minimalist and clean, neutral colors, almost a lack of personality, but it’s gorgeous. There’s a large window, a walk-in closet, and an en suite bathroom.
“I hope this is alright,” he says bashfully.
I don’t tell him that it’s nicer than the entire cottage I’m renting, even before the water explosion.
“Of course, it’s great,” I tell him, and I mean it. “I promise I won’t stay long. Just until Brynn is back, or if the landlord gets around to fixing it quickly. I really appreciate it, Beck.” He shoos me off towards the bathroom, handing me a fluffy towel.
“I’ll get you a better blanket and some clothes. I’ll leave them on the bed. I’m across the hall. If you need anything, holler.”
I thank him again and close the bathroom door behind me.
I should probably be traumatized by water at this point, but the water pressure here is to die for. I stand beneath the hot water for I don’t even know how long, letting it run over me until my skin turns pink and prickles.
When I go back into the room, I smile so hard that my cheeks hurt. Folded up neatly on the bed is a pair of sweats, a worn-out T-shirt, a hoodie, and the handmade quilt I slept with every time I stayed the night at their house growing up. Brynn and his grandma made it, and it’s one of my favorite blankets in the world.
Luckily, my bra and underwear are dry at this point. I towel off and step into my panties, then grab the tee he left for me. I slide it over my head and inhale deeply.
God, it smells so fucking good. It smells like him. Woodsy and clean. I climb into bed and pull the quilt over me, put one of the pillows between my knees, and close my eyes.
After a few minutes, I’m still just lying there. I huff out a frustrated noise and pull the collar of his shirt up to my nose.
I drift off, inhaling the smell of him.
BECKETT
Sometimes, I regret making the decision to use an old school alarm clock. It’s the same one I’ve had since middle school, and it’s aggressively reliable. The loudBRR BRR BRRcould raise me from my grave.
I grumble the minute it goes off. I swear I just fell asleep not even five minutes ago. I slap the ancient, brown, buzzing box to stop the ungodly noise. When my ears adjust to the silence after the audible assault, I hear the rain hitting the roof. It’s unusual for it to rain this early in the season, and it’s already on day two.
I manage to get up and start the day, staying in the shower longer than normal. When I get out, I check my phone and see that Mom has texted me.
This rain is a doopsy!
I chuckle. Lennon-isms spread fast in the family.
Road is flooded. I don’t think I’ll be able to get out and see my lil grambaby today
Another Lennon-ism.
That’s alright, we’ve got it today. Y’all alright?
Tell her I love her and we will have pancakes soon, I promise.
Brynn had to go and show her how to use emojis. Now Mom can’t send a single text message without one. Dad, on the other hand, is the king of responding with only a thumbs-up. I used to give Brynn shit because it annoyed her so much, but I get it now. I think I could text and tell him my whole ranch was on fire and he’d hit me with a thumbs up.
We are okay. Your dad says even the ducks are gonna want a boat today. How is everything there?
I haven’t been out yet. Got a bit of a late start. Gonna grab some coffee and head out.
How’s my Clover girl?
How the hell does she know about that already?
Alright, I guess. Chaos as usual.
Be kind to her, Beckett Hayes Hollis. She’s been dealing with a lot.
No emojis. She means business.
