Page 25 of Ice Me Baby

He chuckles. “You do realize that you were humming the whole time you worked on those notebooks, right?”

My cheeks heat with embarrassment. “That doesn’t mean I like anime.”

“It does when you hum multiple anime theme songs.”

Huffing out a breath, I realize that the distraction helped. I can breathe a little easier, and I’m no longer about to pass out. But the knocking continues. Thumping my head back against the wall, I say softly, “Thank you, Vicy.”

“Your thanks isn’t necessary when I want to know the answer to the question.”

I manage a chuckle as I cover my other ear to block out the pounding. “My favorite anime isYuri on Ice.”

He hums. “I’ve never seen it. I’ll have to check it out.”

“What’s yours?” I pull my hand away from my ear and realize the knocking has stopped. I slowly stand from my huddled position against the opposite wall.

“Does Vox Machina count? If not, I like Fairy Tale.”

I let out a squeal when a deep voice sounds from the other side of my door. “Liz?” My relief at hearing the familiar voice has my shoulders dropping and my breaths coming a little easier. I rush over to the door and rip it open. Oli’s dominating figure stands right outside my door, panting as if he ran all the way here.

“Chérie? Are you o—”

Before he can finish his question, I’m jumping into his arms. He immediately lifts me, my legs wrapping around his waist, and I hold him in a death grip. I sob into his chest as I say, “You’re here.”

“Of course, Chérie.” He holds me close, and I soak in his warmth and protective aura. Muffled shouting reaches us, and I realize Vicy is still on the phone. I bring the phone back to my ear and apologize. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to leave you hanging like that.”

“I just wanted to make sure you are okay. We are almost there, so I’ll see you soon. Bye, Roe Roe.”

I wrap my arms back around Oli and sag at the feeling of safety. His chest rumbles as he says softly, “I got you, Chérie. You’re safe now.”

“I couldn’t find anything,” Lewi says, panting. Oli just grunts in response and holds me closer.

My eyes water again as I whisper, “Dean…”

Lewi jogs over to and lifts a hand to cup my cheek. “Are you okay?”

I begin to nod, but then it turns into me shaking my head ‘no’. A few tears escape as I choke out, “You're here.”

His brows furrow, and he brushes my tears away. “Of course.”

When I hear doors slam, I jump but then relax when I see it’s the boys rushing up the stairs. Vicy bulldozes his way inside and wraps me and Oli in a hug. “Fucking hell, Roe Roe, you scared me.”

He pulls away and points at me with a no-nonsense look. “You are staying with us until further notice!”

I shake my head. “I can’t do that.”

Taz is suddenly beside Vicy, grumbling, “That was a statement, not a question. Youarestaying with us until further notice.”

“Don’t make me get Peri, Merc, Gilly, and Fenni down here,” Ozzy chimes in behind the guys.

Tuck huffs out a laugh as he points between Vicy and Taz. “If you thought younger brothers were annoying before, I canguarantee that having four overprotective, older ones will be worse.”

“Don’t drag them away from their families,” I argue.

Vicy shrugs. “Then don’t argue.”

“Fine,” I grunt out. “I need my keys and purse, though. And I’ll need to pack some clothes.”

“Only grab the essentials for tonight. We can come back tomorrow to get more stuff.” Oli says, walking into the living room.

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