He shifts toward me, and I scoot toward him.
We don’t say another word.
But he clutches my hand between our chests, holding it like an anchor.
And slowly, like a tide drawing in, my heartbeat calms and Sean’s breathing slows.
This isn’t resolution.
It’s not clarity.
But it’s comfort.
And if that’s all I can get, I’ll take it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
SEAN
Ifell asleep wishing I could open up to Kayla, and I woke up to her in my arms.
It should have been the perfect opportunity to finally say everything on my mind, but I couldn’t.
Because of her freaking brother.
“Hey, Sean?” he called through the door. “Can I use your shampoo?”
“Use whatever you want, man!” I called out, relieved when she nestled further into my arms instead of retreating.
But Wes knocked again ten seconds later.
“And the soap?”
“He said use whatever you want!” Kayla yelled.
“Where is the soap?”
“IN THE SHOWER,” Kayla yelled.
“You don’t have to be a jerk about it.”
“You’re looking for soap. Where else would it be?”
He snickered, and that made me want to punch him, but Kayla was already flying out of bed and tearing the door open.
“Wes, what are you doing? You’re a grown man. You really can’t find the soap and shampoo? It’s a one bedroom, one bathroom apartment.”
Wes grinned. “Hey, I don’t get to be the annoying little brother often. Had to make sure you two didn’t get too comfortable.”
“I hate you.”
He stretched wide. “Nah. You love me, sis.”
We didn’t get in our morning run. In fact, Wes crashed our entire breakfast routine, including all of the kisses I steal while we’re waiting for food to cook or cool off (or when we accidentally burn it).
He even brushed his teeth in the bathroom with us.
I think I may hate Wes.
