Page 63 of Trust Me

His eyes were locked on me as I stood, but he didn’t budge.

“Come on,” I repeated firmly.

“Where am I coming?” The little smirk on his face almost made me laugh, but I just gave him an impatient look.

With an elderly groan, he sat up, tossing the blanket onto the floor. Wordlessly, he followed me to my room. When I dropped onto my mattress, he stayed by the door, looking around warily.

“I don’t bite,” I said.

“I don’t know what you want me to do.”

“Get in. There’s plenty of room.”

His eyes were wide as he stared at the bed. “You . . . want me to sleep with you?”

I lifted one shoulder. “I’m a light sleeper, so you can trust that I’ll notice if anything’s off.” Shifting to the side closest to the door, I patted the spot next to me. “As long as you don’t steal the whole blanket, it won’t affect our friendship.”

“And if I do?”

“Then you’re getting kicked in the sack. Choose wisely.”

A lopsided smile slid onto his face. A little too hastily, he rushed toward the bed, then climbed in. Lying on my back, I glanced sidelong at him. He seemed noticeably less tense, which reinforced my decision to offer something this ridiculous.

“You sure I’m not in your way?” he asked, turning onto his side.

I rolled to face him, staying as close to my edge as I could. “It’s cool. Just don’t get used to it. One-time offer.”

In the dark, his eyes found mine. Shamelessly, he stared at me, and not knowing what else to do, I stared back.

“You really are a nurturer.”

I wasn’t sure if he was teasing, but I hit him lightly in the chest. “Shut up.”

“Yes, sir.” He saluted me with two fingers.

“Is this your first time sleeping in here?”

“Yeah.” His expression became more serious as his eyes roamed the space.

“What is it with bedrooms?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Do you feel safe here?”

His eyes found mine again. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“I don’t know what bad things happened in your past.” After a second, I drew in a breath. “Sorry. That feels fucked up to say.”

“It’s not fucked up.”

“So . . . did bad things happen?”

“Not like you’re thinking. Not to me.” Something passed over his eyes, but in the dark, I couldn’t even start to decipher it.

Not really thinking about it, I touched the corner of his lips where they were tight. He sucked in a breath, and I pulled back immediately.

Clearing my throat, I turned onto my back. “Well, as long as you’re comfortable right now, that’s what matters.”

“I’m with you.”

I wasn’t sure what that meant, and I didn’t want to dwell on it, so I closed my eyes. Before I’d even gotten tired enough to sleep, I heard him start to snore softly. I peeked at him carefully, studying the way one of his hands clutched the blanket to his chest.

In sleep, he looked more mature, which was odd to me. I thought he’d appear softer, more childlike.

I had this strange feeling that he’d wake up at the slightest sound, so I made it a point not to move as I closed my eyes again.