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“You can sleep here if you want to,” his voice is steady when my thoughts are a jumbled mess.
“Will you stay?” The words are out before I can stop them.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” A ripple of something passes over his face but it’s gone before I can decipher it. And I’m too tired to try and work it out.
“Fine,” I murmur, trying to sound indifferent. “Shut the door on the way out.”
Rolling away from him, I pull the sheets over my body and close my eyes.
Refusing to let the tears fall.
* * *
“Good morning,” I say quietly as I join the girls at the kitchen island.
“And where did you get to last night? Millie said she woke up and you weren’t there?” Suspicion coats Liv’s words but I shrug it off.
“I couldn’t sleep so I came down here for a bit. Elliot found me on the sofa and let me take his bed.”
“And where did Elliot?—”
“I took the sofa.” His voice ripples through me, tugging at my heartstrings.
But I lock it down.
Whatever happened between us last night was another lapse in judgement. But I’m like an addict craving their next hit, and only Elliot can give me the intense high I need.
Tension descends over us as the girls watch me. But thankfully, the arrival of the rest of the boys cut through the strain.
“Hmm, something smells good,” Oakley grins, making a beeline for Tally. He grabs her arse and pulls her in close for a kiss that makes me blush.
“Knock it off, dickhead,” Theo murmurs, rubbing his head.
“What’s up, Theodore? Head a little sore.”
“Ugh, don’t.” Raine scowls. “I spent half the night cleaning up puke.”
“Mate!” Oak and Reese fall about laughing.
“Fuck off, it was those shots you insisted we do.” Theo drops into one of the chairs. “Somebody get me some water and paracetamol.”
“Abs,” Oakley smiles, “Almost didn’t notice you there. It’s good to see you.”
“Hi.” I give him a small wave, feeling completely and utterly exposed.
Can they see the marks on my skin? The ones put there by my own hand and Elliot’s teeth.
Can they see my secrets? The ones I hide underneath my weak smile and quiet words.
“How was it last night?” Raine asks. “I didn’t get much out of Theo.”
“Oh, we had a whale of a time.” Reese chuckles. “Didn’t we, Elliot?”
My heart stutters as I finally look at him. He glares at Reese, a silent conversation unfolding between them.
“What’s going on?” Liv’s brows knit as she glances between them.
“Daddy dearest made sure he and Lauren had a chance to get to know each other a bit better, didn’t he?”
