Page 69 of The Love Penalty
“How’d he get a spot in this house?”
Ethan starts laughing. “He was the first one Asher invited.”
“Hey, he overheard my phone call and asked if I’d managed to secure some accommodation. I was so excited, everything just came out, and then he outright asked, ‘Got room for me?’ I couldn’t exactly tell him no.”
“Actually, you could have,” Liam murmurs. “But I’m glad you didn’t. Baxter might be quiet and likes to keep to himself, but he’s a good guy.”
“He’s a weirdo, but we love him.” Casey shrugs, shoveling in a massive bite that spurts gravy out the side of his mouth.
I cut my food into normal-sized bites and continue to eat like the gentleman I was taught to be. Some habits never die, I guess. The guys hassle me for being this way sometimes, but we were raised in completely different worlds. I’m the odd one out, but somehow I fit. Most likely because of Hockey House. If they lose me, they lose their home too.
Grabbing my beer, I take a swig from the bottle and relax back in my chair, letting my food settle while Caroline tells the story of how Lani is the worst snowboarder in the world.
It’s pretty funny, and everyone is laughing by the end… including Lani.
Seeing this other side of her is a thing of beauty. She’s been lighting up more and more over the past two weeks, and it’s like watching a flower unfurl. She seems to be moving past what happened to her, and I’m glimpsing the girl Caroline always talked about. The fun-loving boss bitch who isn’t afraid of anything.
Skimming my fingers across her shoulder, I play with the ends of her hair, wanting her to never be afraid of anything again. Wanting her to be completely liberated from what happened to her.
In every way.
My throat grows thick as an idea that’s been brewing for a few days flitters through my head again. Would she hate me if I suggested it?
Does she trust me enough?
Will she understand what I’m trying to do?
I bite my lips together, wondering how I’ll even raise the thought as Liam clears the plates and we head into the kitchen to do the dishes. The girls play Just Dance while the guys wash, dry, and stack everything.
Continual banter is called out between the sexes, but I can’t seem to get into it. It’s actually a relief when Rachel ends the game and asks if Liam wants to walk her home and stay the night. It takes him all of one microsecond to agree, and that prompts Mikayla to ask if she can stay in Ethan’s bed. Casey then tells Caroline she’s staying, and she bites back with a “You’re so bossy,” then jumps into his arms with a laugh.
He’s nuzzling her neck as he carries her upstairs, Fezzik trotting after them with a few little yaps.
I rest my hands on the kitchen counter and look to Lani. She’s straightening couch cushions and avoiding my gaze.
“What do you want to do?”
She glances up, tapping the remote against her finger before placing it on the coffee table.
“Do you want to stay? Or should I drive you home?”
“Um…” She licks her bottom lip.
“I want you to stay, but I’m not a bossy turd bandit like Casey, so…”
She laughs, the sound sweet and quiet. “I don’t have my stuff here. Toothbrush. Pajamas…”
“Well, I’ve got a spare toothbrush, and as for the PJ thing… who needs ’em?” I wink. “Or you can borrow one of my T-shirts.”
My look must be pretty damn hopeful, because she lets out a soft sigh and murmurs, “I’ll stay for a little while.”
“Okay.” That’s not what I wanted her to say, but I’ll take it. Holding out my hand, I wait for her to walk around the couch, then thread our fingers together and walk her through to my bedroom.
My dick starts twitching with anticipation, the thought I had earlier rising in my brain like a hot air balloon. I don’t want to scare her off, but I don’t want her being held back either.
I should just fucking say it.
“So, you said something about a T-shirt?” She tucks her hair behind her ear. “Maybe we can snuggle up and watch a movie or something.”