26. Choosing Beds
TWENTY-SIX
CHOOSING BEDS
L ily
The room falls into a comfortable silence after the movie ends, but no one makes a move to leave. The atmosphere is peaceful, almost as if we’re all savoring this rare moment of calm. I sit quietly, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me. The band seems to be reconnecting, and there’s a renewed hope for their future together. But as my thoughts drift, I realize I have no idea where I’m supposed to sleep tonight. We never claimed the rooms, just threw our luggage around haphazardly.
Looking around the suite, there are only three rooms. I don’t want to impose or create any awkward tension, but I also don’t want to make things complicated. Eventually, we all need to talk about our situation, but I’m not ready for that talk today.
"Uh, where should I sleep tonight?" I finally ask, breaking the quiet.
Four sets of eyes turn to look at me, their gazes sharp. The question seems to shift the atmosphere immediately, thickening the air with unspoken competition. Marcus exchanges a look with Dylan while Jax’s jaw clenches slightly, his calmness flickering, as if he’s fighting off a surge of jealousy. Enzo leans back in his chair, an amused smirk playing on his lips as if he’s enjoying the situation.
Marcus is the first to break the silence. "You can sleep with me. Dylan’s in there too, and we have plenty of space."
I hesitate. "I could just sleep on the couch," I offer. "It looks like it pulls out."
Jax shakes his head, his voice low but firm. "Not the pull-out couch. Hotel day is supposed to be time to refresh, and a pull-out bed is barely better than the bunks."
Enzo snorts from the corner, his dark eyes glinting with mischief. "Yeah, even fancy hotels like this are too cheap for a decent couch bed."
I glance back at the couch, realizing they’re probably right and I’m definitely not going to win an argument if they all agree on this point, anyway. With a small sigh, I nod. "Okay, I’ll stay with Marcus and Dylan."
The room begins to clear as everyone heads off to their respective spaces. Marcus gives me a soft, reassuring smile before he leaves.
Enzo offers a nod. “Goodnight, Lily.”
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” Jax adds, looking a little put out as he walks off to the last of the rooms.
Dylan brushes past me with a light pat on the shoulder, whispering in a teasing tone, "You’ll be fine, don’t worry. We don’t bite… much."
Once the room empties, I take a moment to collect myself. I head to one of the luxurious bathrooms, the marble and gold accents making everything feel expensive and posh. I look at myself in the mirror, giving a silent pep talk. "Just be honest with them," I murmur to my reflection. "Whatever happens, you’ve got this."
I wash my face, the cool water refreshing against my skin, and change from the robe into a tank top and shorts. After a few deep breaths, I step out, ready to face the room and whatever the night brings.
When I walk back in, Marcus and Dylan are already in the bed, laying on opposite ends, their eyes following me. Marcus is under the covers, shirtless, his muscular torso and tattoos illuminated by the dim light. His blond hair is tousled, and his blue eyes are soft yet intense. Dylan is propped up on his elbows, his brown hair messy, and his chest bare.
"Come on, Lily," Marcus says softly, his voice both inviting and calming. "Don’t be shy."
Taking a steadying breath, I make my way to the end of the bed, near the center. "I guess this is me for the night," I say, trying to keep my tone light, though I can feel the tension beneath the surface.
Dylan chuckles from his bed. "You make it sound like that’s a bad thing."
I shake my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Not bad at all."
I clamber upwards, then slip under the covers between them. I can feel the warmth radiating from their bodies under the blankets, without touching them. Marcus reaches over and turns off the bedside lamp, plunging the room into darkness. Even though I can’t see them, I can feel their closeness. The energy between us charged in the quiet.