I flush harder, thinking of last night and again this morning. “I’ll be down in a second.”
“Okay. And Hads?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m glad you’re here.”
Her words make my tummy clench.
Remi leaves me alone and I stand in Cole’s room, unsure how to feel. Until another knock startles me, lurching my heart into my throat.
“Yeah?” I call, and it opens.
“Hey...”
For a moment I think it’s Cole. I think he’s come to check on me. But it isn’t.
“Wrong twin, sorry.” Conner offers me a tight smile.
“What? No! It’s just been a strange morning.”
A knowing smile plays on his lips, but he doesn’t tease me, and I’m thankful. His eyes slip down my body. “My brother know you’re wearing his clothes?”
I glance down at the black t-shirt. There’s a skull with worms and spiders clawing out of the eye sockets printed on it.
It couldn’t be more Cole if it tried.
“I…”
“Relax. It looks good on you.”
“So people keep telling me.”
“You hungry? Because if you are, you should probably come down before we eat all the food.”
“You came to get me?”
“Well, no. I came to grab my cell from my room, but I figured I’d see if you were okay after last night.”
“I’m okay.”
“Good, that’s good.” Heavy silence envelops us.
“I really need a girl’s minute, Conner,” I say.
“Bathroom?” he asks, and I nod.
“I’ll wait right out here.” He steps back and closes the door, but I’m aware of him watching me.
I stare at myself in the mirror for long minutes, running the events of the past few days over in my head. The faint bruises around my neck catch my eye and I lift my hand to run my fingertip over them. My tummy clenches in desire at remembering just how his possessive touch feels. He might say that I’m his addiction, but he’s very quickly becoming mine as well. It’s dangerous. Very dangerous.
When I’m done and have found some toothpaste to swill my mouth with, I slip into the hall.
“You waited,” I say, finding Conner still standing there.
“I did.” He rubs his jaw. “Ready?”
Am I?