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“You definitely surprised us,” I say.
ChapterSix
DEVRIE
It’s like my brother has got some warped radar in his brain that told him I was about to get lucky, and he had to show up cockblock me. Alec seemed just as stunned as I was, so it’s clear he didn’t know that Denny was coming either. After the initial shock of his arrival, at the most inopportune time, Alec and I were able to relax, and all hang out together, catching up on old times.
As the night progresses, the pit of guilt in my stomach starts to eat at me. I don’t like lying to my brother, but keeping this secret isn’t enough for me to stay away from Alec. Another big concern running through my mind is if Denny’s arrival will cool Alec down again, giving him the excuse to say we can’t do this. Because if that’s the case, when I walk away this time, I won’t stop.
The fear is real that this is what’ll happen. Especially since Alec is playing the night off like nothing is going on between us so convincingly that even I’m starting to question it.
“Well, guys, it’s getting late,” I say, standing up from the couch. “I’m going to get going.”
A frown appears on Denny’s face, and Alec gives me an apologetic look. I wish I knew what he was sorry for. How the night turned out? Or that he’s changed his mind about us again?
“You’re right. It’s late.” Denny stands up too. “I’ll take you home.”
“What? Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m not being ridiculous.”
I wave away his concern, hoping my nonchalance will make him realize how crazy he sounds. “I’ll just call a cab.”
“You’re not leaving this late alone,” Denny says, crossing his arms. It’s a pose straight out of our dad’s playbook. It means that he won’t back down. Well, two can play that game.
“Denny, I live here. I go out at night.”
His jaw clenches in frustration.
Alec, ever the peacekeeper, holds up his hand and steps between us.
“How about you stay here for the night, Devrie? You can take my room, and I’ll stay on the couch.”
“Great.” Denny smiles. His demeanor instantly lifts now that he’s getting his way. “It’s all settled.”
“It’s not all settled.”
But my arguments go unnoticed by my brother as he grabs his backpack by the door and makes his way to the only other guest room.
“I’m sorry,” Alec whispers to me. “He’s only here one night.”
“You aren’t having second thoughts?” I ask.
Alec glances over his shoulder to make sure that Denny is still in the guest room before he turns back to me and pulls me into his arms for a quick kiss.
“Does that answer your question?”
“For now.” I giggle as he sets me down.
* * *
Later that night, when the apartment is quiet and Denny is dead to the world, I crawl out of bed and tiptoe into the living room. I want to check and see if Alec is awake. I’ve been tossing and turning, wondering what’s going through his mind. Is he thinking about me?
It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust, but soon I see he’s lying on his couch with his shirt off and blanket pulled up to his waist. I have to swallow the lump in my throat as my gaze sweeps over his bare chest. The moonlight flooding in the apartment windows show off the contoured muscles from his pecks down to his washboard abs.
“Alec?” I whisper from the doorway to the hall.
His eyes open slowly, and he sits up. “Hey, beautiful. I really hope this isn’t a dream.”
