Chapter 27 #2
I clear my throat in case I need to scream for Reid.
Sure, I might not be able to trust him with my heart, but I know I can trust him with my safety.
He always comes when I call, even if it’s only for a scrape or bruise.
I’m reminded of how shitty I feel about abandoning him at the last competition.
He fell flat on his face, while I was off getting a massage like my pretentious sister would.
I swing the door open hard, hoping maybe the impact will knock the intruder out of the way. I’m in a lunge, a fighter’s stance, and I’m ready to defend myself if I have to.
“Dammit, Addie!”
Reid is holding his nose, a steady stream of blood trickling down his face. Fuck, he just broke his nose in Whistler. It’s barely had time to heal, and I just hit it with a metal door. “Oh shit. I’m sorry. I thought you were a creeper.”
He’s laughing as he dabs the blood with the edge of his shirt. “You told me to knock, so I did.”
“Okay maybe you should text in the future.” I cover my laugh.
“Anything for you, Addie.” He’s batting his thick eyelashes dramatically as he pushes past me and lets himself into my van.
The night air is still sticky, as if a storm is coming soon but it’s holding its breath waiting for the right moment.
It’s hanging onto my skin, an unwelcome blanket of moisture making me crave yet another shower.
I follow behind Reid into Willa and notice he’s carrying a pillow.
Reid pleads with his eyes. “Can I sleep in here?”
I tug the flannel down to cover more of my thighs, but it rides back up as soon as I open my mouth to reply. “You can sleep in your van.”
“My van is hot, and you have AC. Come on Addie, please?”
I grab his pillow and start to usher him out of the door. “You could have had AC too, but you wouldn’t let any of us pay for it.”
“Addie pleaseeeeee. It’s so hot out, I’ll melt in Shanty. I’ll make you breakfast in the morning.” His bottom lip is puffed out like a begging toddler. It’s obnoxious how the gesture comes off as cute instead of annoying.
“You were already on breakfast duty.”
“Yeah, but I’ll make a special breakfast.’
I’m not sure what he means by that, but I cave. It is pretty fucking hot, so I can’t imagine trying to sleep in a rusted van with no airflow.
I take pity on him.
“Fine. But you have to sleep on the bench.”
He agrees and makes himself comfortable, or tries to, on the tiny slab of foam. I take one glance at his massive frame teetering over the edge and succumb to the idea of sharing a bed with my life-long crush.
Suddenly, I remember the bikes. I didn’t put them back since I thought I was about to be murdered, but I’d rather dip my hand into a roaring fire than go into that humidity again tonight. “Fine, if you put the bikes back you can sleep in my bed.”
He jumps excitedly. I wish I could delude myself into thinking he’s excited to share a bed with me—but I know he’s only here for my AC.
While he’s outside, I find a baggy pair of sweatpants and a long sleeve t-shirt.
If Reid is in my bed, I don’t want to risk any inch of my skin touching his.
I scramble under the covers before he comes back inside.
I’m tucked up against the cold edge of the van as tight as I can be as he takes his time looking around the inside of Willa.
The lights are low, and I realize this would be a romantic backdrop if this were a romantic situation. Instead, it’s an awkward one made even worse by Reid stripping down to his boxers.
I yank the duvet up to my chin. “Uh, what are you doing?”
He shrugs nonchalantly. “Uh, getting ready for bed?”
“You sleep like that?” I motion down to the thick thighs busting out of his boxer briefs.
“Well,” he smirks, “I usually sleep naked.” Dipping his forefinger into his briefs, he adds, “I can do that if you’d prefer.”
I shake my head vigorously. “Boxers are fine. Just stay on your side.”
“Sure thing, captain.” He salutes me.
The bed buckles under his weight as he shifts around trying to get comfortable. It’s big enough for two, but only technically. Reid is a big dude, and I find myself wondering how he sleeps in his van at all. Willa is much bigger, and he still barely fits.
“It’s extra cozy in here at night.”
“Yeah, it is.” I turn away from him, doing my best to make myself as small as possible.
Somehow, I still feel my ass brush up against him.
I can’t tell what part of his body I’m making contact with, but it’s hard and warm.
There’s a current physically drawing me towards him.
It’s impossible to pull away, not to mention there’s nowhere for me to go.
Shifting on my side, I’m met with soft green eyes filled with an emotion I’ve never seen in them before. Reid reaches out and brushes a stray strand of hair behind my ear. The touch sends shivers down my spine.
“Goodnight, Addie.” His voice is gooey.
“Night, Reid,” I mumble. I want to say more, but I can’t trust my sleepy decision making.
I fall asleep with a warm thrum spreading through me.