Page 41 of Brat Baby (Sugar Life #1, #3)

Emery

“You’re still here,” I murmur the moment I crack open my eyelids in the morning, only to find Xavier awake, fully dressed, and watching me from a crouched position by the edge of the bed.

I feel like this isn’t the first time he has watched me in this exact position.

“You know now,” he replies, being about as clear as mud. Bringing his hand up to cup my jaw, he swipes a thumb over my cheek. “Show me your tongue.”

Obediently, I open my mouth and stick it out for inspection, ignoring his weird response to my question. He traces a line down the right side of my tongue with his finger. I watch his face, wanting to see a hint of my Hunter, but get absolutely nothing. Completely blank.

His gaze comes back up to meet mine. “Your video call yesterday, it was perfect.”

Heat blooms across my cheeks, and I lower my gaze to his chin. “I think it made Derek mad.”

“Good.”

I huff with exasperation and shoot a glare at him. “I don’t want to make him mad. I just want him to want me back.”

Xavier grins, eyes lighting up with mischief.

I’m so shocked by the unexpected and fucking gorgeous way his face lights up that I don’t register his words right away.

“Trust me, little dove. That is not something you need to worry about. He wants you, it’s why he is so mad.

This whole situation is messy for him, but he needs a little more mess in his life.

You don’t need to be his version of perfect.

You are your own type of perfect. And that’s all we need. Be messy for him.”

My mouth is open, the tiniest amount. I know it is, and yet, I can’t seem to close it. Why did no one warn me this man could reach into my chest and squeeze my damn heart with just his words?

The mischief turns to a smirk, and then he kisses my lips, effectively closing my mouth for me. As he pulls back from the kiss, he stands. “Out of bed. Breakfast is ready, and a package arrived for you.”

A package?

He chuckles quietly as I scramble to fight my way out of the sheets and blanket, and fuck me, I want to hear that noise every day.

It’s not rough or broken like he hasn’t used it in a while; it’s deep and smooth.

One day, I’m going to press my ear to his chest when he laughs, so I can hear the rumble from the inside.

But for now, that is going to have to wait because I’m on a mission. I don’t have to look hard at all to find the package, since it’s sitting on the kitchen counter. I dash the length of the apartment to get to the plain brown delivery box.

A very familiar knife is sitting on top of the box, and I quickly—but carefully—run it across the taped edges. The knife makes a clinking noise when I put it down on the marble countertop, then I open the cardboard to find another box.

This one has a logo on it that I recognize. A “b” in the shape of a music note.

“Holy shit.”

I reach in and pull out the smaller box containing my brand-new headphones that are covered in light pink crystals.

I repeat. Holy shit.

I’m still holding and staring at the gift in my hand when Xavier stops by my side, placing my phone down by the package. “You need to thank Hudson.”

Nodding, I glance to the side at the food and see only one plate and one steaming mug of something. I put the headphones down and turn to face Xavier, my heart falling into my stomach like a lead balloon. “You’re leaving? Already?”

He nods and reaches for his little spy knife, sliding it into a leather holder thingy before dropping it into his pocket. “Just for now.”

I raise up onto my tippy toes and wrap trembling arms around his neck, a sudden lump in my throat. “Please don’t go. I don’t want to be alone. We can play, like last night, but all day long. Show me more of your knives. Mark me again.”

He squeezes me back, fingers biting into my rib cage, then slowly pulls free until he is only holding my hand.

With the other, he adjusts my bracelet so that I can see the DHDX on the golden disc.

“You’re never alone. And you have my mark.

Every time you eat or drink for the next few days, you’ll think of me. ”

I cover my hand with his, and even though I know I sound really fucking pathetic, I can’t stop the words from falling out of my mouth. “Please stay. I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

He shakes his head and starts walking backward toward the small hallway that leads to the door. “I have things to do, and you have Hudson to thank. You’re mine, little dove. This is just for now.”

My eyes burn as I watch him disappear around the corner and then hear the door open and close, leaving me alone. Again.

Before the hurt can well up and overflow all over, I take a deep breath and turn back to my breakfast. I’m not giving in to that feeling anymore. Nope. I can handle this. Plus, he said it’s just for now. I’m sure he’ll turn up in my bed back at the dorms tonight.

And besides, my plan is working. Darcy and now Xavier. Only Hudson and Derek to go.

I pull the barstool out and sit down, finally focusing on the food.

Avocado on an oval-shaped piece of toast, cherry tomatoes, and some sort of crumbly white cheese sprinkled over the top?

I pick up a bit that isn’t covered in the drizzled dark sauce and pop it into my mouth. Yep, cheese, with a zingy aftertaste.

And are those seeds? I pick up a little flat green seed and delicately bite into it. It tastes…seedy. But, like, in a good way. Kind of like nothing as well.

Hmmm…

Picking up the mug, I take a tentative sip. It’s the same as the last tea he made me, but this one is sweetened, which makes me grin. He must have hated that.

Picking up the toast, I take a bite and am surprised when the crust is hard to bite through. But once I get the flavors in my mouth, the chewy crust is my last thought.

Fuck, this is amazing.

I pause and hold the toast out in front of me so I can take another look at it. How is something so normal looking so damn good?

Taking another bite, I pick up my phone and open it to a social media app, randomly scrolling, but nothing is catching my attention. I lock my phone with a huff and place it face down on the counter.

What the hell am I supposed to do with my day?

Swiveling on the stool, I turn and survey the apartment, my feet dangling as I take another bite of my breakfast. It doesn’t feel right to go exploring through their cabinets. The urge is there, but honestly, I want them to introduce me to everything they have hidden from view.

Preferably a hands-on introduction.

I could get further ahead in my classes, I guess. But that sounds like a waste of a day. Maybe I could ask Oakley if she wants to hang out?

Yes, that.

I reach behind me and grab my phone, but as I hold the phone up to my face to unlock it, I remember that Oakley mentioned a lunch date with a daddy today.

Fuck.

But also, how the hell do I have no other friends? Shouldn’t I have made more friends by now? That’s a thing, right? Go to college, make all these new besties, then keep them for life? Actually, I probably shouldn’t be using TV shows as my basis for what constitutes a college experience.

Maybe I could ask Will? We’ve messaged several times to organize a study group, the first of which is meeting next week, something about away games this week. He has a few friends who want to join us as well. The more the merrier, if you ask me.

So that leaves today’s itinerary with… zilch.

I may or may not tear off my next bite a little too aggressively, causing some of the cheese to fall onto the floor. Whoops. Eh, I’ll pick it up when I’m done.

Turning back to the counter, I drum my fingers on it, my gaze landing on the headphones. Xavier said that I need to thank Hudson. Did he mean that I should do that today? I’m reaching for my phone before the idea finishes forming.

Opening a private thread with Hudson, I quickly type out my message before I lose the courage.

Me: Thank you for my headphones. I love them.

Me: It turns out that I’m free today. Still want to take me shopping for my last few rewards?