Page 17

Chapter 17

Alexis

It’s well past midnight when we arrive back on campus.

The vet worked on Lucky for a while, giving fluids and treating injuries. He didn’t need to stay overnight, thankfully, but between the leg wound and bruised spine only time will tell if he’ll recover in full.

Meanwhile, I forced Blake to eat something, which was funny as it’s usually the other way around. It took some coaching on my part; a few empty promises of a striptease, light threats to his life, the usual. But I knew he would do the same for me, so I had to make it work.

The hockey team’s house is dark save for a few scattered lights, and for a moment I’m convinced we can sneak Lucky in unnoticed. But moments are fleeting, chased by the imminence of another. And when I find Levi’s face on the other side of the front door, I know we’re fucked.

“You know, when Lis and I set the two of you up to do this thing we did it because it seemed you already got along. And it’s great that you’re hitting it off, but this isn’t okay, Alexis. Staying out until midnight without telling any of us where you are? What were you thinking?” Levi crosses his arms over his chest, much like our dad does when he’s angry. Has he forgotten that he’s not my parent? That we’re barely a year apart and he has no right to scold me?

“Are you done?” I sigh. “Something came up that couldn’t wait. And last I checked, I don’t need your permission for anything.”

Levi’s eyes grow to the size of saucers, his head shaking with a fervor. I don’t hear his footsteps, but I know Blake must be coming up behind me with a very sleepy Lucky in his arms.

“Nope. Nuh-uh. Bring it somewhere else.”

I roll my eyes and push my brother out of the doorway so we can get out of the freezing cold. “There is nowhere else, Levi, or trust me we’d be there.”

“I don’t like what you’re insinuating.”

“You started it.”

I hold his gaze, trying to distract him enough that he doesn’t notice Blake slipping away to stash Lucky in his room. As Blake’s bedroom door closes up the stairs, I slack a small sigh of relief. Tiny victories.

Levi glances at the landing, then back at me. Only now do I register the dark circles underneath his eyes, like he’s been having a lot of sleepless nights. Did he stay up to yell at Blake tonight, or is his presence downstairs just a coincidence?

“What’s going on between you two, Alexis? Really.” Levi’s voice is softer now, though its intensity makes the hallway even smaller. “Not too long ago you jumped out of a moving car to avoid him, and now you’re going on dog-rescue trips and staying out until midnight? What changed?”

We kissed. He made me come. Not in that order.

“I got to know him,” I say. “And I like the way he makes me feel. Wanted, adored. Safe.”

Levi gives an almost unnoticeable shake of his head, his voice soft like he doesn’t want to be overheard saying, “Lex, I’ve known that guy for three years now. Blake is not a relationship kind of guy. I just…I don’t want you to get hurt.”

I hold his gaze. There is a certain coldness between us now, a distance wedged by my relationship with Blake. If he didn’t like him, why did Levi choose Blake to act as my boyfriend instead of someone else? Levi’s a popular guy; there are many people in his contacts he could have chosen instead. And yet, he didn’t. So why is it bad that we’re getting closer, if I’m aware that it’s a temporary thing? Or is it the fact that I’m starting to carve out a life for myself that’s the issue?

I step forward, letting my hand fall on his shoulder and the ratty old band shirt that covers it—a gift from Lottie when he first left. “I know what this is, Levi. I know he’ll be long gone when spring rolls around. But knowing something is finite doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy it in the moment, right?”

Levi looks at me for a moment, his gaze filled with worry and doubts. Even so, he nods. He knows better than to try and change my mind.

“I’ll be okay, I promise. It’s not your job to protect me, you know.” I squeeze his hand. “I love you. Goodnight.”

“Love you, too.”

I flee up the stairs before he can stop me, not wasting a second to think about what I’m doing until Blake’s bedroom door closes behind me.

I’m not sure what I expected Blake Taylor’s grown-up bedroom to look like, but it sure as hell wasn’t this...normal. The walls are painted in shades of blue to look like mountains, the color extending all the way to the ceiling. There’s a dresser to my left, and a desk to my right. A soft rug lays in the middle of the room to help retain the heat, because even here the cold has free reign. Overall, his room exudes warmth and comfort–a far cry from the dull room he had as a kid.

Blake’s lounging on the bed with Lucky, having tossed his bloodstained clothes in favor of a navy blue shirt and black sweatpants.

“There’s some clothes on the dresser for you to sleep in,” he says quietly. “Or I can drive you home if you like?”

My heart flutters at the silent promise of spending the night in his arms, warm and safe. “The clothes are good, thanks. I’ll be right back.”

I grab the bundle of clothes before ducking into the hall and disappearing into the shared bathroom, checking the lock three times before changing at lightning speed. The clothes are a breath of fresh air to my tight muscles—they’re soft and smell like Blake, and warm enough that I could fall asleep on the north pole if I needed to.

Would he notice if I took them? Probably not, right?

I blow out a breath, pushing away the lump of nerves clawing at my throat. Blake is my friend, maybe even more. He has proven time and time again that he’s a gentle soul, and that I can trust him. Sharing a bed with him isn’t the big scary thing my brain says it is. It might even be nice. And if something is amiss, my brother is just down the hall. He would delight in kicking Blake’s ass.

But I won’t need to call for Levi at all. When I walk back into the room, Blake is creating a sad little makeshift bed on the floor, the covers on the bed thrown back so I can climb right in.

“I don’t have anything soft for Lucky to lay on aside from the bed. Would you mind sharing with him?”

“Of course not,” I say as I make my way to the bed. Call it bravery, or stupidity, but when I pass him my longing gets the better of me and I pinch Blake’s shoulder. “Come on, you’re in the bed as well. It’s too cold for chivalry.”

He raises a brow, the conflict clear on his face as he starts, “Are you?—”

“Yes. But no funny business, clear?”

Slow as if giving me time to change my mind, Blake picks up his pillow and blanket before crossing to the other side of the bed. “Wouldn’t dream of it. Not with our kid in the room.”

He jerks his chin towards Lucky, who despite his sleep-drunken state cannot stop wagging his tail. The mattress moves to accommodate Blake’s toned body, and for a split-second panic claws at my chest. I meet his gaze as he lounges against the pillow, and for a moment I think I made a mistake by staying here.

Blake raises his brow in silent question. You okay?

With a nod, I let go of my panic. If there is anyone in this world I trust as much as I do my siblings, it’s Blake.

His arm leans over my pillow like an unspoken invitation to cuddle up against his side. A smile spreads on my lips at the sight of him like this, so cozy, vulnerable. And tonight, he’s all mine. I scoot closer until I’m wrapped in his arms, his heart beating beneath my ear like a lullaby.

“Goodnight, Alexis,” Blake whispers, and as his lips brush the top of my head I drift off into a peaceful sleep.