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“We’re gonna need to sleep together tonight.”
Okay, except that.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lennon
Hunter looks as though he’s seen a ghost. He takes a step back, wrapping a hand around the back of his neck and squeezing.
“Come again?”
I know he heard me.
“I need you to sleep with me. In bed. Together.”
His throat moves as he swallows deep. “Why?”
I chew the inside of my cheek, twisting my lips side to side. I hate how I’m constantly asking him for shit.
“Quick version: we’re going to be expected to sleep in the same bed at my parents’ house.”
Hunter narrows his eyes. “And they’re going to be watching to make sure of that?” he asks, his voice edgy.
“Pfft. Seriously wouldn’t doubt it, but no. And the bed is only a full size.”
His eyes widen, finally understanding.
“So we might want a practice night.” I suck in for air. He held me that one night shortly after Brandon died, but that was different.
“How the hell are we going to fit in a full size?” Hunter raises his brows. He’s well over six feet tall and twice my build, so that’s a really good question.
“Uh, well…being very, very close?” I grimace, shrugging. “I’d say one of us can sleep on the floor and pack an extra pillow, but the doors don’t lock so they could walk in at any minute.”
He tilts his head, studying me. “The doors don’t have locks? What the hell kinda environment did you grow up in?”
I flap my arms up in the air and down. “I told you! They’re crazy! They wanted to control everything, which meant a lack of privacy.”
“That’s just fucking nuts, Lennon,” he says. “Are there cameras in the bathroom I should know about too?”
“No!” I push his arm. “But I did warn you! I told you we were really gonna have to sell it because they’ll pry into everything.”
He blinks, taking a step back. “Alright, it’s fine. I’ll do whatever it takes. But if I squish you and the baby in the middle of the night, that’s on you,” he teases.
“Ha-ha. I won’t think twice about shoving your ass off the bed,” I warn playfully.
“Fair enough.” His tone is weak, almost as if he’s in pain. I’ve been asking a lot of him, but as soon as we return from this trip, things will go back to normal, and we can both forget this ever happened. Or try to.
My phone rings from the bedroom, so I tell Hunter to hold on and rush to answer it. As soon as I see Sophie’s name on the screen, I pick it up with a pleasant hello.
“You holding up okay?” she asks after a minute.
“Yeah, I think so. Nerves are setting in. I think once we’re there and the news is out, I’ll be able to relax a teeny bit. Even better when we get it over with.” I sigh, slumping my shoulders as I take a seat on the bed.
“How’s Hunter doing? You two get all the details figured out?” She wants more info, which doesn’t surprise me at this point.
“Uh, well. Yes,” I hesitate on how much to tell her, but she’s my sister, and I tell her almost everything. “We practiced kissing.”
“I’m sorry, what did you just say?” Sophie nearly chokes out the words.
I roll my eyes, knowing damn well she heard me. “We had to! We have to be convincing, which means acting and looking like a real couple.”
She’s silent for a beat, then speaks up in a too perky tone. “With tongue?”
Laughter escapes me as my cheeks heat. “You’re ridiculous.”
“That means yes,” she says matter-of-factly. “I bet he’s a good kisser too.” She sighs as if she’s imagining it, which has me chuckling. Hunter is a fantastic kisser. Fuck my life. “So are you hot for Hunter? Because I wouldn’t blame you in the least.”
“Hot for Hunter?” I repeat, blushing. “Are we back in middle school?” I ask defensively.
“That’s not an answer.”
I groan, not wanting to have this conversation. Things are getting complicated even though I don’t want to admit it. Last night after we went to bed, I’m pretty sure I heard Hunter jerking off. Part of me wanted to press my ear to the wall and listen, but I knew that’d be wrong. Still, it didn’t mean I wasn’t intrigued, wondering if he was thinking about me or not.
And as soon as that thought crossed my mind, I pushed it away.
“No, of course not. This is all pretend, Soph.”
“Hmm…but is it?” she asks in a condescending tone. “I see the way he looks at you. The way he’s always looked at you. It’s okay to admit you’re attracted to him. I know you feel guilty because of Brandon, but Hunter’s a hot piece of single man meat.”
“Eww,” I say, laughing. “Please don’t ever say man meat ever again.”
“Stop dodging the question, sis.” I hear the smile in her snarky tone, but I don’t allow myself to think about those things. I can’t.
