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That’s really all this comes down to. We have to do this together.
7
ALEX
“Okay,” I eventually say, kissing the top of Delaney’s head once before easing her back. “Enough wallowing for today. We’ve been super fucking productive, searching the cabin and planning our meals and shit.” I air quote the fucking productive part and Delaney smiles. “I think we deserve something good, right? A treat.”
“A treat?” she repeats, giving me a curious look. “If by treat you mean more of that chocolate, then yeah I’m in.”
I smile, wishing to fuck I could make all of this shit between us go away. I feel so damn terrible for the way I spoke to her the day she had to retrain me and I feel even worse for what I’d done to the amazing thing that was happening between us. To the way I’d fucked it all up.
Because it was amazing and even though it went against everything I believe in and even though it scared the absolute shit out of me, with her, I still wanted to go there.
Only now I’d ruined it and because apologizing means I have to own up to all my fuck ups, instead I’m left trying to keep her safe. Trying to apologize without actually saying those words. Trying to convince her and myself that we can somehow survive this too. Even though with every passing minute there’s no sign of a rescue, that’s getting harder and harder to believe.
“Yep, a treat,” I say with a nod as I walk over to the stash of snacks from my backpack, grabbing a chocolate bar and the bottle of bourbon. Turning around, I hold them up in each hand, a huge grin on my face.
Delaney laughs. “So it’s a party or is this a I-wanna-kill-Laney moment?”
Chuckling, I tip my head toward the mattress as I walk over. As much as the fire helps, there is still a permanent chill in the air in the cabin, that it never seems to get rid of. The warmest place is here in front of the stove, which is why neither of us have suggested sleeping on the bed. And I mean, I can’t deny that I like getting to sleep with her again, even if it is of the fully clothed variety.
“It’s a party,” I say, sitting cross legged. “A we are kicking this cabin’s ass party.”
“Okay,” she says, smiling as she walks over to join me.
I twist off the cap and offer her first swig of the bottle. “Here, no ID required.”
She snatches the bottle from my hand, but she’s smiling as she nudges my knee with her foot. “Ha ha, smart ass. My age didn’t seem to bother you that first night we met.”
I watch as she takes a mouthful of liquid, wincing a little as she swallows it down. “Is it okay?”
She lets out a breath, her eyes wide as she hands me the bottle. “As good as straight shitty bourbon ever can be.”
Laughing, I take the bottle from her hand and take a swig. The liquid burns my throat and I realize what she means. I’m not sure I’ve ever drunk straight bourbon like this before. “No, Laney, it didn’t bother me.” She gives me a funny look and chuckling, I hand the bottle back to her. “Your age. Truthfully, I kinda assumed you were around my age. I mean you ordered a drink and everything.”
Delaney lets out a laugh, shaking her head as she takes another mouthful. “Yeah, it wasn’t alcoholic, Alex. I know the bartender and she helps me out when I need to fake it.”
“Ohhhhh,” I say, my brows raised as I reach for the bottle again. “So you were faking it from the start, huh? Way before me.”
“Please,” she says, leaning over to shove me a little. “I’m not in town long. I’m staying with some buddies. Have you got somewhere we can go?” She says all this in a mock deep voice, as though she’s trying to imitate me, and fuck me, if it isn’t hilarious and adorable all at the same time.
“Oh my god, Laney, are you drunk already?”
She giggles now and I swear my dick actually twitches. That giggle gets me every time, always has. “No, I mean…I don’t know. We’ve eaten fuck all, Alex,” she says as she reaches for the bottle again.
Laughing, I hold it above my head out of reach as she scrambles against me for it, only seeming to realize after a few moments that she’s practically in my lap, her face and mouth now only inches from mine. As soon as she does though, she freezes, her eyes locking with mine before my gaze drops to her mouth.
“I think your mouth is my favorite part of you,” I murmur, the words out before I can stop them.
She smirks, pushing up on her knees and grabbing the bottle. “I don’t think I’m the only one who’s a little drunk,” she says, before taking another swig. “So, tell me your deepest darkest secret,” she says, narrowing her eyes and giving me a playful look.
I just did, Laney.
Laughing, I shake my head, taking the bottle back. “Um, remember that part about me flunking out of college?” I say, taking a swig. “That’s it, Laney.”
She rolls her eyes, hand out for the bottle. “So when did you decide to move to Tahoe, after that happened or before?”
Shaking my head, I hand over the bourbon. “Nah, I mean that helped obviously. But I’d come back here a few times with Max and Nick during college. I always liked it and figured at least here I had friends. Well, until Nick went and joined the US ski team of course.”
