Page 48 of Veiled

“We’re all in this together,” I say, giving her the only assurance I can. “Whether you drop the track or not, you are not alone here, Sasha. You’ve got us.”

She meets my gaze and nods, but I can see the doubt in her eyes.

“Alright,” she says, standing up. “I’m gonna go grab something to eat. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

I collapse back onto the bed once the door is locked again.

“Hey Mattey…”

“Yeah, Lee?”

“Will you stay in here tonight? I’m not sleeping the best lately, and after today, I have a feeling tonight could be even worse than last night, if that’s possible.”

He brings me in for a hug, “Of course. Let’s go up to my room, and you can stock up on snacks while I pack a bag.”

“Have you seen my bed? I don’t think snacks are necessary. Plus, you know my hiding spots if you get hungry.”

“But mine are better. Now, get up, or I’m going to drag you out.”

Chapter eighteen

Annalise

Before we fell asleep last night, Matt convinced me to skip my morning run again today.

He claimed it was because I needed to catch up on the sleep I’ve been missing, but I think my confession about thinking someone was watching me run played a bigger part in it.

Either way, it’s Friday, which means the adult jungle gym—uh, I mean the obstacle course—awaits me this morning, as soon as we get through formation.

After we’re finished getting ready, Matt and I knock on Sasha’s door, determined not to let her feel like she is alone in all this.

“Are you sure you guys aren’t like friends with benefits or something? I swear I’m not judging, everyone needs a good twazzle twist and muck suck every now and then.”

“A good what?!?” I shout, blinking in disbelief.

Matt grins, eyes twinkling mischievously. “That muck suck sounds like something I might enjoy. Care to explain, in detail?”

And right on cue, her entire face turns a deep shade of red.

Matt and I both burst out laughing, and it takes a minute for me to catch my breath before I can answer her original question.

“Definitely not,” I say, trying to hold in my laughter. “I go through phases of nightmares and night terrors. He’s been around since they started, so it helps when he sleeps with me when they get bad.”

“Plus,” Matt chimes in with a smirk, “I’m a really good cuddler. Think of me as her G-rated emotional support teddy bear.”

Now it’s Sasha’s turn to laugh. “Oh man, I really hope those people heard you say that! I wonder if they think you two are together?”

“I think we would be kicked out already if they did. Him for being a complete sleaze, and me for being too blind to see that he warms other girls' beds every other night.”

“Ok, I’m not that bad…” He protests with a smile as we walk to formation.

Entering the combat arena, I head to my favorite stretching spot on the back wall. I hesitate for a second when I see Captain Korr leaning casually against it, watching all of the recruits trickle in as if this is where he always stands, which it isn’t. His gaze tracks me as I approach, lingering a second too long. I can’t stop the small smile that tugs at my lips as I set down my bag and water bottle and ease into my usual stretches beside him.

“Waiting for the show to start, Sir?” The second it leaves my lips, I realize exactly how dirty that came out. I see his brows shoot up in surprise, gods help me, he heard how it sounded too!

“Careful, Miss Corvin,” he says. I’m about to apologize and explain what I meant when he continues, his voice dropping an octave, “I wouldn’t want anyone thinking your impressive obstacle course times aren’t earned on the course.”

Holy fuck. There is no question he is playing with me now—and maybe I lost my mind, but I want to play right back. I glance up at him through my lashes and try for a mock innocent tone, “What else could they think influenced my score? I wasn’t aware of any extra credit for this class, and I am pretty sure I rank pretty high already.”