“What!” I blink in surprise. “Really?”
“He’s the reason why Liam got the job working for me,” Ally explains. “The guys and I are really close, and they wanted someone they could trust to help protect me.”
“That’s so sweet of him,” I say.
“Sweet isn’t what I’d call him,” Liam grunts. “More like a pain in my ass.”
“Oh, hush. You adore the fucker.” Nate chuckles.
“Do you have any other siblings?” I ask.
“Two sisters,” he tells me. “One’s our stepsister, but they’re both awesome. They’re going to love you.”
“I can’t wait to meet them.” I smile, wanting to know more about this man. Liam seems like a broody person on the outside, but I know there’s something softer in there.
“So, you're really sure about this bus?” Gavin says. “We can stay on another bus.”
“Nah. It really is okay. Plus, it makes more sense for me to have this bus.”
“Why?” I ask.
“Because the backroom is my bedroom. And my nest.”
“Oh.” Shit. Nest. Fuck. I didn’t even think about that. I look up at Gavin and Brady with panic.
“What’s wrong?” Liam asks, sensing my shift in mood.
“I... I didn’t even think about nests...” I shared a bed with the guys, but they converted a walk-in closet into my nest. I packed everything up from it this morning, but I didn't even think aboutwhere I’d put everything once I got here. Or if there was even going to be space for me.
“Hey.” Ally walks over to me. “Breathe.”
I blink up at her, feeling stupid for wanting to cry.
“You don’t think I’d forget about you having a space of your own, did you?” She gives me a grin that makes my stomach flip. “First off, you're welcome to share mine any time. I normally don’t have anyone in there with me, but it turns out I enjoy having someone sleep next to me.” She looks up at Brady with this look of awe in her eyes. “It’s nice not to sleep alone.” She blinks down at me.
Alone? Is she really saying she’s been sleeping alone this whole time? What about Liam and Nate? I know they’ve been in a weird spot, but is she telling me they haven’t been at least cuddling with her at night?
I can’t imagine not being between Gavin and Brady. Since I’ve met them, I haven't slept alone.
“I can’t sleep alone,” I admit.
“The bunks are very big, enough for maybe some snuggles, but that’s about it.” She rubs at her arm. “My bed has lots of room, though,” she adds hopefully.
“I’d love to share if you’re okay with it.”
Her face lights up. “We will finally be able to have that sleepover we’ve always wanted.”
My heart pangs and tears spring to my eyes for new reasons. We might have been best friends, did everything together, but sleepovers were something my parents never let me do as a kid.
They were so judgmental of everyone; no one was good enough for me to be able to sleep over at their place.
“I can’t wait,” my voice breaks just a little bit, and I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from having a full-on meltdown.
“Oh!” She snaps her fingers. “I almost forgot. Follow me.”
I follow after her, and she leads us to the bunk beds. “Liam and Nate sleep here. But you.” She pauses, pointing to Gavin and Brady. “Will sleep on this side.” She points to the side with three bunks. “And this...” She pulls back a curtain on the bottom one to reveal this little hideaway bunk. My lips part in awe as I look at it. She thought about me. Where my nest would be. She made sure I wasn’t a guest here, but she made this place ours. I’m not sure when she had the time to do it, but fuck! My heart is so damn full I don’t know what to do. “Can be your space. For your nest. I know it’s not that big, but—”
I’m hit with an overwhelming feeling of love. Grabbing her face, I turn her towards me, tears spilling free. I kiss her, letting her know just how much I appreciate what she’s done. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”
