Page 75 of Allegiant

“You don’t need to brag. Or show off.” Neo turns to face me. “Harley is the most insufferable dick. Ever.”

“You love me.”

“Whatever.” Neo’s cheeks tint slightly even as he rolls his eyes, revealing he does actually care about Harley. All these men seem to have countless fascinating layers to them.

Neo links his arm with mine. “Come on, let’s go find Ansel and watch a movie.”

“What about Samson?” I ask just as Harley says, “What about me?”

“You can come,” Neo tells Harley, and then pulls me forward. “And Samson will find you. He always will.”

Is it just me, or is that strangely…ominous?

I shake it off. I’m all off-kilter from the past twenty-four hours. That’s all it is.

We move down the hallway, Neo leading the way, Harley following behind. He’s chattering to Neo about Monopoly for some reason, and I just listen, taking it all in.

When we go down a set of stairs into the basement, I realize we’re turning into a large space that is set up as a theater. It has the theater seats and everything. In the corner, there’s a popcorn machine and a fully stocked bar.

What the hell?

“So, you guys don’t go to the movies?” I ask when Neo lets go of my arm and heads for the wet bar. Ansel walks through the doors as I ask that and takes a seat next to me, reclining his chair and sprawling out.

“Hey,” he says with a big grin. “I’m glad you’re still here.”

I smile back at him. I think I like him the most, but Neo and Harley…I think I could really like them, too.

And fuck, this is a good distraction. Samson was right.

“No, we never go out. We just sit here like goblins.” Neo cackles as he pulls out a few sodas and clicks the popcorn machine on. Within seconds, the delicious smell of butter and salt has my mouth watering. “Just kidding. We do go out, but this house is so big, why would you? Everything is here.”

“Agreed,” Harley says, grabbing a soda and popping it open. “But it does get lonely sometimes. Especially since everyone is pairing up.” The way he says that has me watching him for a long moment, but then a happy grin pulls his lips wide, and he bobs his head. “Come on, what movie do you want to watch?”

I can’t help but study him a little closer as he plonks down in a seat. There’s not a single inch of Harley’s handsome face that suggests he’s anything but completely happy in this moment. But I know all too well what it’s like to hide your pain with a smile.

“How about that thriller?” Neo suggests. “The one with the gay vampires biting each other all over.”

“Yes, do that one,” Ansel says, reaching up and taking the drink Neo hands him. Next, Neo hands Harley a bucket of popcorn, which he sets between us.

Neo takes the seat on the other side of Ansel and flicks his thumb over his phone, and the lights dim. Another tap has the film starting on the big screen. I lean back, watching as the movie opens, my eyelids growing heavy.

They’re tired from all the crying, from all the fucking emotions.

From the whirlwind of it all.

Before I know it, I’m asleep.

Angry whispers wake me up.

“Why are they lying like this?” a French-accented voice asks.

“I don’t fucking know. Harley has a lot to answer for.”

“Harley? No, it is yours that’s the problem.”

I let out a soft moan and my eyes blink into focus on Samson and Jules, both of whom are standing in front of me, arms folded across their chests, their eyes narrowed in annoyance.

I lift my head then and realize I fell asleep on Harley’s shoulder.