“He told me,” I confess quietly.
Alex nods, like he’s not surprised to hear that.
“You’re good for him, Cal. He’s different when he’s around you.”
“I’m not sure about that,” I whisper, thinking of all the moments we’ve shared.
Daemon shifts in his sleep, his arms tightening around me, pulling me closer, and we both fall quiet in fear of waking him.
Alex’s eyes drop to where Daemon is holding me, but I figure that doesn’t really mean anything. I’ve woken up in Alex’s arms more than once now, and there’s certainly not anything going on there.
Once he’s confident Daemon isn’t going to wake up, Alex continues.
“He needs our help.”
“I know,” I agree, looking back at the man in question.
“He’s got to pass his exams or he’ll—” Alex cuts himself off.
“Or he’ll what?” I breathe.
“I don’t know, and it terrifies me.”
I nod, my heart in shreds for the complicated man sleeping before me.
“I know he probably doesn’t deserve it, but… will you stay with him? Just until he wakes. I have no idea when he last got a full night’s sleep without any medication.”
“Sure.”
Untangling his legs from mine, Alex slips out of bed and disappears into the bathroom.
My heart races as I lie there in silence, listening to Daemon’s steady breathing. Does Alex know? Or is he just worried about his brother and sensing that I might be on his side?
After only a few minutes, Alex emerges, pulls on some clothes and disappears out of the tipi, leaving us alone.
I don’t move, too scared to wake him when I know just how desperately he needs his rest.
I’m unable to take my eyes off him as he continues to sleep. He looks so peaceful, so… free.
My fingers itch to touch him, but I resist and just continue to lie beside him.
His eyelids flutter with whatever he’s dreaming about, and his lips move every few seconds.
I can’t help but smile to myself, feeling grateful and more than a little bit overwhelmed that the boy who hides from everyone, the boy who claims never to be able to sleep, is lying right here beside me, completely relaxed.
I have no idea how much time passes as I remain motionless and lost in my own thoughts. But others are awake. I hear voices as I assume they find Alex starting the fire or whatever it is he left us to do out there.
My stomach knots, knowing that they’re all going to know we’re in here together. Although I doubt they’ll second guess it. Brianna might get some ideas, but I’m pretty sure the others all think I’m banging Alex anyway.
My cheeks flame at the thought that Stella and Emmie’s minds will go straight into the gutter about me sharing a bed with twins.
I smirk.
That would be a great way to tell them I lost my V-card. Two at once. Talk about diving into adulthood with a bang.
“You’re so pretty when you smile.”
My entire body startles with his words and I gasp, my eyes finding his.