Page 40 of A Little Campfire Blues
“Am I…” sputtering, I gestured to him dripping all over the floor. “You should be worried about you!”
“I’m no wetter than I’d be if I’d fallen in the lake,” he declared, flashing me one of his trademark grins as he knelt to remove his shoes and socks. “I’ll go change before I make more of a mess.”
All I could do was throw my hands up and watch him go, while Mackenzie retrieved the mop from the supply closet and cleaned up the puddles Axis and Roman had made while I headed to the kitchen to make cocoa.
When Roman stepped out, still towel-drying his hair, his gaze darted around the room, immediately spotting the soaked sneakers beneath the rack.
“Did he look okay when he got back?” Roman asked. “He didn’t look hurt or anything, did he?”
“Not that I could see,” I said.
“Good. I can’t believe he tore off into the storm to look for me.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s a fuckin’ mess out there.”
“You’d have done the same thing,” I reminded him.
“The difference is that I have the training to handle myself.”
“Doubt training matters much to him when someone he loves is in danger,” Mack pointed out. “Now let’s all settle down and get our emotions back in check. Something tells me that all scolding him will do is hurt his feelings, which I doubt either of you wants to do.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Roman said. “The last thing I want is for him to think I don’t appreciate what he did. Was just worried when I realized he was out there running around looking for me.”
“We all were, but it’s over now, so let’s find something soothing to put on while we get over the scare we had, okay?”
“Cocoa will be ready in a few minutes,” I declared.
“Good, that should help chase any lingering chill away.”
“Could you stay the night with us?” I blurted. “We could all sleep out here; there’s plenty of room. We can drag a couple mattresses out or sleep on the couch and in the chairs.”
“I think two mattresses would make it far easier to get some cuddle time in, which I think we could all use,” Mackenzie said. “Of course I’ll stay.”
“Let’s grab mine and Ezzy’s,” Roman declared.
“Yeah, and my octopus too, please,” I called after them as I stirred the chocolate and milk mixture as it slowly began to melt.
Too hot and I’d scald the milk or burn the chocolate, which was the last thing I wanted to do. Cuddles, cocoa, and a movie we’d probably fall asleep to really would be the best way to settle all the frazzled nerves in the room.
The only one of us who didn’t seem frazzled was Axis when he stepped out of his room several minutes later in sleep pants and an Anarchy T-shirt, a bright smile on his face when he saw the blanket-covered mattresses on the floor.
“We’re having a sleepover?” He declared. “Awesome.”
“Yes,” Mack said. “We’re having a sleepover, but before you get in that bed, you are going to come here and let me dry your hair.”
“It’s okay, I can dry it,” he declared, tugging his braid forward so he could undo the elastic on the end and start undoing the braid.
“Maybe I’d like to do it,” Mackenzie said, approaching him with the towel.
I knew that expression; Axis was confused and even a little uncertain, like he really didn’t understand why Mack wanted to take care of him. It hurt my heart to see that look on his face, knowing what I knew, but Mack didn’t hesitate; he just moved around behind him and finished undoing his braid.
“Was a brave thing you did,” Mack murmured as he finished undoing the strands and took the second elastic out.
As Mackenzie’s fingers carded through Axis’ hair, I could see the confusion begin to fade as his eyelids fluttered and he gave in to the sensation. He’d always loved having his hair played with, but seeing his initial hesitation left me certain that having someone do that for him was rare. Turning off the burner, I set about filling the mugs while I waited for the chance to hold him and thank him for what he’d done for me. Something told me that he really needed to hear that and more from all of us.
Chapter Sixteen
