“Where do all the hallways lead?” Ariel asked, pointing to the many openings around the communal space.
“To the living quarters. Come on.” Nile nodded toward one of the hallways and headed that direction.
Layla followed him, gripping Ariel’s hand this time instead of one of the men. They passed many doors with numbers on them.
“It’s like apartments,” Gatlin informed them as they walked. “Except smaller and without windows.”
Finally, they stopped at a door on the left, number 618. Nile unlocked it with a code on a keypad and swung it open. “After you,” he stated, swinging out an arm to let Layla and Ariel pass first.
Layla stepped inside and found herself in a great room of sorts. Couch, chairs, kitchen table. There was a counter, but no kitchen appliances. “So you do all your eating in the cafeteria?”
Nile nodded. “Yes. It’s more efficient. Sometimes we bring our meals back here to eat together, but we only keep snacks in the apartment.”
Layla wandered around, taking it all in.
“The bedrooms are small, but we each have our own,” Ledger pointed out as he opened the first door to the right of the entrance. “We don’t spend a lot of time in there. Sleeping. Alone time. We aren’t in the apartment a lot.”
Gatlin pushed another door open. “Bathroom. I bet you’d like to shower.”
Layla looked at Ariel. “You go first.”
Ariel nodded. “I’ll be quick.”
Gatlin pointed inside. “My sister brought some clean clothes for you to change into. We’ll head to the clothing exchange later so you’ll have a few more things.”
“Thank you. For everything.” Ariel hugged Gatlin on the way by.
Layla spun in a slow circle, taking everything in while the men watched her. “It’s so overwhelming.”
“I know,” Nile murmured. “You’ll feel better after you get some sleep.”
Layla nodded. He was right. If she wasn’t so excited about showering first, she would drop onto the couch and pass out cold.
When Layla stepped out of the bathroom, she found Ariel sound asleep on the couch.
Ledger kissed her forehead as he entered the bathroom behind her.
Nile pointed at the four attached doorways, two on each side of the main room. “Pick a room,” he whispered, not disturbing Ariel.
She glanced at him, narrowing her gaze. “Any room? Which one is yours?”
He smirked. “Uh-uh. Not going to tell you. Just pick one.”
Layla stepped into the first room on the left and inhaled deeply. Chuckling, she did the same in the second room on the left before crossing to the other side and stepping into the unopened door on the right. After several breaths, she spun around. “This one.”
“Jay’s?” Nile groaned. “Seriously?”
She giggled as she crawled onto Jay’s bed, not bothering to shut the door. She’d easily recognized his scent. Exhausted, she dropped down in the middle, grateful for the clean clothes Brea had left for her. It was just a tank top, underwear, and leggings, but they were clean and comfortable.
She was on her stomach, still adjusting the pillow when the bed dipped and Ledger climbed up beside her, his hair damp. She’d pulled hers up in a messy bun, not wanting to deal with wet hair right now.
He stared down at her, smiling, his hand coming to her shoulder, stroking her skin.
She grabbed his hand and tugged him down. “Lie with me.”
He didn’t hesitate to drop alongside her, but he immediately turned her to her side and hauled her back against his front, spooning her like she’d seen on television.
“Mmm.” It felt nice, being held like this, even if he was kind of bossy about it. She’d been warned about Ledger’s high-handedness. She didn’t mind it a bit.