“Bristol, it’s me, Liam.”
The lock clicks, and she opens the door, staring at me with wide blue eyes. Her breathing is raspy, her lips parting as she tries to catch her breath. “Is Sophia okay?”
I nod. “Yeah, we’re just grabbing her clothes and things. She’s going to stay with us for the week.”
“Oh.” Her lips purse and she forces a smile. “That’s good. I’m glad she has somewhere to stay.”
I glance past her at her mattress and her duffel bag on her bed. “You’re packed. Where are you heading?” I ask.
“I thought I might go stay with my parents for the week.” Her eyes are glassy, and I pull her into my embrace.
Whatever happened earlier this evening, she still seems distraught over it.
“I don’t want us to fight,” she mumbles against my chest.
Me, either. I don’t point out to her that the fighting was all directed at me. I have no reason to fight with her. I run my hands through her hair, pushing the dark tresses out of her eyes. “I’d rather you stay with me.” My voice is hardly above a whisper.
Bristol pulls back slightly, glancing up at me, her gaze on my lips for a long second before meeting my stare. “I don’t mind staying with my par?—”
“You’re staying with me,” I cut her off, my voice firm. “Unless you’re breaking up with me, I’m taking you home, to my home.”
She huffs under her breath but buries her face in my chest, her arms wrapping around my waist. “No, I’m not breaking up with you.”
“Good, because that would be foolish, firebreather.” I lay a kiss to the top of her head and grab her duffel from her bed. “Do you have any schoolwork you need to bring?” I ask.
She points at her bookbag, and I grab that as well.
“You don’t have to carry everything, Liam.”
“Sure I do, it’s part of my boyfriend duties.” I crack a grin and take her hand, leading her out of her room and to the elevator. I need to head back up to get Sophia and the others.
“Boyfriend duties,” she repeats with a soft breath. “Is there like, a list or something I should know about?”
I lean in and drop a quick kiss on her cheek. “Nope. There is zero chance I’m letting on to what they are. I’d rather surprise you.” I wrap my arm around her waist, tugging her to me.
“I wasn’t sure I’d see you tonight,” Bristol whispers and chews her bottom lip.
I didn’t think she wanted to see me tonight, based on our conversation earlier, but I keep my mouth shut. That was before the campus shooting.
The elevator doors open and we head out onto the eighth floor. Ashton is standing in the hallway. He pokes his head into Sophia’s dorm room. “You two ready?”
Ashton grabs my sister’s bag and Nova’s hand, the three of them heading in my direction.
“You’re okay.” Bristol breathes a sigh of relief when she finally lays eyes on Sophia.
“My brother didn’t tell you I was fine?” Sophia smacks my chest.
“I told her!” I hold my arms up. “I’m not a monster.”
We head down to the car, and Ashton lets Bristol sit up front, while he and I drop all their bags into the trunk.
The backseat is a bit crammed with Nova in the center, but she’s quiet, taking Ashton’s hand as he climbs in beside her.
I have to move Zeke’s car seat and I shove that in the trunk before Sophia climbs in behind me.
“Nice car.” Bristol glances around, taking it all in, smirking. “Whose car did you steal?”
“I borrowed Luca’s.”
