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Holding my breath when they turned as one unit, as if waiting for me, I wondered if they were going to kick me out because they could no longer trust me around them. I mean, how could they? I was a known sex videographer.
My heart pounded and palms turned sweaty. Beck and I were going to be kicked out on our asses. I was going to lose the only two friends I’d ever had in Paige and Tess. I was about to be just as lost and alone as Beck was. How the hell would I be able to take care of him now?
Jonah cleared his throat and sent Logan a glance, who seemed to be the one elected to do the talking. Aw, shit. They even had a get-lost speech prepared.
Logan drew in a breath before saying to me, “We decided you were right.” Wait. What? “It’s probably safer if Beck lays low for a while and doesn’t leave the apartment. So he doesn’t have to leave during the days while we’re gone if he doesn’t want to.”
I blinked at him, totally not expecting him to say that. When I repeated his words through my head, it still sounded foreign. Finally, I blurted, “What?”
“Once the hoopla surrounding his case dies down, everyone will lose interest and begin to forget. He should probably wait until then to try looking for a job and new place to live.”
My lips parted. At first, I was speechless. And then I was choked up with emotion. “Really?” I croaked, pressing my hand to my chest. They were worried about Beck and wanted to keep him as safe as I did?
I suddenly wanted to hug all four of my roommates at once. They still supported me and my wish to look after him. After everything they’d learned last night, I wasn’t a repulsive freak to them.
Learning this was more than I could take. My chin wobbled and eyes filled with tears. “Thank you,” I choked out.
“Oh, honey,” Tess cooed, hurrying forward to hug me. Paige was right behind her, wrapping her arms around me as well. Their grips were suffocating and tight, yet warm and comforting. I burst out crying even harder, feeling like a total idiot.
But Tess only fussed, “That’s it. Just cry it out. You’re okay. It’s all okay now.”
“How is it okay?” I blubbered. “I’m freaking crying and hugging people.”
“I know!” Tess, the sadist, laughed. “Isn’t it amazing?”
I found it disturbing, actually, like I should go shower away such an emotional show, or kick kittens, or something.
“Here, we made you breakfast,” Paige offered, leading me toward the table, where there was a plate full of waffles topped with my favorite: powdered sugar, fresh strawberries, and maple syrup.
I blinked and glanced warily at everyone while Tess pulled out my chair for me.
“What the fuck is going on?” I asked as I slowly sank in my chair, before gasping. “Oh God, one of you needs a kidney from me, don’t you?”
Tess laughed as she plopped down next to me. “Oh, whatever. We can be nice to you if we want to.”
“Yeah, especially the morning after you all find out I’m a—” I winced and let out a sigh. “You know I’d never do that to any of you, right? I’ve never overheard anything or taken pictures or—”
“Bailey,” Paige cut in softly, and yet forcefully. No idea how did she that, but the woman had some strange talent with soft force. “We know that. We know you. And this is us trying to convince you none of that matters. We love you all the same.”
I’d just taken my first bite of waffle, and it promptly got caught in my throat. Tears threatened to fall again because I knew I didn’t deserve their support. These guys really were the best friends I’d ever had. Even their boyfriends were amazing, Jonah, the butthead, included.
“Here.” As if reading my mind, Tess picked up my glass of apple juice and offered it to me. I nodded gratefully and scooped it up, gulping so I didn’t have to talk. Then I sat it down and glanced around. Jonah wasn’t paying me any mind, too busy reading the back of the cereal box beside him, but the other three offered me a warm smile.
“I kind of actually want to sing Kumbaya with you guys, or some shit, right now,” I announced.
“Oh, God,” Jonah groaned. “I’ll pass.”
“Yeah.” Logan lifted his hands and scooted back from the table. “I’m sitting that one out too.”
The girls laughed, and everything felt right with the world again.
I plowed through my waffles with gusto and was half-finished with them by the time Beck, looking pretty hot with a wrinkled shirt, messy hair, and a red sleep crease bisecting his cheek, bumbled into the kitchen, yawning and scratching his chest through his shirt.
“Good news,” I hollered with my mouth full of waffle as I lifted my fork full of more waffles in congratulations. “You can stay!”
He slowed to a stop, staring strangely at me, his face frozen with an expression that clearly said he wasn’t aware his stay here had been in question.
So Paige quickly clarified, “During the days. Alone. If you want.”
