Chapter Twenty-One
Trent
Evan went into the bathroom, muttering to himself because the power was still out, so I called Declan on my cell.
After he answered, I said, “I feel kinda weird asking you this since we were just there, but I don’t really know what else to do. Evan’s sorta freaking out. The power is still out in my apartment, and it’s stuffy and gross since the AC isn’t working and he’s being a little… crazy about it. Do you think we could maybe crash at your place tonight?” He didn’t say anything right away, so I added, “I know you only have the one couch, so Evan can sleep on it, and I can just sleep on the floor. It’ll be more comfortable than sleeping in this muggy-ass place.”
“That’s stupid.”
I blinked in surprise for a moment before frowning. I’d really thought he wouldn’t mind. Maybe we weren’t as okay as I’d thought. “Oh, okay. Sorry… I can just ask… Levi or Alex or someone.”
He made a weird noise that almost sounded like a growl, though what the hell he was growling about, I didn’t know. “That’s not what I meant. I mean it’s stupid to have you sleep on the floor when I have a perfectly fine bed.”
“I’m not letting you sleep on the floor.”
Declan sighed, as if he was annoyed, but he also sounded a little amused, too. “Also, not what I meant, Jalapeno. My bed is huge, so we can both fit on it fine.”
“You want me to sleep… with you?”
“Just sleep. I promise I can be good.” I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Uh… are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“It’s not a big deal, Trent. You’re little; I won’t even notice you’re there.”
I bit back a laugh that wanted to escape. “I’m. Not. Little. You. Asswipe.”
He laughed. “Keep telling yourself that, Little Jalapeno.”
A snort-laugh accidentally escaped, and I bit my lips together to prevent any further sound from escaping my mouth. He totally noticed, though, because he laughed. Fine. Point, Dec.
“Are you sure you don’t mind, Cupcake?”
“I don’t mind at all.”
I blew out a relieved breath, then walked to my bedroom to find some clothes. “Thank you for being so understanding, Dec. I appreciate this more than you know.”
“No problem.”
“I’ll see you soon. Want me to pick something up for dinner on the way?”
“Nah, I’m already cooking and there’s plenty for both of you.”
I smiled at his sweetness. “Thanks, Cupcake. I’ll see you soon.”
We hung up and I yelled to my brother, “We’re staying with Dec tonight. Pack a bag, buttwipe.”
“Dickface,” he yelled back a moment before he stopped at my bedroom door. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, thank Dec. And Kade, for that manner.”
Evan sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah, okay.” He disappeared, presumably to get some fresh clothes.
When we made it back to Declan’s, I threw my bag in his bedroom—it was weird doing that—then we all sat down and ate dinner. The tension between Kade and Evan was palpable, but it seemed like they were both, at the very least, trying to be pleasant to each other. And it seemed that all was forgiven between them, thank god.
By the time we finished dinner and set up Evan’s makeshift bed on the couch, I was exhausted. I felt weird going into Declan’s bedroom with him, but I was so worn out that I didn’t care too much, well, not until he shut his bedroom door. I turned and looked at him, chewing on the inside of my cheek. When he looked at me and lifted a brow in question, I spun on my heel, grabbed my bag and said, “I’m gonna go change.” Then I practically ran to the bathroom.
I looked at myself in the mirror and took a deep breath, trying to relax. I whispered to my reflection, “It’s only weird if you make it weird… which you already have by running out of there like a fucking weirdo.” I sighed again, then got changed and brushed my teeth. I took a deep breath before exiting the bathroom and walking back into the bedroom… where Declan was already lying back on his bed in his sweatpants and t-shirt with his hands behind his head.
Declan glanced at me. “You alright?”
“Uh, yeah. I just had to take a leak real bad.” I cringed internally but ignored the weirdness and set my bag down. Then I stared at the bed, unsure of what to do.
Declan looked like he was holding back a smile as he patted the bed beside him and said, “I promise I don’t bite.”
“What if I like biting?” Shit. What am I doing?
Declan snorted out a small laugh, then flicked the blanket down so I could crawl in beside him. Once I was lying on my back, he reached over and turned off the lamp. “Is your brother going to be okay out there?”
“Yeah, he’ll be fine. He just… I dunno, he had a setback, I guess.”
“That’s understandable after seeing that guy.”
“I know, it just sucks that he’s still tormented by what that bastard did.”
“I know… I’m sorry.”
We fell silent for a while, then Dec whispered, “Trent?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m glad you’re here.”
I closed my eyes and blew out a breath. I knew he meant he was glad after I’d ignored him last week. He sounded so sincere that it was melting me into a pile of goo. “Me too,” I whispered back, trying—and failing—to hide my emotions. I took a deep breath before scooting over and putting my head on his shoulder. Almost immediately, he put his arm around me.
When I was almost asleep, I whispered, “I’m sorry, Declan.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I do, though. I’m sorry.”
He squeezed me, so I put my arm over his chest and hugged him back.
I hadn’t been planning on cuddling with him, but now that I was lying on his chest, I didn’t want to move away, so I snuggled down. I wasn’t sure how he’d receive that kind of affection, but after a slight hesitation, he pulled me even closer and turned on his side a little so he could wrap both of his arms around me. He sighed into my hair, and I smiled into his chest.
Today had been a trying day, and right after such a horribly long and terrible week, so I was emotionally and physically exhausted. Having Declan hold me, though, was helping drain all the terrible feelings out of my body. Plus, he smelled good and was super comfy. I sorta never wanted to move. Ever.
Before I realized it, I was falling asleep, breathing him in.