r /> I don’t know why but I’m still always surprised when he opens his mouth. He’s broody and quiet all the time. When he shows any bit of enthusiasm for something it takes me by surprise.
As the movie begins Cannon pops popcorn in the suite’s kitchen making the room smell like buttery goodness and causing my mouth to water.
“I can’t believe you guys have popcorn here,” I mutter to Hollis.
He chuckles, the sound rumbling against my back as he holds me tight. “Only because Cannon is a mother hen and went to the grocery store the day after we got here to make sure we had everything we needed.”
“Better to be a mother hen than to starve,” Cannon defends from the kitchen.
“Shh, I want to watch the movie.”
Hollis pinches my side and whispers in my ear, “You started it.”
We’re all sucked into the movie and startle when the phone rings—the front desk letting us know the pizza is here, since the delivery guy isn’t allowed on this level.
“I’ll go get it,” Hollis says, lifting me off his lap and depositing me back onto the couch.
He slips out the door of the suite and my stomach rumbles despite the popcorn I’ve had.
It feels like he’s gone forever, but he finally returns with four boxes of pizza. He lays them all on the coffee table with the lids open and we all grab a slice of the one we want.
Once again he picks me up and sits me in his lap.
Between the pizza and the movie I find myself fighting to not fall asleep.
Fox notices and grabs a blanket holding it out to me. I drape it over myself and therefore Hollis. If he’s hot he doesn’t complain.
I have to admit, I’ve enjoyed hanging out with the guys. It’s nice to do something outside of the studio, and now I’m even more curious for what they have planned tomorrow.
Hollis begins to comb his fingers through my hair and I warn softly, “You’re going to make me fall asleep.”
“Then go to sleep,” he says huskily.
“I have to drive home,” I warn.
His lips find my ear. “Stay here.”
“You know I can’t.”
“Say you were at Kira’s again,” he pleads.
I find myself torn between doing what I want and what I should do.
“Fine,” I agree, giving in at last.
I feel his smile rather than see it.
20
Hollis
I carry a half-asleep Mia to my room and give her one of my shirts to change into for the night. She gives me a nod of thanks before I slip out of the room. I’d love to stay for the show, but I saw the way the guys were eyeing me and know I have to talk to them.
I make my way to where they’re sitting in the suite’s living room. I remain standing, because it makes me feel better.
“What are you thinking, man?” Cannon asks. “Mia’s a cool girl. We like her,” the other guys nod in agreement, “but she’s Hayes’s daughter. You’re playing with fire. You could screw this whole thing up. We asked you to stay away from her and you didn’t fucking listen.”
I want to get defensive and angry, to rage at them, but I know it’s the wrong reaction to have.