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He stared at me for a second, then shook his head and knocked back a glass of ale.

“Can I have some?” I asked, looking at him.

He hesitated a second before filling the glass and handing it to me.

“Is Gagey poo sharing?”

“Shut up Enzo!” I said before Gage could. “You’re going to ruin it for me.” I laughed, then drank all the ale. I felt the familiar burn through my chest.

We continued to sit by the fire for hours, eating Bosom berries and drinking ale, while the boys regaled me with stories of their mischief.

A few times, I caught Gage staring at me and couldn’t help but wonder why. Was he seething with anger that I was still here? Was he replaying what he saw of me in the shower? The thought of him watching me caused my insides to tighten.

Ignore it.

Ignore him.

My head felt weird, like I was floating in the ocean, while at the same time feeling an overwhelming amount of happiness.

“Well, it’s early in the morning. We should all probably get to bed.” Barrett said.

“Just one more.” Enzo chimed, swinging his shirt around his head. He had a beautifully sculpted chest, I admired.

Everyone laughed. “You’ve had enough.” Calix said.

“Boo.”

I stood up and stumbled around a minute before I felt a hand on my arm stabilizing me.

“Tha-” I saw Gage.

“I didn’t want you falling on me because you can’t hold your ale.” He dropped his hand and started walking inside.

“Do you need any help cleaning up out here?” I asked, trying to ignore the tingling feeling on my arm where Gage had touched me.

Calix and Dresden, with their arms full, declined my help.

“Then I thank you for a wonderful evening and I will see you all tomorrow.” I took a step, but felt very woozy and wobbly.

“Here.” Jace said, running up. “You had a lot to drink. It can make you a little lightheaded.”

I grabbed his hand. “Thank you.”

By the time we reached the house, Enzo was on my other side, holding me up with his arm slipped around my waist.

Jace shot a side glance at him, but didn’t say anything.

Jace parted out when we got to his room and I couldn’t help but glance at Gage’s door and wonder what he was doing. Was he in bed? What would it be like to be in his bed… with him? In his arms? I shook my head. No. I shouldn’t be thinking about that… about him.

Enzo helped me up the stairs, and we laughed as we both continually missed steps. His room was on the level right below mine. When we got to his door, he stopped but didn’t take his hands off me. “This is me.”

I looked up the stairs at my door.

My door, I smiled.

“Do you need help up?” He offered, following my gaze.

“I don’t think so.”