Page 69 of Fake Game

Damn, she’s cute.

“Hi.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. Again.”

I shake my head, bringing my hand up to rest against the crown of her head. “You didn’t.” The pads of my fingers burrow into her locks as I start to massage her.

Deer’s eyes flutter shut as she leans back into my touch.

“Thank you.”

A golden light warms my chest at her words.

“I told you, you don’t need to suffer alone.”

Her eyes blink open and her brows pinch. “Practice what you preach.”

“I’m not the one barricading myself in a blanket fortress to avoid my issues.”

She lets out a small huff of air and I smile.

Her gaze turns wary, and she grips the edge of the sheet more tightly.

“Do you think…”

“I do think. Maybe a little too much.”

I see the corners of her eyes crinkle with a hidden smile. That warmth in my chest spreads.

“Do you think you could stay?”

My hand halts in its path as I blink down at her. Her eyes widen before she pulls the sheet back over her head.

“You know what? Never mind. That was dumb. Ignore me.”

“Hey. Wait a second.” I grab the sheet near where she has it curled in her fist and tug. “Deer, look at me.”

“No.” Her knuckles whiten as she keeps me from pulling the fabric back down.

I let out a sigh.

It always feels like two steps forward, three steps back with her. I’ve never noticed before, but she really keeps people at arm’s length. You just never realize it because she always acts so friendly.

I push myself up, resting on my elbows as I search for the corner of the sheet. Once I find it, I slip off the bed.

“Wait!” Deer pops out from her cocoon, pure fear etched into her features.

My chest splits open.

I lift the sheet up and slide under it, joining her in bed. “Shh,” I hum. Without giving it much thought, I curl my arms around her. “I’m not going anywhere; I was just getting more comfortable.”

Her body stiffens in my hold, and I can feel her heart thumping against the back of her ribs. After what feels like a beat too long, she lets out a breath, her frame slumping. Her breathing starts to regulate, matching my own as she calms down.

“Thank you,” she mutters against my chest, her wet cheeks pressing against me.

“You don’t have to keep thanking me.”

She shrugs and I thread one of my hands back through her hair, pulling her tighter to me.

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