Page 113 of A Love That Saved Us

He’s not wrong. Alley and I have a reputation for disappearing during halftime. I can’t even remember the last one I watched since meeting her.

Oh well.

If you’d told me six months ago we’d be back to sneaking off during halftime, I don’t know if I’d have believed it. But here she is, flirting with me like I’m hers again.

I head down the hall and make a right just as Alley slips into the back room. My pace quickens. My cock’s throbbing, and with every step closer to her, I get harder.

God, I’ve missed this.

I step into the room, and Alley’s lips are on mine before the door closes behind me.

“Lock the door,” she whispers against my mouth.

Don’t mind if I do.My hand’s already reaching for it.

Kevin and Mattclink their shot glasses of whiskey together and tip them back in one smooth motion. Envy hits me right in the gut. That nagging ache to be included, to just feel normal.

But only a little.

Megan’s voice pulls my attention. “Al, I can’t even tell you how happy I am that you’re coming to the Berkshires. I screamed when I read Jensen’s text that you were in.” She grins, and it warms my chest. Seeing Megan and Alley talking and laughing like the good old days? It’s pretty fucking special.

“I can confirm she did, in fact, scream,” Kevin says, eyes glazed from all the shots.

We’re all spread around the kitchen counter, some standing, some sitting.

Alley’s grinning, her eyes shining with a happiness I haven’t seen in so long. I can’t seem to keep my eyes off her. I don’t want to miss a second of that joy, and I can’t stop thinking about the halftime show in the back bedroom. Rough. Bossy. Wild. Wekept laughing, trying to stay quiet, and then just as quickly, we stopped caring if everyone heard. It’s one I’ll never forget.

Her eyes shift to Megan. “I’m excited to go. Excited to see Amber and Jeff too.”

“So how does it feel being back in New York? Has it been weird settling back in at home?”

Shit.I grimace, tightening the grip on my drink. I can’t believe I didn’t mention Alley wasn’t staying with me. That she wasn’t cominghome.But then, why would that come up? And why wouldn’t Megan assume she was staying with me? She’s just making conversation—but it’s a loaded question and it’s too soon. Way too damn soon.Matt mutters a lowJesusbeside me, and it’s exactly what I’m thinking.

I keep my gaze on Alley, watching, waiting, trying to read her reaction.Where the hell are you in all of this?One minute she’s jumping me in the back room and the next…

Her arms fold across her chest.Protection. Discomfort.“It’s been good.” She glances at me. “Jensen and I had a lot of fun yesterday hanging out around the city.”

She doesn’t say anything else. Just lets Megan think what she wants. Fine by me.

Across the counter, Scarlett shifts her weight, eyes flicking from Alley to Megan and back again. There’s a beat of hesitation before she blurts, “Alley’s not staying at home. She’s staying with me.”

Alley shoots her a look. Scarlett shrugs, mouthing a quicksorry.

Matt plants a hand to his face. Kevin shifts in his seat. And my stomach is tying itself in knots.

Megan frowns. “Why?” She looks between me and Alley. “I mean… you two seem fine. We all heard you during halftime. So…”

“Meg,” I cut in, shaking my head.

She exhales, turns to Alley, and waits for an explanation.

Alley stares at the counter, tension thick in the air.

“She’s not ready yet,” Scarlett cuts in before Alley can speak. “She literally has nightmares about the shit that went on in their apartment.” She looks around. “I don’t even think you all know the half of it.”

“Scarlett,” Alley says softly.

My eyes stay locked on her.I’m here. I’m right fucking here. I’m not going anywhere.If she’d only look at me…