Page 140 of Play Along

“What are you waiting for?” She’s got this playful smile on her lips. “Aren’t you going to teach me how to cuddle or something like that?”

“You’re a dork. You know that?”

I slip under the covers with her.

“You love it.”

She’s got the sheets held up to her chin, beaming grin on her mouth, like she’s far too giddy about this sleepover, and honestly, so am I.

“Yeah,” I exhale, sinking into my pillow and facing her. “I do.”

“Thanks for letting me stay over. After sharing the same room with you on the road, my apartment has felt a bit lonely lately.”

“You can stay here anytime, Ken. You know that.”

“Okay.”

I scoot closer to her, my feet wrapping over hers under the sheet. “Okay.”

Her hand slips out from under the blanket, cupping my cheek, her thumb dusting over the bone there. “You’re tired.”

I nod, leaning into her touch.

“Are you going to be okay?”

Her eyes bounce over my face, searching for my answer.

“I don’t know,” I tell her truthfully. “But I’m feeling good right now.”

A soft tilt lifts her lips. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a lover boy?”

With a chuckle, I shift, laying my head on her shoulder, and in equal time, she wraps both arms around me while mine goes around her middle.

“I don’t think anyone else has seen that side of me much, but yeah. You have no idea.”

Leaning down, her lips meet my hair. “I think I’m starting to figure it out.”

A few silent minutes pass between us and I’m close to sleep, this overwhelming calmness washing over me that in this moment I’ve got everything I’ve ever wanted.

But that’s the problem, my anxiety screams. It’s only in this moment.

“Kenny,” I whisper. “Will you still be here when I wake up?”

“Of course.” Her voice is sleepy. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Chapter 25

Kennedy

I woke up with a giant 6’4” man sprawled on top of me. His legs were between mine, his torso pinning me to the mattress. His head was tucked into the crook of my neck, and his arm was wrapped under my back.

I was a human pillow for Isaiah Rhodes, and I’ve never slept better.

When I went to use his shower this morning, I came out to a copy of today’s Times with the crossword puzzle pulled out and already folded for me. It was accompanied by a coffee and a couple of toasted Eggos.

He almost lost his shit when I told him I had never had an Eggo before, but even more so when I mentioned I wasn’t sure if I had time to eat before work.

My childhood home had a live-in chef, so fun, frozen food was never an option. And neither was skipping breakfast today. Isaiah has an odd affixation with feeding me and I think it might be my newly unlocked love language. Because it does things to me every time.

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