Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“Oooh, Jesse and I did the same sometimes, when we were roommates,” Seth said in an excited tone.
“Seth loves to snuggle,” Jesse added, and my gaze shot to their guys, both of whom remained nonchalant. “It was strictly a friend thing.”
“Well, we don’t snuggle, just sleep,” I replied, driving home the point so they didn’t think anything different.
“So why not kick him out of bed if he constantly steals the covers?” Dane asked in a teasing voice.
“Good question,” I muttered, feeling a flush crawling over my cheeks.
“Hey, who wouldn’t want to sleep with me? I’m awesome.”
I rolled my eyes. “Sure, when you’re not snoring.”
Skylar gasped. “That is a lie! I’m not sleeping with you ever again! Even if your bed is way cozier than mine.”
My stomach felt all strange, either because this ridiculous conversation was playing out in front of his friends, or due to the idea of him not sneaking into my room anymore. I covered my uneasiness with an attempt at levity, “Oh my God, are you hating the guest-room bed and forgot to tell me?”
“No way.” Skylar playfully bumped my shoulder. “That mattress beats the one at my apartment any day of the week.”
“These two are entertaining,” Jesse said, scrutinizing us from across the table. “I like you, Clark. We accept you into our friends club. We’ll have to teach you the secret handshake.”
“Does it look something like this?” Skylar curled his fingers into a fist and pretended to stroke up and down.
“Which leads us to our next game,” Jake said in a hoarse voice, most likely from laughing along with the rest of us.
We played a few rounds of Cards Against Humanity, laughed our asses off, and before I knew it, the night had come to an end and we were driving home. My cheeks still hurt from grinning so hard and were undoubtedly still flushed from some of the more embarrassing cards I was dealt and had to read aloud to a group of people I’d just met.
But at one point I could feel Skylar’s knee pressing against mine under the table, possibly in support, and that had steadied my pulse. Strange how it felt so natural between us. I was bummed that I’d missed out on his friendship the past twelve years.
I tightened my jaw, thinking about my dinner with my family, which seemed worlds away now.
“I told my parents by the way—about us reconnecting and you staying with me,” I said as I turned into my apartment complex.
He arched an eyebrow. “How did that go over?”
I shrugged, trying to keep my face neutral. “Fine.”
“Uh-huh.”
“It was.” I pulled into my parking space, wishing I’d disguised my voice better and now hoping to get to a better subject. “Hey, thanks for inviting me tonight. It was a lot of fun.”
“Great topic change,” he quipped. “And you’re welcome. They liked you. You fit right in.”
My pulse ticked up. “Yeah? That’s nice to hear. So I’m allowed to hang with all the cool kids?”
He rolled his eyes. “You’re a cool kid too, no matter what you try to tell yourself.”
After we got inside and changed for bed, we ran into each other at the kitchen sink, both of us having apparently decided we needed water. Once properly hydrated, Skylar placed his glass in the dishwasher right behind mine.
“See you in the morning,” he said, and I watched as he passed right by my room and headed to his own.
I held my breath, feeling like I’d ruined something but also feeling silly at the same time. Maybe he wanted to sleep in his own bed tonight. No big deal. But after that banter between us earlier in the evening, I wasn’t so sure, so I padded to his door, which was cracked open, and knocked.
“What’s up?” he asked from beneath his sheets.
“Nothing, I just…” I swallowed. “Just making sure you didn’t think I was serious about the covers and the snoring.”
He waved his hand. “Nah, it was all in good fun.”
“Okay, cool. I mean, it was all true,” I teased.
“You suck,” he replied, and I stuck out my tongue like some two-year-old. “But I’m sure you want your space, so I won’t be snoring in your ear tonight.”
“I was beginning to enjoy it, like one of those nature-sounds apps that help you fall asleep,” I said, and he scrunched his nose in this cute way. “Besides, I like sharing a bed. I’m the relationship guy, remember?”
“Who says I don’t enjoy it too?” He waggled his eyebrows. “I just use my time in bed more wisely.”
“Ugh, whatever.” And though the idea of him hooking up made my stomach feel all funny again, I pushed the thought aside and stepped into his room, noting the pile of clothes in the corner—albeit in a neat stack like he’d done it that way on purpose—as well as his sewing machine. The idea that he made his own clothes was so fucking cool.