Hermouth fell open and her cheeks burst with a red flush. “Kylie! Oh my God …”
Laughing,I shoved the movie into the DVD player and grabbed the remote. I turned thelights off, grabbed a couple of sodas, and dropped down to the floor withDevin. He engulfed me in his tattooed arms, cuddling as we always did duringmovie night and I settled against him. Breathing in his skin, scented withcedar and pine from the job and the musky spice of his cologne. His scent was awarm blanket on those days when I needed comfort.Hewas the protectionI needed, something I sought desperately, when the shadow of realityperpetually loomed over me.
Ihit ‘play’, andrested my head on his shoulder as myeyes diverted momentarily to the daisies on the table.
Itwas a good day.
?
“Don’tlook now, but it seems like Trent finally made his move.”
Ilifted my head to find Brooke making out with Devin’s cousin, and I screwed myface up with sarcastic disgust.
“It’sabout time,” I whispered back, lowering myself down to his shoulder again.
Thecredits were now rolling over the screen, and despite the two people on thecouch making sloppy, kissing noises, it felt private and secluded in our nestof bed clothes. Devin laid his cheek on the top of my head and sighed.
“Yougot daisies today,” he commented.
Inodded against him. “Yeah, my dad sent them.”
“Youhaven’t gotten them in a little while.”
Devinand I had been inseparable for a little over a year, and he took note of thingsBrooke hadn’t noticed, even after nearly a decade of friendship.
“Nope,”I said, a short nip in my tone. I hadn’t intended on it, but I didn’t want totalk about it. Because to talk about it meant to admit it. It meant to openmyself up to the possibility of ridicule, of shame—of losing him.
Icouldn’t risk that.
Hesensed my reluctance and nodding once, changed the subject. “I wrote a new songyesterday.”
“Yeah?”I asked, my interest sufficiently piqued.
“Youwannahear it?”
“Uh,does a bear shit in the woods?”
Hechuckled, and nudged me off him, rolling up and unfolding himself from themakeshift bed. He stood, outstretching a hand and pulled me to my feet. Weglanced at the oblivious duo, pulling at each other’s hair and clothes.
“Howdo they not notice us here?”
Hewrapped an arm around my back, guiding me toward the door. “I guess I wouldn’teither, if I finally got the chance, after building up over a year of tension.”
Ishrugged. “You’re probably right.”
Wewalked through the dorm hall and out the heavy doors, a warm blast of humid airhitting us as we stepped outside and headed toward the parking lot. Devin’struck was a monstrosity next to the little sedans and SUVs, bought by mommiesand daddies throughout Connecticut.
“Youwannago somewhere else, or do you want to chill outhere?” he asked, getting the keys from his pocket.
Itwas a good day and doing something spontaneous felt like a nice idea. “Let’s gosomewhere,” I said, and he nodded.
“Okaythen,” he said, opening the passenger side door.
Heheld my hand as I got in. He always did, the damn thing was so high off theground. Then he rounded to the driver’s side, getting in without issue.
Ismirked. “Must be nice being a giant.”
“Youliterally say that every single time you’re in here,” he laughed, putting thekey in the ignition.
