Veer (Clayton Falls #2)(44)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“I can do this,” I told myself. I turned off the light, and it terrified me at first. I picked up my cell phone a few times to get the illumination, but then I heard Gavin come upstairs. Somehow, just knowing he was next door helped. I heard water run in the bathroom and then the door to my room opened. I knew he was coming in to check on me.

“Good night,” he whispered, kissing my head. The door closed quietly as he left the room. Eventually, I must have drifted off to sleep.

***

I woke up with a start as bright light burned my eyes. The scream caught in my throat as a large man walked toward the bed.

“If coming home means finding a beautiful girl in my bed, I’m doing it more often.”

I pulled the sheet up higher as I tried to wake up enough to realize what was happening. “Are you Brody?” There was no other explanation, and he definitely looked like his picture.

“Yes,” he said in an amused voice. “And you are?”

“Becca. I’m, uh, Gavin’s girlfriend.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Becca, but is there any reason you’re not in his room?”

“Because he’s in there…”

“You did say you’re his girlfriend…oh, you’re one of those.” He nodded as if everything suddenly made sense.

“Excuse me?”

“I mean, it’s cool. I’ve known plenty of wait till marriage girls.”

“Oh no. That’s not it.” I don’t know why I was so quick to correct him. Maybe because I finally could. “I just felt weird in your parents’ house.”

“Oh.” A slow grin spread across his face. “Okay, good because I don’t know how my brother could keep his hands off you otherwise.”

I’m sure I turned beet red. “But I’ll obviously get out of your bed. Your mom said you weren’t coming.”

“I decided to surprise her. But don’t worry about it. I’ll go crash downstairs.”

“No, this is your room.” I got out of bed, putting the pile of clothes I’d worn that day back in my bag so I could move it all out.

“Seriously, Becca. I don’t mind. Usually I’d be mad for getting booted from my room, but I can make an exception for you.”

“Brody?” Gavin walked back in through the bathroom. He was wearing nothing but boxers—the most clothing he ever wore to bed.

“Hey, man. I’ve just been getting to know your girlfriend here.”

A panicked look crossed his face, and I realized Gavin was worried about how I was taking all of this. Having a strange guy walk into the room where I was sleeping would naturally mess with me.

“I’m fine.” I smiled to reassure him. It was a testament to how incredibly safe I felt with Gavin that I hadn’t freaked out more.

Brody looked between the two of us, probably trying to figure out what I meant.

“I want to catch up, but it’s late. I was just telling Becca I’ll go downstairs.”

“No way. Becca will just come sleep with me.” I didn’t fail to notice the self-satisfied grin on his face. “I was going to come over and get her anyway.”

Brody laughed. “I can’t say I blame you.”

Gavin bent down and picked up my newly repacked bag. “Ready?”

“Sure.” I was too exhausted to argue. Besides, I didn’t really want to search out another place to sleep.

I followed Gavin back through the bathroom and into his room. It was a mirror image of Brody’s room, except his bed had a blue comforter. He also had a whole line-up of trophies on the top of his dresser. I knew without looking closely that they were all for baseball.

Gavin pulled back the comforter on my side of the bed, and I slipped in. A moment later, he turned off the lamp and pulled me into his arms. “So much better. Now you’re where you belong.”

I snuggled into him, laying my head on his chest. “I happen to like this place.”

“Good, because you’re going to be spending a lot of time here.” I knew he wasn’t talking about his childhood bedroom.

Somehow, in the dark, his lips found mine.

I pulled away. “Gavin?”

“Hmm.”

“We’re in your parents’ house.”

“In other words, don’t get too excited?”

“Exactly.”

“Fine. I’ll be good. I just need you in my arms.” I knew what he meant. I’d become so used to spending nights together that I didn’t know what was going to happen when I left. I tried to shake away the thought. There was no point dwelling on it yet.

“Good night,” I said quietly before snuggling into him again and drifting off to sleep.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Gavin

Becca was right where she belonged: wrapped in my arms. It was crazy how quickly I got used to having her sleep next to me. I felt like there was something missing whenever she made me sleep alone, which was still a couple times a week. I let it go, sensing it wasn’t something she wanted to budge on.

There was something really comforting about having Becca in my childhood home, especially in my childhood bed. It felt as if we were cementing our relationship or something. She’d been really nervous about coming back with me, but I hoped she’d relax and have a good time.

She tensed in my arms, so I pulled her in tighter. I had a feeling some of her unrest came from having my little brother barging in on her like that. She’d looked fine by the time I got there, but I’m sure it brought back unwanted memories.

She seemed to get along with Brody. I couldn’t believe it when I walked into the room and saw him standing there with her. I’m sure she was terrified. I was mad at myself for not waking up sooner.

Becca relaxed again, and a few minutes later she mumbled my name. I’m sure I had a ridiculous grin on my face. I loved that she dreamed about me. I definitely dreamed about her. I needed to sleep, but I was still too amped up. I thought over the conversation I’d had with my parents after Becca went to bed.

***

“She’s lovely.” Mom moved from an armchair to take a seat in the spot on the couch Becca had just vacated.

“Isn’t she?”

“She’s definitely a beauty.” That was actually a lot coming from Dad. He didn’t talk much. “And she seems sweet.”

“But there’s a sadness in her too. How long ago did you say she lost her mother?” Mom asked.

“She died this winter.”